Chat with Cat: Building Happy Homes

For the month of November, Chat with Cat will be highlighting nonprofit organizations whose missions are tied to that of Montreat Conference Center. For more information on Nonprofit Awareness Month, check out materials from the N.C. Center for Nonprofits.

This week's highlighted nonprofit is one I am sure you all know about, and one many of you have likely been involved in over the years. It is one that has touched the lives of millions, including countless volunteers all over the world.

In the 33 years of its ministry, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 houses and provided safe shelter for more than 1.5 million people worldwide. Every year, families in need of better, safer housing apply to their local Habitat affiliates, who select them based on several criteria. The family members help to build their own houses, working alongside dedicated volunteers from the community. In the end, these families have safe places to call home, and a new opportunity to raise their children and get involved in a healthy, happy community.

The local Asheville Area affiliate was established in 1983 and was the first affiliate in North Carolina. To date, the AAHH has built more than 185 homes and plans to complete 17 new homes this year. (This means starting a new home project every 3 weeks!)

There are many programs that support Habitat for Humanity outside of direct volunteerism. A handful of my college friends participated in Bike & Build programs, in which participants cycle across the country, raising funds and stopping in many communities to help build affordable housing. Although Bike & Build is not affiliated with Habitat, they do support several local Habitat programs across the country.

Here in Asheville, the annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam has raised almost $1 million for Habitat for Humanity. The concert is consistently billed as one of the best in the country, and it's all for a good cause.

Like several Habitat affiliates, the AAHH raises some of its funds through its Home Store. The store sells home improvement items and furniture that have been donated by the public, and while it might be a good place to pick up a lightly used sofa, it's an even better place to find a used sink, door or cabinet. These sales support the entire administrative operation of the Asheville office, meaning that ever donor's dollars go directly to the homes themselves. But once the administration is paid for, proceeds from the Home Store go on to pay for one entire home and 16 new foundations in the Buncombe County area.

When Montreat Conference Center leadership began to consider moving our administrative offices into a new building, they had to decide what to do with the 300+ units of floor-to-ceiling metal shelving that stood in the way. Instead of shipping it to the landfill, they chose to donate it to the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity Home Store. (In addition to raising funds for homes, donations to the local Home Store divert 550 tons of household materials from the landfills... wow.)

Montreat Conference Center is proud to support Habitat for Humanity in their efforts to provide affordable, decent housing to the people of the Asheville community. You may well have been aware of Habitat for a long time, but I invite you to take advantage of Nonprofit Awareness Month and find out a little bit more about what they're doing in your community.

* * * * *

Cat is the Sales Associate at Montreat Conference Center. She loves helping people plan the perfect Montreat Experience and would love to hear from you about how this blog can help you.

Cat can be reached at catw@montreat.org or at @Cat_Montreat.