Community Outreach Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity

2015/03/20Japan、Africa、Asia、Europe、Middle East、North America、Oceania、Latin America

“[Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity] is the sense of working together and giving back in its truest form”. – Barbra Williams, Human Resources Manager

Today’s community outreach spotlight is focusing on Habitat for Humanity which has been serving the Brevard County area since November 1985. The organization stands by their mission to create “a world where everyone has a decent place to live” by building affordable homes which they then sell to families through no interest loans and at no profit with the help of volunteers and donations.

Contec volunteer Wendy Norris Preparing to Paint at a Habitat for Humanity Location.

What We Do and Why We Do It

Contec employees began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in 2014. On the second Saturday of each month, Contec employees give up their own time to assist local home-sites in need of labor.

“Working alongside the families and hearing their stories is a very humbling experience. Learning about how the whole process works and what the families go through to forge a better life for themselves really abolishes a lot of misconceptions.” - Barbra Williams, Human Resources Manager

Poverty is an issue in the Brevard County area with around 15% of the population living below the poverty line. Decent, stable housing provides more than just a roof over someone’s head. It provides stability for families and children, an increase of educational and job prospects and many health, physical safety and security benefits. Through donations of time, money and effort, Habitat for Humanity is able to help change this matter by helping a family obtain a safe, decent and affordable home.

Habitat does more than just build houses. In order to achieve their mission of working towards a world where everyone has access to adequate housing, they:

Provide low-cost house production by building and rehabilitating houses, frequently using volunteer labor.
Offer housing-related technical assistance by training families to build, maintain and pay for adequate housing.
Promote innovative housing finance opportunities by promoting accessible financial solutions for low-income families to improve their housing situations.
Advocate for adequate housing for all by organizing public activities and influencing policies that result in easier access to adequate housing.
Prepare for and respond to disasters by assisting communities to prepare for disasters and helping them rebuild in the event that they strike.

How Can You Get Involved?

Whether you’re accustomed to working in construction or have no experience at all Habitat is always looking for volunteers for construction sites and behind the scenes. Find out more information about Habitat for Humanity opportunities in your area to show your support.

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