AmeriCorps Members Complete Their Service

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Beaches Habitat’s 2019-2020 AmeriCorps members have completed their service year. It has been a year unlike any other, to say the least. Thanks to perseverance and a willingness to help, Construction Crew Leaders Ty Tabb and Chace Thomas each completed at least 1,700 hours serving the Beaches communities.

COVID-19 drastically altered this AmeriCorps term. With Collegiate Challenge cut a week short, AmeriCorps Build-A-Thon eliminated, and construction completely stopped for 6 weeks, members had to adapt to a very different environment. Putting down their hammers and picking up their computers, Ty and Chace received an OSHA 10 certificate and helped to shape some volunteer program initiatives before returning to the build site. While it was not quite the experience Ty and Chace expected, they both gained meaningful experience that they can be proud of.

We are grateful for their commitment to affordable housing; helping families build strength, stability, and self-reliance.

About the Members

“Ty is a good man. He is an extremely engaging member of our team who could be counted on to speak up and was always a part of the conversation whether he was on site or in a staff meeting. Though he will be sorely missed here, I am excited for him and his future.”

President & CEO Curtis Ford

Name: Ty Tabb
Position: AmeriCorps*National Construction Crew Leader

What’s next? My focus is to pursue a degree and ultimately study how to best utilize my passions and skills to serve the world-at-large.

What’s your big career dream? I want to establish my own nonprofit with a focus on international connections.

What was the best thing about your service year? The best thing about this year was learning about an entirely new industry, with the terminology and technical skills. I felt my brain was challenged which is a joy I have not had in other work.

Do you have a favorite memory? Beaches Habitat board members, staff, and AmeriCorps members got together for a Christmas celebration. The Christmas party really allowed me to get comfortable with the entire office and get dressed up. I like being fancy.

Do you have anything you’d like to say to the volunteers? I would first like to thank everyone for their patience with me as I developed my leadership style. Moreover, to thank them all for having so much of themselves to share via wisdom, skills, and pure joy they bring onto the site.

Anything else you’d like to share? This year has been the pivot I needed into a life I will be very proud of and has equipped me with confidence that I cannot begin to thank you all for.

“In the last two years that Chace has been on our team, he has grown tremendously. He has learned new skills and expanded his future opportunities in life. If I was to say one thing to Chace, it is that his confidence is showing. We are happy to welcome him back for another year of skill-building.”

President & CEO Curtis
Ford

Name: Chace Thomas
Position: AmeriCorps*National Construction Crew Leader

What’s next? I am going to do a 3rd year with AmeriCorps at Beaches Habitat. Looking forward to improving my skills.

What’s your big career dream? Becoming a firefighter.

What was the best thing about your service year? This year I started a house at its foundation and was able to finish it and see the homeowners move in. I’ve also enjoyed the friendships.

Do you have a favorite memory? House dedications & Build-A-Thon 2019

Do you have anything you’d like to say to the volunteers? Each and every one of you has a special place in my heart, thank you. We make a great team.

Anything else you’d like to share? Peace and love, let’s keep moving and getting things done for others in need. Appreciate the little things. Let go of the past. Thank God every single day.

Wish Them Well

If you have a message you’d like to share with Ty or Chace, send it to volunteer@beacheshabitat.org. We’ll be sure to pass it along!

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