It’s been a rainy season in Los Angeles, but we are beginning to feel the crisp breeze of Spring! The revitalizing determination of a new year still lingers this January, and we can’t wait for the refreshing energy to fill our homes and communities with renewed hope. With Spring on the way, it’s a great opportunity to get a head start on repairs and home decor goals and celebrate with Habitat LA! 

On January 16th, communities throughout the country celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the ardent Civil Rights leader who honored service to others. Through his life experience, Dr. King exemplified that compassion, faith, and eliminating barriers were fundamental in bringing communities together. His impact holds a legacy that faith can positively change the world. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) is greatly inspired by his work as we seek to build and repair homes with the purpose of transforming neighborhoods, revitalizing underinvested communities, and putting God’s love into action. 

Martin Luther King Day was initially established as a federal holiday in 1983 after much hard work from his wife Coretta Scott King and other Civil Rights leaders. Habitat LA is proud to share that we have successfully won The Beloved Community Volunteer Engagement (BCVE) Dream Grant, which is designed to challenge Habitat for Humanity affiliates to create new and/or innovative ways to engage a diverse volunteer population. 

We are looking to engage passionate high school and college students to join Habitat LA as enthusiastic volunteers! Bring your school club, or establish a Habitat LA chapter on your campus, and discover the power and impact of serving our beloved communities through the non-profit field! Help us serve diverse communities through our ReStores, build sites, fundraising, or outreach during your Spring and Summer breaks. 

Reach out to our Volunteers Team at volunteers@habitatla.org to learn more about our Beloved Community initiatives. 

Isabel Villas is on the move! This month, our team has focused on setting the proper foundations for Habitat families to thrive. Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and construction team, Habitat LA’s production site is steadily moving from dirt to keys. Very soon each unit will become a home for families that have put in their precious time and sweat equity. 

Underground utility installation is underway for all 8 homes. We are also finishing interiors on the first two homes at Isabel Villas, which includes paint touch ups and cleaning. The next two homes are framed up and dried walled! Our Habitat LA “Sparkies,” a team of volunteers who focus on electrical work, are currently installing electrical wires in the homes.  



In February 2023, we look forward to framing the 5th and 6th homes in this development!

Each year, we partner with homeowners, often in underinvested communities, to provide critical and affordable health and safety repairs to the interior and exterior of their homes. If you are in the greater Los Angeles area and looking to make impactful updates to your home, we are currently accepting applications in Inglewood, Whittier, Pico Rivera, and Watts. learn more about the process by visiting our Home Repair Program. 

Habitat LA knows that buying a home can feel like a daunting task. That’s why we created the Pathways to Homeownership Workshop, our homebuyer's education program! If you are interested in more information, add a workshop to your schedule! 

UPCOMING WORKSHOP 

Date: Saturday, February 25, 2023 

Time: 12:00 pm 

Register HERE 

Apply for a Habitat LA scholarship!  

Interested in attending a workshop but not sure it fits your budget? No worries, scholarships are available! With the support of generous donors, Habitat LA is offering scholarships to help participants with the cost of workshops.  Scholarships will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To request a scholarship application, participants should contact Habitat LA at home@habitatla.org or (310) 323-4663 x115. 

Since 2011, Habitat LA has encouraged churches to get involved during the Lenten season leading up to Easter Sunday. This year, Lent begins February 22nd and ends April 6th right before Easter, which is on Sunday, April 9th. If you and your beloved faith community or congregation would like to be involved in Habitat LA programming, join in Habitat LA’s 40 Days of Building on Faith initiative. During Lent, we will be building and repairing homes and playhouses, serving in the Habitat ReStores, and fundraising and advocating for affordable housing.  

Your support will help us reach our goals of fostering deeper connections across Los Angeles while making an impact! 

Please check out our Lenten devotional/small fundraising calendar for more information.

For more information about the 40 Days of Building on Faith, contact Chris Untiet, Director of Faith and Community Relations, at chrisu@habitatla.org. 

If you’re looking to redecorate your new house or ready to let go of bookshelves, end tables, and ottomans that no longer fit your aesthetic, our Habitat ReStores are the perfect place to donate your items.  

Habitat LA ReStores in Torrance, Mid-Wilshire, and Bellflower accept gently used furniture. When you buy or donate at any of our stores, your purchase directly gives back to Habitat LA and helps fulfill our mission to build and repair homes throughout greater Los Angeles. 

Click HERE to schedule a donation and visit shoplarestore.org for details to schedule a pickup. 



The ReStores accept new or gently used:  

• Sofas 
• Chairs 
• Desks 
• Dining room furniture 
• Living room furniture 
• Dressers 
• Bed frames 
• Coffee tables 
• End tables 
• Filing cabinets 
• Bookshelves 
• Kitchen Cabinets 
• TVs 
• Washing machines/dryers 
• And more!