William Penn Life, 1999 (34. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
1999-09-01 / 9. szám
Habitat for Humanity The Theology of the Hammer FAITHFUL READERS of this publication are well-aware of Habitat for Humanity International and the WPA's long involvement with Habitat's housing ministry. The WPA has donated funds and supported volunteers for Habitat house-building projects in Nashville (1992), Hungary (1996), Kentucky (1997), Canada (1997) and Americus, Ga. (1998). Some of you may be aware of Habitat because of the efforts of its most famous volunteer—Jimmy Carter. Or, you may have learned about Habitat by watching such popular television shows as "Home Improvement," "Oprah" and "This Old House." Despite all the attention and publicity Habitat and its work receives, many people remain unclear, confused and even skeptical about this ministry and its mission. That's a shame because the truth is quite simple and the need for decent shelter—and the need for your help to eliminate poverty housing—are as great as ever. What is Habitat? Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. It seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families who need them. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built almost 80,000 houses around the world, providing nearly 400,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. How does it work? Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple houses with the help of the home- \) ] )\ \ owner families, volun- V /1 teer labor and donations \ i(m\ of money and materials. \v\V\ The houses are sold to Vvv\ families at no profit, and vjl k\ are financed with no-interest y loans. The homeowners' \ A( //\ mortgage payments are put xd**' into a revolving fund to build more houses. Habitat carries out its mission at the community level through independent, locally-run groups called affiliates. Fund raising, house construction, family selection and other key decisions are made by the local affiliates. Habitat is not a give-away program. The average Habitat house built in the U.S. costs $42,500. The homeowner family covers the cost of their home by making a down payment and paying monthly mortgage payments. Homeowners also must invest hundreds of hours of their own labor--" sweat equity"into building their house and other Habitat houses. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat homes. Each affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. How can you get involved? There are nearly 1,800 Habitat affiliates in all 50 states and 63 other countries around the world. Unfortunately, the need for decent housing exists in nearly every community in every country. To volunteer where you live, contact Habitat's headquarters or log onto their web site (see "Charity Links"), to find information about the affiliate nearest you. [\yp| | The perfect branch activity What is your idea of the perfect branch activity? Is it one that makes everyone happy they participated and leaves them eager to do it again? If so, then consider planning a branch "work day" at a local Habitat for Humanity house building site. With more than 1,700 active Habitat affiliates located throughout the country, chances are good that there is one near your membership. Habitat affiliates love groups. They bring lots of enthusiasm—and lots of willing labor. It's not an activity for young children, but youths ages 16 and older are, in most cases, eligible to work at a building site. (Plus, teens think it's a really "cool" thing to do.) And many of Habitat's hardest working volunteers are in their 70's. You don't need any special skills or experience, just the ability and willingness to perform a labor of love for someone who needs a little help to have a decent home. To set up a work day and to learn more about other ways your branch can help, contact your local Habitat affiliate. Charity Links To learn more about Habitat for Humanity International-its mission, the affiliate nearest you, and volunteer opportunitiescontact: , O Habitat for Humanity International 121 Habitat Street Americus, GA 31709-3498 (912) 924-6935 „ http://www.habitat.org William Penn Lile, September 1999 3
