Ever since she was a young girl, Ana Miller has been actively involved in the community in several ways. She currently runs a bar called Donnie Vegas on Alberta Street, is a spirit guide at New Deal Distillery, volunteers in the community, and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and traveling with her dog, Neelo. “When I’m not outside I enjoy reading, learning new languages, and investing in my friends’ lives” says Ana.
Ana has a Master’s Degree in Coexistence and Conflict which inspired her search for a long-term volunteer position with an organization that serves individuals who are directly affected by conflict. After learning about Habitat for Humanity, Ana felt deeply connected with Habitat’s mission. “Working with Habitat is a true gift,” says Ana, “you rarely find a group of people so willing to spend their days advocating for anything, let alone decent housing for individuals.”
Ana has been volunteering with Habitat since August of 2015. She initially started in the Homeownership Department assisting with general administrative tasks and data processing. In just a few months, Ana created an impressive report summarizing family selection data from the past five years. She worked with Reianna DaRosa, Habitat’s homeownership program manager, compiling and analyzing demographic information of all applicants and homeowners of the program. “She is the perfect volunteer!” says Reianna. “Ana has the skills to help with complex reports, but she never shies away from, and often enjoys, the ‘must get done’ remedial tasks.”
Ana explains that “working in an environment outside of the service industry allows me to focus on working with the community in a different way.” She enjoys the combination of interacting with regulars at her bar and doing work that is serving populations that are experiencing conflict. Ana reveals the most rewarding part of working with Habitat is “hearing current and future homeowners coming into the office knowing that this team of people is helping to ensure their families will soon be in safe, community-supported homes.”
“I think if more people were able to see the gift that affordable, decent housing gives to families, they would understand that Habitat for Humanity truly serves a necessary and unique niche in the community.”