Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Schimmel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am proud to say that I’ve built my career on one unwavering principal – the importance of helping others; from a smile or laugh to a home of their own, the desire to see others happy and successful has always led the way.
When I think back, I never imagined I’d be running a Habitat for Humanity Affiliate or any nonprofit, for that matter. I did, however, envision my life on the stage, playing a character, singing and dancing. Now, almost 20 years since graduating from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts with a degree in Fine and Performing Arts, my life is absolutely on a stage and the character I’m playing is ME.
My first job was as a waitress and I fully credit that experience with giving me the skills necessary to build my career, including the ability to negotiate, build relationships, ask questions, work with diverse people, sales/business development, ability to talk to anyone, and so much more. I began my professional career in development offices responsible for managing databases, writing and managing appeal letters, planning parties, organizing volunteers, and eventually asking for money.
In 1999, I landed my first role as the Donor Administrator at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA. This position, not only solidified my love for theater, it leads me on the path to help others be engaged with nonprofits and for them to be the change they wish to see in the world. In 2002, I was blessed with the opportunity to work as the Manager of Development Information and Gift Accountant for the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT, where I continued to develop my fundraising skills, with a focus on database management. While databases can be considered boring, they’re not to me. I LOVE data. It gives you a clear picture of where you are and helps pave a path of where you want to be.
A year later, in 2003, when I accepted the role of Associate Director of Development Operations and Donor Relations at Hartford Seminary I truly understood my calling. Here I managed the organization’s annual fund, coordinated special events, supervised the Institutional Advancement Department, provided staff support for the Alumni/ae Council and developed a relationship with Alumnae. While the work was great, the real reward was working with many people from diverse backgrounds and faiths, building a place that not only respected each voice and opinion but sought to learn the intimate details of one’s faith to lift everyone up. I was so inspired by this learning experience, I knew that whatever I did next, I needed that work to be focused on helping more people make an impact on their surroundings and ideally it would be a place of faith, spirituality, and a belief that there is a greater power that empowers us to be all we are intended to be.
In 2006, I accepted the role Director of Individual and Faith-Based Support at Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, This position fit my personal work vision perfectly, allowing me to help many people, from many walks of life, work together to make housing a matter of conscience and action. It also fulfilled my deep desire to be in a place of faith, as Habitat for Humanity was founded as and continues to be a faith-based organization, built on the principle of the “Theology of the Hammer,” a place where everyone has a place to call home, and everyone has the ability to help make that happen.
In 2007, I was blessed with the opportunity take on the challenge of my current role as the Executive Director at Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity. The last 10 plus years have been an adventure, each and every day different from last, all filled with the joy of helping families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through a shelter. Not only have I had the chance to work with amazing volunteers and donors, but with their help, 30 more local families built and purchased their own simple, decent homes, 30 local families with partner with us on home repair projects and over 100 more families in Guatemala were served with healthy home solutions and homeownership opportunities.
I’ve even traveled to Guatemala 6 times to help build homes, latrines, and vented stoves in partnership with local Guatemalan families and volunteers from the US that have traveled with me. Habitat for Humanity is a life-changing ministry and I am grateful that my path has lead me here. While the stage has changed over the years, my love for being on it hasn’t changed a bit. I love the role I play on this stage and I hope that the audiences (donors, friends, board members, volunteers, and partner families) enjoy the opportunities as much as I do.
Has it been a smooth road?
Nonprofit work is good for the soul, while it’s a challenge, the rewards are worth it! I think the biggest challenge is always resources. We pride ourselves on being small but mighty… but that means we’re working on a shoestring budget and trying to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) is a housing ministry dedicated to strengthening communities by empowering low-income families to change their lives and the lives of future generations through homeownership and home preservation opportunities. This is accomplished by working in partnership with diverse people, from all walks of life, to build simple, decent, affordable housing.
Habitat’s mission to provide homeownership opportunities to low-income families is unique as it requires partner families to work alongside the community that is reaching out to help them. Each Habitat partner family provides “sweat equity,” or physical labor, toward the construction of their own home, other Habitat family homes and special projects. Partner families provide between 300 – 500 hours of sweat equity and participate in educational programs designed to help them achieve successful homeownership.
Most importantly, Habitat is HAND UP, not a handout. Our families not only build their homes with us but they purchase them too. Habitat is the mortgage company providing the family with an affordable mortgage. Each payment made on the mortgage is placed in the Fund for Humanity and is used to help the next family achieve their dreams of homeownership.
Homeownership changes the lives of the owner, the children who grow up there and each generation beyond that.
The work isn’t only about the partner family though, it’s about engaging the community in the solution. It takes many thousands of hours to build a house with volunteers and partner families. Throughout these hours, volunteers and partner families gain skills in construction, relationship building, communication but most importantly the gain a sense of community, of belonging, of philanthropy and generosity. Together we can make a difference.
Lastly, to help us meet the need both locally and globally, GSHFH opened our ReStore in Westfield. Now in it’s third year, restore a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center accepts donations of new and gently used furniture, building materials, appliances, lighting, household decor items and so much more, then sells the items to the public for a fraction of their retail value with all proceeds benefit our mission. Shop. Donate. Volunteer. Today!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity story. Tell us more about the business.
During the week of July 14 – 21, 2018, Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity celebrated the Founders, Visionary Leaders, Board Presidents and Executive Directors for their roles in paving the way for families to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. We did this in the most “Habitat” way possible, by building the majority of a home in one week with our Legacy Build located at 963 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA. In just 8 days, hundreds of volunteers transformed a foundation to an exterior complete home including landscaping with interior dry-walled.
The flurry of activity is a concrete example of what a group of dedicated, passionate, volunteers can do when they believe in the mission. EVERY ONE DESERVES A PLACE TO CALL HOME.
On July 21st, not only did we celebrate the accomplishment of the week but we also:
– blessed this home and two others (1512 Dwight Street, Springfield & 37 Bristol Street, Springfield)
– celebrated the accomplishments of the last 30 years including 100 families served in the Greater Springfield Area, 200 families served in Guatemala
– celebrated the opening of our ReStore, a donation and home improvement center located at 301 E. Main Street, Westfield, MA.
– turned the page to begin our 31st year of service in the Greater Springfield community.
– promised our community that the next 30 years we will continue to serve families in need, to help families grow to be all they are intended to be, to help build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
“A home is built with boards and beams, a home is built with love and dreams.” – Unknown Author
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our community is in the midst of a renaissance, many new businesses and people coming to the area, new job opportunities, educational resources, entertainment and cultural offerings all reinvigorating the region. It is an exciting time to be here!
We are excited to be a part of this rebirth and to do our part by continuing to grow and serve families in need of simple, decent, affordable housing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 268 Cold Spring Avenue West Springfield, MA
- Website: www.HabitatSpringfield.org
- Phone: (413) 739-5503
- Email: schimmel@habitatspringfield.org
- Instagram: @greaterspringfieldhfh
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gshfh
- Twitter: @GSHFH
- Other: www.ReStoreWestfield.com
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