Habitat Tucson (HT): Tell us about yourself.
Judy Dare (JD): I hail from Nebraska and have been in Arizona nearly 40 years.  I have a BS in Education from NAU and MPH from ASU.  My twin daughters live in California as does my granddaughter, Sarah.  (Sarah enjoys volunteering at the HabiStore when she visits in Tucson.)  My son lives in Tempe.  I retired as a Public Health Nutritionist and Teacher when I moved to Tucson 13 years ago.  Retirement has given me time to participate in numerous organizations in Tucson including Tucson Clean and Beautiful, VOICES, Inc., Old Pueblo Trolley, WAMO, and El Presidio Historic District Neighborhood Association.  I am active in the Unitarian Universalist Church.

HT: What kind of volunteer work have you done with Habitat Tucson?
JD: Shortly after moving to Tucson, I became involved in Habitat for Humanity Tucson (HFHT).  I started out as chair of the Partnership Committee and have been a partner with about 10 families over the years.  After having served on the Habitat Board for nine years, term limits have ended my position on the Board. However, the Development, Faith in Action, Selection, and Home and Community Design committees keep me involved in Habitat activities.  I have been a regular volunteer at the HabiStore since it opened and am delighted to see first hand the huge amount of materials and items that come to the HabiStore instead of being discarded in a land-fill!

HT: Do you have a highlight to share from all of your volunteer work with HFHT?
JD: One of the highlights of my travels all around the world has been visiting Habitat for Humanity affiliates in such places as Mexico, Thailand, Viet Nam, and in Omaha, Denver, San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, and Phoenix in our country.  Seeing Habitat operations in different places offers ideas and strengthens my commitment and dedication to the mission of Habitat.  I think Habitat’s greatest strength lies in the requirement of having families participate in the mission of providing affordable housing around the world.

HT: Do you have any closing comments?
JD: I would like to see HFHT continue to work with other Tucson/Pima County programs in rehabilitating houses to further the mission of ending sub-standard housing in our community.  I am very interested in “green/sustainability” building upon which HFHT is very strongly moving forward.