- What is Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
- How does it Work?
- Who manages Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
- How does the partnership with homeowners work?
- How do I apply for a Habitat home?
- How are partner families selected?
- How are donations distributed and used?
- How do I donate my appreciated financial assets (stocks, etc.)?
- How do I donate new building materials or building equipment?
- Why can't I donate my used building materials?
- How can I become a volunteer?
- What are the different committees and what are their functions?
- How else can I help?
- How can children get involved in the volunteer process?
We are a Habitat for Humanity non-profit affiliate dedicated to the Fox Valley community. We work in partnership with God and people of all faiths and races to develop communities for people in need by building and renovating houses, creating homeownership opportunities based on the premise of providing a hand up; not a handout.
As an affiliate, we are a grass roots organization that is independently operated to serve our local area community. While operating under the greater Habitat Covenant, we independently coordinate all aspects of Habitat home building in our area—fundraising; building site selection; partner family selection and support; house construction; and mortgage servicing.
With the support of the community we have proudly served the Fox Valley communities for 20 years. We have successfully partnered with 47 families and have built 45 homes in Aurora and Montgomery.
• How does it Work?
Utilizing volunteer labor, management expertise, and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds homes with the help of the homeowners. Houses are sold at no profit to selected partner families. No interest mortgages are issued for a fixed time period and monthly payments, including taxes and insurance are repaid and recycled to build additional homes
• Who manages Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
A volunteer board meets monthly to determine policy and manage the affiliate's operations. The affiliate operates with a paid executive director supported by a core of both long and short-term volunteers.
• How does the partnership with homeowners work?
Habitat isn't a giveaway program; it's a hand-up, not a hand-out. Each homeowner family is required to invest "sweat equity" hours into the construction of their (or others) home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members and fosters the development of positive relationships with other persons.
• How do I apply for a Habitat home?
Habitat is a hand up, not a hand-out. Each homeowner family is required to invest "sweat equity" hours into the construction of their (or others) home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members, and fosters the development of positive relationships with other persons.
Families apply and a family selection committee selects homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat homes.
Fox Valley Habitat for humanity generally holds one orientation meeting per year for families who are interested in partnering with Habitat to build their home. Applications are not accepted at any other time.
Individuals interested in a Habitat home should be aware that it is a long-term partnership and take time to put in sweat equity and move into a home.
• How are partner families selected?
Families apply to the affiliate and a family selection committee selects homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the mortgage loan. The family selection committee follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
• How are donations distributed and used?
Donations are distributed as designated by the donor for the construction of homes. Any undesignated gifts are used where needed. Gifts to Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity are deductible for income tax purposes. Also, 10% of all undesignated donations are tithed every year to Habitat for Humanity International to assist the building of Habitat homes in Bolivia.
• How do I donate my appreciated financial assets (stocks, etc.)?
Call the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity office to make further arrangements. Call 630-859-3333 or email: [ email ]
• How do I donate new building materials or building equipment?
Contact the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity Office at: 630-859-3333 to donate or discount new building materials and/or construction services.
• Why can't I donate my used building materials?
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity generally can not make use of used items that come from peoples' house remodeling projects. We have problems with storage of items, and often can not fit the items into the homes that we build. People with items to donate can contact the Wayside Cross Mission at (630) 892-4239.
• How can I become a volunteer?
Habitat needs volunteers to work on building projects as well as behind the scenes - in the office, on committees and on the board of directors. Give personal information, and request more specific information on any committee of interest. We currently have two open board positions: Family Nurturance and Church Relations. If interested in more information on these two positions please call the Habitat office at: (630) 859-3333.
If interested in helping build a Habitat home inform the caller. We typically build on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Simply call the info-line (630) 585-4100 ahead of time to make sure we are building on the day you decide to build. Show up ready to work. Bring a sack lunch. You must be over the age of 14 to assist with building a Habitat home. Volunteers under the age of 18 require a waiver signed by the parent. We ask that groups of four of more volunteers call the Habitat office to schedule a volunteer work day (630) 859-3333.
• What are the different committees and what are their functions?
Please visit our Comittees page for more information.
• How else can I help?
Spread the word! Provide individual and group prayer support. Give presentations, raise money, and distribute literature to friends and co-workers. Contact the Habitat office at (630)-859-3333 and request a speaker. And, of course, you can make a financial contribution or an in-kind donation.
• How can children get involved in the volunteer process?
Children are a very important part of Habitat for Humanity. Many children live in the homes that Habitat builds. We also welcome children to get involved with Habitat as volunteers on off-site projects. Due to the potential dangers of a construction site and our insurance requirements, children and youths under 16 may not work on the construction site.
Children and youths under 16 are welcome to complete the following projects as individuals or in groups. Ideas for other projects are welcome. Listed below are brief project descriptions. If you plan to complete either of these projects please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at [ email ]
"The Building of Our Home": Create a Scrapbook of Memories
Many families enjoy having a scrapbook of the building of their home as it is transformed from an empty lot to a cozy place to live. The building of a Habitat home is extra special because so many volunteers are a part of the process. You can help families remember this special time in their lives by creating a scrapbook to present to them at the dedication ceremony for their home. You will need to provide scrap booking supplies, lots of creativity and photos which you can take during the construction process.