Generosity and giving back are important elements of HOWA’s programs. Every person helped is encouraged to participate to the level of their ability. A large group of volunteers gathered to help with the distribution of the solar panel kits. Volunteers included Bob Wells, president of HOWA, Suanne Carlson, executive director, HOWA trustees and team members, and recipients of HOWA’s programs.
A huge thank you to Santan Solar for the donation of solar panels and Berger Foundation for funding the accessories.
All 37 solar panel recipients received a 245W panel, charge controller, wiring, mounting hardware, fuses, and connectors. Ideally, HOWA would have also provided a battery but funding wasn’t available for 37 batteries so the battery purchase was left up to each recipient. Before receiving their kits recipients were given a brief review of the components and the correct order for assembling the system. A team of volunteers helped load and secure the solar panels in each recipient’s vehicle.
A huge thank you to Santan Solar for the donation of solar panels and Berger Foundation for funding the accessories.
“In 2008 when the economy crashed my website was in place. I started it in 2005 to answer all the questions, to help people, to inspire people to embrace the mobile life and to teach them how so if they’re forced into a car they could do it well and happily and not barely survive. When the economy crashed so many people lost their jobs and eventually lost their homes or apartments. They lost everything so they did a Google search – “How do I live in my car?” My website was there. It was in place and it exploded in traffic. I heard from thousands of people through email, on the blog, on the forum and they all said “Bob what am I going to do? I’m going to be forced to live in a car.” I helped every single one of them in everyway I could and what started out of that was the desire to create a boot camp. I mean that literally – a boot camp. If you’re going be forced into your car how much better it is to go and meet a group of people who are also living in their cars, minivans, and vans and and have them help you and support you and show you okay, let’s fold your seat down and lay it out like this and we’ll put a board on it? I’ll help you cut the board or go buy the board for you and that way you can have a flat level bed or you need this to get water or this is how you’re going to have to go to the bathroom while you’re living in your car. It is all those questions which they had no answers for so the RTR is a boot camp for beginner nomads – people forced in their car, minivan van, people forced into tents. It is a support system for people who need help”
During the 2014 RTR Suanne Carlson led two sessions for women only. Due to the popularity of these sessions they were continued during the next three RTRs but many women requested more time to connect and explore issues important to them so in 2018 the first WRTR was held for three days after the RTR. The format for the WRTR is slightly different from the RTR focusing on interaction and mentoring with breakout sessions after the seminars. Between 100 to 200 hundred women attended the WRTR and based on their feedback the 2019 WRTR was scheduled before the RTR so that new attendees could meet other women and then feel more comfortable attending the much larger RTR.
As news of the camaraderie, fun, and learning experiences women found at the 2018 WRTR spread across the nomadic community, the WRTR planning committee projected that between 800 and 1,000 women would attend the 2019 WRTR . . . and that became the reality! Each day, women pulled into the WRTR entrance glowing with achievement that they had overcome hurdles, obstacles, setbacks, fears and anxiety to travel, for some, thousands of miles alone for the first time in their lives. They were greeted at the entrance by other women who had volunteered to help set up the event, greet participants, manage the sound system, and provide information and assistance where it was needed. These volunteers arrived at the WRTR site three days early to receive training and do all the tasks involved in setting up the event. Thousands of people learned about the origin and mission of this newly formed nonprofit organization during the WRTR and RTR. Homes On Wheels Alliance Trustees and other dedicated volunteers manned the booth eight hours a day for two weeks to spread the word and take donations.
Another great testimonial from a nomad who used the emergency fund. We are so happy that you were able to find us in your time of need.
“Due to some minor bad luck I was in the middle of the month with zero dollars. I met a friend who let me know about the Homes on Wheels Alliance and their emergency fund to help nomads stay out of bad situations. I contacted them and requested $50.00 for gas money for heat because I am in a very cold place up north and within a few days I had the money in my paypal account. If you’re a nomad get involved with these folks. It’s a smart idea to have friends. Good luck and happy travels. May kindness and goodness meet you every step of the way.”
Charlene contacted HOWA for assistance with repairs to her van. After supplying all of the necessary information to Charmaine of HOWA her request was approved. Nick DeCarlo of DeCarlo Auto Pros in Show Low Arizona worked with Charlene to make repairs so that her van was roadworthy and she was quickly able to be back on the road.
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