| << Back |  |
Meet Your Neighbor: Meet The Neighbor – Troy Simmons
By Callie Thomas
Ever wonder what a little time, dedication and “sweat equity” will get you? For some, it could mean their first home. No, it’s not a new HGTV show; it’s Habitat for Humanity, with help from Troy Simmons. The 89117 resident grew up learning about electrical contracting and residential building alongside his father and two brothers. Those experiences led Simmons to realize his dream of owning his own business – Northern Lights & Fans. Over a fourteen year period, the effort grew to four locations and an association with Habitat for Humanity that will last a lifetime.
Habitat for Humanity helps to build homes for working families who can’t afford to take on the task themselves. It is about a hand up rather than a hand out. They provide the tools for families and hard working individuals to make their dream of owning their own safe home come true. By helping families create a home, a stronger community bond can be formed.
Habitat’s ReStores sell reusable and surplus building materials to the public. Funds raised are used to support the building of homes. Many of the items sold in the ReStore are donated and include furniture, home accessories, building/construction materials and appliances. Simmons has enjoyed creating and running his own business and began his association with Habitat for Humanity by donating unused fans, lights and other materials to Habitat ReStores. For the past two years, he’s been equally proud of his work as the Director of Retail Operations for the organization’s three ReStores in Las Vegas. Simmons talks with us about his work at the ReStores, how some of the families in the community have benefitted from the program and why making a difference is so important to this fifth generation Nevadan.
Why did you become involved with Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas and the ReStore program?
“The organization’s philosophy follows my core belief of helping others help themselves. It’s amazing what changes take place with children and families when there is a place to sink down roots.”
To begin that process, the families in the program have to lend a hand too?
“Yes. Habitat requires that each family complete 300 hours of volunteer work called ‘Sweat Equity’ with the organization before owning their own home.”
Are there any particular experiences you could share about the families you meet through the program?
“One particular family was really struggling to get their required sweat equity hours earned. They had four young children and both parents were busy with full time jobs. After months of hard work, the reward finally came after they had moved into their new home. The parents and the children were walking through the ReStore when their four year old little girl ran over to me and excitedly told me they were buying a garbage can and hose for the garden being planted in their new back yard. Each child was beaming as they shared the projects they were working on to make that residence a real home.”
In addition to helping fund the organization’s goal of building homes, what other ways do the ReStores serve the community?
“By recycling and reusing, the ReStores make a positive environmental impact. The stores also provide on the job training as part of a state job placement program. With the struggling economy, many of those wanting to be employed lack the skill set and employment history necessary to get back in the job market. Habitat trains those individuals and gives them the opportunity to gain valuable experience.”
How do you unwind after a busy day?
“Having a glass of merlot with my partner Eric or cooking. I love to find unique ingredients to create something new and unexpected. Sometimes those experiments turn out great and others not so well. I learned to appreciate friends that will bravely attempt to eat the meal then break down in laughter on the second bite.”
