Member Spotlight: Robin Handleman

Robin joined the Silver Spring Timebank soon after it opened its doors.  She had just moved to Silver Spring and was able to get help through the timebank to hang artwork to make her new apartment feel like home. Right from the start, it was a great way to get things done without cash and to meet new people. Soon after, she found herself helping with the timebank’s annual Holiday Social and brainstorming offers to help others. Since her first exchange six years ago, Robin’s life has taken many exciting twists and turns, but throughout her journey she has remained connected and involved with the SSTB. 

With many years of teaching experience, mostly in her home state of Connecticut, Robin came to Maryland and taught 6 years of ESL here before she retired.  She then decided it was time for an adventure, and applied to an organization in Asia to create educational videos. After completing that project, she met a colleague from Malaysia who assisted her in finding work in a soup kitchen. She then worked in Bali for several months teaching children with varying abilities.  

Robin had never before traveled solo and found it to be an eye opening experience. She has since been splitting her time in Connecticut with her two grandsons, in Maryland with her friends, and in Asia with her now “extended family”. 

As soon as she returned to the US, Robin immediately reached out to the SSTB and got involved once again with exchanges. Her offers include taking people to the airport (masked, of course), helping people to sell items on Facebook Marketplace, and hauling discarded electronics for recycling. She has recently joined the SSTB leadership team as the secretary for monthly meetings. 

Robin also spends a great deal of time fundraising for her local Kiwanis club. And, she is spreading the word about the SSTB to the members! She also continues to offer support to children in Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia) by raising money to ship donated books to the schools where she has volunteered. She has also created language libraries in individual schools. 

Robin is always delighted to do exchanges and meet timebank members. Send her a message via Hour World to see how she can help you.  You’ll definitely enjoy the experience of getting to know her!

Many thanks to SSTB member Connie Bevitt for writing this Member Spotlight.  

robin handleman

Robin’s first library in Nepal.

Robin teaching simon says in nepal.