Portland, OR. Receiving the keys to a home you helped build is a dream come true for families who participate in the Habitat for Humanity program. The ‘Hard Hat & Black Tie’ virtual benefit on September 17th raised over $405,000 to further the mission of the nonprofit. It works alongside families to, “instill the core values of self-reliance, stability, and strength. With the help of our local community and through sweat equity, families can have a safe and comfortable place to call home.”
Organizers planned what they described as an inspirational evening to hear stories from the community, “and learn how we can be a part of building strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership.”
Habitat for Humanity volunteers help first-time homeowners with landscaping, gardening, building projects, clean-up, painting and assembling flat-packed furniture, and more.
Here’s a video about the program:
From Habitat for Humanity:
At Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and that starts with a stable and healthy place to call home. Founded in 1981, we have built and repaired homes in partnership with over 1,700 people right here in the Portland Metro region. With plans to triple the number of people we serve every year, we are invested in creating a Portland where everyone has the opportunity to build a better life.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is a part of a global nonprofit housing organization that works in communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in 70 countries.
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Portland, March 12th, 2016. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced Willamette West Habitat for Humanity as its newest Neighborhood Builder recipient. The award combines $200,000 in flexible funding with leadership training for high-performing nonprofits and their executives.
Willamette West Habitat will use this new investment to launch its Critical Home Repair (CHR) program which offers home improvements for a low cost. The program will help preserve and ensure safe, decent, and affordable housing in our community.
“For more than 15 years, Bank of America has been both a philanthropic and volunteer partner with Willamette West Habitat for Humanity. We first came to partner with them when we sponsored a house early on. Through that experience, we saw first-hand that access to affordable, stable housing is critical to a family’s financial well-being, and that’s important for our overall community,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America Market President for Oregon and Southwest Washington. “We’re pleased to again be partnering with Willamette West Habitat with this significant six-figure investment, so they can continue carrying out their important work throughout Washington County.”
Monique Barton, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Bank of America, added: “Over the years that we’ve partnered with Willamette West Habitat for Humanity, our employees have donated thousands of hours helping them build houses and carry out their important mission locally, throughout Washington County. Based on the extreme need we know exists, we’re pleased to now be directing our support to their Critical Home Repair program, a very worthy cause that has the potential to make a real difference.”
Since its inception in 1988, Willamette West Habitat for Humanity has served more than 100 local families. To complement its traditional homebuilding programs, Habitat launched its Critical Home Repair program in Washington County, including Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard and Tualatin, and in parts of Clackamas County including Lake Oswego, West Linn and Wilsonville. Critical Home Repair helps individuals and families address critical needs in their homes by focusing on safety, accessibility and meeting municipal codes. By offering this program to several homes in a given community, it helps elevate an entire neighborhood in terms of revitalization efforts.
“We’re excited our new Critical Home Repair program will give people the opportunity to address longstanding repairs that were otherwise unattainable so they can safely live in their homes for a long time to come,” said Mark Forker, executive director of Willamette West Habitat for Humanity. “We’re very appreciative to have partners like Bank of America that share our vision and help provide the momentum to accomplish our goals for our Critical Home Repair program and engage more of our volunteers.”
A common misconception associated with the Habitat for Humanity organization is that the nonprofit simply gives houses away, when in fact homebuyers make modest, no-interest loan payments to Habitat and pay property taxes like any other homeowner. In 2015 alone, Willamette West Habitat families paid over $193,000 in property taxes and for every eight homes built in Washington County, over $1 million is added to the annual property tax base. Homeowners or “partners” as they are referred to by Habitat, work alongside volunteers to build their house, and others’ homes, and earn “sweat equity” along with the appreciation of seeing their dreams come to life.
Since 2004, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation has invested $183 million to more than 900 nonprofit organizations and provided leadership resources to nearly 2,000 nonprofit leaders through Neighborhood Builder and the Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program. This long-term investment in nonprofit leadership development and capacity building is the largest philanthropic investment of its kind in the country. Neighborhood Builders is just one example of the Bank’s broader corporate social responsibility efforts to build vibrant communities and economies. By advancing partnerships with nonprofits addressing needs related to community development, basic human services and workforce development and education, Bank of America is working to increase financial stability and help individuals and families find the pathways out of poverty.
About Willamette West Habitat for Humanity:
Willamette West Habitat for Humanity works to eliminate barriers to a better, healthier, more financially stable life. With our help, Habitat homeowners achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. To purchase a Habitat home, families must have a steady income, be in need of decent, affordable shelter and be willing to contribute 500 hours of their own labor building Habitat houses. All houses are sold at no profit with an affordable mortgage. Since 1988, Willamette West has served 106 families locally. To learn more, visit www.HabitatWest.org or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitatwest.
About Bank of America:
At Bank of America, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is critical to fulfilling our core purpose of making people’s financial lives better. A commitment to growing our business responsibly is embedded in every aspect of our company, from our policies and practices to our services, products, governance and employee benefits. An important part of that commitment is forming strong partnerships across sectors, including nonprofit organizations serving community needs, bringing our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. We’re proud of our employees’ volunteer efforts, support of diversity and inclusion, and environmental and social responsibility. Across our company, we’re focused on simplifying banking and investing, advancing better money habits and making an impact in communities around the world. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BankofAmerica.
Portland, March 7th, 2014. Many employees from local companies roll up their sleeves to help build homes for deserving families. Recently over 20 Huron Consulting Group volunteers joined the construction crew to build a local Habitat for Humanity home for the Dulal family. Family members worked alongside the volunteers. Volunteer Amy Hawkins said, “Getting to work alongside the homeowner is awesome! And raising the wall was a great way to start the day.”
Huron provides time off to participate in philanthropic activities. “We are pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer and president, Huron Consulting Group.
“Huron has been a great corporate sponsor over the years and we are pleased to work with them in Portland,” said Sasha Davis, director of communications, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. Huron employees have been participating in Habitat for Humanity community service projects across the country since 2009.
Tilting up one wall of the new home.
raising the wall
Huron Consulting Group employees savor the satisfaction of construction.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes and empowers families through successful homeownership. Habitat is one of the only organizations in the Portland Metro area that offers homeownership opportunities to hardworking families making as little as $20,800 (for a family of four). We do this by mobilizing the community and a hand-up model in which the homeowner helps to build and then buys their home with a 0%-interest Habitat mortgage. Additionally, Habitat offers home repair services to low-income homeowners, using the same 0%-interest loan and sweat equity model. Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength. Habitatportlandmetro.org.
Portland, August 4th-10th, 2013. Fans volunteered alongside Timbers players, club mascot Timber Joey, and Portland Thorns players, to lend a hand with 30 different community projects. All available Timbers players volunteered their time, for example, midfielder Rodney Wallace helped coach a soccer clinic at the Hacienda Futsal Court during Stand Together Week. (Photos courtesy Portland Timbers)
Many volunteers at Beaverton’s Kennedy Community Gardens saw meeting Timbers as extra motivation for signing up.
This is the second year the Portland Timbers have teamed up with Hands on Greater Portland for Stand Together Week. The goal is to spotlight nonprofit projects and volunteer opportunities across the metro area.
Portland Timbers midfielder Kalif Alhassan joins volunteers to plant seeds at Supa Fresh Youth Farm in Tigard. Its mission is to train underserved teens in workforce skills, entrepreneurship, organic sustainable agriculture, nutrition and life skills.
Timber Joey and volunteers box cereal at the Oregon Food Bank during Stand Together Week.
Defender David Horst gardens at HB Lee Middle School on August 6th.
The work crew poses for a photo at H.B. Lee. It’s one of two middle schools in the Reynolds School District adopted as part of the nation’s first Dreamer School. “I Have a Dream” Oregon will follow the students through high school to ensure they gain access to every resource necessary to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education. The ultimate goal is to help Dreamer students become economically independent adults.
Portland Thorns midfielder Becky Edwards joins Alaska Airlines volunteers to help pack food for Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division. Since 1923, the Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division has been providing emergency food and clothing relief to Portland families and individuals in need.
The Schoolhouse Supplies organization gets help from Stand Together. Schoolhouse Supplies is an award-winning nonprofit that supports public education in Portland by giving students and teachers free classroom supplies.
The Portland Timbers forward Sebastián Rincón helps clean up with Growing Gardens volunteers.
Bright Dike and the 4 Worlds United Soccer Alliance play soccer with local kids in SE Portland.
Stand Together Week included the maintenance of walking paths and removal of invasive weeds in an 18-acre natural area at Dairy Creek Park, with Timbers players Diego Chara, Jack Jewsbury, Will Johnson and Diego Valeri.
Supported by partners adidas, Alaska Airlines, CenturyLink, Coca-Cola and Providence Health & Services, Stand Together Week, with the help of Hands On Greater Portland benefited more than 20 organizations focused on youth and the environment.
Portland, October 12th. More hardworking families in need will have Habitat for Humanity homes thanks to the generosity of fun-loving donors like Susie Vischer, Dick Firsich, Jim Boyer, Barbara Boyer, Sharon Firsich. They’re toasting the success of Habitat Hard Hat & Black Tie Dinner Benefit Auction at The Nines which raised $169,000. (Photo credit, Sarah Galbraith Photography)
Dawn Holden, Damon Mapes, Tiffany Mapes celebrate.
It was a group effort for Gail Hart, Mitchell Wright, with Emcee Reggie Aqui and auctioneer Steve Talbot.
Michelle DaRosa, Reianna DaRosa, Julia DaRosa, Nicole Patterson
Marion Thomspon raised the paddle.
From Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East:
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East serves Multnomah County and northern Clackamas County and has the ability to reach out to families one step away from homelessness. Habitat sells homes to hardworking people in need of decent, affordable housing. We are an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-denominational Christian housing ministry and global home building movement. We welcome people from all walks of life to partner with our program to serve families in need with generosity, humility and love.
Habitat offers homeownership opportunities to families making $21,900 – $43,800 (for a family of four) by selling homes at cost, making no profit, after the family contributes 500 sweat equity hours. Houses are sold at cost because of volunteer labor and donations. Families pay a 1% down payment on a 0%- interest mortgage. Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength.
As the oldest Habitat for Humanity affiliate on the West Coast, and the largest in Oregon, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East has served low-income, hardworking families for over 30 years and has served over 200 families. Our homeowners are committed and successful. We have experienced less than a 1% default rate on our mortgages, lower than the national average. By providing a hand up, not a handout, our program maintains the dignity and pride of our homeowner families.
Our Vision
A community where everyone has a simple, decent, affordable place to live; and where poverty housing is unacceptable.
Our Mission
To create successful homeownership by partnering hardworking families in need with the community to build healthy, affordable homes.
Our Values
Diversity and Inclusiveness – We believe that all people deserve a simple, decent place to live, and have something to contribute in building homes and helping our communities. We welcome people from all walks of life to partner with our program.
Homeownership – We believe in the power of homeownership to affirm dignity, encourage hope, and transform lives. A healthy, stable home improves the quality of life, both for the family and the community.
Families as Partners – We believe that dignity is promoted not simply by living in an adequate house, but by fully contributing to the process of building and buying that home and helping others acquire adequate shelter.
Volunteerism – We believe in the volunteer spirit and are committed to offering rewarding volunteer experiences.
Stewardship – We are committed to excellence, to efficient use of our financial, environmental, and human resources, and we are accountable to our funders, volunteers, and family partners.
Collaboration – We strive to create strong, productive partnerships with organizations and area housing providers toward our common goal of eliminating substandard housing.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. If you would like more information about our organization or programs, please contact us at 503-287-9529. Thank you for your interest!
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