Habitat for Humanity

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Rewarding Volunteer Experience

Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer-centered organization. “Volunteers who work on construction help us build homes. Volunteers who are skilled
professionals can help us increase our capacity by serving as ‘crew leaders and lead other volunteers,” explains Jennifer Parks, Executive Director of
Windy City Habitat for Humanity in Chicago. The Chicagoland region has eight Habitat affiliates and a support organization – Chicagoland Habitat for
Humanity – working to increase families’ access to better housing.

Because Habitat for Humanity’s Vision is “a world where everyone has a decent place to live,” Habitat and home inspection professionals respond to a common
need and goal: ensuring that the home is safe.

When Frank Lesh, ASHI executive director, and Jack McGraw, managing director, The ASHI School, volunteered as crew leaders “their professional advice and
participation were fantastic,” Jennifer says. Other ASHI members across the country also find the experience very rewarding.

Habitat’s model requires that all partner families must complete “sweat equity” and attend homeownership classes prior to purchasing their home. Jennifer
shared, “We want to work with ASHI to introduce a ‘Health for Your Home’ course to the curriculum so that families know how to complete an annual
assessment of their home’s health.”

Habitat for Humanity was founded in Americus, Georgia, USA, in 1976, and now operates around the world, helping to build, renovate and repair more than
600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people.

To increase awareness and help more people, Habitat for Humanity holds events, oversees Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives, and creates partnerships
to move its mission forward. For example, now that the weather has warmed up, the Windy City Habitat is increasing awareness of Habitat for Humanity in
several ways.

Raise Your Hand Chicagoland Event

“Led by Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, we held ‘Raise Your Hand Chicagoland’ on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue from May 29 to June 1. Our goal was to
encourage the public to volunteer in the Chicagoland region and to raise awareness of Habitat for Humanity,” Jennifer says. The media and visitors,
including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago Bears team, and actor Jim Belushi, were enthusiastic as volunteers constructed the exterior of one home and wall
frames for 12 houses. “The 13 homes were transferred to the local Habitat affiliates where they will be built and sold to families in the greater
Chicagoland region.”

Women Build

“Most people do not realize that female heads of households have a higher level of poverty than male-led households,” Jennifer explains. “Our annual Women
Build event sheds a light on the problem when women come out in support of each other by building and funding the home with a woman in need of decent,
affordable housing. It’s a true spirit of generosity.”

This year’s Women Build, held in Chicago from June 18 – 21, attracted 130 women who built walls with partner families who will purchase a Habitat home.
“The women raised $113,000, which included $50,000 from our lead sponsor, Lowe’s.”

New ReStore in Chicago

Habitat for Humanity has hundreds of ReStores across the country, and Windy City Habitat is opening a new ReStore in Chicago in Fall 2014. “The ReStores
sell new and used building supplies at greatly reduced prices to the general public. They also keep materials out of landfills, focus on being green, and
help fund Habitat for Humanity programs.”

If you are interested in a rewarding volunteer experience that “brings people together to build homes, communities and hope,” explore your local Habitat
for Humanity affiliate.

Frank Lesh, ASHI Executive Director, and his Volunteer crew from BMO Harris bank

Jack McGraw, Managing Director, The ASHI School, with Jennifer Parks, Executive Director for Windy City Habitat for Humanity in Chicago.