For the month of February, we will be donating to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha is a grassroots organization that builds and renovates houses, forges community partnerships and breaks down barriers to home ownership. Habitat Omaha builds community and strives to be impactful through neighborhood revitalization. While many of the houses built or renovated are in North and South Omaha, Habitat Omaha also serve western Douglas County — there are coalitions in Elkhorn and Blair, with families also being served in Burt Co. Families in its Homeownership Program are required to complete up to 350 hours of sweat equity before purchasing their homes through 20 or 30-year affordable mortgages.

During 2017, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha built or renovated 41 homes, demolished 20 blighted structures, completed 101 critical home repairs and Rock the Block projects, and engaged more than 12,000 volunteers. There were over 68,000 sales transactions at the two Restores. Habitat Omaha ranks 8th in the country for number of families served — there are over 1,300 affiliates nationwide.

In 2005 the Social Justice Committee of Second Unitarian Church joined the Habitat for Humanity’s Multi-Faith Coalition to build a home at 4704 Ellison Ave. in Omaha. The members of the coalition included: All Saints Episcopal, Baha’i Faith, Community Covenant, Family Federation of Peace and Unification, First Unitarian Church, First United Methodist Church, Islamic Center of Omaha, Nebraska Zen Center, Second Unitarian Church. Second Unitarian participated in the program for three years.

You can find more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha at https://habitatomaha.org