Meet HIP Housing’s Volunteer Superstars!
This month, we sat down with FOUR of our fabulous volunteers to chat about their experiences, goals and memories with HIP Housing!
At HIP Housing, we are incredibly fortunate to receive support from a number of volunteers each week! From high school students to retirees, folks from all walks of life offer us not only their time and a helping hand, but unique skill sets that enable our organization to support our community in new and creative ways.
Mariela Pfennig-Mahmud, a Palo Alto-based architect who works predominantly in single-family housing, first heard about HIP Housing through a friend.
While she began volunteering with us less than a year ago, Mariela has put her architectural know-how to use and crafted a comprehensive feasibility study on our Cedar St property in San Carlos. She is hoping to convert the property into a multifamily dwelling space through the addition of two new units.
“I want to put my skills to work! I want to do things that I know will make an impact,” Mariela said, when first signing on as a volunteer.
As a passionate affordable housing advocate, Mariela understands the importance of safe, stable, affordable housing and is striving to incite change one innovative design at a time.
“If you have a diverse housing offering, the population becomes more diverse… And that’s a gain for the community, absolutely,” she said.
High school student, Ethan Kong, is our youngest volunteer. The San Mateo-based sophomore joined the HIP Housing volunteer team at only 13 years old! However, like Mariela, Ethan has some different skills that he was excited to share with us.
He has translated information about our Home Sharing Program from English to Simplified Chinese, and is currently working as a math tutor for some of the children of our Self-Sufficiency Program clients.
Above: Mariela Pfennig-Mahmud
“I think it’s really fun to see students learning,” Ethan said.
“When you’re in school, you don’t get the opportunity to teach what you know to other students. So this has been really interesting.”
Ethan, who plays the trumpet, trombone and conducts, is planning to expand his tutoring into artistic territory through music lessons! He knows how costly music tutoring can be and hopes these lessons inspire kids, who otherwise may not not have the opportunity to play music and perform. Ethan’s goal is to form a band and to put on jazzy/classical performances at HIP Housing’s senior properties and agency events.
“I don’t have a name for it yet, but I think our band could be a space for all types of students to come together, play music and share that with people,” he said.
In May, Mariela and Ethan both attended HIP Housing’s “Cheers to 50 Years!” Anniversary Celebration. Long-time volunteer and avid Giants fan, Ann Baldasseroni, was also there! In fact, she helped to put it together!
“It’s incredible the amount of work that goes into it! I usually go to the event every year, but I hadn’t experienced all the behind the scenes,” Ann said.
Over the past twelve years, Ann has helped us in countless ways. From administrative office tasks to babysitting kids of HIP Housing clients, she’s done it all! However, Ann’s favorite memories of her time with us center around her phone conversations with our Home Sharing clients over the phone.
Above: Ethan Kong playing the trumpet
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ann would come into the office a couple times a week to check-in with clients and ask how their roommate situation was going. Often they wouldn’t remember her, but they’d always have plenty of stories and laughter to share.
“Clients were always really grateful to be checked up on and voice any concerns they may have had,” Ann said.
“If it was more serious, I would turn it over to their Home Sharing coordinator. A lot of the time they just wanted company. An ear to listen.”
If Ann’s superpower is listening, Cindy Hohle-Duncan’s is problem solving. When she came on board a few years ago, Cindy led the charge on the HIP Housing Calendar Contest.
“All the contest submissions had to be organized and we were running around sticking things together. It was a riot!” Cindy said.
Above: Ann Baldasseroni at a Giants Spring Training Game
As a passionate volunteer and community organizer, HIP Housing is not the only place that Cindy gives her time to. Nevertheless, she is passionate about her work here and the possibilities of affordable housing solutions.
“A lot of the people in this community are here because of HIP Housing, they’re able to stay here because of HIP Housing. I think that’s really important… It makes this community who we are,” Cindy said.
Time is valuable, and we appreciate every minute that Mariela, Ethan, Ann, Cindy and all our other volunteers dedicate toward HIP Housing. Thank you for your generosity and support of affordable housing solutions in San Mateo County!
Wanna be like Mariela, Ethan, Ann and Cindy? For folks who like art, kids and/or fun, we have some exciting volunteer opportunities around our 2023 Calendar Contest. Please get in touch with our Marketing and Communications Associate, Nina Phillips, at nphillips@hiphousing.org.
Also, if anyone knows of a rehearsal space for Ethan‘s band, please let us know!
Above: Cindy Hohle-Duncan (left) speaking with Nina Phillips (right) via Zoom