ASHEVILLE – Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is seeking AmeriCorps members to work as Construction Crew Leaders for New Home Construction and Home Repair. These year-long service opportunities are perfect for people who possess a desire to serve others, have a passion for volunteerism and group facilitation, and have strong team building skills. Members receive a living allowance, a housing stipend of $700-800/month, and other benefits. 

Matt Grant, AmeriCorps member with Home Repair, shared, “When I graduated college, I wanted to start a career in non-profit construction, and AmeriCorps was a perfect opportunity to try that out for a year. I’m so glad I decided to sign up, because what I’ve learned has been invaluable, regardless of what career field I enter. I’ve been able to pick up so many construction skills through the variety of hands-on work we do, learn the ins and outs of Habitat and the non-profit world in general, and hone my skills at working with a diverse group of people. The team has invested in me as if I was a full-time staff member, and they have become friends more than co-workers. I get to be an integral part of the work we do; I never feel like I’m just given the “intern work”, and I’ve been given as much responsibility as I could ask for. Anyone who’d like to grow in their capability and confidence working with people or working with their hands, has a great opportunity to do that with a very supportive team and extremely engaging service work as an AmeriCorps member with Asheville Habitat.”

At Asheville Habitat, AmeriCorps members provide leadership on project sites, engage volunteers to become champions for the mission, and create new tools and systems to build capacity. They gain insight into a non-profit organization and receive hands-on experience in leadership, team building, public speaking, and community development. For some, AmeriCorps is an experiential gap year before college, grad school, or a career; for others it is a stepping stone towards a job in the non-profit sector.

Asheville tops a lot of lists, and for good reason. The City is also newsworthy for something else: an affordable housing crisis. The people who make Asheville what it is are being priced out. Housing costs far outweigh local wages and affordable housing options are scarce. Residents are forced to move elsewhere or make impossible choices like paying more than 50% of their income towards rent, or living in overcrowded, substandard, or unsafe situations. Young people who want to help more families thrive instead of just survive, learn and hone skills, and grow their confidence and leadership abilities, are encouraged to visit AshevilleHabitat.org/Careers to learn more about AmeriCorps with Asheville Habitat and apply.

About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: 
Founded in 1983, Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity was the first Habitat affiliate in North Carolina. Now serving Buncombe and Madison Counties, AAHH provides affordable homeownership and home repair programs to qualified low-income residents seeking to build a better future on the foundation of stable housing. A decent place to call home and an affordable mortgage enables Habitat homeowners to save more, invest in education, pursue opportunities, and have greater financial stability. The home repair program preserves the character, affordability, and diversity of local neighborhoods and enables long-time residents to stay in their homes. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat and how you can get involved at AshevilleHabitat.org.