It’s hard to believe summer’s half-way over, and while we are greatly anticipating the cooler fall weather, all of us at the offices of SC Habitat are not looking forward to saying goodbye to our summer interns, Mary Johnson (left) and Wendy Martinez (right). Before these ladies head back to school, we had the chance to talk with them about what it’s like working at SC Habitat.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Wendy: My name is Wendy. I am from Gainesville, Georgia, I go to Georgia Tech and I’m studying economics. I love going out to restaurants and eating new foods. I love food.
Mary: Well, my name Is Mary. I am a college student. I’m studying biology. I like to shop, swim, spend money, go out with friends, that’s about it!
How did you become interested in Habitat for Humanity?
Wendy: I learned about it through my friend Trisha. I think it’s a great organization and I really have always liked giving back to the community and I think this is a great way to serve people and help people out so I’m really glad that I’m doing this.
Mary: I’ve been with Habitat for over 12 years now because my mom is a homeowner with Habitat. I’ve kinda volunteered since I was small!
What’s your favorite part of working for SC Habitat?
Wendy: The people—everyone is really nice. I really like the casual culture too; I think it suits me.
Mary: The people we get to help is my favorite part: whenever I get to see a family kind of transition from the beginning stages to home ownership, what we’re really about.
What’s a typical day at the office look like for you?
Wendy: Usually I’ll come in around 9, check my e-mail, I read the news and then start on the work I need to get done—usually it involves shopping for food for the youth program and then just helping out Ciara, who is the youth program coordinator. I worked with Trisha and Justin to write a sponsorship package for our youth program, I was looking at food donations and ticket donations for field trips for the youth program. It was a lot of project planning, and a big part of my job is to make sure that we stay inside the budget and plan for expenses and look at details. I also had to be with the kids last week, and I got to teach them a few lessons during the day.
Mary: On a typical day I come in and see what tasks are at hand for the day, make a couple calls. My favorite work project so far has been summer youth camp, even though it has a lot of things to it, it’s been really fun. Accounting stuff has been a lot of fun too.
What has been your most memorable moment during your internship at SC Habitat?
Wendy: I really liked when everyone sang happy birthday to me! That was really nice of everyone.
Mary: Being in the room with the development team and having good laughs, talking with everybody!
If you were a superhero which one would you be?
Wendy: I’d be Tony Stark, because I really like the inside of his helmet.
Mary: Wonder woman because she’s the ultimate woman; she’s strong, she’s wise, and the woman version of Superman. She can do it all.
What’s your favorite quote?
Wendy: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Mary: Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.
Interested in getting involved this fall? E-mail our volunteer coordinator, kiera.dunn@schabitat.org to sign up to build with us.
