On a crisp October morning, Typical Life Corporation’s (TLC) leadership team donned leather gloves and hard hats and, under the direction of York Habitat for Humanity’s construction team, gathered around a pile of lumber.
The eight-person crew picked up a pre-assembled wall framed and step by synchronized step hefted it to the saw horses sitting in the middle of the lawn. They measured, marked, and pounded nails in studs to frame out windows and doors.
Within a few hours, tired but smiling, the TLC team had assembled a stack of framed-out walls that would soon be used to build a home for an eager York family.
It was the first of what TLC CEO Sandy Chilton and CFO Jonelle Gabsewics plan to evolve into a quarterly TLC Leadership volunteer day.
'A good reset for all of us'
“I think it really leans into our vision,” Jonelle says. “Our community doesn’t stop with the people we serve, it extends to our neighbors, it extends to the other nonprofits, it extends to other providers.”
Volunteering has long been part of the TLC modus operandi. The individuals TLC serves can often be seen volunteering throughout their York and Adams County communities.
Whether picking up trash at the York Revolution stadium, delivering Meals On Wheels, or cuddling kittens at the local animal shelter, individuals are eager to give back and get involved.
Volunteering with York Habitat for Humanity though was the first organized effort of the TLC leadership team, and they’re excited for more opportunities.
This March, the TLC leadership is heading to the York County Food Bank where they’ll line up and help load boxes with canned goods, fresh produce, and ingredient staples to stock pantries throughout York County.
“I think getting all of us away from a table where we have to sit and work through problems and actually solve the problems together and physically work together, it’s a good reset for all of us,” Jonelle says.
A culture of collaboration
The team has numerous opportunities to choose from going forward and the team is sharing their favorite nonprofits to volunteer with.
Community members may see Sandy, Jonelle, and the entire team gathered at a United Way volunteer day or playing with pups at the York County SPCA.
Sandy, who came to TLC after working with nonprofits and organizations in Maryland, has never worked in a county filled with so many nonprofits, foundations, and organizations eager to build their community.
For her, sometimes working in the nonprofit sector can feel like a competition. Every organization is fighting over the same pot of money. Through encouraging volunteerism with her leadership team, she hopes to dispel any negativity and instead establish a culture of collaboration.
“It’s really very inspiring. As a nonprofit, you feel like you always have your hand out. You’re always looking at building a donor base and applying for grants. As a nonprofit, that’s how you really survive,” she says. “I think because of the philanthropic spirit of the community around us, what we’ve talked about with our leadership here is how we can have our hand out to give back to the community.”
Giving back together
Sandy knows that establishing that culture starts within though.
Sandy envisions organizing a volunteer opportunity where TLC leadership, employees, and the individuals they serve can all volunteer together.
Growing that muscle of volunteerism from within and community-mindedness throughout the York, Sandy and Jonelle look forward to being part of a community that is connecting every individual not only to necessary services but also to a culture built on giving back.
“I think it goes back to the idea that a rising tide lifts all boats,” Jonelle says, quoting John F. Kennedy. “Every time we do something to support other nonprofits, it benefits our community as a whole.”