Recently, Habitat hosted a zoom meeting with a panel of Habitat homeowners and families to talk about their experiences with Habitat and their homes.  Participants Latoya, Jose, Darian, and Toni were all smiles as they shared their stories with the group.

What does your home mean to you?

For Habitat homeowners, a home means stability.  If you’re someone that has always had a home and family, then you, like me, probably have never fully appreciated the importance of the stability that comes with living in your own home.  Habitat helps its homeowners build stability for themselves and their families in many areas.

One important area is stability within the family.  While speaking about their families, our panel participants emphasized that their homes were somewhere for their families to be to together.  Latoya shared that her new Habitat home is like her “world away from the world” where she and her family can be themselves and be safe as we could hear her son happily hanging out in the background.  Sisters Darian and Toni recalled graduation parties and family reunions that were made possible by their home.

Financial stability is another significant effect of homeownership.  A requirement of owning a home with Habitat is taking homebuyer education classes that promote sustainable money management skills.  Latoya shared about how helpful it was for her to learn about how to avoid debt, how to save, and how to manage special situations, like a car repair, without getting into a bind.  Habitat also works hard to accommodate the families it works with by keeping mortgage payments at or below 30% of the family’s monthly gross income.  In addition to that, Habitats energy efficient building strategies save families $300 – $1100 a year in energy costs.

Homeownership also leads to greater stability in education and health.  Studies show that young children of homeowners see higher achievement in school, leading to a higher likelihood of teenage students staying in school and overall higher educational attainment.  Homeownership leads to higher lifetime earnings. Homeowners also report greater life satisfaction, higher self-esteem, and better physical health.  With consistent, affordable mortgage payments and financial management skills,  Habitat homeowners have the flexibility to make forward looking choices and are better able to eat healthy food, receive necessary healthcare, and participate in healthy activities.

All that being said, homeownership with Habitat is best summed up in the words of our homeowners:

“Habitat treats us like family” – Jose

“A home is a true foundation that everyone needs…Habitat makes it possible for us.” – Latoya

You probably thought of three things:  building homes, volunteering, and donating.  These three things are what Habitat focuses on every single day in communities all over the world, but there is more to the story.

What these daily operations are really combating is the affordable housing crisis that exists in our country.

To be considered “affordable,” the home a family is in should cost less than 30% of the family’s income.  In our country, one out of every three families pays more than that 30%.  Furthermore, one out of every six families must put 50% or more of their income toward their home, more than 18 million U.S households!  Due to the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, even more families are struggling to make ends meet.

Practically, a family paying such high amounts for their home is forced to choose what they can afford.  Should they pay too much for a safe home and access to good schools, but not be able to afford nutritious food or healthcare?

Habitat believes that no family should have to sacrifice necessities in order to afford a home, and we are doing something about it!

Introducing the Cost of Home Advocacy Campaign!

The goal of this campaign is to spark policy change at the local, state, and federal government levels surrounding affordable housing in four areas:

1. Increasing resources for home production through expanding existing resources, creating housing bonds and trust funds, and allowing tax credits for building affordable housing.
2. Pushing for inclusive access to credit by expanding down payment assistance, expanding financial education and housing counseling, and combating predatory lending.
3. Expanding equitable access to land through passing inclusionary housing policies, streamlining land use approvals, and improving zoning ordinances.
4. Building communities of opportunity by expanding home repair/modification assistance, eliminating “Just Cause” eviction laws, and increasing property tax relief for lower-income homeowners.

The scale of the housing needs in our country are beyond the scale of Habitat’s local programs, but with your help, we can fight for a change that will help every family build a solid foundation for their future.

To get involved today, you can start here!

The United States Department of Energy has selected Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley as one of the winners of the 2019 Housing Innovation Award winners! This award was presented for Habitat’s work in building Zero-Energy Ready affordable housing and marks the fourth straight year that Habitat Catawba Valley has received this honor.

Zero Energy Ready homes have been a priority for Habitat Catawba Valley for years: back in 2016, two Habitat Catawba homes were certified Zero Energy Ready, the first two homes in the state of North Carolina to achieve the certification. Being certified as Zero Energy Ready means that these homes are highly energy efficient and can have all or most of their energy use “offset” by a renewable energy system, like solar power. This is achieved in part due to strong insulation systems, which help to increase energy efficiency while preventing heat transfer.

While energy-efficiency is often a feature of higher-income housing, Habitat Catawba Valley has made it a priority for new construction affordable housing. Energy-efficient housing makes it easier to properly and consistently maintain proper heating and cooling levels, which lower-income housing often struggles with. This makes the homes more affordable for homeowners to maintain over the lifetime of the house.

To learn more about the Housing Innovation Awards, be sure to visit the DOE website, and our previous winning entries are also available at the DOE Tour of Zero website.

Beautiful Energy Star New Construction

Located in NE Hickory. 3 Bedroom/ 2 Bath one-level home situated on a level corner lot in desirable Catawba County School district. You’ll enjoy plenty of outdoor time on the covered wrap around porch. On the interior, you’ll find high ceilings and lots of windows that let in tons of natural light. Beautiful brand new finishings such as durable vinyl plank flooring throughout, craftsman style doors, light neutral colors, recessed lighting, and dark wood cabinetry. 2×6 wall construction makes this home extremely energy efficient so you’ll be able to enjoy low energy costs. Home also comes with 1 year builder warranty.

Click below to view the listing and to schedule a viewing!

Learn More!

Homeownership is a crucial foundation for helping low-income families find a path out of poverty. When they move out of substandard housing and into simple, decent, affordable homes, homeowners and their families frequently improve their health, educational attainment, safety and personal wealth.

“A quality home is more than just a roof and walls,” said Renée Glover, chair of Habitat for Humanity International’s Board of Directors. “It provides homeowners with feelings of stability and pride, as well as generating measurable results such as decreased doctor visits and increased high school graduation rates.”

“Academic research and surveys point to one inescapable conclusion: that owning one’s home enhances quality of life in a variety of specific, verifiable ways. This is true whether the homes are associated with Habitat for Humanity or not.”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says studies have shown that “homeowners accumulate wealth as the investment in their homes grows, enjoy better living conditions, are often more involved in their communities, and have children who tend on average to do better in school and are less likely to become involved in crime.”

The research is clear:

Homeownership leads to better health.

• “A safe, decent, affordable home is like a vaccine,” Dr. Megan Sandel of the Boston University School of Medicine testified to Congress in 2007. “It literally prevents disease. A safe home can prevent mental health and developmental problems, a decent home may prevent asthma or lead poisoning, and an affordable home can prevent stunted growth and unnecessary hospitalizations.”
• Poor housing conditions contribute to asthma and other physical illnesses. Decent, affordable housing can help children with asthma address their health needs, according to a report by the Center for Housing Policy.
• A national survey of Habitat homeowners found that 74% said their families’ overall health had improved since moving into their home.

Homeownership leads to greater educational achievements.

•  Children of homeowners are significantly more likely to stay in school until age 17 than children of renters, especially in low-income households, according to a study in the Journal of Urban Economics.
• Children in homeowning families outperform children in renting families in both math and reading achievement tests, even when other factors are the same. These children will have fewer behavioral problems, higher educational attainment and greater future earnings, according to a study by an Ohio State University economist.
• A 2011 survey of U.S. Habitat homeowners by the University of Southern Indiana found that 57% of adults in the households were furthering their education.
• The graduation rate for children of homeowners is 19% higher than for renters, and they are twice as likely to acquire some postsecondary education, according to a study in a journal published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Homeownership provides better security and safety.

•  A study of violent crime in New York City suburbs found that homeownership status significantly reduced a household’s incidence of crime. Another study showed that homeowners have significantly less risk of being subject to a violent assault.
• According to a survey of more than 400 Habitat homeowners in Minnesota conducted by Wilder Research of St. Paul, 83% consider their children safer after the families move into a Habitat home.
• A 2011 national survey of Habitat homeowners by the United States of Southern Indiana found that 84% felt safe in their neighborhoods.

Homeownership helps generate wealth building and a pathway out of poverty.

•  “For most buyers, homeownership leads to wealth creation,” stated a report in the Journal of Housing Studies. “As home equity increases, some homeowners may decide that they have the financial resources to secure additional education for themselves or their children.”
• “The median net wealth of low-income homeowners is dramatically higher than the median net wealth of low-income renters,” according to a 2005 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies.
• The Minnesota survey of Habitat homeowners found that 53% said they have more money since moving into their Habitat home; two-thirds are more confident about their ability to fund their children’s college education, and almost 40% said they pay less in housing costs. Use of government assistance also declined notably.
• A 2014 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston of homes with a student about to enter college found that a modest increase in home value for homeowners led to an increase in the child’s earnings later in life, while an increase in a property’s value for renters led to a decrease in the child’s earnings.

The benefits of homeownership are indisputable. Habitat for Humanity will continue to work toward a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and where measurable improvements in health, education, security and wealth generation are enjoyed by more and more homeowners.

Download original PDF for sources.

Quality housing is a critical factor in building a future for Catawba County that is economically vibrant for years to come. And your voice matters! Therefore, we are proud to announce that Habitat Catawba Valley has teamed up with the Catawba County Chamber, Catawba County EDC, and the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors to create a county-wide housing survey.

We are seeking the input of BOTH Catawba County employers AND local employees to better understand the following:

• Current status and perceptions of your business and employees as it pertains to the recruitment and retention of talent
• The effect of the Catawba County housing market on the recruitment & retention of talent
• Decision-making factors that contribute to local employees choosing to live in or outside of Catawba County

This survey should take no longer than 7 minutes to complete and will contribute greatly to the priorities and actions of the various stakeholders moving forward.Thank you in advance for your engagement in this special way.

After you take the survey, forward it to all of your contacts who live and work in Catawba County. The more diverse our response rate is, the better our understanding will be of the diverse housing needs across our community

Survey Deadline: Friday, May 17th.

Image Source: Department of Energy – Zero Energy Ready Home Program

Recently, Habitat Catawba Valley entered into a new partnership with Copperweld Building Wire who donated their new Cu-Clad NM brand of Building Wire for our most recent houses in Northstone. They even sent a team of folks to help guide us through the install on the first project!

“I have to admit, I went to Hickory believing I had a pretty good grasp on the works of Habitat for Humanity. But after spending a few hours with Derek, I gained a new appreciation for all that takes place behind the scenes. In my personal view, it’s the most worthwhile organization in the country. It’s a place where monies and time that are donated actually work and produce something physical and immediate that helps people right away. From a Copperweld perspective, we are very proud to be partnering with you and we look forward to more opportunities,” said Peter Graser, the Copperweld supervisor on site.

Thanks to Copperweld, and cheers to everyone working to build something better in the Catawba Valley!

Members of Calvary Baptist Church, Newton installing an accessible and safe entry ramp:

Finished Ramp:

New roof and gutters on a 100 year old home:

Habitat Repairs! Currently has 8 home repairs under way, 12 waiting to start and 12 more in process of being approved.

Please consider helping out in any way you can.
We could not do it without you!

Over the years I feel like I’ve not only formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, but I’ve also gained a second family. A family that truly cares about their homeowners. Even now that I own my home, I will forever be an ambassador for Habitat for Humanity; they have truly changed my life. Becoming a homeowner is the greatest feeling, I am truly blessed and thankful for the opportunity.

Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, First Presbyterian Church, volunteers and everyone that gave me encouragement along the way!”

Since its inception in 2008, NWBW has brought together more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years. This year, Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to Habitat for Humanity to support the 2018 National Women Build Week, which took place in 300 communities nationwide.

Locally, Habitat Catawba served with 51 volunteers who volunteered 197 hours repairing, building, and painting homes in Northstone and on a repair site.. Thank you for joining with us to build something better in our community!

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Quotation from an adult who grew up in a Habitat home:

“We are at my parents’ house—our Habitat home—all the time—me, my sisters, our children. This is our home place; this is our safe place; this is where we gather. This home is important to all of us, and we won’t let it go, ever.”

The Impact of Our Work

We at Habitat see the impact of our work on the next generation in what we hear from our homeowners and in what we see – in the invitations to high school and college graduations, in the reports from proud parents about the many successes of their children in academics, sports, jobs, and more. Even when Habitat homeowners continue to struggle with low income and the health and career setbacks that can accompany it, we see the next generation, the one that grows up in a stable household, thriving.

I visited in the home of a Habitat homeowner who is a grandmother, and I just happened to be there when her teenage grandson stopped by with his friend to have a snack and to check on her. I visited with a great-grandmother who was caring for her three- and six- year-old great-grandchildren in her Habitat home until her granddaughter could get off from a second shift job to pick them up. Times like these are happening in Habitat houses throughout Catawba County where younger generations of Habitat families continue to have a safe place to grow.

A striking similarity in what we hear from our homeowners is the fervency in their voices as they tell us how important their house is to them. They want us to understand how grateful they are, not only for the opportunity of homeownership for themselves, but more than that, for what their Habitat house is doing for their children, and their children’s children.

Click here to make an impact with Habitat Catawba Valley.

The Ramirez-Escobar family paid off their mortgage recently. Here is their story:

Villanova University is set to return this spring for their Service and Justice Experience week with Habitat Catawba Valley. The group of 15 students will be serving with us from March 3-10. While they’re here, they will work on new construction in the Northstone subdivision as well as Habitat Repairs! projects throughout Catawba County.

Habitat Catawba Valley partners with other local organizations, mainly churches, to host Villanova students in the fall and spring. Churches provide meals for the students as well as activities. Not only do we appreciate the support that our local churches provide, our out-of-state volunteers are always so grateful for your hospitality and welcome into the community.

If your church is interested in providing a meal during Villanova’s upcoming service week, click here to sign up.

Be sure to also stay tuned to our Facebook page for photos and updates from our Villanova service week from March 3-10!

Beautiful Energy Star New Construction

Located in NE Hickory. 3 Bedroom/ 2 Bath one-level home situated on a level corner lot in desirable Catawba County School district. You’ll enjoy plenty of outdoor time on the covered wraparound porch. On the interior, you’ll find high ceilings and lots of windows that let in tons of natural light. Beautiful brand new finishings such as durable vinyl plank flooring throughout, craftsman style doors, light neutral colors, recessed lighting, and dark wood cabinetry. 2×6 wall construction makes this home extremely energy efficient so you’ll be able to enjoy low energy costs. Home also comes with 1 year builder warranty.

Click below to view the listing and to schedule a viewing!

Learn More

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More Information

Fill out the form below to learn more and to schedule a private viewing!

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Recently I rode along with Richard Greathouse for a “scope of work” on a home located a few blocks off LR Blvd in Hickory.  During this kind of visit we’ll meet the homeowner and review the list of requested repairs. In most cases, it’s the original list plus more. It was then that I was reminded how difficult life can be when the most essential element in life, WATER, is missing from a home.

For Sara, water doesn’t come from her faucet, it trickles down the hill though a garden hose attached to her neighbor’s house. She brings the hose inside, fills up 5 gallon buckets stored in her bath tub and uses the water to wash dishes, flush the toilet and water her plants. When she takes a bath, she fills up the hot water heater with the same hose then waits for it to heat before she cleans up. She’s had the same routine since her neighborhood community well broke a year ago. Let me repeat that, 1 year ago.

Today when I shared this story with a former board member, he said “that’s the type of thing you would expect, in Mexico. Not Hickory.”  

Through donations to the Habitat Repairs! campaign and the City of Hickory, Sara will soon have water running to her home. While we’re there we’ll also weatherize the home reducing future power bills and repair the front and back steps.

It’s going to be selfish of me, but I want to be there the first time she turns on the water and fills a glass from her kitchen faucet. Imagine with me the smile on her face when that happens and how that glass of water helped restore a little bit of dignity to her life.

Mitzi Gellman, Executive Director

Activities included:

• Mass at St. Aloysius Catholic Church
• Hike at Hawksbill Mountain with HFHCV staff
• Pizza Party hosted by St. Aloysius Catholic Church
• Evening Service and Dinner at Bethany Lutheran Church
• Wildcat Welcome hosted by HFHCV at the ReStore
• Lunch Speakers:
  •    Bobby Boyd, HFHCV Board President
  •    Tina Morgan, HFHCV Homeowner Services Director
  •    Mitzi Gellman, HFHCV Executive Director
  •    Rob Howard, Mitsubishi

Click here to see more photos from Villanova University’s service week.

Thank you to the organizations who helped us provide for our volunteers that week:
St. Aloysius Catholic Church – Host, Sunday Mass & Pizza Party
First Baptist Church of Hickory – Meal
First Presbyterian Church of Newton – Meal
First Presbyterian Church of Hickory – Meal
Bethany Lutheran Church – Evening Service & Dinner
Northminster Presbyterian Church – Meal
First United Methodist Church of Hickory – Meal

If you would like to provide for our future volunteer groups, contact Jenna Cucco at [email protected].

Dana and her five year old daughter, Emma, lived in a small one bedroom apartment in a dangerous section of the community.  The apartment leaked, was cold in the winter and hot in the summer.  Emma wasn’t allowed to go outside because it simply was not safe.  Dana moved from job to job, mostly retail and service, trying to scrape together enough money to get out of the apartment.  Daily life was a struggle to find adequate childcare, pay the rent and utilities, and have at least something that resembled stability in their lives.  She dreamed of a home where Emma could play in the yard and a place for family and friends to come for dinner.  Dana’s dreams were simple, but seemingly out of reach.   

Building strength, stability and self-reliance

A decent and affordable place to live frees families from the physical and mental hardships that plague their lives and places them on a path of new opportunity.  When a family partners with Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley, they start down a new path to a better, healthier and more financially stable life.  

Each homeowner works closely with Habitat as they prepare for the various responsibilities of homeownership, including learning about personal finances, mortgage, maintenance and upkeep of homes and much more.  They also perform sweat equity by actively participating in their home build and by helping other partner families with their builds or repairs.   By seizing this opportunity, partner families work towards changing their own futures.  This process prepares them to assume an affordable mortgage once a house is complete. We give those homeowners a path to homeownership that they may have struggled to find through other institutions.

A complete transformation

When a family partners with Habitat, they go through a life-changing process that teaches them new skills, promotes the importance of giving back and prepares them for homeownership.

“Many families are fearful of failure or the loss of a job when they begin the long process.  They are fatigued because they have full-time jobs, children, multiple jobs, school, sweat equity, higher education, etc. When they are able to overcome these issues, the pride that they show is incredible.  Their self-worth, confidence, and dignity is restored. It truly transforms their lives,” says Gail Bowman, Homeowner Services Coordinator at Habitat Catawba Valley.   

Since 1985, Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley has partnered with local families to build 168 new homes in Catawba County.

This year having Christmas in our first home will be one to remember.

– Keondra Allred
Habitat Homeowner

Questions? Please call Ascension office 828-328-5393 or email [email protected]

For more information on how to volunteer, click here

William Pleasant and Frances Hilton appointed to three year terms on the board of directors. Both have previously served on the board and have been involved with Habitat for many years. Mr. Pleasant is a Vice President and Assistant General Counsel at CommScope, Inc. Ms. Hilton is a retired business owner and community leader. Also sworn in was Pat Jones for a new three year term as she had completed her first term. Ms. Jones is retired from the healthcare industry.

Pleasant, Hilton, Jones, Boyd, and Elledge were sworn in by outgoing Board President Cliff Moone.

Highlights of the presentations included an overview of Habitat Catawba Valley’s Northstone Subdivision, the market rate program, and the benefits of mixed income neighborhood on individuals, families, and the community.

Quick Facts

Northstone

• 22 lots
• Open space
• Low to Moderate Income
• County School District
• Grocery/shopping
• Foreclosure Purchase
• Infrastructure Complete

Tightlines Designs Partnership

• Curb and gutter
• Planned community design
• Upgraded siding – LP Smart Siding
• Historic color palate
• Street lights
• Community commons area (creative use of wet lands!)
• Picnic shelter, community mailboxes
• Provide a sense of community – front porch
• All quality built homes

Energy Efficiency

• DOE Net Zero Energy Ready Certified
• DOE Rising Star Energy Innovation Award: Affordable Category
• Guarantee $30/month heating and cool for first 2 years
• Energy Star certified
• Indoor Air Quality plus certified

Impact of Mixed Income Neighborhoods

Studies find kids moving from low income neighborhoods into mixed income neighborhoods experience:

• 16% higher annual earnings
• 9% more likely to be employed
• $45,000 increase in lifetime earnings
• A tale of 2 miles: Small changes, large gains – most kids in this study moved less than 2 miles

Age makes a bigger impact:

• 31% increase in earnings if kids moved before becoming a teen
• $99,000 increase in lifetime earnings if moved before age 8
• Increased home life stability: when kids move to mixed income neighborhoods, their children are more likely to be raised by two parents, to enjoy higher family incomes and to spend their entire childhood in better neighborhoods

While in Catawba County, the students will be working on both new construction and Habitat Repairs! projects. The group will be hosted by First United Methodist Church of Hickory. In addition to serving on the worksites, the students will also spend time engaging with the local community at church dinners, community gatherings, and local attractions.  Habitat is thankful to local churches and groups that are providing meals to the students.

Habitat is seeking churches or individuals willing to provide a meal for the group while they are here. Please contact Community Outreach Coordinator Jenna Cucco at 828-328-4663. There are also opportunities to volunteer to work with the Villanova students.

Click here if you or your groups are interested in volunteering with the students.

The Habitat Repairs program was a cause Dixon advocated for, and he “believed would change the lives of low-income, disabled and elderly Catawba County homeowners,” J. Anthony Rose, President and CEO of CVMC said via the release.

By working with the hospital, Habitat Repairs will gain firsthand knowledge of home conditions they would previously be unaware of, as well as medical conditions and health issues.

“We realize for the hospital, so much of expenses come from readmissions into the hospital,” Mitzi Gellman said, who is the executive director for Catawba Valley Habitat for Humanity. “Doing a minor repair can help keep costs down.”

Around 10 to 20 percent of residents the program helps are elderly, Gellman estimates.

The program began about two years ago, and one of the goals of the hospital, as well as Habitat Repairs is to keep patients in their homes, while addressing repairs that could help prevent sickness, Gellman said.

Home-related illnesses include asthma patients living in mold-filled homes due to a leaky roof, or patients with COPD lacking air conditioning or heat, according to the release.

“It was at Charlie’s encouragement that we launched Habitat Repairs, and we are only now beginning to scratch the surface of his vision. I believe Charlie would be deeply moved by CVMC’s gift. His compassion and drive has rallied Habitat donors and volunteers to help the many existing homeowners in need of repairs,” Gellman said.

Source: Praats, Michael. “CVMC Promises $200,000 to Home Repair Program.” Hickory Record. 17 January 2017. Web.

“Housing Innovation Award winners are leaders in the ongoing transformation of the housing industry as they strive to zero energy-ready homes,” said Sam Rashkin, Chief Architect, DOE’s Building Technologies Office. “The level of performance we saw from our awardees underscores the importance of building high-efficiency homes of the future. These homes provide Americans with the ability to save money through reduced or eliminated utility bills, engineered comfort, comprehensive health protection, and overall peace-of-mind they are making a smart investment.”

The 2016 Housing Innovation Award Winners for Innovation in Affordable Homes are:

• Grand Winner: United Way of Long Island, Deer Park, New York
• Carl Franklin/Green Extreme Homes, Lewisville, Texas
• Clifton View Homes (CVH) Inc., Coupeville, Washington
• Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley, Hickory, North Carolina
• Habitat for Humanity, Grand Traverse Region, Traverse City, Michigan
• Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Venice, Florida
• Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Revival Homes, New Hartford, Connecticut
• Sunroc Builders, Lakeland, Florida

Pictured:  Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley Construction Manager Derek Ross accepts the DOE Housing Innovation Award at a recent ceremony in Dallas, Texas.

On July 5th the Hickory community learned of the death beloved attorney and community leader, Charles Dennis Dixon. When I learned of his death, this poem came to mind, with a simplistic, solemn mourning of a friend’s passing.

I first met Charlie years ago at 1st Presbyterian Church in Hickory where he had an active role as an elder on the session and chair of numerous committees. Where I got to know him was on the Habitat job site as he helped roof a shed and later pray with a new homeowner at a dedication. Last summer he helped with the construction of the first Apostle’s House in Habitat’s Northstone community. He was the “assistant to the saw man” working hard throughout the hot, muggy morning.

It was at Charlie’s coaching that Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley has launched Habitat Repairs!, a home repairs program for low income, disabled and elderly homeowners throughout Catawba County. His vision of Habitat doing “something big” to celebrate the affiliate’s 30th year evolved into the “fix-up program” as he called it. Charlie was passionate about rallying Habitat donors and volunteers to help the many existing homeowners in need of repairs.

The campaign’s tag line: “We’re Fixin’ to Help” is a nod and a wink to Charlie’s dedication to launching this new mission.

In February a few days before Charlie suffered a stroke, he called me late on a Friday afternoon with “a couple ideas about this campaign that I want to run by you.” Over the last year, Charlie and I had many, many conversations where he gave me ideas, and I kept notes. But that day as we ended the call, I thought to myself, I hope he will be around throughout the campaign. He was a joy, a challenge and the best person I can imagine to have on your side.

Hail and Farewell Charlie. I salute you…and good bye.

By Mitzi Gellman, Executive Director

Community volunteers, Thrivent Financial representative Paul Henry and McDowell and his racing team came together yesterday to install an accessible ramp and conduct exterior repair, landscaping and painting.

Thrivent Financial is a sponsor of McDowell’s race team, Leavine Family Racing, which fields the No. 95 Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“I’ve heard a lot about the Thrivent Builds program and I’m excited to finally be able to work alongside Thrivent Financial members and other volunteers to help a homeowner in need of safe, decent, affordable housing,” said McDowell. “The Thrivent Builds partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat is a great example of living generously and our race team is proud to be a part of that.”

Thrivent Builds Repairs upgrades existing homes through projects like installing accessibility ramps, exterior painting, weatherization, porch repair or light landscaping. The program is part of an ongoing partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International, called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. From the national partnership’s inception in 2005, Thrivent Financial and its members have now committed more than $213 million and more than 4.4 million volunteer hours.

Thrivent Financial’s relationship with Habitat for Humanity brings the financial, volunteer and advocacy resources of Thrivent Financial together with the affordable housing construction leadership of hundreds of local Habitat affiliates. Paul Henry, a financial representative with Thrivent Financial, said, “This program provides us with more options to serve our community. Upgrading existing homes not only makes the homes safer and more efficient, it also cultivates community pride.”

“The Thrivent Builds partnership is helping Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley increase the number of families served in our community by helping home owners stay in their homes,” said Scott Loudermelt, Director of Development. “We are so grateful for Thrivent’s support of our efforts to build homes and repair homes in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing, and we’re excited to involve Michael McDowell and Leavine Family Racing in this project.”

Article courtesy of Circle Sport Leavine Family Racing