Lakeisha White and her two daughters, ages 12 and 4, were barely surviving in a dilapidated apartment in a crime-ridden neighborhood in Pontiac, Mich. Constant water leaks left the place damp and moldy, and the bathroom plumbing needed replacement.
White wanted to move but couldn’t afford to pay more for housing and still feed her children.
Enter
Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. Because of its support, White’s home was built this year—the 500th home constructed because of an alliance, formed in 2005, between Minneapolis-based
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and H
abitat for Humanity International, Americus, Ga.
In the two years since the alliance started, 500 affordable homes have been built in 45 states. About 290,000 volunteers—most of them Lutheran—helped build those homes.
White invested hundreds of hours of her time, working beside volunteers, to build her first home. She made a small down payment on a no-interest Habitat mortgage.
Comments
Gregory Kaufmann
Posted at 7:03 pm (U.S. Eastern) 11/27/2007
In addition to the great work that Habitat and Thrivent have done in the 45 states, I want to lift up the work that is being lead by former bishop Gary Hanson. Our synod participated in an international Thrivent/Habitat/Companion Synod build in Sao Leapoldo, Brazil this past March. 40 homes in 40 days! What an incredible experience for all involved. We worked side by side with youth from our companion synod, and we were able to extend our stay and worship during Holy Week in many of our companion synod congregations. The 10 of us who were part of the build encourage all companion synods to think about working with Gary to do the same in their synod.
Bruce E. Redfoot
Posted at 3:59 pm (U.S. Eastern) 12/1/2007
Great news! I was privileged to participate in a Thrivent Builds home in Syracuse, NY in 2006. I am the CNY Chapter Financial Director and had more than a passing interest in the Thrivent Builds Project. Unfortunately, we did not qualify to sponser a home this year. My wife and I attended the dedication of the 2006 house and we had the most warm, comfortating feeling you can imagine when the new owner spoke and thanked Habitat and Thrivent for the opportunity to own her own home for herself and her three children. I drove by the house just several hours ago and the place looks wonderful. I hope we can qualify for a second build in 2008.
Bruce Redfoot
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