Habitat brings diverse faith leaders together for Interfaith Build event

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is partnering with faith communities throughout the Fox Valley area on Monday, Oct. 12, as part of its inaugural Interfaith Build, bringing together diverse faith communities in peace and service.

Bringing together community religious leaders from Second Baptist Church of Elgin, Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Elgin, Congregation Kneseth Israel, Baitul Ilm Mosque, the Lao American Association of Illinois, and Wat Lao Buddha Samaggi to work on Habitat's ongoing project in Elgin's Historic Watch District.

Volunteers will assist in a variety of tasks including painting, carpentry and siding projects.

"At Habitat, we are very deliberate and excited about promoting interfaith engagement," said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. "Almost all faith groups have a strong call to care for the poor and have long held traditions of providing shelter as a means of helping families move out of poverty. … Habitat's Interfaith Build provides faith communities with an opportunity to unite and serve in their communities."

"Our goal for the Interfaith Build Day was to create an opportunity for diverse congregations to work alongside one another without giving up a single bit of their theology and to focus on similarities in our beliefs such as a common call to serve those in need," said Barbara Beckman, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley. "We are grateful to the congregations that are participating."

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley is one of eight Habitat affiliates in the Chicago area. Founded in 1990, Northern Fox Valley currently focuses its efforts on transforming existing foreclosed and abandoned houses that are devaluing our neighborhoods into safe, decent, and affordable homes for partner families in the northwestern suburbs of Chicago. Northern Fox Valley also helps approximately 50 homeowners annually through its Critical Home Repair program. Now entering a milestone 25th anniversary year, Northern Fox Valley has completed 96 new construction and rehabilitation projects in Carpentersville, Elgin, St. Charles, and the surrounding area, 43 of which have been funded through proceeds from ReStore Elgin.

For details about Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley projects and programs, call (847) 836-1432 or visit habitatnfv.org.

For information about ReStore Elgin, call (847) 742-9905 or visit restorelgin.org.