Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County will be dedicating its most recent house project, located at 1519 Elm Street in Lebanon, on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 1:00 pm. The dedication, followed by a tour of the house, is open to the local community. Habitat staff, donors, volunteers, and local business representatives will be present to celebrate the completion of the home on Elm Street, which began in the spring and took approximately 1,500 volunteer labor hours to complete.
Habitat for Humanity applicants must meet selection criteria based on income, willingness to provide labor hours, and ability to repay a no-interest mortgage. Soon-to-be homeowners are also provided with the skills and knowledge necessary to become confident, successful homeowners. A habitat home is a “hand up,” not a handout.
Eldaliz Cruz, the selected homeowner for the Elm Street property, worked hundreds of “sweat equity” hours on her future home. “Fitting in time for sweat equity hours was no easy task. Most days, I had just finished working all night before going to work all day on the house…despite all the hard work, I knew the end result would be worth it. In a few days, I will receive the keys to my very own home. On that day, the door will open to endless possibilities for me and my children…” said Cruz. Cruz was paying $725/month to rent a cramped apartment with unsafe living conditions. She will now pay $500 a month for an interest-free mortgage.
Thrivent Financial, Wells Fargo, and Jonestown Bank were major contributors to the funding of this build. Jim Gill, Thrivent Financial’s local representative, explained, “We see money as a tool, not a goal. Our unique approach to blending faith, finances and generosity helps our members thrive, but that's only part of our story. We also support programs that help build stronger families, churches and communities.” Many other charitable local businesses and generous individuals funded the remaining portion of the project expenses. Volunteers assisting with the house included: students from Lebanon Valley College, local Lutheran churches, and the “Habitat Wednesday Crew.”
Habitat for Humanity will begin work
on a new site at 1042 Lehman Street, Lebanon. This 4-5 bedroom house, with 2
bathrooms, was damaged in a fire and will be completely rehabilitated. Habitat
hopes to have a new home owner in this house by November of next year, but will
need a significant amount of funding for material and labor costs. There are several
different ways that the community can get involved with the local Habitat affiliate.
Visit www.habitatlebanon.org or call
(717) 867-1044 to make a donation or set up a time to volunteer with a friend, business,
church, or organization. A percentage of the sales from the Re-Build-It store in
Annville also benefit Habitat for Humanity of Lebanon County.
About Habitat for Humanity
International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
About Thrivent Financial
Thrivent Financial is a faith-based, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping nearly 2.5 million members to be wise with money and to live generous lives. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial joins with its members to create and support national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, contact Jim Gill at his office in Annville at (717) 867-1500 or visit www.thrivent.com.
Thrivent Financial donated $12 million to Habitat for Humanity International for the 2015 Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity partnership. Since the national partnership’s inception in 2005, Thrivent Financial and its members have committed more that $213 million and more than 4.4 million volunteer hours worldwide. Visit www.Thriventbuilds.com for more
information.
