Today's post is contributed by Jessica Liss, technical product manager.

One of my favorite benefits about working at ReadyTalk is the 20 hours of volunteer time we are able to use during normal working hours each year. In addition to helping others, I enjoy building relationships with co-workers and strengthening connections to my community. Volunteering brings employees closer, which I believe makes ReadyTalk a more productive and happier place to work.

At the end of April, nine of us participated in a build-day for Habitat for Humanity. Mitch was our site leader, and before we dove into the hard work he shared a bit more about Habitat Metro Denver. The house we were helping build would be one of 40 houses built in Denver this year. We learned that all homeowners are required to dedicate 250 hours of “sweat equity” per applicant and are responsible for a mortgage they can afford. In addition, we discovered that Habitat Metro Denver is one of the most energy-efficient homebuilders in Colorado.

We were lucky to meet homeowners Frank and Shiane and work alongside them during our build-day.  Frank and Shiane have seven children and currently live in a 3-bedroom apartment in a neighborhood filled with crime and violence. They were so grateful for our help in building their 5-bedroom, 2-bath home, which is scheduled to be complete in August.

Our morning was spent doing a variety of tasks including unloading a truck load of wood, caulking the outside of the house, and preparing to put down the sub floor. A small group of us spent time nailing 2x4s and 2x6s together, measuring various lengths, and then using a circular saw (quite the experience!) to cut them. During the afternoon, we all teamed up to glue and nail the subfloor – finishing half of the floor – a huge accomplishment!

The group will hopefully have the opportunity to volunteer at the same site later in the summer. I am grateful to work at a place like ReadyTalk that empowers me to give back!

Does your company encourage employees to volunteer? If it does, where do you volunteer?