Building Homes and Hope

Habitat for Humanity is a well-known name in the nonprofit community. They are a global nonprofit organization making a significant impact on communities worldwide through its mission to provide affordable housing solutions. One of the key ways in which Habitat for Humanity achieves this goal is by engaging the community through volunteerism and partnerships. By harnessing the power of volunteers and building strong partnerships, Habitat for Humanity not only builds houses but also fosters hope and transforms lives.

In this blog post and episode, we interview David Michael, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-State and explore how they engage the community and build hope through volunteerism and partnerships.

To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.

David Michael, the Executive Director and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-state shares his mission to put God's love into action by partnering with people to build homes, communities, and hope. David explains that Habitat works with individuals and families who fall within the 30 to 60% of the area median household income, providing them with affordable housing options.

He also mentions that Habitat offers programs for aging in place, veterans, and homeowner education. David shares his personal journey and why he chose to work for Habitat for Humanity. He talks about the gratification he feels in helping people access something they didn't have before and how Habitat's mission aligns with his Christian beliefs.

We discuss the activities and programs offered by Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-state, including new house construction, critical repairs for existing homes, and homeowner education. David emphasizes the importance of providing affordable housing and how owning a home creates security, stability, and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. David also talks about Habitat's work with veterans and their partnership with the local VA Medical Center.

They built 12 veteran cottages, which are one-bedroom, energy-efficient homes for homeless veterans. He explains how this program provides affordable housing and ongoing support for veterans. David mentions the future plans for Habitat for Humanity of the Tri-state, which include expanding their housing projects to all six counties in their service area. They aim to build houses every year in each county and establish partnerships with vocational schools to involve students in construction projects.

Overall, the conversation highlights the impact of Habitat for Humanity in providing affordable housing, building communities, and offering hope to individuals and families in need. In this conversation, we discuss the various ways in which Habitat for Humanity engages with the community. David mentions that some individuals have joined local unions, such as the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers, to become licensed electricians or plumbers.

Others have partnered with their family in construction companies. David also shares an interesting initiative where Habitat has worked with a group of middle school shop students, allowing them to participate in a wall build project. This project serves as an opportunity for the students to contribute to Habitat's mission and experience the satisfaction of helping a family in need.

David mentions that they have seen an increase in the number of students participating in this project each year and are already planning for the next one. To get engaged, David explains that Habitat relies heavily on volunteers and encourages people to donate their time to help with construction projects.

They also welcome professionals to serve on their board of directors, and David mentions that they currently have a few open spots. Additionally, Habitat accepts donations of property and funds to support their work. They have two Habitat ReStores where people can donate items or volunteer their time. David emphasizes that volunteers don't need to have construction knowledge and that Habitat provides all the necessary tools and safety equipment.

Towards the end of the conversation, David mentions an event called "She Nailed It," which is part of their Women Build Week. This event is a women's nail driving competition and serves as a fundraiser for Habitat. David encourages listeners to get involved and support this event.

Overall, David provides a comprehensive overview of the different ways people can engage with Habitat for Humanity, from volunteering on construction projects to serving on the board or donating funds and property. Get engaged!

To listen/watch to the full podcast interview hosted by Greater Than Zero Percent (GTZP), visit our or Spotify or Apple.