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Helping families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Chances are, you have long known the name “Habitat for Humanity”. But perhaps you, like me, are less familiar with all that the organization does for the community beyond their signature home building endeavors.
The first thing I learned when talking with John Wilson and Joe Ferrara of Habitat for Humanity Franklin County (president and vice president respectively), was that each HFH branch is actually its own unique entity, and as such, does not receive any direct funding or oversight from Habitat International.
When this local non-profit was originally founded in 1994, it operated fully dependent upon volunteers who completed the construction of roughly one home every twelve months. About five years ago, though, their board of directors went through a revitalization with the goal of being able to present a much more impactful presence that's making tangible strides toward solving the critical-level affordable housing crisis in our area.
This included developing a multi-year strategic plan and hiring key position players such as an Executive Director, a Resource Development Manager, and a Construction Project Manager to help propel HFHFC toward an ambitious future!
Their home building capacity increased, along with the ability to perform dozens of essential repairs for families in need. These families are chosen on an as-need/as-qualified basis. The homes are not provided free of charge, but instead, are part of a multi-layered hand-up process that includes participation in the building process and giving back to the community, education on financial management and home maintenance, as well as making mortgages more accessible to a variety of life situations that might otherwise struggle to obtain one.
Habitat also opened a Restore in Rocky Mount (located in the Schewels Shopping Center) as a means of helping to support the organization. You'll find a 10,000 sq ft showroom stocked with primarily donated merchandise that leans toward home remodeling and decor. Furniture, cabinetry, hardware, and paint are just some of what you will find for sale. They are always looking for gently used item donations (free pick-up is available - call to schedule) and volunteers to help run the store/process donations. Tip: follow their FACEBOOK PAGE to see previews of their new inventory as it comes in!
The Restore is located at:
1145 Franklin Street | Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
Hours are:
Wednesday – Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 9am-2pm
Relying heavily on charitable giving, corporate sponsors, and community volunteer involvement in order to carry out their mission, Habitat for Humanity Franklin County can't wait to share their vision for the future with you at their first-ever Friendraiser Luncheon. Thursday, November 2nd 11:45am Olde Towne Social House, Rocky Mount This event is free to attend, but you must RSVP by October 27th to Sheila Overstreet, Executive Director, via phone: 540.483.8884 or email: sheila@habitatfcva.org While this is not a fundraising luncheon, you'll learn about the myriad ways you can get involved with the wonderful work HFH is doing throughout our community including volunteering on a home building work crew, becoming a donation pick-up driver (they're looking for one of these presently, in fact), and more. RSVP today!