Most everyone has heard of Habitat for Humanity.
From Wikipedia:
“Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), generally referred to as HRe-abitat for Humanity or simply Habitat, is an international, non-governmental, and nonprofit organization, which was founded in 1976. Habitat has been devoted to building “simple, decent, and affordable” housing, a self-described “Christian housing ministry,” and has addressed the issues of poverty housing all over the world. The international operational headquarters are located in Americus, Georgia, United States, with the administrative headquarters located in Atlanta.”
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is located in my area, along with two Re-Stores. They are fully involved in the community, involving volunteers and recently students from Appleton West High School. Within the story of the high school students, there is another article about how Habitat and the City of Sheboygan are working to revitalize neighborhoods.
“The city redoubled its efforts to revitalize the neighborhood with a “Rock the Block” event in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Lakeside. Volunteers descended on the neighborhood on Saturday to clean up debris, trim grass back from sidewalks, and cleared a dark, overgrown alleyway that local police had identified as a potential crime area.”
Mission Church in Appleton was also involved in a “Rock the Block” event for the Columbus School neighborhood this past September cleaning up yards and beautifying the area.
“There are five area offices located around the world: United States and Canada; Africa and the Middle East (located in Pretoria, South Africa); Asia-Pacific (Manila, Philippines); Europe and Central Asia (Bratislava, Slovakia); and Latin America and the Caribbean (San Jose, Costa Rica). The mission statement of Habitat for Humanity is “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope”. Homes are built using volunteer labor and Habitat makes no profit on the sales. Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve more than 800,000 homes since its founding in 1976, making Habitat the largest not-for-profit builder in the world.”
In a world where there are families struggling to make ends meet, let alone buy a house, Habitat offers love in the form of construction materials and volunteers. They truly are an organization that shines a bright light through the black of darkness.
The “We are the World” Blogfest is in its eighth month of a heartfelt journey. This blogfest’s goal is to spread the message of light, hope and love in today’s world. We are challenging all participants to share the positive side of humanity. This month’s co-hosts, Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. , welcome participants and encourage all to join in during future months. #WATWB is a blog hop on the last Friday of every month. Click HERE to check out the intention and rules of the blogfest and feel free to sign up at any time. You are always welcome!
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Mary J Melange 
This is a great program. Volunteers from our company have participated in recent years in the Hartford area. It truly is helping people to help themselves.
I’ve always wanted to volunteer for a build, but never got serious about it. Now there’s a ReStore right next to Costco, and they came around and picked up our old office furniture we no longer wanted. It was awesome, something that made the move a lot easier and will help the community.
Glad to see Pretoria South Africa listed Mary! Amazing what can be achieved when people pull together – such a win-win for all, the giver and receiver .. Thanks for this great post!
I’m a big believer in “community,” when people support and help each other in time of need. Organizations like this give me hope that we have a much larger world community than we think.
When a community comes together for a cause, the power becomes unlimited. The change, or transformation, that occurs from the entire community is something greater than just what a small group of the people or an individual can achieve. Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming post, Mary!
You’re correct, Shilpa. There is always power in numbers, especially when that power is working for good.
Thanks for shining light on this direct action organization. This is how helping is done! We can all benefit from following their example or joining the effort in any way.
You’re welcome, JoAnna. Habitat and ReStore truly are helpers for the community!
Sometimes organizations with the most direct approach to bettering the world are the ones that I forget about. Good choice for #WATWB.
I tend to forget about Habitat as well, Ally, unless I see a home going up or hear about a community project. In working with them recently through work, I was reminded of how important they are to everyone.
This is great initiative, and so nice to hear about people joining hands together for a worthy cause, thank you for sharing !
You’re welcome, happy to share Habitat’s good cause.
Habitat is a great organization. It goes far beyond a house or resale store … above all things, they give people their dignity back and a reason to hope. That’s priceless ❤
That’s so true, Joanne. One can’t touch dignity and hope, but they are so precious to someone going through rough times.
Many years ago, I participated in a Habitat for Humanity project through a group I belonged to at the time. It was nice to be a part of something and feel like I was helping out. I think it is one of those things that there is no big or small job, they all count equally especially when you work as a team. Thanks for sharing this story and for being a part of #WATWB
Lynn, I’ve always wanted to be part of a house build with Habitat, but never followed through. I’m glad you were able to participate in one of their projects and have the experience and memories of the teamwork.
Hi Mary – what an interesting organisation with their 5 offices in different parts of the world … and to see how they are helping others with some form of safer and better housing for others’ families … thanks for letting us know about Habitat for Humanity … Hilary
You’re welcome, Hilary. I see Habitat houses around my city. It always makes me smile to know that someone has a decent roof over their head and has a place to call home.
I always enjoy your post.Thank you.
You’re welcome, Crystal.
🙂
Great story! Yes, community coming together for good is indeed a powerful thing 🙂 Thanks for sharing, and for joining #WATWB this month!
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
You’re welcome Guilie! I enjoyed writing this post.
What a wonderful, literally homely, initiative. It’s great that Habitat are involving colleges in it too. May they continue to help offer hospitality to shelter people’s dignity as well as their bodies. Thanks for sharing, Mary, and for all you do for our WATWB.
“Shelter peoples’ dignity…” I like that comment, Simon. I believe that’s truly what Habitat is all about.
Yes. I get the feeling the whole person matters at Habitat.