Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity welcomes five new board members to strengthen fight against housing crisis

Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity (GSHFH) is poised to make even grander strides in combating the affordable housing crisis in Hampden County. This past summer, the Board of Directors welcomed five new members to bring fresh perspectives and energy to its mission.

George Carter, Candice Somar, Bree D’Amours, Chris Schultz, and Nick Restivo are the newest faces to the GSHFH team. Candice, George, and Nick are longtime supporters. They have attended countless fundraising events. George and Nick have also volunteered on the build site, while Candice helped plan Fall Feastival and Building Dreams. Bree came to the home dedication on Dwight Street in Springfield this past June; and board Vice President Tiffany Tranghese recommended Chris.

“We all have different experiences, come from different upbringings, and have different professional skill sets that I believe can bring a different perspective to finding solutions and problem solving,” said George, a resident of Springfield, who works at Chicopee Electric Light as a systems administrator.

George’s peers come from backgrounds in banking, finance, education, and human resources. While most are originally from Western Massachusetts, Candice immigrated to the United States from Guyana as a teenager. Chris moved to Westfield from Florida at 9 years old.

Despite their differences, their desire to propel Greater Springfield Habitat’s mission forward is steadfast.

“Housing is such a fundamental need and I’ve seen firsthand how GSHFH transforms lives by providing stability and hope for families,” said Bree, who lives in West Springfield and serves as the director of Admissions and Communication at Pioneer Valley Montessori School in Springfield. “After attending a home blessing and witnessing the impact on a new homeowner, I felt inspired to be a part of that change in a more active way.”

Nick agreed.

“I want to give homebuyers hope to obtain a decent home and to improve our communities by building more affordable housing,” said Nick, a resident of Enfield, Connecticut, who works for HSA Bank as an employee benefits administrator, but has previous experience in the mortgage industry. “I know the importance of helping people find housing.”

Candice and Chris both volunteer for other organizations as well, but are committed to Habitat.

“When I changed careers, I found more time at home with my family and more free time. I wanted to find something to do with my free time that was both productive and meaningful,” said Chris, who lives in Easthampton and is a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual. He also coaches a varsity boys soccer team at a local high school. “I have always loved the work that Habitat has done for the community and was glad to find a spot here in Greater Springfield.”

Candice agreed.

“Joining the board of directors allows me the opportunity to learn more about the mission and the ways GSHFH can provide affordable housing for the community,” said Candice who is a banker at Florence Bank and lives in Springfield. She volunteers with five other nonprofit organizations, including The Gray House, Junior Achievement, and Revitalize CDC.

To learn more about Greater Springfield Habitat and its mission, visit habitatspringfield.org