HFH CEO Jonathan Reckford

If You Dare to Dream, Dream Big

by Jonathan Reckford

As we close our five-year More Than Houses campaign, we open new potential for serving more families in need of decent housing. I am pleased to say that--thanks to the leadership and contributions of so many people-- More Than Houses exceeded its fund-raising goal by nearly 20 percent, raising a total of $593 million. The campaign also helped expand our global reach and double our house production in a very short time.

In my view, however, the campaign's conclusion is more a starting point than an ending point. It's worthwhile to pause and celebrate, to reflect on all that More Than Houses required and delivered. Yet the world's need for decent, affordable housing remains immense. Desperate families in all corners of the globe still wait for the hopeful spark that Habitat for Humanity can ignite in partnership with them.

The broad participation in the campaign has brought Habitat to a new level of impact, transforming the lives of partner families, volunteers and donors alike, building huge numbers of homes and even creating more hope.

Habitat for Humanity's vision moving forward is to increase exponentially the number of families we serve around the world and to do so by seeking new partnership opportunities--with individuals, churches, corporations, foundations, other nonprofit organizations, government agencies and anyone else sharing our commitment to strengthening communities and improving lives. We are eternally grateful for those who led the way in the early stages of More Than Houses as Cornerstone partners, including Whirlpool, Steve and Jean Case, Lions Clubs International Foundation, and Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Not only will we create new partnerships, but we'll reinforce our existing relationships, so many of which found their start through our More Than Houses campaign. More Than Houses is a crucial milestone on Habitat's road to fulfilling its mission in creative and exciting ways. We've learned and grown through that experience, and I look forward to working with you and with all of our partners as we apply those lessons to a renewed commitment to decent housing--and to families everywhere who so severely lack it.

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