Hurricane Ian - Fort Myers, Florida Relief

This is a special experience.
Difficult physical work, led by kind & helpful team leaders/ site supervisors who are always willing and wanting to teach you a new skill.
Followed with sharing a spectacularly cooked meal alongside volunteers and staff!

(Sleeping arrangements are very accommodating and comfortable. Shower trailers are surprisingly spacious and accommodating. They have little bikes you can borrow, for adventures or getting around.

Florida Sunset 10/10
Overall experience 15/10

I have been to the Ft Myers program two different times for two weeks each. It was an amazing experience and I plan on joining All Hands for more programs as I'm able to. I am blown away by the work that the program and all the volunteers that I have met. I have met some amazing people who really care about other people and it's great to work as a team. This is more fulfilling than anything else that I have done in my life. The staff that I had the pleasure to meet really go above and beyond in everything I have seen them do.

I've been to many All Hands and Hearts program, and always walk away feeling a refreshed faith in humanity! It was lovely to meet some dedicated volunteers and staff who work hard day in day out to repair homes impacted by the devastating Hurricane Ian. There's a small team in Florida, which made it easy to get to know everyone and felt like family straight away. Not only does this team repair homes, it also builds community. I was there for one week, some were there for just a day or two, and others for months. There is such a nice mix of people from different backgrounds, but all there for the same purpose.

AHAH is a great organization to spend time with. There are lots of repeat volunteers, and all the staff I've met started as volunteers, which says a lot. Food and accommodations are safe and comfortable, all people of all ages are welcome! You can volunteer for just a few days, a few months. People keep coming back year after year. You'll learn so much, and have a real impact in communities around the world. After serving in Puerto Rico in 2019 and Florida in 2022, I cant say enough good things about All Hands and Hearts and will definitly be back for more. Just bring a good attitude!

I was not happy with this program despite making lots of friends who have similar goals as me. There was minimal training, mostly brief on-the-site instructions. Also, some of the PPE doesn't seem to work. For example, I kept feeling dust in my mask despite repeatedly tightening my mask [note, this issue has been brought up with the staff, who have responded to the complaint, thankfully]. Lastly, there is at least one person who made me feel uncomfortable due to his subtle sexist comments that were dropped on more than one occasion. I understand that the staff can't control everyone, but this behavior does not align with the org, which advertised itself as inclusive. Less micro-aggression within the environment would be great, thank you.