Habitat for Humanity: Habitat’s work a strong foundation for the community

Our shared vision is a community where everyone has a decent and affordable place to live. Low-income families in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla are in need of housing. For every 100 families in need, there are only 50 affordable housing units available in this area.

Volunteers are the heart, soul and muscle behind Habitat’s efforts. In 2018, volunteers and partnering families are building 10 homes.

“Raising funds is the biggest challenge for Habitat to finish a home,” says Theresa Richardson, executive director. Buying lumber, nails and resources to build depends on financial support from the general public. To ensure the best use of every donor dollar, bold fiscal planning has been implemented for 2018:

▪  Increased volunteer participation reduced overhead costs by 77 percent.

▪  Donations enable Habitat to earn matching funding required by home development grants.

▪  Assets not vital to construction efforts have been liquidated.

▪  The Habitat Store is increasing inventory and sales to benefit Habitat’s local mission.

A Habitat home provides a strong foundation for a family, an opportunity on which they can build a better life. Homeowners receive financial education, help build their homes and pay a mortgage.

When a family of eight’s income depends on work in the potato fields of Eastern Washington, life focuses on the bare essentials. Roberto and Socorro are agricultural workers who wanted a better life for their children. Their struggle to find adequate housing brought them to Habitat for Humanity and resulted in teaching their children about hard work, resilience, overcoming obstacles and giving back to the community.

Vanessa, their oldest daughter, is gracious and smiles broadly when she talks about her family.

“I was 17,” she recalled, “and there were eight of us living in a two-bedroom house when a family member told my parents about Habitat for Humanity. My parents thought they might qualify, so they applied for a home.“

Vanessa provided interpreting for her parents, repeating complicated information about qualifying for a loan, mortgages, financing, construction and “sweat equity” requirements for the family to volunteer 500 hours toward construction of their own and others’ homes.

“My whole family worked to build our home,” she said. “Actually, my parents and brother helped build several houses. Our cousins and my aunt and uncle also helped. My sisters took care of my little brother and sister. And I interpreted for my parents and some other families as well.”

“I would say that volunteering was not something that we did until then,” she added. “But it was great for my parents. They got to know the neighbors and helped others in the community.”

Vanessa has carried that spirit into her education and her work. She graduated from Washington State University with a double major in Psychology and Spanish with minors in Comparative Ethnic Studies and Human Development.

She is also considering getting a master’s degree to become a school counselor. “I’d like to help others get into college. Too many kids are left out because they don’t know how to get the resources. I have learned that obstacles can be overcome, that there are always options, but you may need help to find them.”

Families who partner with Habitat for Humanity are extremely grateful for the help offered to them. A home gives them the strength, stability and independence needed to create a better life for themselves and their families.

Your financial support, your voice and your time will help bring strength, stability and independence to families in need of a decent place to live. Please donate today.

This story was originally published April 2, 2018 at 2:36 PM with the headline "Habitat for Humanity: Habitat’s work a strong foundation for the community."