Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity joins umbrella group
Montgomery-based Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is among eight Chicago-area Habitat affiliates that have joined to create Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity.
The Rev. Jeff Barrett, Fox Valley Habitat executive director, said the goal of the umbrella organization is to significantly increase the number of families served.
In addition to Fox Valley Habitat, other partner affiliates are in Addison, Carpentersville, Chicago, Chicago Heights, Joliet, McHenry and Waukegan.
“The umbrella Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity organization will more effectively recruit donors, volunteers and advocates to help Habitat for Humanity address the urgent housing needs in the Chicago area,” said Greg Thompson, president of the Chicagoland Habitat board of directors.
The Chicagoland board includes area business leaders, practitioners skilled in fundraising, strategic planning, marketing and real estate, community leaders and individuals with current and past ties to Habitat for Humanity International.
The Chicagoland board, in collaboration with the eight Chicagoland affiliates, recently developed a comprehensive strategic plan with the help of McKinsey & Company, which donated resources.
Joe Mulvey of HFHI said, “The strategic plan is a great road map to effectively and dramatically increase the number of families served in the Chicagoland area.”
According to Thompson, the eight cooperating Habitat affiliates have been unable to meet the great need in Chicago for affordable housing. With the recent recession, the situation has become even more serious.
Despite the individual strengths and aspirations of the eight separate Habitat for Humanity affiliates, their overall growth in the Chicagoland area is limited to the capacity of each affiliate.
Chicagoland Habitat can leverage capacity building and growth, marketing and advocacy as one Chicago Habitat for Humanity by working in collaboration with the eight Chicagoland affiliates.
The concept for Habitat for Humanity is a hand-up, not a handout, for the increasing number of working families in need of decent, affordable housing.
Habitat, through local affiliates around the world, provides volunteer labor and donated material to build or improve decent homes at cost.
Habitat homes feature zero-interest mortgages and a requirement that the future owners contribute their own time — sweat equity — to help with the construction or rehabilitation of their future home.