In this day and age when affordable housing is such a challenge to come by, it is wonderful that Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity will dedicate two homes in Medford, Oregon on Saturday at 2PM.

What a rewarding day this will be!  Not only for the 14 lives about to change with the fulfillment of the American Dream of Homeownership for these two families. There are hundreds of others who were involved in this process, from the hammer swinging or brush wielding volunteers, to the skilled laborers who donated their gifts of framing/ concrete/ asphault/ tree removal/ roofing/ HVAC and more, to the materials donors feeling the call to give to those in need, to the volunteer support in the office and on the Board of Directors, to the dedicated efforts of the employees. And let's not forget the organizations that sent their teams in to help build these two homes as well as their financial support to cover costs not covered by material and labor donations. All were by the side of the Partner families who each put in at least 500 hours of sweat equity on their own homes and for Habitat, and will experience the satisfaction that will come with the completion of a job well done.

One of the two homes was the recipient of a Thrivent Builds grant. This award brings with it not only the financial support contributed by Thrivent Financial and its local Lutheran contributors, but they bring the gift of their labor, too. Hundreds of Thrivent Lutheran members participated in the building of the home that will house a family of 10 members - father, mother, and their eight children. Due to the nature of the zoning for these two homes, it was necessary to build and complete them concurrently. The support of the Rogue Valley - citizens and businesses alike - in stepping up is what makes this program successful.

Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity is only a couple of weeks away form dedicating two more homes that are about to be completed in Ashland. These two homes were accomplished with the support of the City of Ashland and the Ashland Community Land Trust, both of whom are dedicated to finding solutions to the affordable housing crisis. As with the two homes in Medford, it took the dedicated support and effort of hundreds of community members to bring this project to fruition. Like the families moving in to the two homes in Medford, the 11 lives that will change when they move in to these two new homes across from Garfield Park have been truly blessed.

The Mission of Habitat for Humanity is unlike any other. With the loving support of so many supporters given as a hand up to Partner families being lifted from poverty, comes the elimination of substandard housing. Last weekend, Table Rock Fellowship's teaching pastor, Tom Sabens, announced in services that it is the goal of this church to support local missions. He mentioned a brief conversation he had with a member of Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity, and in less than a week, members of the congregation at Table Rock Fellowship have pledged the next local Habitat home HVAC, concrete, painting and more - truly God's work. This moves one of the next four homes to be built in the Rogue Valley well on its way.

Thank you fellow Rogue Valley citizens for being a part of changing the lives of our fellow citizens in need. If the lives of the 17 children moving in to these four homes works out as many of the children in the preceding 27 local Habitat homes, the Rogue Valley may look forward to having some more outstanding citizens.

If you would like to be a part of this amazing experience when the two homes in Medford are dedicated Saturday, go to the 800 block of West 11^thStreet in Medford at 2pm and preview these homes while being a part of this incredible day.

See you out there!

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - http://www.quality4loans.com/