#sspjuniorhigh

Being a first-year SSP staffer, I didn't really know what to expect as a Construction Coordinator. I knew I would be working with youth and counselors, as well as my Construction Team, on projects ranging from decks, stairs, painting, and ramps.  

What I wasn't expecting were the close ties I would be building with those people in addition to the homeowners in the Chiloquin community. Some of the teams I have worked with thus far in the summer have commented on how I always have a smile on when I show up to a site, regardless of the situation or if a problem needed to be fixed.  

Truth be told, the smile is a direct consequence of seeing the volunteers so hard at work to build something for an individual, or individuals, whom they met only a few days ago. Seeing the smiles it brings to homeowners is the frosting on the cake.  

Personally, I have been working on a painting project, a stairs project, and building bunk beds. So far, I've gotten to know a few of the homeowners we are working on projects for: Maria, Anna, and Jack have been so appreciative of the work the volunteers are doing and have even brought out fruit and extra water for the volunteers to eat and drink during the work days. They spend time hanging out with the work teams and are usually out with work teams when I show up to deliver instructions and supplies.  

It's been such a privilege to not only work on behalf of these great people, but also get to know them on a more personal level - hearing about their lives and what's going on in them. This kind of environment has such a positive influence on SSP volunteers, as well as me as a Construction Coordinator.  I never expected to be so moved by a summer spent in service of others. But I couldn't imagine spending my summers any other way.