from volunteers to leaders

As of 2023, 80% of the dedicated staff members powering All Hands and Hearts (AHAH) were once volunteers themselves. This statistic speaks volumes about the sense of community within AHAH – it really is all about the people.

Each individual, whether staff, volunteer or member of disaster-affected communities, contributes to a culture defined by compassion, resilience and empathy, reflecting AHAH’s mission to provide volunteer-powered, community-inspired disaster relief.

In the second of our People Who Make Us series, we hear from two AHAH staff members, Claudia and Lizette, who began their journey as volunteers and found a sense of fulfillment within the organization.

MEET CLAUDIA AND LIZETTE

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WITH AHAH?

CLAUDIA, DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

“In 2018, I found AHAH during a web search of volunteer opportunities. I found it fascinating.  I volunteered on AHAH’s Dominica Hurricane Relief program for two weeks and was hooked.

 I was happier while volunteering in Dominica with AHAH than I had ever been in my life. The team, the volunteers, the students and community members left a lasting impression on me.

The following year, I volunteered on the Mexico Earthquake Relief program in Union Zapata, Oaxaca and the experience was amazing.  Shortly after returning home, I saw a job posting for a Human Resources (HR) role and jumped at the opportunity.“

LISETTE, LOGISTICS MANAGER

“I started with All Hands and Hearts as a volunteer on the Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief program in Yabucoa, in 2019.“

HOW HAS YOUR ROLE IN THE ORGANIZATION CHANGED?

CLAUDIA

“I started as the Learning and Development Manager, moved to the HR Manager position and then became the Director of People Development“

LISETTE

“I no longer work in the field. Supporting teams remotely in my current Logistics Manager role gives me a broader view of what goes into making an AHAH program function. The skills I’m being called to practice now are more technical and less interpersonal.“

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK FOR AHAH?

CLAUDIA

“Since my first program in Dominica, I dreamed of working for AHAH!  I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else!“

LISETTE

“I chose to work for All Hands and Hearts because the familial culture, common purpose, unfettered learning opportunities and mutual respect moved me. There is a warmth and creative license to problem-solving here that is unique among other organizations.”

WHAT HAVE YOU WORKED ON WITHIN YOUR TIME AT AHAH THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?

CLAUDIA

“The work I am most proud of while working at AHAH is developing our safeguarding training program.  The training on Promoting a Culture of Safety and Respect aims to educate our staff on what sexual misconduct is, how it has no place in our organization and how to respond to trauma and those affected by trauma.“

LISETTE

“I’m proud of the subtle advocacy I had the opportunity to exercise for the community of Yabucoa as a Project Coordinator of Assessments in Puerto Rico. I’m also proud of the organizational skills I bring to the Logistics Department.”

Interested in working alongside passionate individuals like Claudia and Lisette? Check out our current job vacancies here.

We invite all past and present AHAH volunteers and staff to join our vibrant alumni network. Stay connected and be part of a community that continues to make a difference, today and tomorrow. Learn more about the alumni network here.