Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

Habitat's Decon Program

When Chris and Joni Culley started renovating their kitchen in Brookberry Farms last year, they didn’t originally plan to donate their used kitchen appliances.

Visiting Habitat’s website, they learned about the non-profit's Deconstruction ‘Decon’ Service that carefully removes kitchen appliances, cabinets, and countertops. After learning more about the free-of-charge service, the Culleys scheduled a walk through with a Habitat representative and a member of the Decon crew so their kitchen items could be donated, rather than simply being thrown away.

Habitat’s Decon crew is made up of trained and insured volunteers who take the removed cabinets and countertops to resell in one of the ReStores. The proceeds generated by each ‘pre-loved’ kitchen supports Habitat’s mission of building strength, stability, and self-reliance in partnership with local families in need of stable and affordable housing.

Before reselling any appliance, Habitat Restores test all appliances, and guarantees they will be functional for 30 days or you can return them for a full refund or store credit.

Habitat for Humanity hopes that more homeowners would consider using recycled materials in their renovations. “We have a lofty goal,” says Vince Cannino, Habitat for Humanity’s Procurement Director, “We’re trying to make sure that no good kitchen goes to the landfill." Click here to learn more about Habitat Forsyth's Decon Service.

Rising Above Rent: Habitat Homeownership Unlocks Hope

Within the past decade, Detrice and her five children have lived in a number of rental properties. With the increased rental prices and housing crisis, however, Detrice did not know where to go. 

She was thrilled to be accepted into Habitat’s homeownership program. She says, “Everything about the Habitat program has been amazing – the classes where we learned about credit do’s and don’ts, how to keep a good credit score, even how to take care of your flooring was important.”  

Detrice is grateful for the role volunteers play in making this dream become a reality. “[Volunteers] should know they are giving for a good cause, that they are helping build homes for future homeowners who can’t buy houses through the traditional home-buying process."

Habitat's First Responders Build:

Heroes Unite to Build a Stronger Community

It all started on a cold spring morning with a few shovels and some dirt. Habitat Forsyth’s inaugural First Responders Build broke ground in March, 2023. Imagined by Habitat Forsyth’s CEO George Redd to be a friendly competition between Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD), Winston-Salem Fire Department (WSFD) and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department (FCSO), the First Responders Build began as a fundraising effort between the agencies to see who could raise the most funds to build a Habitat home for a local family.

When describing his idea, Redd explained, "Habitat for Humanity builds safe and affordable housing for deserving families all throughout Forsyth County and we thought it would be a fun and creative way to build a house by getting our first responders involved."

With a lofty goal of raising $30,000 per agency, local firefighters, sheriff officers and police officers showed up in full force not only to raise the walls for this home, but to also raise the much needed funds to make it happen. While the home is nearing completion, WSPD, WSFD and FCSO are still raising funds to meet their goals. Consider supporting our heroes by donation to your favorite agency here. Your contribution can make a significant impact inbuilding homes and fostering a safe, stronger Forsyth County.

The First Responders Build home dedication is slated for the end of this month. Be on the lookout in next month's newsletter to learn more about the deserving family that will be able to call the First Responder Build house HOME.