Volunteering to Build Communities with Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity sees its partners as vital to a mission to provide people in need with secure, decent and affordable shelter. Citi is a longtime corporate partner whose employees have worked with Habitat hand-in-hand in serving families and building communities around the world.

This year, Habitat is participating in Citi's Global Community Day on June 22nd again for a day of volunteerism and community building with Citi employees. This annual initiative has Citi employees around the world working with global and local non-profit organizations to improve the community.

To learn more about Citi's collaboration with Habitat, read the Q&A below with Derek Deveaux, a volunteer and Vice President at Citi in Jacksonville, FL, as he shares his experience working with Habitat.

• How did the volunteering you did alongside Habitat contribute to improving the community?

The work we did gave us the opportunity to help those who do not have the financial means or the opportunity to have a home. In addition to allowing someone to be a homeowner, the new homes help to improve the neighborhood's economic growth

• What was the most rewarding part of your experience volunteering with Habitat last year?

Habitat requires future homeowners to work a set number of hours on their new home alongside volunteers. Working with the homeowner was very gratifying as I could immediately see the positive impact my efforts made.

• What are you most proud of from your volunteering experience?

I'm proud that I am able to help others. It's as simple as that. There are so many underprivileged people. Whether it be financially, socially, physically... the reason is irrelevant. I feel blessed in my life with what I have. I feel that the least that I can do is to help others as much as possible so they feel blessed and live a life they always wanted to have.

• What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start volunteering in their community?

Find something you are passionate about, whether it be children, families, people with disabilities, community clean-up, etc. There is no wrong answer. There are few things in life that give you immediate gratification. I've yet to volunteer and walk away without a smile and knowing I made a difference.

• In what ways do you think volunteering makes a difference?

Knowing that you've touched someone else's life makes a big difference. It can be small or big. Every time you volunteer, someone will notice. Helping build a house through Habitat for Humanity makes a person that much closer to having a home and you can say without doubt you helped make that happen.

Interested in volunteering for Habitat for Humanity? There are many opportunities at your local Habitat; find the nearest local affiliate.

To learn more about Citi's Global Community Day 2013, visit the Citi Facebook Page or follow the conversation on Twitter by searching #CitiVolunteers.