Kim Martin is an AmeriCorps VISTA member assigned to Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), based at the Government Relations and Advocacy (GRA) office in Washington, D.C. In her assignment as a coordinator for the launch HFHI's Veterans Initiative, Kim developed a nationwide program to serve military members, veterans and their families with volunteer, homeownership and employment opportunities at Habitat affiliates across the country. Kim brings a unique perspective to the Veterans Initiative. She grew up in a military family; her father is a retired chaplain who served 26 years in the U.S. Army with tours of duty in Vietnam, Thailand and Korea.

**Kim is pictured second to the right in above photograph.

Early in 2011, CNCS offered Habitat a small number of AmeriCorps VISTA placements to assist in the implementation of Habitat's Veterans Initiative nationwide. This group of AmeriCorps members is named the "Veteran Corps." Through her leadership as Veteran Corps team leader, Kim guided ten members in locations across the country including California, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Kim's service year accomplishments are countless. Through much determination, Kim identified over 200 Habitat affiliates that engage the military and veteran community, providing 300+ housing solutions. Many Habitat affiliates have been engaging veterans as part of their ongoing housing program but have not collected information and therefore, many of our statistics are currently understated. In addition, Kim strengthened HFHI relationships with 100+ veteran-focus organizations and organized collaborative veteran initiatives, including The White House Joining Forces Campaign and Blue Star Families Operation Honor Card.

Kim’s passion for Habitat’s mission and serving the veteran and military community is infectious. Despite the geographic distance between Veteran Corps members, we truly came together as a team, made possible by Kim’s emphasis on collaboration. Kim created and managed a resource database for the team and organized weekly conference calls to discuss best practices, challenges and positive outcomes of our work. In addition, she regularly invited guest speakers to join our conference calls and provide new insight and advice for our program. Guest speakers included key staff from HFHI, CNCS, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, New Directions, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, ArmedZilla, The Mission Continues, and many more veteran-focused organizations.

In April 2012, Kim organized the Veteran Corps team to come together for a reunion in Washington, D.C. In our three days, we shared team best practices, presented our work to key stakeholders in the military and veteran community, and participated through indirect service at HFH Chesapeake Veteran Build in Baltimore, MD. The time together was invaluable. The great momentum of this inaugural Veteran Corps team has laid the strong foundation for future Veteran Corps members.

Kim’s positive impact on Habitat’s Veterans Initiative and the Veteran Corps team is truly profound. I nominate Kim for the 2012 National Service Impact Award because of her amazing character, unwavering leadership as our Veteran Corps team leader, and selfless dedication to both Habitat’s mission and the VISTA mission in serving the veteran and military community.