Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and District is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry inclusive of all faiths and ethnicities. Habitat exercises the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety regardless of their religious preference or background.
Habitat is a partnership founded on common ground -- bridging theological differences by putting love into action. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love. Habitat founder Millard Fuller calls this concept "the theology of the hammer," explaining, "we may disagree on all sorts of other things... but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest."
Founded on Christian principles Habitat for Humanity believes that eliminating poverty housing is a mission people of faith can accomplish.
Working with Habitat for Humanity provides a tangible opportunity to “live out” your faith. What a wonderful and meaningful way to share with your community - faith in action.
By involving your church you are putting your faith and love into action in a meaningful and powerful way. Each Habitat home that your church builds or helps build serves as a lasting reminder of God's grace. It is difficult to ignore such a tangible expression of love. The community notices when people work together as an instrument of God's love. Within and among congregations, people experience a strong sense of unity and purpose when together they reach out to their neighbours in need.
Together we can make the dream of
affordable housing a reality for families living in need.
Church Partnership Opportunities
Congregations of all sizes can support Habitat for Humanity in a variety of ways. Many congregations make donations and offer volunteers for local and global projects, and some churches become a voice of justice in their communities as they raise awareness of the need for adequate housing. Your Faith Group can partner with Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and District in a variety of ways:
Sponsor a home. Become a Circle of Faith Partner and join with other faith groups to make a contribution to donate a Habitat for Humanity Home. Build community as you build a home.
Donate. When people give to projects like Habitat for Humanity, they are giving out of a different pocket. They still support their local congregations, but they respond to God’s call to do more.
Options include:
* Make regular donations to your local
Habitat for Humanity affiliate or take up special Habitat for Humanity
offerings
* Organize a fundraiser
* Provide in-kind goods and services (For
example, a plumber in your congregation might volunteer to do the plumbing work
on a Habitat house.)
* Raise funds to build all or part of a
house. A congregation may sponsor a house individually or join with another
congregation to raise the money and build a house together.
* Tithe--set aside one-tenth of the money
you raise for local Habitat projects. The tithe funds are then used to build
Habitat houses in other countries, where construction costs are often much
lower.
* Make an on-line donation to Habitat for
Humanity Peterborough and District.
Volunteer. Volunteer regularly to
help your local affiliate
* Gather members of the congregation to
volunteer on the building site (no experience necessary). Contact us about
scheduling a build day for your faith community.
* Organize a group to provide meals and
snacks for workers during a build project
* Encourage a leader within your faith
community to become involved in the “Faith Leaders Build Day” during one of our
projects
Committee Work. Serve on local Habitat committees. Individuals are always needed to help with acquiring land, finding and selecting qualified homeowner applicants, nurturing family partners, recruiting church support and more.
Pray. Offer prayer support for Habitat for Humanity and our partner families. Without the continuing prayers of millions of people, Habitat's work could not continue.
Engage Your Community. Continue to be a voice for those in need
even after construction is complete:
* Host speakers on housing issues. Provide
an opportunity for a Habitat representative to speak about Habitat within your
community to increase awareness.
* Write letters to the editor and speak out about positive experiences your church has had building houses. Also be in touch with legislators and other community services groups. Make the commitment to become advocates for housing.
