Women Build
Women Build brings together women from all walks of life and skill levels to help build Habitat for Humanity houses. Women Build challenges and empowers women to build safe, healthy housing where families can flourish and grow to be all that they can be. The program is not about excluding men; it is about including women. The Women Build program enables women to discover for themselves that they can build Habitat homes.
Women involved with our local Women Build program have built four houses and are building their fifth house in 2010 in Boonsboro.
If you are interested in participating in our Women Build program or just want more information, please contact Pam Meredith at womenbuild@att.net or call the Habitat office at 301-791-9009.
Thrivent Builds
Thrivent & Lutherans partner with Habitat for second house Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and the Lutheran churches of Washington County will sponsor their second house with HFHWC in 2010. Thrivent Financial will fund 65% of the necessary funds through the Thrivent Builds program, and the local churches will contribute 10%. Half of the churches’ funds were already raised during the 2009 build. The house will be built in the Whispering Hills neighborhood of Smithsburg.
Apostles Build
Since 1994 Habitat for Humanity of Washington County has partnered with churches, businesses, organizations and individuals. Since hundreds of families in our community are still in need of decent, affordable housing, our work continues.
Family Services
At the core of Habitat’s mission is our selection and nurturing of families to be responsible homeowners and to improve not only their living conditions, but also their lives. Family Services is a comprehensive program implemented to ensure the success of this mission. Key components addressed in the program are:
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Identification of families in need who qualify for Habitat houses.
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Assistance to families with the entire application process.
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Development of skills needed for families to be a self-sufficient, responsible homeowners.
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Guidance and moral support in the family’s struggle to get out of debt and into fiscal responsibility.
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Confidential counseling and assistance during family crises and situations that threaten the family’s ability for successful homeownership.
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Referral to and assistance in working with social service organizations as needed.
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Regular follow-up with families for a minimum of six months after they become homeowners to address changing needs and further ensure success.
Faith in Action
As a Christian organization, Habitat naturally believes in partnering with churches and people of all faiths to eliminate poverty housing. The most successful partnerships reach beyond simply building houses. Individuals minister to local communities in other ways according to God’s call, and realize a stronger faith and commitment to God in their own lives. Habitat’s Faith in Action program strives to build lasting partnerships within the Washington County faith community while working together in reaching our goal of changing lives through affordable housing.
Benefits of partnering include:
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Habitat projects can help people see God at work outside the four walls of the church.
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Habitat projects can help build the church. Habitat for Humanity is a widely recognized and respected Christian organization. A Habitat project can be just the spark that gets people in your church excited about working in a Christian or faith community.
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The opportunity to work on a Habitat for Humanity house can attract visitors and new Christians .
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Individuals can experience spiritual growth through their service to others.
You can customize a Habitat project to fit your church or faith community. Consider how Habitat for Humanity could help you meet your ministry goals. Projects can be designed for students, singles, small groups, or the entire church.
