Enhancing personal responsibility often is synonymous for self-help when organizations speak of charitable organizations in the 21st century. At the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, sweat equity also is a phrase used in connection with building personal responsibilty.
As quoted from the Overview section of the RMHH website: "Our homeownership classes are not only designed to help Richmond area residents own their own home but also help then learn about financial planning and responsibility--bringing us one step closer to breaking the cycle of poverty in our community."
Recently I spoke with two key staff members of the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Volunteer Talent Manager Whitney Guthrie and Communications Manager Kristin Vinagro. Below is what they had to say about their experiences.
1) How long have you been associated with Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity?
Whitney - I have been with Richmond Habitat for a little over a year and a half.
Kristin – I've been with Richmond Habitat since May of 2011 – over two years now!
2) What got you interested in the organization?
Whitney – I worked with nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity as an AmeriCorps member. During this time, I gained experience and a passion for nonprofit work. At the end of my terms, I applied and got a job with Richmond Habitat.
Kristin – Growing up I volunteered with several nonprofit organizations and in college I helped to run our community service club on campus. This sparked a passion in me to help others in my community. After college, I applied for a job with a local nonprofit that helped to turn my passion into a career. In May of 2011, I moved to Richmond and was excited to see a job opening at the local Habitat for Humanity chapter. I applied and got it and I haven't looked back ever since!
3) What communities are being served?
City of Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, New Kent & Charles City Counties
4) What are the basic requirements to become a volunteer? Any special skills required?
Whitney: You can have special skills or none at all to volunteer with us. We always have Habitat staff on site with volunteers and provide the tools and guidance that they will need. To volunteer on the build site you must be at least 16 years old. To volunteer at our ReStore you can be 14 or 15 with an adult, and 16+ on your own. We do have special projects and events for youth of all ages throughout the year. To sign up to volunteer with us you go to www.richmondhabitat.org/get-involved to get access to our online calendar of opportunities.
5) What is the primary mission of Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and are goals being met this year (and were they met last year)?
Mission: Seeking to put God's love into action, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
6) How many Habitat homes exist in the Richmond area?
Kristin: We have built 320 homes since our inception in 1986.
7) How many current projects are there?
Whitney: 2 builds are currently taking place – one rehab and one new build. Opportunities are also available in our ReStore warehouse.
Chevelle Athey smiles with one of her sons in front of their Volunteer with Women Build sands railing.
Habitat home in the Sandston area of Henrico County.
Above is Pillars at Oakmont in the Church Hill neighborhood. Nine of the 15 homes total are Habitat partner families.
The remaining six homes were sold on the open market.
8) In a nutshell, how is Habitat funded?
Kristin: We are lucky because the overhead of our organization is funded by the income from our retail operation, the ReStore and through the mortgage payments our partner families make to us each month. Donations from individuals and businesses go directly towards building houses. Generally for a build, a local business, faith organization, or civic group sponsors a portion of the cost it takes to build a home.
We also have several local businesses and contractors who donate materials and labor to help lower the costs of building our houses.
9) What are a few things that you enjoy most about being part of Habitat?
Kristin: My favorite part about working for Richmond Habitat is getting to know the partner families. Especially when you get to attend their dedication ceremonies right before they move in, it really puts it into perspective why you do what you do. We truly work with some amazing families who work hard to better their situations.
Whitney: I agree with Kristin, working with the families is amazing. I also enjoy developing new ideas for people to get involved with us.
10) What are the requirements to be a recipient of a Habitat home?
Kristin: Our requirements are listed in full on our website: www.richmondhabitat.org
11) Do you currently have sufficient volunteers to meet needs?
Whitney: We could always use more help in our ReStore warehouse. It is open every Monday through Saturday and having volunteers to help us out there allows us to better serve customers who come into the store. Everything we raise in sales goes directly towards the mission of Richmond Habitat.
12) Which is the most exciting Habitat project happening this year? Please explain.
Kristin: They're all exciting and different. We have our new veterans homeownership program, Habitat for Heroes kicking of this year, which is very exciting. We will be rehabbing two homes for local veterans who qualify for our program this year. We also have four homes being built or rehabbed for traditional partner families. Finally, we will be doing 12 critical home repairs for existing homeowners who cannot afford to make the repairs on their own. These repairs can include new roofs, HVAC systems, siding and porch repairs, etc.
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