All Posts By

Renee Scott

Aug 25
1

Volunteer Spotlight: Brian Schoen

By | Volunteer | No Comments

Volunteering with Greater Indy Habitat can be an activity for the whole family! Brian Schoen, inspired by his father’s volunteerism through our Tiger Team, started his journey with us in 2010. Since then, Brian’s commitment has grown, contributing over 200 hours of his time on various build sites across our community.

Brian’s dedication to Habitat’s mission goes beyond the numbers. He believes in continuous learning, discovering new insights every time he volunteers. “I keep coming back to volunteer because I still learn something new every time – whether it’s about how much work the homebuyers have to go through in the program before they close on their own house or about how to install exterior vinyl siding,” he shares.

A key takeaway from Brian’s experience is that construction skills are not required. No matter your skillset or level of expertise, we have a place for you. Brian encourages potential volunteers who consider working with us to “Just ‘DO IT’ – even without construction experience. The patient staff will guide you through the necessary skills.

“At the end of the day, the tangible result of seeing what I helped accomplish that day combined with the efforts of all of the other volunteers is the best reward.”

Thank you, Brian, for all your hard work! If you’re interested in joining us as a volunteer, learn more and get involved here.

Aug 15
0

2022 Volunteers of the Year

By | From the CEO, Volunteer | No Comments

Thank you to our dedicated 2022 Volunteers of the Year – Jack Bell, Chan O’Connor, and Keith Nonnenmacher!

Meet our remarkable 2022 Volunteers of the Year – Jack Bell, Chan O’Connor, and Keith Nonnenmacher, whose dedication has set a new standard of commitment at our ReStores. With their countless hours and unwavering enthusiasm, they’ve truly embodied the spirit of giving back. Their efforts in the ReStores have not only enriched our mission but also the lives of individuals in our community. We’re profoundly grateful for their tireless contributions, as they continue to inspire us all to make a positive impact.

Aug 15
0

2022 Legacy Church Partner of the Year

By | From the CEO | No Comments

Help us Honor Second Presbyterian Church, our 2022 Legacy Church Partner of the Year!

Embracing the true essence of partnership, Second Presbyterian Church shines as our 2022 Legacy Church Partner of the Year. For an impressive 27 years, their unwavering dedication has extended our mission, bringing lasting change to our community year after year. Their consistent support has exemplified the power of unity and compassion. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Second Presbyterian Church for their enduring commitment to building homes, communities & hope with us.

Aug 15
0

2022 Legacy Corporate Partner of the Year

By | From the CEO | No Comments

Join us in applauding dormakaba, our 2022 Legacy Corporate Partner of the Year!

A salute to dormakaba, our esteemed 2022 Legacy Corporate Partner of the Year, whose remarkable journey spans five years and an extraordinary investment of $400,000 into our mission. This partnership has truly embodied the spirit of empowerment. In a heartwarming moment captured in the video, our board member Justin Crotzer graciously accepts the award, symbolizing the unity of purpose that has driven this incredible collaboration.

Aug 15
0

2022 Build Partner of the Year

By | From the CEO | No Comments

Take a look at how we celebrate our 2022 Build Partner of the Year, Indy Roof Company!

Celebrating Indy Roof Company, our distinguished 2022 Build Partner of the Year, whose exceptional impact spans three years. Their commitment has truly resonated, notably marked by the incredible contribution of four roofs this year alone. As we watch their inspiring journey unfold in the video, we’re reminded of the positive change that can be achieved when like-minded organizations come together to build.

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)
Mar 06
0

Women Build Celebrates 10 Years with $350,000 Goal

By | Women Build | No Comments

INDIANAPOLIS, March 6, 2023 – Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity launched the 2023 Women Build, celebrating a decade of women empowering women. Throughout this multi-month initiative, more than 500 women will build two homes in partnership with the future homeowners and raise funds to support affordable housing. Since 2014, Women Build, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity’s largest individual fundraising campaign, has raised $1.4 million and built 12 homes. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, the goal is to raise $350,000 through Women Build in 2023, its highest annual fundraising goal to date. 

“Too many members of our community are housing cost-burdened, paying 50% or more of their income on housing,” said Abri Hochstetler, Vice President of Development & Communications for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. “Women Build increases much-needed awareness of this issue and empowers women from all walks of life to be part of the solution by creating more affordable housing.” 

When Women Build started in 2014, Habitat’s cost of building a new home was around $70,000. Today, that’s closer to $180,000. The rising costs make housing affordability for members of the community more challenging. This year, Women Build will construct two homes with the 2023 homebuyers: the Jones family and the Kendrick family. 

The Jones Family
Latrina (Trina) has two daughters, Taniya (20) and Raeya (12). After dealing with tough relationships and family deaths, Trina is looking forward to providing stability for her family through homeownership. She currently works for Republic Services and plans to finish her bachelor’s degree in order to become a juvenile corrections counselor. She also plans to start investing in college savings for Raeya. 

The Kendrick Family
Dashay (Shay) is mom to two young sons; Daniel (6) and Dior (2). She works for Ascension St. Vincent Hospital as a patient monitor. Shay and her boys have been living in an apartment where, in addition to dealing with theft and insufficient maintenance, she also fears her children playing outside. She shared, “My goal is to make sure my boys can go outside and play…and to have them feel safe again.” 

Trina and Shay have completed classes to prepare them for successful homeownership and will be involved in building their homes. Like all Greater Indy Habitat homes, Women Build homes are sold with 0% interest mortgages so they are affordable to families, empowering them to build equity and find stability. The mortgage payments cycle back into the community to help build more affordable housing.

Building will commence on Saturday, April 15 and continue through July with a home dedication to follow. To learn more about Women Build, visit indyhabitat.org/women-build. To donate, visit indyhabitat.org/wb. To get involved, contact womenbuild@indyhabitat.org.

 

About Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. We envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

Since 1987 Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 1,600 families globally relocate from substandard and poverty housing into decent and affordable homes. More than 1,000 of these homeowners are here in our community of Greater Indianapolis, including the 14 Women Build homeowners, and 580 homeowners are in Central America. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. The foundations laid by Habitat go far beyond the physical structure of a home. Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability, and independence through homeownership. To learn more or get involved, visit indyhabitat.org.

Feb 14
1

Meet Our 2023 New Board Members

By | From the CEO, News | No Comments

Please join us in welcoming them to the Greater Indy Habitat family!

We are pleased to announce our new 2023 board members! All will bring a wealth of knowledge to our organization, and their backgrounds will complement those of current board members and staff. We’re excited to see their diverse expertise shine through our mission. Their ability to bring about change allows us to consider them inspiring leaders who will further our efforts in the community. We are thrilled to have new members on board and are confident they will continue to bring local visibility to our organization. 

Ashley Scruggs

Elements Financial Federal Credit Union

“As a board member, I look forward to being a part of the incredible impact Habitat for Humanity makes in our community. Coming together for the shared purpose of partnering with homeowners is what makes Habitat for Humanity’s mission so powerful. 

Growing up, our family had the unique opportunity to own a home through Habitat for Humanity. The work we put in and the ownership and stability that this experience provided for us was critical to my foundation. I have always wanted to give back to an organization that had a direct impact on both my personal success and our broader community.”

Justin Crotzer

dormakaba

“As a Habitat for Humanity board member, I am looking forward to taking my passion for the organization’s 5 values, getting more deeply engaged in the organization, and seeking opportunities to steer it toward sustainable growth alongside my board peers.  I stand to gain as an individual from this experience in how I lead in other organizations given the great mix of organizational talent among the board and management team alike. 

Calling upon my passion for the organization’s mission and purpose to drive operational excellence and substantial growth, 27 – 37 homes. 

Bringing a community of people together to build homes for those willing to make the sacrifice and commitment to be the change, changes lives for the better.  Focusing on providing a hand up not a handout drives accountability and generates integrity, two very important factors associated to value creation for individuals and organizations alike.”

Kelli Lawrence

Onyx + East

“I am looking forward to working with a talented and diverse team at Habitat and fellow board members in their mission to provide more home ownership opportunities to residents of Central Indiana.  The board and staff’s passion about the mission of Habitat are inspiring and I look forward to contributing my experience in development and construction to help further that mission.  

A quality and stable home is such a foundational piece to overall stability in life for all individuals, especially families and children.  To work with an organization driven to walk alongside those in our community in their journey to finding their stable home is an honor and privilege. “

Matthew Wright

Cisco Systems Inc

“As a board member of Habitat for Humanity, I look forward to being a part of the organization’s mission to provide affordable housing solutions to families in need and making a positive impact on the community. I am excited to work with fellow board members and volunteers to develop strategic initiatives that will help further Habitat’s goal of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through housing. Additionally, I look forward to being a part of the decision-making process that will shape the direction of the organization and ensure its long-term sustainability. On a personal note, my father, uncle, and both grandfathers were carpenters and volunteering with Habitat brings back fond memories from my youth swinging a hammer with those wonderful men.  

The Habitat for Humanity mission is important because it is rooted in the belief that every person deserves a decent place to live. By providing people with safe, affordable homes, the organization is working to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. This not only affects their health and well-being but also their ability to achieve their full potential. Habitat for Humanity is working to break the cycle of poverty and give families the foundation they need to build a better future.”

Anne Sharkey

First Internet Bank

“I am looking forward to working with the other board members to continue and expand the vision and mission of Habitat. 

I look forward to cultivating and deepening partnerships in order to bring affordable housing opportunities for families that will hopefully change their lives forever.  

Homeownership is a central component of the American Dream; it not only provides stability for families but strengthens the bonds of our communities. 

The scarcity of affordable housing is reaching a critical stage.  Habitat for Humanity offers a solution that serves our neighbors, while creating a path to long-term financial independence.”

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