2ROOFS is Whatcom County's own social real estate team. We believe you should have a joy filled and meaningful real estate experience. Every sale helps house a person in need at no additional cost to you. See how it works HERE.
Thank you to Erik & Kim Dokken (Sellers) and Mike and Robin Stacy (Buyers) who’s home sale has helped provide emergency and transitional housing for homeless families affected by Hurricane Irma followed by Hurricane Maria through the work of The Fuller Center For Housing in Puerto Rico. Because of friends like you who have chosen 2roofs as their Realtor over 200 people in need have been helped to find housing.
Here’s the story of 2Roofs’ (Rob and his son Aidan) trip to Puerto Rico as they volunteer to build a roof for a single woman with the help of other volunteers from The Fuller Center For Housing.
2Roofs' Story in Puerto Rico
I was excited to be able to go on the latest 2roofs volunteer trip adventure this past winter with my 17 year old son Aidan. 2roofs sets aside a portion of our fee from every home sale to help house a person in need. We as owners of 2roofs try to go volunteer on a home project trip at least once a year. We chose to go to Puerto Rico as I had such a great experience volunteering there last year. Aidan and I also wanted to test out his Spanish speaking ability with the locals. This was Aidans first time out of the continental US. We chose to work with the Fuller Center for housing because of the unique work that they were doing assisting in the rebuilding of homes damage by hurricane Maria.
What was it like getting to volunteer with your son?
I have been on many of these service project trips and always return home to share the stories with my family. It was so much more fun and meaningful to have Aidan with me and work side by side. He jumped in with all he had and was thrilled to be able to contribute his energy and strength to the team. It was great to see him adapt to the working conditions, learn new things and form connections with the other members of our team. He was able to see how hard it is for some to find safe housing. The contrast to our life and those that we were serving was extreme. It left an indelible impression on him.
You built the roof for a single woman. Can you share a few highlights of her story?
One of the homes that worked on was owned by a single woman named Lucy. Lucy was originally form Puerto Rico, but moved to the NY and spent 15 years in the US both as a student and then a social worker. The cold weather was hard on her arthritis. She returned home to PR and moved into a home in a village just outside of the town of Maunabo. When hurricane Maria hit Lucy found shelter in a local emergency shelter nearby. When she returned to her home it had been destroyed. The roof had bean ripped off and the contents of her home damage by the water and flying debris. FIMA provided some assistance after the storm providing tarps etc, but because Lucy did not have a record of title to ownership (which is common for many areas of PR) she was not able to get funding from FIMA to rebuild properly. That is when she reached out to the Fuller Center for housing and the global builders program. As a result of the volunteering of friends and neighbors and donations from incoming teams of volunteers Lucy was able to have her home fully remodeled.
What was the team like you volunteered with?
We were a team of 9 individuals from the east and the west coast mostly in the 50s and 60s age range with one person in their 80s - all men and one brave woman. We came from all walks of life from the construction trades to a professor with a PHD, an entrepreneur and everything in between.
Everyone came with a giving heart and a desire to work hard and that's exactly what we did. This group also had a lot of fun getting to know each other and by the end there was much trash talk and laughs had by all. It was great to see everyone find their place and contribute in their own way.
What was the biggest challenge you and Aidan faced?
The long days of physical labor took a tole on me, but Aidan handled that in stride. We had good accommodations and the food was average, but very filling! There was some difficulty with translation at times, but this added to the international adventure.
What was the highlight moment for you of the trip?
Seeing the team come together and really start working efficiently. We were able to get the work done early and start a new project. There was also a team bonding tour day where we took a catamaran boat out on to a small island where we were able to snorkel, walk on the white sandy beach and Aidan was able to skim board. We all enjoyed the rest and the amazing beauty.
What did you learn while you were there that you are still thinking about?
It is easy to go visit new places and take on the tourist experience and yet fully miss what and who is there. This experience helped Aidan and me gain understanding and connection to the struggle that many Puerto Ricans are facing.
2roofs' Realtors work hard to make your home buying or selling experience enjoyable and give part of every commission to help house a person in need. See more stories.