by Brenda Palmisano LaManda Bowers has served as the Volunteer Services Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland for the past six years. Throughout the years, LaManda has focused on Recruitment, Recognition, and Retention of volunteers, while also focusing heavily on community outreach and assisting with special events, all while advocating the mission of Habitat to everyone she meets.

Before beginning work at Habitat, LaManda had recently divorced and was working in the school system, but after hearing about Habitat from a friend, LaManda soon realized there was something special about Habitat. “I fell in love with the mission of Habitat and knew this is where I needed to be full time,” LaManda said. “The way everything fell so perfectly in place was as if God had hand-picked this organization for me.”

LaManda quickly fell in love with Habitat and her position within the organization. There are many aspects of Volunteer Services that LaManda enjoys, but a few stuck out to her as being the most impactful. “One particular part of my position that sticks out is witnessing first-hand the generosity and passion of individuals in our community,” LaManda said. “It's truly amazing to see such dedicated volunteers, donors, and staff unite to make the dream of homeownership a reality to so many deserving families.”

When she is not working with Habitat volunteers, LaManda enjoys several pastimes outside of work, such as picnics, hiking and crafting with friends. LaManda also serves as the Director of Children's Ministry at her church where she enjoys pouring the word of God into the lives of future leaders.

Throughout her many activities working with Habitat in the local community and serving through her church, LaManda has shown her genuine passion for helping people through all her hard work and dedication to her job. “To me, Habitat is not a job, it is a ministry and I am so thankful that I get to have a hand in it all.”