Tacoma Habitat AmeriCorps Members: Where are they now?
As we welcome our newest AmeriCorps member to the construction site, we want to reflect on our strong partnership with this program. AmeriCorps is a federal agency that brings people and organizations together to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing challenges, including economic opportunity, disaster response, education, healthy communities, and support for veterans and military families. Participation in AmeriCorps is often a transformative experience, providing meaningful opportunities to serve while helping organizations expand their impact through additional support and hands-on assistance.
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has had many AmeriCorps members over the years, many of whom have had formative and developmental experiences that led to impactful leadership careers across our community. See where they are now!
1. Jason Gauthier
Jason served during 2008-2009 through the Washington Service Corps, leading volunteers on our construction sites. During the service year, he met his wife, Kerrisan, who was serving as a Washington Reading Corps member (another AmeriCorps partnership with school districts in the state). In addition to meeting his future wife, Jason’s AmeriCorps service term launched his career in housing. Following his term, he worked in the Midwest for Greater Dayton Habitat for Humanity in Ohio and then as the Property Director for a housing non-profit in Grand Rapids, MI. In 2011, he returned to Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity as the Director of Volunteer Services and worked for Tacoma Habitat until 2022, leaving as the Director Operations and Government Affairs.
Jason now leads the South Sound Housing Affordability Partners, an interlocal agency serving 15 member governments across Pierce County to achieve their affordable housing goals through capital investments, legislative advocacy, and planning and programming work.
2. Caitie Geoghegan
Caitie served her second term with AmeriCorps with Tacoma Habitat in 2017-2018. Caitie initially joined AmeriCorps to give back to her community and help pay her student loans, but the experience also introduced her to the construction industry, which inspired a clear career path. Caitie was able to try out a lot of different things and make connections all over the country during her term. She learned about the need for affordable housing, how the construction industry can become an impactful career, and how her strengths and skills could help her flourish in the field.
She also happened to meet her wife, Michaela Woodmansee, through her position. Michaela and Caitie currently live in Durham, North Carolina, where she started her own construction company with two of her best friends, Maven Construction. They focus on residential remodels and renovations in the area.
3. Aaron Swar
Aaron was a semi-retired Interior Designer when he joined AmeriCorps for a second term in 2019 at Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. Aaron had first served as an AmeriCorps member 40 years earlier in Gainesville, FL, after he graduated from college. In his second term, he served as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Tyler Court site, where he was able to apply his design skills by assisting homeowners in making important decisions about colors, materials, and finishes, helping bring their new homes to life. In his third term as an AmeriCorps member, he served as an Administrative Assistant with Tacoma Habitat’s new “Aging in Place” program. Aaron described his two terms with Tacoma Habitat as challenging and rewarding.
After his last AmeriCorps term ended, he became an employee of Lakewood Habitat Store for 3 years. He is currently a Visitor Services Representative with the WA State History Museum in downtown Tacoma.
We’re incredibly grateful to have such a great history with the AmeriCorps program and helped future leaders in the affordable housing and construction industry! Stay tuned for more stories from our AmeriCorps members and discover where their journeys have taken them!