Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian housing ministry, a non-profit that has helped build over 350,000 houses around the world. They have provided safe affordable and respectful housing for over 1.75 million people.

The organization functions on the help of volunteers. People can donate money, time, skills, and materials.  The recipients need to put a small down payment on the project and invest many hours participating in the building or volunteering in the community. I believe this goes a long way to the concept of help with dignity.

While Habitat for Humanity works in over 90 countries, I wish to bring peoples attention to the chapters here in California. There is most likely a Habitat for Humanity near you, needing help. Check out this link.

One of the most impressive aspects of this very impressive agency for change is that they are committed to building environmental houses. Here are a couple of articles from other sources recognizing Habitat for Humanity for their green, innovative approach:

http://smarticle.co.uk/solar-technologies/habitat-for-humanity-goes-green/

http://solar.calfinder.com/blog/news/habitat-for-humanity-builds-solar-housing-for-oakland/

Habitat for Humanity in the East Bay can be found at: http://www.habitateb.org/index.php/

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Alon Shalev is the author of The Accidental Activist (now available on Kindle) and A Gardener’s Tale. He is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Hillel Foundation, a non-profit that provides spiritual and social justice opportunities to Jewish students in the Bay Area. More on Alon Shalev at www.alonshalev.com