Habitat for Humanity – Featured Program
Chairman Don Trudeau Community Programs
Knights of Columbus councils help give shelter, particularly by supporting Habitat for Humanity. In 2015 alone, Knights donated $667,063 and over 1 million volunteer hours.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, Christian organization founded in 1976 that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness one family at a time. The organization assists in providing quality-built, affordable homes to needy families by cooperatively involving the future homeowner with community volunteers and suppliers to build or renovate the home. To date, Habitat for Humanity has provided more than 6.8 million people with safe, personal shelters by completing over 800,000 houses in more than 100 countries with a goal of a million homes around the world.
In addition to a down payment, recipients work alongside the construction crew and volunteers, and are then provided an affordable mortgage plan. The Knights of Columbus enthusiastically supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity, which not only helps people to become homeowners, but actively involves them in the houses’ preparation. This teaches valuable skills, develops confidence and provides experience.
There are many ways your council can help families in your community to secure quality housing:
- Work with Hope Builders, a foundation of Habitat for Humanity. Your council could raise money and become a monthly donor, knowing that your donation will be put to good use right away.
- Council members with a trade background or even those that just like to be active can volunteer their time and talents. Contact your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate or visit www.habitat.org for information on volunteer opportunities in your community.
Offering to feed the workers a hearty meal can be invaluable. Helping to build a house can certainly stir up an appetite!
If your council or assembly donates both $1,000 and 200 man hours to Habitat for Humanity, it will fulfill all four requirements for the community activities category of the Columbian Award (SP-7).
Councils, assemblies, and circles are encouraged to promote this program to their membership, inviting personal consideration as well as implementing this program as an ongoing charitable event.
Stories from around the State of Minnesota…
Knights of Columbus to Host Pancake Breakfast Benefit for Habitat for Humanity
The Knights of Columbus will host a community breakfast at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 to benefit Itasca County Habitat for Humanity.
The Breakfast is open to the public, and the only cost is a free-will offering, the proceeds from which will support Habitat’s work to build safe, decent, affordable homes in Itasca County. All are welcome, and reservations are not required – those wishing to support Habitat can drop by at any time between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
“We’re grateful and humbled to have the support of the Knights of Columbus,” says Jamie Mjolsness, Habitat’s Executive Director. “Along with so many groups and individuals, they’re part of the village that makes our work possible.”
Breakfast attendees will also have the chance to leave their mark on a Habitat home by signing or writing a message on lumber that will be used to build a home later in the summer through Habitat’s Boards of Blessing program.
Habitat is also in need of volunteers to help set up, clean up, and serve breakfast items. Volunteer shifts run from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and are open to volunteers of all ages. For more information or to sign up for a shift, visit itascahabitat.org/pancake-breakfast or call 218-999-9001.