This article was written by Megan Dyer, 

iACT intern.

Recently I was given the opportunity to observe and participate in the first few steps of the the helping power of Hands on Housing program through iACT. As an intern at iACT this summer, I am interested in all of the programs this non-profit has to offer. After my experience,  it is clear that Hands on Housing has the potential to not only improve people’s lives immediately, but to create a standard of humanity towards one another.

I was aware that Hands on Housing assisted people with home repairs, but the level of compassion, patience, and honest concern for meeting the home owners needs was impressive and deeply moving. It was clear that the two staff members who I accompanied were more than willing to stay as long as needed and do whatever it took to get Sylvia and her 89 year old mother the help they requested. This was a profoundly different experience than what I have seen in the past through agencies in general that have the tendency to involve a lengthy wait as well as a somewhat cold approach.

One of my learning objectives through my internship is to better understand how a non-profit such as iACT functions and helps people. I saw this in motion yesterday as I witnessed the humanity of a non-profit truly assisting in another’s needs, and the relief and genuine appreciation from the home owner. My hope moving forward is that more people will get involved with non-profits that sustain this level of support to others, because kindness and compassion are truly what connects and sustains us all.