Building Community Together: Learn about Gwinnett/Walton Habitat for Humanity

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By Kristen Eleveld

Neighbors helping neighbors: it’s a basic tenet of every great community, including those right here in Gwinnett. But while all of us do what we can to help our fellow man, there is one organization in our own backyard that has dedicated its mission to finding housing for people in need. The Gwinnett/ Walton Habitat for Humanity is not only working to build homes for its neighbors but is also making strides in changing the surrounding community for the better.

Staffed by both dedicated employees and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity is most often associated with home-building, but the services it provides extend far beyond a roof and four walls. For instance, the Gwinnett/Walton Habitat also offers a program called A Brush With Kindness. This program is designed to assist people who already own their home but may not be able to keep up with needed repairs due to age, ability, or financial income. Keeping these homes safe, dry, and accessible is a huge priority for Habitat for Humanity, even if they did not build the home themselves.

“Habitat’s mission includes building communities and hope – this is most often done through building of new homes, but also includes home repairs projects and Neighborhood Revitalization initiatives,” said Director of Programs Jen Welch, whose task it is to oversee the many programs and opportunities that this Habitat for Humanity offers.

Communities and hope are at the center of everything the Gwinnett/ Walton Habitat for Humanity does, as reflected in their mission statement: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.” While giving people safe homes is certainly one of their main objectives, Habitat for Humanity maintains an even larger goal of ensuring that everyone in their community knows there is hope to be found through this organization.

For Jen, one of the main benefits of the Habitat organization is the human connection it offers to neighbors from all walks of life.

“It’s great to see how connections and relationships are formed throughout this process,” Jen said. “So often we see that new relationships formed while building continue past the build site.”

Many of these relationships are forged between volunteers, workers, homeowners, and anyone else who wants to help Habitat for Humanity’s mission move forward. An entire company may bring their staff to a build site, while another may work to raise donations towards supplies and materials. Whatever the contribution is, the Gwinnett/ Walton Habitat for Humanity is always looking for people who are willing to give in some capacity, demonstrating the power that a community can have in changing the lives of those around them. If you are wondering whether you might qualify for any of the services provided by Habitat, there is an easy process to find out. Just head to habitat.gwinnett.org/become-a-homeowner to learn about the qualifications needed to be eligible for a home build Continued on page 23