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News

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.”

Dec 03
0

Welcome Home 2020 Homeowners

By | From the CEO, Homeowner, News | No Comments

In a year when a safe, affordable home is as important as ever, we want to thank you for helping make the dream of homeownership possible for our families. Though challenges abounded in 2020, our homebuyers, sponsors, volunteers, donors, and partners pulled together to find solutions, offer each other grace, and return to the imperative work of our mission.

Whether you wielded a paintbrush, offered words of encouragement, or shared a gift to support our work, we are grateful for your partnership and the belief that everyone deserves a decent place to call home. Through the generous support of our community, we:

These smiles below say it best – thank you for welcoming home our 2020 homeowners!

Jim Morris
President & CEO
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

P.S. This winter we’re getting a head start on building homes for 2021. Your donation today helps make this early work possible so that even more families can build next year!

      

 

 

Jul 09
0

Expanding My Impact with FreeWill

By | News, Tiger Team | No Comments

This summer we caught up with Denise Conrady to learn more about her experience volunteering with Habitat and why she used FreeWill via Greater Indy Habitat to set up her will…for free! Get to know Denise below and discover why FreeWill might be the right tool for you.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity?
I decided to volunteer for several reasons:
1) I love working on houses,
2) I wanted to give back to the community, and
3) it makes me feel good!

What do you enjoy most about being a Tiger?
I still consider myself a baby cub but there are several reasons I love the idea of being a Tiger:
1) I love the camaraderie and working on a team,
2) I love sharing my knowledge (directing volunteers), and
3) I love learning new things. As I am not yet retired (and will probably never retire) I can use the knowledge I gain volunteering in my freelance design work. (Check out her work here!)

Why did you decide to create a free will?
I have been needing to create a will and circumstances just sort of fell together what with the Covid craziness, extra time on my hands, and the fear that if I did pass, someone would have to make a lot of decisions and take care of my stuff. The FreeWill option just showed up on my radar at the right time. I also like the idea that it is free! It fits my budget!

How was using the FreeWill tool?
I have not completed the process but so far, I find the tool very easy to use. The one thing the tool cannot do for you is all the prep work necessary as you will see in my next answer.

Do you have suggestions for how folks can prepare before starting the tool?
1) Know what your assets are!
2) Decide what you are going to leave to who.
3) Elect an executor and have a conversation with that person.
4) Pick a guardian for kids (and/or pets) – have a conversation with that person.

What compelled you to leave a legacy gift with Habitat?
I don’t really know – it just felt right. There might not be much when I die but even $10 is something, right?

Denise is absolutely right – every gift, no matter the amount, makes a difference in the lives of Greater Indy families…for generations. 

Creating a will is one of the most impactful ways to support the people and causes you care about. As you think about the future, we invite you to peruse FreeWill to write your legally valid will in under 25 minutes. 

Thank you, Denise, for your continued and broad support of our homeowners, volunteers, staff, and mission!

 

Apr 14
1

14 Ways to Get Involved from Home

By | News | No Comments

In light of our COVID-19 response plan, getting involved with Greater Indy Habitat looks a little different this spring than it has in the past. While we are temporarily on pause with our on-site volunteer opportunities, there are plenty of ways to get involved and further the mission of Habitat during these uncertain times. Now, more than ever, our mission and homebuyers in the program are reliant on the support of volunteers like you to come alongside of them.

Here is a list of ways that you can get involved with us right from your living room:

  1. Shelter@Home Selfie: Take a photo of a creative way you are sheltering in place or your favorite part about spending time at home and share it with us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter @IndyHabitat.
  2. Enews: Looking back at the last couple of weeks, things have been changing fast. Signing up for our enews is quick and easy and lets you receive the latest #IndyHabitat happenings as these next weeks progress. Sign up here. Not sure if you’re getting our messages? Send us a note at news@indyhabitat.org!
  3. Make a gift: Our homeowners are nurses, food service workers, daycare providers, airport employees. Some are seeing hours slashed or wages eliminated. Others are working double-time to keep our community safe. As the economic shocks from this crisis ripple out, many of our families will be hit the hardest. In a time when very little is certain, you can help build stability and certainty for your neighbors with a gift to Habitat. Consider making a gift at indyhabitat.org/donate.
  4. Share a recipe: Do you have a recipe you love to make? Perhaps a family favorite? Send us a link to your favorite recipe and we will pass it along to a Habitat homebuyer so they can begin to create new memories in their first home. Send us a message on social media or an email.
  5. Watch our history: Looking for a fun family activity while you are spending time inside? Briars in the Cotton Patch is now available on Amazon Prime for free. Watch and learn more about Habitat’s profound beginnings!
  6. Watch our progress: Check out our YouTube channel. Curious about the heartbeat behind all things #IndyHabitat? Check out this short video to watch more about who we are and what our mission is.
  7. Create a free will: Do you have an up-to-date will? Creating a will is one of the most impactful ways to support the people and causes you care about. We have partnered with FreeWill to provide you with a tool to create one for free. It is easy to fill out and takes no longer than 25 minutes to complete! Get started by clicking this link.
  8. Save your spring cleaning donations: Save up your donations and get in the queue to schedule your free donation pick-up once our store locations reopen.
  9. Refer a friend: Invite a friend or someone you know to our next Homeownership Info Session to discover if Habitat homeownership is right for them!
  10. Become an HYP: Looking for a super fun and unique way to get involved in the mission of #IndyHabitat?! Check out our Young Professionals group and participate in build days, networking opportunities, fundraising events, & more. Visit indyhabitat.org/yp.
  11. Give us your feedback!: Just as Jim, our president and CEO, stated, we realize that this is a time to pause on building and volunteer activities. However, this pause is a great time to hear from you! If you have volunteered with us before, complete our brief survey so that we can implement positive changes in our volunteer experience when we’re back and running later this year! Take our survey by clicking here.
  12. Add to your reading list: Finding extra time on your hands to read? Our “resident reader” and volunteer coordinator, Shana, compiled a list of her top five recommended reads related to the issue of affordable housing. Some books shed light on Habitat’s work but each one will challenge you with a new story or perspective about the importance of a safe and affordable place to call home. Check out the recommendations here. P.S. Have any good books we should add to our list? Let us know!
  13. Advocate for affordable housing: Did you know 1 in 6 U.S. households pay half or more of their income on housing? Many of these families currently in our homeownership program are feeling the crippling economic effects during these uncertain times as wages are lost or hours are cut. Consider emailing your members of Congress to urge them to continue prioritizing the needs of low-income families and the organizations that work hard to serve them. Click here to send a message.
  14. Follow us!: Want to stay up-to-date with all things #IndyHabitat? Stay in the know and get a behind-the-scenes look at what we’re up to by following us on social media. Follow us @IndyHabitat on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, and LinkedIn for future updates and even more ways to interact with Habitat and support affordable homeownership!
Apr 02
0

Five Recommended Books to Read

By | News | No Comments

The ways we spend our time as of late have shifted for many. Perhaps you have more time to read as you shelter at home. Perhaps you want to learn more about why Habitat for Humanity exists. Perhaps you are looking for find stories that are challenging and inspiring.

Our “resident reader” and volunteer coordinator, Shana Lewis, compiled a list of recommended reading related to the issue of affordable housing. Some books shed light on Habitat’s work but each one will challenge you with a new story or perspective about the importance of a safe and affordable place to call home.

Check out the recommendations below and add your own in the comments!

Three Houses; A Strategy We Can Build On by Jonathan Reckford 

“Three Houses: A Strategy We Can Build On” is the inside story of how Habitat for Humanity’s current strategic plan was developed and has unfolded to result in unprecedented numbers of people being served with innovative and affordable housing solutions.

Shana shares: You can’t have a Habitat reading list without including a book written by Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford. This book is full of inspiring Habitat stories from all across the globe. It’s a great book to read if you’re looking for a message of hope in the midst of the current landscape.

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of 21st-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible.

Shana shares: Last winter, I had the pleasure of hearing Matthew Desmond speak about the country-wide crisis of eviction at an event we co-hosted. In Evicted, readers are given the chance to walk in another person’s shoes with each turn of the page. The more families you read about, the more you begin to understand the complexity of the eviction crisis in our nation.

Our Better Angels: Seven Simple Virtues That Will Change Your Life and the World by Jonathan Reckford

Jonathan Reckford, the CEO of Habitat for Humanity, has seen time and again the powerful benefits that arise when people from all walks of life work together to help one another. In this uplifting audiobook, he shares true stories of people involved with Habitat as volunteers and future homeowners who embody seven timeless virtues—kindness, community, empowerment, joy, respect, generosity, and service—and shows how we can all practice these to improve the quality of our own lives as well as those around us.

Shana shares: Okay, I had to add another Jonathan Reckford book! This is another book filled with inspiring stories about Habitat homeowners all over the globe. Many times when we talk about the affordable housing crisis, it paints a very bleak picture. This book shines light on stories that show us what we can do when we come together for others.

The Lines Between Us: Two Families and a Quest to Cross Baltimore’s Racial Divide by Lawrence Lanahan

The criss-crossing stories of Mark, a white devout Christian who sells his suburban home to move to Baltimore’s inner city, and Nicole, a black mother determined to leave West Baltimore for the suburbs, chronicle how the region became so deeply segregated and why these fault lines persist today. Mark and Nicole personify the enormous disparities in access to safe housing, educational opportunities, and decent jobs. As these characters pack up their lives and change places, Lanahan examines what it will take to save our cities and communities: Do we put money into poor, segregated neighborhoods? Move families out into areas with more opportunity?

This eye-opening account of how a city creates its black, white, rich, and poor spaces suggests these problems are not intractable; but they are destined to persist until each of us—despite living in separate worlds—understands we have something at stake.

Shana shares: This book has been on my list for awhile. I’m always drawn to books that share the issues through people’s experiences. Sometimes issues surrounding housing can be hard to wrap you mind around, but the human factor helps relate.

The New Urban Crisis: How Our Cities Are Increasing Inequality, Deepening Segregation, and Failing the Middle Class-and What We Can Do About It by Richard Florida

In recent years, the young, educated, and affluent have surged back into cities, reversing decades of suburban flight and urban decline. And yet all is not well, Richard Florida argues in The New Urban Crisis. Florida, one of the first scholars to anticipate this back-to-the-city movement in his groundbreaking The Rise of the Creative Class, demonstrates how the same forces that power the growth of the world’s superstar cities also generate their vexing challenges: gentrification, unaffordability, segregation, and inequality. Meanwhile, many more cities still stagnate, and middle-class neighborhoods everywhere are disappearing. Our winner-take-all cities are just one manifestation of a profound crisis in today’s urbanized knowledge economy.

Shana shares: This is a book I’ve been meaning to dive into. This is another book that discusses the issues of gentrification and the divide between upper- and lower-class neighborhoods. What really draws me to this book is the call to action that we can do something about this crisis.

What books, blog posts or podcasts would you add to the list? Share your recommendations in the comments below!

Mar 13
1

Greater Indy Habitat’s Response to COVID-19

By | From the CEO, News | No Comments

Our Plan in Response to COVID-19

Updated as of: Thursday, June 11, 2020

As Indiana is progressively phasing back to work, we are adjusting to the continued presence of COVID-19 as part of our foreseeable operations. While the virus hasn’t left us, we’ll persevere to serve our mission. Alongside of you, we are builders at heart, whether providing a new or rehabbed home, preserving a home through repairs, or providing home goods in our ReStores for people to affordably repair and update their own homes. We will build back. Here are the protective measures we have updated.

Habitat Offices

Habitat offices are now open and our staff has returned. At this time, we are not accepting walk-up visitors. Please use this website for valuable information related to your inquiry and give our staff a call with additional questions. If you need to visit one of our staff in person, we encourage you to schedule an appointment. Here’s our staff webpage with contact info.

Our Habitat ReStores 

The Greater Indy ReStores in downtown Indy, Fishers, Avon and Greenfield have been open since the end of April. Normal business hours of 10 am – 6 pm, Monday through Saturday are in effect. All stores are practicing social distancing measures to mitigate risk to our donors and customers. If you have questions about those specific practices, please call one of our stores listed below and review our update about safety measures here.

Avon Restore:
317.707.7530

Downtown Indy:
317.777.6098

Fishers ReStore:
317.896.9423

Greenfield ReStore:
317.318.9458

Habitat Homebuyers

  • We are still accepting homebuyer applications and are hosting virtual information sessions for you to learn more about becoming a homeowner.
  • Our homebuying in-person education classes are cancelled for the remainder of 2020. Please reach out to our Homeownership team at 317.777.6080 or homeownership@indyhabitat.org with specific questions.

Building and Repair Work Begins – Can we Volunteer?

While bringing people together is at the heart of our mission, the virus is still present and volunteer safety is an utmost priority to us, so we have created a modified volunteer engagement plan for the remainder of the year. We will begin building with contracted labor and Tiger Team members starting in June.

We have plans to finish another 11 homes before the end of the year, and though we won’t be able to utilize volunteers in the same manner and keep social distancing guidelines in place, we plan to work with build site volunteers starting in September. To maintain safety for our homebuyers, volunteers, and staff, there will be fewer volunteer opportunities and our team has adapted volunteer projects and processes. Please sign up for a volunteer account here if you would like to learn about volunteer opportunities for the remainder of the year.

Habitat Annual Events 

While we don’t have what might be considered traditional nonprofit events, all of what we do is organized like an event. There are specific themed projects that we hold dear that have changed for the rest of the year.

  • Panel Builds– We will not host panel builds for the remaining 10 new homes we plan to build in 2020. We will revisit whether we might be able to host some panel builds much later in the year to allow for panels to be ready for 2021 early builds. Please contact our development team if you are curious about how your company, church or organization might want to participate in a panel build in the future.
  • State Fair Ag Build– As you might be aware, the traditional Indiana State Fair has been cancelled for this year. This would have been our 11th year in partnership with the State Fair, building two homes with the Agricultural community. While we completely understand this difficult decision, we will miss being there this August along with many of you.
  • Monumental Build– We will not host this combined panel build on Monument Circle this summer.
  • Women Build– The Women Build still is pushing forward to build two homes this year. The Women Build teams are working on finalizing when they will be participating in the field to complete the two homes this year. You can financially support the build here.

Repair Restarts

Our homeownership repair team is back at it and hasn’t missed a beat in attempting to pick up where they left off prior to COVID-19 in helping to preserve affordable homeownership for families in Hamilton and Marion counties. If you have questions about homeowner repair, please contact them here.

How can you help?

While our volunteerism will be reduced this year and our production will be reduced greatly because of COVID-19, we have been overwhelmed by the positive response and continued financial support from both organizations and individuals. Thank you for your continued support of our homeowners and mission.

We had a goal of providing 29 homes this year and are now planning to provide 16 total homes; the lowest total in over 20 years.

While 2021 planning will likely move at the pace of the virus, you can help move plans forward and get us off to a good start financially as we recover from our anticipated loss of more than $1.4 million of contributed and earned income through our home building sponsorships and ReStore revenue this year. Please consider making a one-time or recurring gift today so the families who are waiting on a home this year can purchase their first home in 2021.

Jim Morris, President & CEO
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Updates as of: Friday, May 1, 2020

Updated as of: Friday, May 1, 2020

ReStores Open, with Safety Measures in Place
Please click here to read about the opening of our ReStores.

Updates as of: Thursday, March 26, 2020

Updated as of: Thursday, March 26, 2020

This is an increasingly difficult time for people, businesses, and organizations all across the country and our community. As a nonprofit that relies on the support of others, please know we are making these difficult decisions prayerfully—but we need your help.

In a time when very little is certain, you can help build stability and certainty for your neighbors with a gift to Habitat. 

As part of the Habitat family, you understand the power of community action. Thank you for your continued support during this time. When we emerge from this crisis, let us emerge stronger, together.

Here are the protective measures we have enacted at this time:

Habitat Offices

  • Our Habitat main office and construction warehouse are now closed to the public for the foreseeable future.
  • Our staff will be available and actively working remotely, replying to phone calls, voicemails, and emails during this time.

Here’s how you can help: We urgently need your financial support. As businesses throughout our community are impacted by closures, so are many Habitat homeowners who make their family’s living in the service industry. These families will certainly be concerned about continuing to make their mortgage payments. We are committed to working with each family during this uncertain time, but we need your financial support to sustain us in that. Please consider any financial support possible and click here to give a gift online or see other ways to give. When you give, you’ll help us do more to help them.

Our Habitat ReStores 

  • The Greater Indy ReStores – in Downtown Indy, Fishers, Avon, Greenfield – are now closed to the public until end of business April 6.
  • Until April 7, we are pausing donation drop-offs and are working to reschedule donation pickups that are currently scheduled. Please know, we rely on your donated items, so please keep reading to see how you can help.
  • We will continue to evaluate our April 7 reopening date in the hopes that we can reopen sooner, but also extending if necessary. We will respond to the any further direction by the Governor’s office.

Here’s how you can help: ReStore is a key part of how we build homes with local families and this downtime will certainly be a hit to that effort. We will urgently need your donated items when we return. If you’re planning a donation drop-off, please hang on to your items and drop them off when we open again on April 7. You can continue to request free donation pickups on our website or by calling our donation lines (listed below), but please remember that we aren’t able to resume pickups until we reopen. Click here to learn more about donating items and schedule your free donation pickup.

Avon Restore:
317.707.7530

Downtown Indy:
317.777.6098

Fishers ReStore:
317.896.9423

Greenfield ReStore:
317.318.9458

Habitat Volunteers 

  • We are canceling all volunteer work on the build site, in the warehouse, ReStore and office through May 31.
  • We are contacting all currently scheduled volunteers to reschedule or cancel their assignments.

Here’s how you can help: Take steps to stay healthy—we have a busy build season ahead of us and we’ll need your help to build homes!

Habitat Homebuyers and Homeowners 

  • We have cancelled upcoming homebuyer education classes through April 7 and will communicate those cancellations directly with affected families and facilitators.
  • Our Habitat Homeownership Information Sessions are cancelled through April 7.
  • You may continue to make your mortgage payments online here.

Here’s how you can help us: Stay in touch with our Homeownership team if you have questions or concerns during this time. Call 317.777.6080 and they will be available to assist you.

Join Together in Prayer 

  • This disease most vigorously affects the most vulnerable in our communities, so please join us in praying for those who are already ill and those who may become ill. Pray for our government leaders and medical professionals. Pray for protection over our entire community and all those who come into contact with this Habitat ministry.

We will continue to monitor, respond and enact recommendations from the CDC. If you would like to receive updates in your inbox, please sign up for future updates here.

As part of the Habitat family, you understand the power of community action. Thank you for your continued support during this time and for playing your part in promoting the well-being of our entire community.

Thanks for all you bring to this work of building homes, communities and hope.

Jim Morris, President & CEO
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Updates as of: Monday, March 23, 2020

Updated as of: Monday, March 23, 2020

Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity is responding to effects and demands on our community by adjusting its operations. Last week, Governor Eric Holcomb issued an executive order to shut schools until May 1 and just today issued another executive order for a “Stay at Home” for non-essential businesses through end of business day April 6.

Habitat International has also made recommendations for operational changes and our leadership team has communicated with numerous affiliates of our size from various metropolitan markets to better understand how each affiliate is responding.

While the general encouragement is to remain fluid and respond accordingly, our volunteer-driven operations require significant lead time to prepare to build/rehab a quality home and provide a quality volunteer experience. As such, we are making adjustments to our general operations and the 2020 build schedule to accommodate meeting our quality standards as best we can. This will inevitably impact our ability to provide the same amount of homes for 2020. We will work to minimize the effect on families and our team.

General Operations

  • The Habitat offices at Meridian Street and the construction warehouse will be closed for the foreseeable future. Staff are still accessible by email, phone and text, if specific questions arise.

Home Building

  • Remaining homes: We only have one home remaining to complete and close. We are still committed to finishing this home and a contractor will be finishing it. Construction by professionals is considered an essential activity by the state.
  • The remaining schedule will be delayed until the end of May. The Development, Construction and Homeownership teams have been charged with coming up with Best, Likely and Worse-case scenarios based on this change. More information about the schedule will be forthcoming.

ReStores

  • Our four ReStores will be closed starting Wednesday, March 25, and will remain closed until end of business day on Monday, April 6. We will respond to the any further direction by the Governor’s office.

“Faith and fear, like light and darkness, are incompatible. Fear is the polio of the soul which prevents our walking by faith.” – Clarence Jordan, Habitat for Humanity’s spiritual founding father.

Jim Morris, President & CEO
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

Updates as of: Friday, March 13, 2020

Updated as of: Friday, March 13, 2020

In light of current public health-related concerns surrounding the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease), we at Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity are sharing our response, effective immediately. While these decisions will impact our work in the near term, our policy reflects our commitment to love our neighbors and enact practices that hold your health, the health of our team, the health of Habitat homebuyers and the larger community as a top priority.

We reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are adhering to Governor Holcomb’s recommended steps. This disease most vigorously affects the most vulnerable in our communities. If the spread of the disease can be slowed down, then it “flattens the curve” and prevents sick people from overwhelming the healthcare system. That means those who need help can get it. Put another way, the more we socially isolate, the fewer people who will die.

Here’s our plan, effective immediately:

  • All volunteer construction days through Sunday, April 5 are cancelled.
  • All Tiger Team volunteerism in the construction warehouse, including individual work and Tiger Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sunday, April 5 are cancelled.
  • Habitat homebuyer education classes through Sunday, April 5 are cancelled. Our Homeownership team will communicate those cancellations directly with affected families and facilitators and will determine if and when they will be rescheduled.
  • The Habitat Homeownership Information Sessions will be cancelled through Sunday, April 5.
  • The Habitat offices and ReStores will remain open at this time. If you have an appointment or plans to visit us, please exercise an abundance of caution. If you are even slightly ill or are worried about being in contact with someone who is, please reschedule your appointment or visit for another time in the future.
  • We will continue to monitor, respond and enact recommendations from the CDC such as encouraging “social distancing,” limiting the size of gathered groups, etc.

Please join us in praying for those who are already ill and those who may become ill. Pray for our government leaders and medical professionals. Pray for protection over our entire community and all those who come into contact with this Habitat ministry.

While the heartbeat of our mission is “bringing people together,” we realize that this is a time for pause. Our 2020 plans are to complete 29 homes for families to purchase, preserve up to 18 homes through critical repairs and support up to 23 homes internationally with our Habitat partner affiliate in El Salvador. We will need all of you when this pandemic passes to help us fulfill these goals. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to building strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. If you have any questions concerning our COVID-19 plan, please email us or call us.

Jim Morris, President & CEO
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

 

Sep 25
0

Meet Brad, Construction Superintendent

By | News | No Comments

Brad Evans HeadshotThis summer we welcomed Brad Evans to our Habitat family as a Construction Superintendent. Brad joined us from Habitat for Humanity of Hamilton County and has been a huge asset to our team. Learn more about Brad below!

What are your primary roles at Habitat?
As a superintendent, I see my role as a facilitator and advisor for the Tiger Team and volunteers. While it is ultimately my responsibility to deliver a quality home for the homebuyer, I simply make decisions about how things will be done, then explain those decisions to the Tigers (if necessary) and volunteers. Additionally, it is my responsibility to ensure that there are adequate materials and tools on site for these two groups to do the fantastic work they do. Lastly, I coordinate with and schedule many of the contractors we hire for professional services (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing and gutters).

What makes your space “home”?
I am a severe minimalist, and live in a small apartment.  I have moved many times in my life, so home tends to be wherever I lay my head.

What’s your favorite tool to use?
My favorite tool is probably the cordless nail gun.  It saves my thumbs from abuse with a hammer, and really speeds up the process.

Why do you build homes, communities and hope?
I’ve been involved in this type of work for many years. When I started (around 15 years ago) with an organization called Rebuilding the Wall around 20 years ago, I realized what a difference affordable homeownership makes to a family. It is something many of us take for granted:  1) It gives stability to the family by breaking a sometimes frequent cycle of transitional living. This means children can develop friendships in their neighborhood without the fear of having to “leave” friends whenever they move. Children can attend the same school/school system throughout their school years which also adds stability to the school. Generally speaking, it allows children to focus on that part of their future they should be focusing on, and not focused on worrying about where they will be living. 2) Our homes attempt to give each child his/her own bedroom, a space they can call “their own.”  3) Homeownership gives parents an additional opportunity to set an example for their children by setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals.

I truly believe everyone deserves affordable quality housing, especially children.  That is why I do what I do.

Please join us in welcoming Brad to our Habitat family! 

Sep 11
0

Meet Janine, Impact Giving Officer

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Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity Janine Robertson HeadshotThis August we welcomed Janine Robertson to our Habitat family as our Impact Giving Officer. Learn more about Janine below!

What are your primary roles at Habitat?
My primary role is to work with individual donors. Meet with, learn more about their passion, specific interest within Greater Indy Habitat and help them fulfill their philanthropic goals. In other words develop the relationship which will lead to growing their gift as well as their engagement with our organization.

What makes your space “home”?
We have been in our home for over 20 years and have made it ours. Two of my favorite places are the fireplace in the winter (nothing like candles, a throw and good book) and our deck in the summer with our family.

What’s your favorite tool to use?
I like to paint and garden/dig in the dirt. Very therapeutic!

Why do you build homes, communities and hope?
I’ve worked with a number of families and individuals in my prior life teaching financial literacy. There is nothing like experiencing families achieve their dreams and accomplish what they thought was impossible.

Please join us in welcoming Janine to our Habitat family! 

May 10
0

Meet Marlene, Greenfield ReStore Manager

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This spring we welcomed Marlene Liu to our Habitat family into the role of Greenfield ReStore Manager. Learn more about Marlene below!

What are your primary roles at Habitat?
My primary role at Indy Habitat as the Greenfield ReStore Manager is being responsible for the overall operations of the retail store, actively supporting the HFH mission by building relationships in our communities with donors and customers, planning growth in sales revenue while minimizing operating costs, managing donations and pickups and merchandising new and gently used construction materials and household goods. I provide leadership and motivation to the store staff and volunteers as well as working collaboratively with the other ReStores both in our affiliate area and in surrounding counties.

What makes your space “home”?
Two things that help make my space home: original artwork and gardening. I am fortunate to have some very creative artist friends whose work I support and fill my walls and shelves with. Bringing my outdoor space into my home makes me happy! I have several flower and bulb gardens as well as raised vegetable and fruit beds so having cut flowers and bowls of fresh produce make my home smell great. One of the first things I did in Greenfield is to rescue some forlorn plants inside and we are cleaning up the front flower beds so our outside is inviting to our customers.

What’s your favorite tool to use?
I am always looking for my hammer and screwdrivers; mostly to hang up pictures or fix a piece of furniture. The screwdrivers can sometimes double as handy weed extractors!

Why do you build homes, communities and hope?
When I was 19, I went with friends of mine to their small home town in Jalisco, Mexico for a vacation between school semesters, but spent the whole time helping to build an elementary school and a teacher’s dormitory. A few months after I got home, I got an envelope full of letters and pictures from parents and students with notes of appreciation. Nine years later, I received a letter from one of the students who attended that school and was inviting me to his college graduation where he was getting his degree in industrial engineering. He told me that he and other classmates had been volunteering since they were 13 helping to build homes and schools near their home town. Knowing that I had a small part in helping to encourage others to assist in providing shelter has led me to volunteer with HFH builds where I lived. And now, working with the ReStores in educating our staff, volunteers, donors and customers as to how their donations and purchases support the vision and funding of building homes is the best way I can continue to provide hope in our communities.

Please join us in welcoming Marlene to our Habitat family! 

Apr 11
1

Breaking New Ground in 2019

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Habitat National Conference 2019Written by Shana Lewis, Volunteer Coordinator, Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity

As the Volunteer Coordinator here at Greater Indy Habitat, I got the privilege of experiencing my first Habitat National Conference a couple weeks ago. There was a lot to take in between the amazing sessions, meeting new people (there were over 2,000 board members and staff from affiliates across the country that attended), and navigating between the two conference hotels to make it to my sessions on time!

Greater Indy Habitat sent nine staff members from various departments to the conference this year. Jim Morris, President and CEO, presented “Managing the Distance: Success Serving Through Chapters and Outlying Areas” and Andy Duncan, ReStore Development Coordinator, presented “Daunting ReStore Donation? Converting Colossal Connections into Cash.” It was great gaining knowledge from all of the presenters during their sessions!Habitat National Conference 2019 Andy Presenting

The theme for this conference was Breaking New Ground. A significant focus of the conference was surrounding the fact that 1 in 6 households in the US pay more than 50% of their income on housing. For comparison, a reasonable, average amount of a household’s income recommended to be spent on housing is 30% or less. Breaking New Ground is centered around Habitat putting a renewed focus on advocating for affordable housing. Breaking new ground means using our collective voices to further Habitat for Humanity’s mission– to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

For Greater Indy Habitat, this means taking a step towards educating our volunteers supporters, and partners about the issues surrounding affordable housing. Habitat will continue to be a bipartisan organization focusing on housing, and this certainly does not mean we are jumping into politics. However, it does mean that we see an opportunity to be more vocal about policies that will affect our work to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Greater Indy Habitat continues our focus on education in regards to issues surrounding affordable housing in our communities and neighborhoods. In 2017, The Sagamore Institute completed a 30-Year-Impact Study to analyze Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity’s impact over the last 30 years since our founding in 1987. The research study took a look at how Greater Indy Habitat homeownership has empowered families in achieving strength, stability, and independence. Under the direction of Dr. JoAnna Brown, the Sagamore Institute examined the connection between the ownership of decent and affordable housing and the families’ quality of life.The study revealed that 71% of homeowners started, completed, or plan to complete higher education or professional training since purchasing their Greater Indy Habitat home. This is just one way that Habitat homeownership has benefited our homebuyers. To read up on the study, you can visit https://indyhabitat.org/study/.

This past February, we partnered with the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic to host author Matthew Desmond to discuss the hidden housing crisis not only in the US, but right here in Indiana too. (Indianapolis is #2 in evictions in the nation, which is not a statistic to be proud of in our great city.) Matthew was joined by a panel of local experts to discuss the impact of evictions here in Indianapolis and how the community can come together to make a change.

If I had to say one thing that I took away from conference, it’s this: Habitat’s affiliates are truly experts in housing. We see the underlying issues in our work every day. We are in a position to use our collective voice to make a difference, not only for our homeowners but for current renters that may apply for our program as well. There are many ways that affiliates can advocate for affordable housing. It doesn’t have to be a daunting as it sounds for us to start acting.

If you want to be a part of the bigger picture with Greater Indy Habitat please sign up for our enews to stay up to date on the latest Habitat happenings, events, and more.