Marci Schreiber: Heart of Habitat

As Marci Schreiber looks out at the lots on Hazel Avenue, there is nothing, really, but dirt, grass, trees and some rocks.

But she knows there will be more.

It's not there yet, but still, she can see it.

Somewhere not far in the future, on this very property where Schreiber stands on a cloudy weekday morning, there will be homes, yards, kids, moms and dads and dogs and cats.

"We're going to start pouring two foundations as soon as we get the permits from the city," she said.

The land will be the site of six Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho homes, which is of particular interest to Schreiber, since she's the organization's new executive director.

Since coming on board recently, she's already got ideas to expand the nonprofit's services, increase fundraising and, most importantly, put more people in homes of their own.

"Helping families get into homes, that's a really important thing," she said.

Schreiber, the daughter of Dick and Bea Schreiber, grew up in Kellogg and is a 1989 graduate of Kellogg High School.

"I always wanted to go somewhere bigger, but looking back, it was a great experience," she said.

After graduating with a master's degree in interior design from Washington State University - and already having a bachelor's in child development and psychology from the University of Idaho and a master's in organizational leadership from Gonzaga - Schreiber began looking for job opportunities. She found her match in Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho.

"I thought this was the perfect combination," she said.

Why did you want to work with Habitat for Humanity?

I love working with nonprofit organizations. I love working to serve community needs, trying to make changes, trying to make a difference in the community.

When I went into the design arena, I was worried I would lose that, but I thought, 'I can still volunteer.' I can still work in there somehow. It actually hadn't occurred to me I could get a job like this. I actually just saw the ad in the newspaper and I thought, that's my job.

And how is it going for you?

Love it. I've just been figuring out how things work, what we do, what builds are going on, what the processes are, where I can jump in and make the most difference.

What is it you like most about Habitat for Humanity?

Home is a really sacred thing for people, and it's hard to buy a home, especially now. Just being able to help families have their own home who otherwise wouldn't have that.

Any new programs in the works?

Another thing we're actually looking at launching, it's called 'Brush with Kindness,' doing exterior home repairs. It's part of a larger, nationwide initiative where habitats are expanding their service model to include not just building affordable homes, but helping to preserve the affordable housing stock and transform the communities in a broader way. We're looking at branching out into a broader service delivery model and able to impact more families.

What would you like to focus on?

One of my big things, people know what Habitat is, it has that brand recognition. But I would like to get Habitat more involved in the fabric of the community and how we're addressing housing and homelessness. Just raise the awareness of what we're doing here and get more people involved, like with our Brush with Kindness.

In this economic climate, how is Habitat doing when it comes to finances?

We're doing pretty good. That's one of the things I'm looking at right now. I think there's some opportunity there for us to reach out more to our volunteers, to the community, to get some more support, to help us do more than what we're doing now.

Have you long been familiar with Habitat and its work?

When I was in school, we did some design work for Habitat in Spokane. In Deer Park, our studio designed a bunch of different units and styles for them. After that, I volunteered with them.

How about other nonprofits?

After I graduated with my undergraduate degree, I worked at Community Action Agency and helped a small group start a nonprofit in the Moscow-Pullman area, which is where I ended up working for eight years, developing that, serving families with children. That's always been something that's close to my heart, helping communities. And then after I moved up to the Coeur d'Alene area, I'm always looking for ways to be involved.

What's a typical day for you so far?

Just within the office, what's happening with construction that's always at the top of the list. What's going on with the permits. We have a store, so checking what's going on there. I've been doing a lot lately, just going out and meeting people and saying hi, introducing myself, finding out what they do, what else can we do better.

If there's one thing you want people to know about Habitat, what would it be?

I'd want people to know we're here and we're interested in working together. We're not about giving homes away to people. It's about partnerships with families and working with them to get them into a home.

Date of birth: March 16, 1971

Education: Bachelor's in child development and psychology, University of Idaho; master's in organizational leadership, Gonzaga and master's in interior design, Washington State University

Family: One son

Number of hours on average you work in a week: 45

Number of hours on average you sleep in a night: 6

Hobbies: Do things with my son. Walk our two dogs.

Favorite movie: "Love Actually"

Favorite book: "The Power of Now" by Eric Tolle

Favorite type of music: The '80s

Favorite spectator sport: Football

Best advice you ever received: Live life without regrets

One person who most influenced your life: My dad, Dick Schreiber. I just learned a lot from him how to be a responsible person. Do the right thing.

Any one thing you consider your greatest accomplishment: Raising my son.

Quality you admire most in a person: Honesty