So many ways to support Habitat!

People of faith have been supporting Habitat since our founding more than 40 years ago. We share a prophetic call to serve those in need of safe, equitable affordable housing. We would not have been able to serve the more than 1,000 families with new homes or supported 700 additional families with repairs, without your support! Unfortunately, the affordable housing crisis remains an urgent need in our community, and so we must be innovative in finding new ways to address the problem. Recently, The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi, a long-time partner, collaborated with us on some of those innovative approaches.

“And a child shall lead them…” (Isaiah 11:6) 

Construction age requirements can be limiting for those younger folks that want to put their faith into action, but not at St. Francis! More than 150 students gathered during a monthly service night to paint baffles. Baffles are pieces of cardboard painted with prayers, blessings and pictures, that are installed in the attic to hold insulation and help us build more energy-efficient homes. It takes about 50 baffles to insulate a Habitat home, and in less than one hour, the youth had painted well more than that! Their work was honored by having Fr. James bless the baffles and the families whose homes would benefit from them. Check out this flyer to learn about how your congregation might host a baffle project.

“the ear of the wise seeks knowledge…” (Proverbs 18:15)

While the youth were busy painting messages of joy, hope and peace, their parents met to learn more about how Habitat works and the many ways they could get more involved, through a friendly round of Habitat Trivia! Some of the questions were:

• How many houses has Habitat built since its founding?
• How families has Habitat served through advocacy?
• What is the #1 reason a family is not accepted into the Habitat program?

Questions like these gave us a chance to learn and laugh about a subject that isn’t funny for many families in our area. If you’d like to host an informative Habitat info session, email Rebecca Hix. 

“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Many people know that financial gifts are critical to our ability to serve families, but did you know that we also benefit from your gently used items? Donations of furniture and small home goods can be resold at our 10 Habitat ReStores.

At St. Francis, families brought their pre-loved donations to be picked up by our faithful ReStore team. An estimated $700 of items soon found their way to the Cary Habitat ReStore. Once sold, 100% of those funds will go toward supporting affordable housing efforts in our own backyard.

Would you like to organize a donation drive at your congregation? Learn more about the items we accept, and reach out to Rebecca Hix for more details.

We give great thanksgiving for all of the ways in which The Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi supports Habitat and look forward to even more ways to be in ministry together with all members of our Faith community!