Greetings!
How many times have you been asked, “What do you do?” For most people, this is an easy question. For me, not so much! Of course, when I mention Habitat for Humanity – people think they know what we do, but not many understand all of the many aspects of this wonderful, unusual organization.
Are we a construction company? Of course, we build homes – and the iconic picture of a group wearing hard hats on a construction site defines Habitat for many people. But how many construction companies rely on both skilled and unskilled volunteers for 60 to 70% of the work and regularly train enthusiastic, but often inexperienced people onsite for a day’s work – only to do the exact same thing the next day with another group? How many homebuilders expect the purchaser to help build? An affordable home is everything to us, but the building process, to Habitat, is just as important as the result.
Are we a bank? Well – not really – but we do, in fact, finance 100% of the (below market) home sale and provide each of our homeowners with an interest free mortgage. I don’t know of too many financial institutions that train their loan applicants in money management and other homeownership skills, that set and reset the terms of their loans to ensure long term affordability, that arrange for a pro-bono attorney to guide the homebuyer through the process and that maintain a relationship with the buyer throughout the life of the loan.
Are we a home improvement retailer? Well, yes and no! Our ReStore is a hugely successful retail establishment that raises funds through sales to support our home building. But how many retail stores rely almost entirely on donations for their inventory? Sometimes people ask when we might have a particular item they need back in stock – but of course, at the ReStore – we never really know! That’s why discerning shoppers know that you have to visit often if you’re really interested in that special item.
As a service organization that is driven by the conviction that every person deserves a decent place to live, there is a common thread woven through all of the activities of Habitat CFC.
We help people
. That’s what we do – and we couldn’t do any of it without you.
Sincerely,
