Hey there, Dusty Roberts here, and today I want to talk to you about an organization that's near and dear to my heart: Habitat for Humanity.
Some of you may think, "Oh, they build homes, that's nice, but what's the big deal?" But trust me, there's a lot more to this incredible organization than meets the eye.
The Impact Habitat For Humanity
Has Had In The World
First off, Habitat for Humanity was founded by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, Georgia, USA way back in 1976. Since then, they've helped over 39 million people worldwide achieve affordable homeownership. Let me repeat that: 39 million people! That's like building homes for the entire population of Australia, but without the deadly wildlife.
Habitat for Humanity operates in over 70 countries and has built homes in more than 1,400 communities around the world. That's like the United Nations of home building. The organization has a network of over 1,500 affiliates in the United States alone. I mean, have you ever heard of an organization that has so many dedicated local chapters?
But here's the real kicker: Habitat for Humanity relies heavily on volunteer labor, and they've engaged over one million volunteers annually. That's like having the entire population of Dallas show up to help build homes. It's a remarkable show of support and dedication to their mission.
The "partner family contribution" model is another unique aspect of Habitat for Humanity's work. Partner families are required to contribute a certain number of hours of labor towards building their own homes. This means that the families are not just receiving a handout but are putting in their own hard work and determination to create a safe and secure place to live.
Habitat for Humanity also provides disaster response and recovery services, helping communities affected by natural disasters to rebuild and recover. This is like having a team of superheroes swoop in and save the day with hammers and nails.
But Habitat for Humanity's impact extends far beyond just building homes. They have a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and they work towards this goal through advocacy, education, and fundraising efforts. They're not just building homes, they're changing lives.
Here is one example of what HFH has done recently in Greater Victoria...
"Habitat Victoria is thrilled to celebrate the completion of its 24th home in Greater Victoria with single mom Erin and her two young children. Located in Central Saanich, this latest home is part of a newly developed subdivision made possible with land donated by Walking Stick Developments Inc. “We were extremely pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity on this project,” said Gary Lunn of Walking Stick Developments Inc. “Their organization does great work to support young families getting into housing. It would be fantastic to see more people and organizations partner with them in this way.”
The view of Erin's kitchen in her brand new home
Habitat For Humanity's financial model also includes the sale of donated goods at ReStores, which helps fund their housing programs. They're like the ultimate recyclers, turning donated goods into safe and affordable homes.
And finally, research shows that homeownership leads to increased stability, improved health and well-being, and greater educational opportunities for children. Habitat for Humanity's work has a ripple effect on communities, creating lasting and positive change.
So, there you have it, folks. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that's making a real difference in the world. They're not just building homes, they're building futures.
Luv-A-Rug Services Inc. shares many of the same values as Habitat for Humanity. We're not just about area rug carpet cleaning. We also believe that everyone deserves a safe and comfortable place to call home, and we're committed to making that a reality for our customers. We also believe in the importance of giving back to our community, which is why we're proud to support Habitat for Humanity's work in building homes and changing lives. Together, we can create a brighter future for families and communities around the world.
