Habitat for Humanity-Fond du Lac County
65 W. Scott Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
www.habitatfdl.org
Fax: (920) 332-0778
Non-Profit
Mission: Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity (HFH) brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. HFH of Fond du Lac County is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing ministry organized to work with the local community to build simple, decent, affordable houses with those who lack adequate shelter. This mission ties directly to the United Way priority of Building a Supportive Community through Improving Access to Safe and Affordable Housing. The partner families receive a safe place to raise their children, while also contributing to its creation. Within the community, HFH utilizes over 1,600 volunteers (an increase of 400 over 2012) that donate over 10,000 hours towards the construction of the home, learning new, real-life skills that can be applied within their own homes. Through these builds, HFH seeks to make the issue of sub-standard housing within our community a matter of public conscience.
Clientele: 2014 will mark the 18th year of Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County Inc. providing basic, affordable homes to low-income families in need. Through 2013, the affiliate has built 24 homes in Fond du Lac County and will be building one additional home in 2014. Funds from the United Way will be utilized in the construction of this home to help build a supportive community by promoting access to safe and affordable housing. The family that will be selected will not only fulfill the mission of increased access to affordable housing, but they will also become a more educated family by putting in hundreds of hours of sweat equity as HFH is a "help up" not a "hand out" organization. With this funding, HFH is better able to promote the overall strength of the community as well, since the majority of the homes are built in areas not targeted by the private sector for growth.
Services: Home ownership is a key measure of success in many ways. Both locally and nationally, it is used to measure economic stability and the well being of its citizens. The same is true for families of all economic status, as it creates both a long-term savings vehicle as well as a structured environment in which to raise children. Additionally, a 2011 study by the University of North Carolina suggests “homeownership can provide people with a sense of security and stability which translates to greater confidence handling problems”. This impacts not only that family alone, but also the surrounding community as well.
Within Fond du Lac County, this feeling is shared among those considered low-income, particularly since Fond du Lac County is below average both in per-capita income and median household income. For those exploring the county's vacant real estate, only 24% of homes are valued less than $100,000, and another 30% less than $150,000. This greatly restricts the availability of homes within financial reach for low-income families, particularly at a time of only 6.8% unemployment. Almost seventy percent of renters paid more than 20% of their income as rent, but only 65% of home owners did the same yet are building equity towards a permanent home (all above statistics from the US Census Bureau, 2011). In short, many low-income families see a lack of decent, affordable permanent housing and instead choose to rent at comparatively higher percentages of income (on average) without building long-lasting value in their residence.
HFH in Fond du Lac County has been helping low-income families interested in home ownership, and willing to work hands-on towards its construction, for more than 17 years, creating 24 homes over that time. These home owners put in many hours of "sweat equity" as they work side-by-side with volunteers to make their goals reality, making the program a hand up, not a handout.
Internship Description (120 Hours): Volunteer coordination, tracking hours of volunteers and Habitat for Humanity & ReStore fundraising strategies.
Advanced Internship Description (280 Hours): Volunteer coordination, tracking hours of volunteers and Habitat for Humanity & ReStore fundraising strategies.
Availability: Spring, Summer, Days
Category: Other