The Heart of Real Estate: Volunteering and Building Stronger Communities

Well friends, here we are—April. The dogwoods are blooming, the air smells like fresh-cut grass, and you can’t hardly go to the grocery store without seeing someone in a church parking lot organizing a fundraiser or food drive. It’s that time of year when everything seems to wake back up. And maybe it’s waking something up in us too.

April is National Volunteer Month, and if I’m honest, it always tugs a little at my heartstrings. Because let’s face it—we all get busy. We’ve got houses to show, kids to feed, emails piling up. But this month reminds me to pause. To look around. To ask myself, “Where can I show up? Who might need a little help getting back on their feet? And what can I offer that goes beyond a business card?”

The truth is, volunteering doesn’t have to be big or flashy. It doesn’t require a clipboard or a stage. Sometimes, it’s just about being present. Showing up with a willing heart and open hands.

And y’all, that matters. More than you know.

Here in the Triad area, we’ve all got neighbors who are starting over. Folks moving out of shelters into their first apartments with nothing but a mattress and hope. Single moms trying to make ends meet. Veterans finding their footing again. And we’ve got organizations doing the hard, heartfelt work of helping them—every single day.

Habitat for Humanity is one of my personal favorites. It’s a great way to get involved with affordable housing efforts and connect with others in the real estate industry. But that’s just one example!

The United Way of Greater Greensboro is another wonderful organization that does a ton of great work, from providing financial literacy to helping reduce homelessness. You can also look into local revitalization projects—many neighborhoods are in need of a little TLC, and there’s no better way to get involved than by rolling up your sleeves and lending a hand.

Another fantastic organization is The Salvation Army of Greensboro. They offer a variety of programs, from providing emergency shelter to helping families with long-term housing stability. Volunteering with them is a great way to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families right here in our own community.

And don’t forget about the Barnabas Network. This incredible organization helps people in crisis by providing temporary financial assistance, household goods, and other support to help them get back on their feet. Volunteering with the Barnabas Network is a great way to give back and directly impact the lives of those struggling to find stability.

You don’t have to be a superhero. You just have to care.

Maybe you’ve got a Saturday morning free to deliver furniture. Maybe you’ve got a truck you can loan. Maybe you know how to paint a room or sort donations or just sit and listen to someone who’s had a hard year.

And if you’re in real estate? Oh friend—you already understand the value of home. You know what it means to walk someone through a door that feels like a new beginning. Volunteering is just another way to do that. No commission required.

So this month, I hope you’ll let your heart lead. Maybe it’s time to step into something that’s not about business, but about belonging. About giving back. About being the reason someone else feels like they can keep going.

And if you’re in a season of starting fresh yourself—maybe you’re thinking about a new path, going back to school, or dipping your toes into real estate for the first time—know this: you don’t have to figure it all out today. You just have to be open. One small step, when you're ready. And when that time comes? We’ve got a seat waiting for you at The Jan Secor School of Real Estate.

We believe in fresh starts.We believe in second chances.We believe in community—on both sides of the closing table. So go ahead. Volunteer a little kindness this month. You never know who needs it—or how much it might change you in the process.

You’re doing good work out there. Keep going.

Image by Rodolfo Quirós on Pexels