April 23, 2020

Give Back and Gain New Skills

Are you looking to take your life in a new direction? Do you feel like it’s time to take that leap of faith? Perhaps having the opportunity to build new skills could be the silver lining amid this pandemic we’ve all been looking for.

Because of COVID-19, opportunities at your job may be currently waning, or maybe you’ve always just wanted to do something a little different? Perhaps you need a change, or you’re at an uncertain or unfulfilling career plateau? Community volunteer work can vastly broaden your exposure and experience to what’s out there where your regular day job doesn’t or can’t. 

Volunteering offers a space to connect with new people, experience something new and different, and give back to your community. And, of course, it provides a gamut of new skills to learn.

Ask your colleagues, family, or friends who volunteer. Ask anyone who volunteers—they’ll probably tell you that community service has added more depth and purpose to their lives and has helped them gain new skills that have aided them professionally. 

Community volunteer work also gives you a way to reconnect with the professional world after a much-deserved break and an opportunity to charge up your existing skills and talents. 

Here are just a few examples of skills that volunteering can help you obtain and develop:

  • Sales and outreach
  • Time management
  • Technical writing
  • Interpersonal skills.
  • Industry and vertical-specific skills
  • Team management and leadership
  • Problem adaptability and solving
  • Communicating with stakeholders and clients

But where to look for volunteer work? 

There are plenty of virtual volunteer activities to participate in during COVID-19. It’s not just practice that makes perfect, it’s planning as well. Approach your search for virtual community volunteer work like you’re looking for a part-time job. Let your interests and passions guide your path. Do a self-inventory of your skills, find out how and where you can make a difference, and then seek a role that will help fill in the community gaps. 

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit At Crestwood

April 15, 2026
At  Crestwood Apartment Homes  , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us. 1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs: Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card. Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow. Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime. 2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinat a Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata. How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus. The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.) 3. More Ways the App Helps You Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Lake Forest community. You can: Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs. Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details. Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents. At  Crestwood Apartment Homes  , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.

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