Category

Events

Aug 15
0

2023 Inaugural CEO Build

By | Events, From the CEO | No Comments

In a powerful testament to collaboration and community spirit, we are thrilled to celebrate the success of our inaugural CEO Build. Led by our exceptional co-chairs, Kelli Lawrence, CEO at Onyx+East and our board member, and Justin Keppy, President of Residential & Light Commercial HVAC at our long-time partner company, Carrier, this event united 21 dynamic leaders. These leaders embraced the opportunity to contribute their time, expertise, and resources to our mission. Together, they represent a diverse range of industries and backgrounds, united by a shared vision of a thriving community.

The CEO Build surpassed its role as a mere construction event. Together, these committed leaders raised over $31,000 to fuel our mission of providing affordable housing solutions. Beyond the financial contributions, their engagement demonstrated the power of collaboration and shared vision.

The CEO Build unfolded across two build site days, both dedicated to the future home of the Holland family. Nails were driven, walls rose, and a true sense of camaraderie was shown throughout each day. In the two days, the participants completed wall framing on the exterior and interior walls of the home.

As the CEO Build comes to a close, we thank every participant and supporter who made this possible. Your involvement is an investment in our homebuyers and in our community!

Interested in participating next year?

This event is invitation only. If you’re interested in joining the experience, we invite you to reach out and learn more about this initiative and next year’s opportunities here.

Click here to view photos from the two build days.

If you participated, share your photos with us at photo@indyhabitat.org.

2023 CEO Build Day 1 (5)
2023 CEO Build Day 2 (4)
2023 CEO Build Day 1 (2)
2023 CEO Build Day 2 (1)
2023 CEO Build Day 2 (3)
Feb 14
0

Hear about the 2023 Habitat on the Hill recap

By | Events, Young Professional | No Comments

Held in Washington D.C., 400+ advocates from Habitat affiliates in 49 states and territories conducted over 300 meetings with congressional members.  With one mission in mind, these meetings addressed the question, “How can we make the cost of homes something everyone can afford.”

Together, we urged Congress to prioritize policies that will increase the number of affordable homes for more families at this year’s Habitat on the Hill. Advocates for Indiana included representatives from Habitat for Humanity of St, Joseph County, Brown County Habitat for Humanity, and our very own Young Professionals member, Erika Fotsch. These Indiana advocates had the opportunity to meet with Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun, along with Representatives Victoria Spartz, Erin Houchin and Rudy Yakym.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the opportunity to participate, to connect with Habitat enthusiasts from all over the country – I met people from North Carolina, Minnesota, Kansas, Iowa, California, Ohio, and more. Despite all the differences between our states and regions, we were all there for one very important reason. The price of housing is out of reach for too many low-income families, first-time homebuyers, and especially people of color,” shared Erika.

There is a collective understanding that building affordable homes is essential, but Habitat affiliates cannot build our way out of this crisis alone. We also need housing policy reform and additional funding at all levels of government to truly change the trajectory of this housing market and to ensure that everyone has a decent place to live.

We encourage people to join us! Add your voice to the crowd. Advocacy is such an important piece of the puzzle to solve this country’s housing issues. Together, we have a stronger collective voice that can move us toward our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Want to learn more about Habitat for Humanity’s policy and advocacy efforts?

Utilize the resources and publications below for an in-depth look at how Habitat’s global network changes laws and shapes policies to improve access to adequate and affordable housing for families in need of a place to call home.

Resources & Publications

Oct 03
0

35th Anniversary Panel Build

By | Events, From the CEO, Tiger Team | No Comments

Take a look at a unique panel build in commemoration of our 35th year in the Greater Indy area!

View Pictures Here

Our team, along with long-time Tiger and donors Frank and Pat Hartman, put on a spectacular event to recognize our 35th anniversary and to honor the Hartman’s 50th wedding anniversary. We were overwhelmed with support in raising the panels for our soon-to-be homeowner’s house.

While we consider ourselves experts in panel builds, never before have we shut down a neighborhood residential street to host one. We received so much support and new found excitement to volunteer in the fall. Thanks to this unique occasion, we were able to see the joy and camaraderie amongst all involved working together in our mission. We are grateful to celebrate our growth throughout the years and are excited to do more!

May 22
0

Get Involved | Thrivent Faith Build 2019

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In 1987, four couples from two Indy churches came together to begin what we know today as Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. What started as one home in the late 80’s with just a handful of partners has grown to build with over 27 families in 2018 with well over 50 faith groups. With the help of Thrivent Financial, we have a special opportunity for your church to be a part of an Indy family’s journey to stability, self-reliance, and hope. Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity brings local churches and businesses together to raise roofs, walls, funds and prayers to build a house in partnership with a family in your community.

Thrivent Financial is Habitat for Humanity’s largest supporter world-wide and has decided to partner with Greater Indy Habitat and our local congregations through Thrivent Faith Build. Through this partnership, Thrivent is challenging Indy area congregations with an opportunity to put their faith into action. Thrivent is inviting your congregation to partner on this Thrivent Faith Build through prayer, volunteering, and by offering to match your financial contribution to this unifying initiative. Learn more by watching the video above.

For more information or to sign your church or small group up for a build day, contact Joel Reichenbach at 317.777.6070 or joel@indyhabitat.org.

Mar 20
0

2018 Award Recipients

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It takes many hearts and hands to make Habitat’s mission possible, so at our annual Kick-Off event at DeveloperTown we recognized four of our outstanding supporters. These individuals and organizations have gone above and beyond for Habitat’s continued work in Greater Indy.

Congratulations to our 2018 Award Recipients!

OrthoIndy Foundation Award Winner 2018

OrthoIndy Foundation – Legacy Corporate Partner
OrthoIndy Foundation has been a partner for six consecutive years supporting the Habitat mission with a total $600,000. In 2018, the OrthoIndy team provided 155 volunteers totaling over 1,000 hours on the McFarland Family Build with a volunteer show rate of over 90%! According to the superintendents who have had the pleasure of working with OrthoIndy over the past five years, they have been described as consistently one of the hardest working, reliable and enjoyable volunteer groups to work with each and every year!

 

 

Frank Wagner Award Winner 2018

Frank Wagner – Frank Hartman Volunteer of the Year
Frank Wagner has served as a mentor to 4 different Habitat families since 2017. His wife, Ann Zore also helped out last year, by sharing her Spanish skills mentoring the Ramirez-Garcia family. Additionally, for the past two years Frank has supported Habitat with a financial gift designated for purchasing Financial Peace University kits for fellow mentors to utilize so they can walk alongside their homebuyers in class. Frank continues to be an idea generator for improvements and growth for the mentor volunteer experience. Frank has helped to be an informative and positive voice at info sessions or trainings for prospective mentor volunteers.

 

 

Arbor Homes Award Winner 2018

Arbor Homes – Build Sponsor of the Year
Since 2014 Arbor homes has built five homes in partnership with St Luke’s United Methodist Church. Arbor Homes uses their unique skills and network to receive donated product and labor. In 2018, the home they helped build with homeowners Vidal and Blanca was our least expensive home of the year, under $20,000 worth of costs!

 

 

 

Castleton UMC Award Winner 2018

Castleton United Methodist Church – Legacy Church Partner
For ten consecutive years, Castleton UMC has supported the Habitat mission with an average of $9,500 a year, for a total of $95,538 through 2018. Last year Castleton UMC increased their gift to $11,000, while providing 22 volunteers totaling 165 hours on the Interfaith Home Builds.

 

View photos from this year’s Kick-Off!

Jan 16
0

Save the date: 2019 Kick-Off

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Most people know that Habitat for Humanity builds houses, but what else do you know about the mission of affordable homeownership? Who do we build for? What, when, and where do we build? Why do we do it? And maybe most important…HOW can you get involved?

Luckily the annual Greater Indy Habitat Kick-Off is coming up this March and is your one stop shop to answer all of these questions and more! Join us on Thursday, March 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m. at DeveloperTown to learn how Habitat builds strength, stability, and independence for families in need of affordable homeownership and discover the many ways you can help!

Attendees will:

  • CELEBRATE the 2018 success of our homeowners, volunteers, and sponsors
  • DISCOVER volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and passion
  • MEET Habitat homebuyers
  • HEAR about homeowner and neighborhood impact from Jim Morris, president & CEO
  • ENJOY hors d’oeuvres, Sun King drinks, and company among friends

register here

Many of our current supporters became more involved after attending their first kick-off. This includes Meagan Prins, vice president of engagement for our new Habitat Young Professionals group. She shared:

“The greatest advantage to me at the Kick-Off was getting connected with Shana. My number one goal was to find out how to volunteer! …Shana told me all about the young professionals group and invited me to a visionary committee meeting. At the same time, I also loved the excitement of the kick-off event, feeling at home instantly with friendly faces and good food and getting more information on Women Build and other amazing things that Indy Habitat is working on.”

“After that first visionary committee meeting, I was hooked. Now, I am the vice president of engagement for HYP and am so excited to represent putting God’s love into action through volunteering, advocating for affordable housing, and connecting young people to the value of building strong communities. I am constantly astounded at so many aspects of Habitat—everything from the ReStore to the power of homeownership—and as a young professionals group, I think we really want to introduce all of these aspects of the organization to our members and to other groups we collaborate with.”

“I would encourage others to attend not only because it was an uplifting and fun event to be a part of, but also because it was a great introduction to Indy Habitat as a whole. Any question that I had regarding all the projects and components of the affiliate could be answered in one place, and with that, I walked away with new interests and ways to get involved.”

Spread the word, bring a friend, and get ready to build homes for families, hope for the future, and community in Greater Indy in 2019!

Mar 26
0

2017 Award Recipients

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Each year at our Kick-Off event at DeveloperTown, we recognize a few of our outstanding supporters. These individuals and organizations have gone above and beyond for Habitat’s continued work in Greater Indy.

Congrats 2017 Award Recipients!

  • Scott Anderson – Frank Hartman Volunteer of the Year
  • Salesforce, Tim Horoho – Legacy Corporate Partner
  • Messer Construction, Matt Konopka – Build Sponsor of the Year
  • Old Bethel United Methodist Church, Ric Gassaway – Legacy Church Partner

View photos from this year’s event!

Mar 06
1

Sisters Share Support through Mentoring

By | Events, Mentor, Volunteer | No Comments

Meet Shuanita, Tanya and LaDonna! These sisters volunteer as homeowner mentors, each supporting a homebuyer as they complete our homeowner education classes and building of their home. They offer resources, experience, and encouragement to help their mentee successfully complete the program and become a first-time homeowner!

Shuanita attended one of our first annual Kick-Off events to learn more about the ways she could volunteer with Greater Indy Habitat. After the event, she joined our mentor program and recruited her sisters to join her in this impactful work!

Learn more about Shuanita and why she is a homeowner mentor:

  • How did you get connected to the Habitat for Humanity mentor program?
    I was looking for a way to do community service and through a conversation with some friends Habitat for Humanity came up. I felt the mentor program would be a good way to meet people and have the chance to be part of the building experience.
  • Why do you choose to mentor a future homeowner?
    This is such a wonderful way for them to LEARN homeownership verse just being a homeowner.
  • Three sisters volunteering together is unique! Why are you excited about doing this together?
    Well, we like doing things together as sisters. It’s just the three of us now so spending time together is precious.
  • What would you tell someone thinking about volunteering?
    It a great way to give back to your community, it doesn’t take much time just the willingness to be there for someone. There are many ways to help and whatever you do it’s appreciated.

RSVP to attend our 2018 Kick-Off event on March 22 at DeveloperTown to learn ways you can support our Habitat homebuyers and affordable homeownership in Greater Indy.

Interested in becoming a mentor just like Shuanita, Tanya, and LaDonna? Come learn more about this volunteer experience by attending a mentor info session on Thursday, April 19th. Register today!

Jan 18
0

Save the Date: 2018 Kick-Off

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This year, we will have 8,000+ volunteer opportunities to advance Habitat’s mission in Marion, Hendricks, and Hancock counties. How will you make an impact in 2018?

Discover how you can build strength, stability, and independence for families in need of affordable homeownership at our 2018 Habitat Kick-Off. On March 22, at 6 p.m., at DeveloperTown, attendees will:

  • Celebrate the 2017 success of our homeowners, volunteers, and sponsors
  • Discover volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and passion
  • Meet Habitat homebuyers
  • Hear about homeowner and neighborhood impact from Jim Morris, president & CEO
  • Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, Sun King drinks, and company among friends

Register today!

Join us to not only learn how Habitat homeownership has transformed the lives of local families, but also to discover how you can make this impact even greater in 2018 and beyond. Spread the word, bring a friend, and get ready to build homes for families, hope for the future, and community in 2018!

With questions please contact Amy Donhardt, adonhardt@indyhabitat.org or 317.777.6085.

Jul 19
2

Celebrating 30 Years with Family

By | Events, From the CEO | No Comments

From the Desk of Jim Morris, President & CEO

How do you recognize 30 years of fulfilling our mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope? Our board, staff and Tiger Team (the men and women in orange that volunteer weekly) understand that our role in the mission is to “bring people together.” The families we are privileged to walk with in their journey to a better, healthier and more financially stable life in Greater Indianapolis are the reason we exist.

The families’ success is ultimately what matters most to us. While we have achieved a lot with them, we wanted to make our 30th anniversary about them, so what better way than to amp up our annual homeowner gathering aptly named “HabiFest.” Since we were founded in 1987, we decided to return to the 80’s with a throw-back party at Skateland. Watch the video below for a recap or view photos from the event!

More than 200 family members joined us as the older adults channeled their inner 12 year-old and the kids outshone us on the skating rink. There was some fantastic 80’s attire and our families said it was the best HabiFest we have hosted.

While the event was a huge success with our largest turnout, we also paused to reflect on the 85 families that have now fully paid off their 0% mortgage. Our generous sponsors, donors and volunteers have made a difference in nearly 600 total families and now 85 of those families fully own their home – a feat many Americans don’t realize.

In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  I don’t know if Jesus had Skateland in mind as a venue to do this, but it definitely served as a great setting to highlight 30 years of seeing the results of this commandment realized in the success of our families.