Habitat for Humanity Gives 'Hand-Up' Fixing Roofs
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"This verse is a guiding principle,"
Turner said. "We don't charge
interest on mortgages. We hold
the notes here. We believe in
giving a hand-up, not a hand-out.
We believe in helping people to
help themselves and become good
stewards."
Simpson said most people think
that Habitat builds homes and
gives them away to families.
Leveraging the hand-up
philosophy, families that are
receiving home repairs partner
with Habitat and work side by
side. "They have to provide 350
hours of sweat equity working on
their home, on another home,
working in an affiliate office or at
a ReStore. They are a part of it all
the way," she said.
Habitat's ReStore locations, which
are open to the public, allow
donors to donate gently used
home furnishings, décor, building
supplies, among other things. It
also gives shoppers deeply
discounted prices. The revenue
generated is what supports
Habitat's mission, operating funds
and community efforts to build
affordable homes. All donated
items come with a tax deduction,
and help to keep items out of
landfills. Over the past 18 months,
Habitat has diverted about 232
tons of items from going into
landfills.
"It is more blessed to give than
receive," Turner said. "When I
give a presentation, the first thing
I say is that if you do nothing
else, there's one thing you can
do: pray, pray, pray that God
continues to bless our ministry so
that we can go out and be good
stewards and servants in the
community. We want to help our
communities with safe, decent,
affordable housing."
To learn more about the roof
replacement program or to apply,
call 816.461.6551, or visit
TrumanHabitat.org. Also, visit the
web site for ReStore locations and
donation information.
