With a background in fine arts, Lynn opened her own interior design business in 2010 and became known as the sustainability expert among her peers. It was her vocation in her work as a designer and an educator, working with clients interested in sustainable practices, healthy materials, and affordable and accessible housing.

“I’ve always been very passionate about preserving the planet and supporting underserved populations,” said Lynn, who traces those commitments to her upbringing, her personality, and her Jewish faith.

When she stepped back from running her design business, she found the space to do something she had wanted to do for a long time: volunteer with Habitat.

She started last fall, and today she volunteers at the Gresham and Portland ReStores, helping keep the home goods section stocked, organized, and looking good for customers in a busy environment. It’s work that suits her designer eye for putting things in order.

“What is so rewarding for me is the staff is so appreciative of me being here,” Lynn said. “It’s such a sense of accomplishment to clean up the shelves and get them sorted and merchandised, and watch things start moving off the shelves while I’m still working. This is helping to support the whole mission of Habitat to build homes for underserved communities.”

It’s also exposed her to the richness of the immigrant communities in east Multnomah County, and seeing their commitment to family reflect her own.

“They have a very strong commitment to family, and that’s something that I grew up with too. Family is very important,” she said. “I love it, because I feel more like I’m in an international community”

The importance of being connected to the larger, international community is particularly important to Lynn of late, with the rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric in national politics. Working at ReStore, interacting with customers, she gets to share in the cultural riches of people from around the world.

Having in lived in Portland all her life, Lynn witnessed the region’s housing landscape shift from earthy and affordable to more luxury and exclusive, which makes the mission of Habitat and the ReStores all the more important to her. Lynn’s volunteer work to make ReStore items appealing contributes directly to supporting affordable homeownership. Every item donation and every purchase from the ReStores helps fund local Habitat’s homebuilding and home repair programs across the Portland region.

And to anyone else who is considering volunteering, Lynn says to get involved.

“They need the help,” she said. “It’s a wonderful experience, and you’ll leave feeling really good about yourself.”