From the moment they climbed the 12-foot ladder, it clearly wasn’t going to be a typical Wednesday for Guild Mortgage employees. Instead of looking at loan documents and other office tasks, they worked together to raise a second-story wall of a Habitat home.
Guided by Habitat staff and working alongside Core volunteers, they learned how to lay out the studs and correctly nail them to the top and bottom plates. They also squared, sheeted, and stood the walls they built.
“When you’re doing something different together that you’re not normally used to, it really bonds you,” said Don Garrett, branch manager for Guild Mortgage. “They’re excited about driving by and seeing the project progress. They’re already asking me when the next one is.”
There is no better feeling for us at Habitat for Humanity Portland Region than working alongside our volunteers and witnessing the joy on their faces at the end of a Team Builder day: a mix of pride, purpose, and accomplishment.
If you’re looking to strengthen your team’s connection while making a tangible impact in the community, consider sponsoring a Team Builder day on our construction sites or in our ReStores.
Ready to take team-building to the next level? Here are five reasons to do it with Habitat!
1. Community Impact
At Habitat for Humanity Portland Region, we’re building more homes than ever before all across the Portland region. We believe that everyone deserves an affordable place to call home. By volunteering on our construction sites or in our ReStores, you can feel confident that your time is directly impacting our community and helping to address our region’s housing crisis.
2. Boost Team Morale
There’s something powerful about stepping away from your desks and rolling up your sleeves together. Whether it’s hammering, painting, or organizing donations, the day is filled with collaboration, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose. Out-of-office experiences like these are shown to boost productivity, increase positivity, and improve staff morale.
3. Employee Retention
Studies show that meaningful work is linked to employee retention. In a 2022 study done by Benevity, companies who partner with nonprofits see a 52% lower turnover rate.
“It increased the trust that our team has with each other. I have organized many Team Building events with Habitat for Humanity and I have seen the camaraderie that it builds.”
– Steve Shuyler, Eaton Corporation
4. Align Your Brand with a Great Cause
Habitat for Humanity is one of the most recognized and trusted names in the philanthropic space. Partnering with us not only demonstrates your commitment to affordable housing but also reflects your company’s values to clients, customers, and the community. By partnering with Habitat, you can tell the story of your engagement in our mission to your audiences.
5. Learn New Skills
When you volunteer at Habitat for Humanity, no experience is necessary. If you’ve never picked up a hammer before, don’t worry! Our staff will train you on how to safely use tools to complete the tasks at hand.
“The cool part about today is we’re actually getting to build the walls that we’re going to put up here before we go, so we’ll be able to drive by and see what’s we’ve done. And we have people who have never got to use a nail gun out here using a nail gun, doing things they didn’t think they could do.”
– Don Garrett, Guild Mortgage
Ready to build your team while making a difference?
Visit our Team Builder page to learn more about opportunities and schedule your day of service. Let’s build something great—together.
