The Publication of Habitat for Humanity International | June 2008
| The Publication of Habitat for Humanity International | June 2008 |
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  Homeowner Melissa Gordon waves from her soon-to-be-completed Thrivent Builds home in Milwaukee, Wis. Thrivent Builds Gets Bigger Minneapolis-based company increases commitment to $125 million, continues education efforts In 2005, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announced a four-year, $105-million commitment to help build Habitat houses in the United States and around the world. Thus, the Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity alliance was born. Then in December 2007, Thrivent Financial increased its commitment to $125 million. This level of support is the largest four-year commitment in the history of either organization and has helped Habitat increase the number of homes built in the United States by nearly 6 percent. “It makes a difference to Thrivent and to our members that we can help more families with this large step (homeownership) toward economic self-sufficiency,” says Bruce J. Nicholson, chairman, president and CEO of the Minneapolis-based Fortune 500 company. “Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity has provided a way for us to positively affect so many people’s lives — both now and in the future. Our members have supported our involvement by volunteering by the thousands. We are all proud of this alliance and the positive impact we can make together in the coming years.” At the end of 2007, the midpoint of the four-year alliance, 650 homes had been built in the United States. Another 322 homes in 42 states are currently in progress for completion by the end of 2008. Volunteer teams also have helped build hundreds more homes in other countries and on the Gulf Coast through the Thrivent Builds Worldwide program. This year, 200 such teams will give thousands more Thrivent Financial members and other volunteers an experience that will change lives, including their own. Another product of the alliance, the Thrivent Builds Mobile — a 67-foot “multimedia exhibit on wheels” — is touring the United States, advocating for affordable housing and informing visitors about the Thrivent Builds alliance and how everyone can get involved. The truck began its 2008 11-state journey in April and is visiting large events with more than 5,000 people in attendance, ending its route in Minneapolis in September. The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project on the Gulf Coast and several state fairs are among events that have and will benefit from the unique experience offered by the Thrivent BuildsMobile. To learn more about the mobile’s 2008 itinerary, the location of Thrivent Builds construction projects in the United States and the available worldwide trips, visit www.habitat.org/gv/thrivent/thrivent_builds.aspx. Cheryl Winget is media relations specialist in the Alliance Strategy Office of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. |
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Who We Are Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry that works both to eliminate poverty housing around the world and to make adequate housing a matter of conscience and action. Habitat welcomes to the table partners from any faith--or from no faith--who are willing to pick up a hammer to help improve the lives of families needing decent shelter. What We Do Local Habitat for Humanity affiliates build and renovate houses in partnership with people in need, and then sell the houses to the homeowner partners. Homeowners are selected by local affiliates based on their need for housing, ability to repay a no-profit mortgage and willingness to partner with Habitat. Mortgage payments contribute to a Fund for Humanity, which in turn provides the money to build more houses. Because of Habitat's no-profit loans and because the houses are principally built with volunteer labor, mortgage payments are affordable for low-income partners. Where We Work Habitat for Humanity started in the United States in 1976, and today its work reaches around the world. Currently, Habitat is at work in all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, and other countries around the globe, including: Afghanistan | Angola | Argentina | Armenia | Australia | Bangladesh | Belize | Bermuda | Bolivia | Botswana | Brazil | Bulgaria | Burundi | Cambodia | Cameroon | Canada | Cayman Islands | Chile | China | Colombia | Costa Rica | Dominican Republic | East Timor | Ecuador | Egypt | El Salvador | Ethiopia | Fiji | Germany | Ghana | Great Britain | Guatemala | Guyana | Haiti | Honduras | Hungary | India | Indonesia | Ivory Coast | Japan | Jordan | Kenya | Kyrgyzstan | Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho | Macedonia | Madagascar | Malawi | Malaysia | Mexico | Micronesia | Mongolia | Mozambique | Myanmar | Nepal | Netherlands | New Zealand | Nicaragua | Nigeria | Northern Ireland | Pakistan | Panama | Papua New Guinea | Paraguay | Philippines | Poland | Portugal | Republic of Ireland | Republic of Korea | Romania | Russia | Rwanda | Senegal | Sierra Leone | Singapore | Slovakia | Solomon Islands | South Africa | Sri Lanka | Suriname | Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Trinidad and Tobago | Uganda | Vanuatu | Vietnam | Zambia You Can Help Volunteers fill key roles in Habitat for Humanity's work, both on the construction site and in other positions such as family selection and support, fund raising and advocacy. For more information about becoming involved with Habitat for Humanity, please contact us at 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709. |
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