Mobilizing 50 Fox Valley churches to build Habitat for Humanity home
Yorkville resident Ron Kelso has a dream. He dreams of 50 Kane and Kendall County churches partnering to build a Habitat for Humanity home.
Kelso, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity board of directors vice chairman, calls the effort Faith Build 2017.
To detail his vision, Kelso is inviting local clergy and church missions committee chairmen to learn about the effort at an information breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at Genesis Community Church, 1300 S. Broadway in Montgomery.
In addition to Kelso, speakers will include THE Rev. Jeff Barrett, Habitat executive director and Genesis pastor; and Aurora resident Barb Zegiel, a Habitat homeowner.
Representatives of 25 churches in Aurora, Geneva, Naperville, Sugar Grove, Yorkville and Oswego have made reservations for the breakfast. Other interested churches are invited.
Kelso said, "Faith Build 2017 is an exciting opportunity for churches to come together with Fox Valley Habitat to be the hands and feet of Christ.
"Church partners will be forever changed while being a blessing to a low-income family in substandard housing. We promise money will not prevent participation. Fox Valley Habitat is a Christian nonprofit that builds affordable housing in partnership with working, low-income in need of affordable housing. We invite local churches to join this new alliance," Kelso said.
According to Kelso, church partners will be asked to contribute volunteers, in-kind gifts and some financial support to the project estimated at $150,000. The location and build schedule will be determined.
Faith Build 2017 is the first such effort by Fox Valley Habitat since Batavia churches partnered in an East Aurora home in 2004.
Since its founding in 1989, Habitat volunteers have built or rehabbed 54 homes in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery.
Two houses are under renovation in Aurora and two new houses are tentatively set for completion this year.
Founded in 1989 in Aurora, Fox Valley Habitat is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat partners with working low-income families who contribute up to 500 hours of sweat equity, volunteer labor, in return for affordable shelter, no-interest mortgages and financial management and home maintenance classes.
Since its inception, Fox Valley Habitat has partnered with 54 families to provide affordable shelter for more than 200 persons in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery. Fox Valley Habitat's offices and warehouse are at 250 S. Highland Ave., Suite 2, in Aurora. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Volunteers and donations of funds and in-kind gifts are needed to continue the ministry.
For breakfast reservations or more information, call (630) 859-3333, email info@foxvalleyhabitat.org or visit foxvalleyhabitat.org.