Thrivent Financial for Lutherans launches new program with Habitat for Humanity aimed at repairing homes

The partnership will encourage Thrivent Financial volunteers and members to assist in a holistic approach to neighborhood improvement.

MINNEAPOLIS (July 16, 2012) – A new program, Thrivent Builds Repairs, is helping low-income homeowners spruce up their homes and neighborhoods. The program is launching across the country in July and will concentrate on upgrading existing homes in partnership with low-income homeowners.

Examples of projects the program will undertake are: exterior painting and weatherization, porch repair, construction of accessibility ramps and light landscaping. The program supports neighborhood development by making homes more attractive, safer or more energy-efficient. It will encourage homeowners and communities to use a more holistic approach to maintenance, improvement and upkeep which seeks to involve more than a single home but encourages an entire community to get involved in improvement efforts.

“The Thrivent Builds Homes program has been an outstanding program for new home construction and rehabs,” says Jackie Hintz, vice president of member engagement and growth for Thrivent Financial. “This new program allows us to upgrade existing homes and help restore and foster community pride.”

The program aims to complete 160 repair projects in 2012 with more than 3,200 volunteers engaged in supporting the program and giving back to their communities.

The projects will typically call for a one or two day commitment from volunteers, providing opportunities to those unable to make longer time commitments or those preferring to volunteer for light construction work.

With the one or two day projects, the volunteers will still have a chance to experience the camaraderie and self-fulfillment of a Thrivent Builds trip. They also have a chance to partner in the project with the homeowner and see a project through to completion.

For more information about the program or to volunteer you can visit Thriventbuilds.com.

Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a “hand up” to people in need of affordable housing, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat’s largest single source of funding, constructing more than 2,600 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.5 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. Thrivent Investment Management Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.