Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members participate in annual Build-a-Thon

ATLANTA (April 23, 2013) – More than 400 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members from 37 states will help to build homes and revitalize communities during Habitat for Humanity International’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.

Held late April to early June, the AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon will highlight the need for affordable housing in these communities while celebrating AmeriCorps members’ service with Habitat. This year’s Build-a-Thon events are being hosted by Habitat affiliates in Eustis, Fla.; St. Croix Falls, Wis.; Seattle; Pensacola, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.

“Our AmeriCorps members are future leaders in the affordable housing movement, and they play a critical role in helping Habitat serve more families across the U.S.,” said Peter Rumsey, Habitat for Humanity International’s director of National Service. “Their service during the Build-a-Thon is an exciting opportunity to help meet the needs of these communities while showcasing the skills and knowledge they’ve gained during their time with Habitat.”

Work at the Build-a-Thon locations will focus primarily on neighborhood revitalization efforts and will include new house construction, rehabilitation of existing homes and minor home repairs, as well as community service projects in partnership with local organizations. In addition, the Veterans Build on the Mall will engage AmeriCorps members and veteran and civilian volunteers to build seven house frames to be used in the homes of local families and three wheelchair ramps for veterans aging in place.

Since Habitat partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service in 1994, more than 7,000 AmeriCorps members have served with Habitat for Humanity. These individuals have helped Habitat serve more than 17,000 U.S. families, contributed more than 13 million hours of service, raised tens of millions of dollars in cash and in-kind resources and engaged more than 2.8 million volunteers. For more information or to learn how to get involved, please visit www.habitat.org/americorps or www.americorps.gov.

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 600,000 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.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit www.NationalService.gov.