Habitat's busiest time of the year

Wow, does time fly! It’s hard to believe that summer is almost here and that means that the busiest construction season at habitat is under way. While we build year-round, we run more construction sites per day in the summer than any other time of year. We also spend more on materials and subcontractors such as electricians, plumbers and drywall tapers now than any other time of the year. My job isn’t to spend all this money. My job is to raise it and to provide volunteers who help build the houses so we can minimize the use of subcontractors. That means we’re buys in the office now, too. It’s an exciting time.

Our fiscal year ends on June 30, so we are working hard to reach our fundraising and volunteer recruitment goals for Fiscal Year 12 and planning what we are going to accomplish in Fiscal Year 13, which starts July 1. Next year is the last year of our World of Hope campaign. Through a World of Hope, we have promised to work with 5,200 families and build, rehab and repair 730 homes in just four years. But we’re not stopping there. The urgent need for our work still remains high. Neighborhoods are still asking for our help as they rebuild form the foreclosure crisis and— in North Minneapolis —from the tornado. So in July  we are not only starting the last year of World of Hope, we are also starting the first year of our new strategic plan that commits us to serving 5,800 families in just three years!

We know this is the right thing to do, but we also know we can’t do it alone. Everything we accomplish, we accomplish in partnership with others: families, neighborhoods, community groups, donors and volunteers. Perhaps that’s why, despite the business of this time of year, I feel very grateful for all our partners. Building together, we are making a real difference in people’s lives—one that will have tangible effects for generations to come. If you are one of our partners, thank you. If you’d like to become one, please do. There are lots of ways you can help. Click below to learn more.

Nancy Brady, Vice President of Resource Development and Community Relations, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity