Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with God’s people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which God’s people can live and grow into all that God intended.
Habitat is an opportunity, not a charity. Habitat is not a give-away program. Rather, in addition to monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, into building their Habitat home and the houses of other partner families. To equip these families with the tools to succeed as homeowners, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, in partnership with many local agencies, provides a construction and home maintenance course, financial counseling and training in home and family management skills. Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County works with the same goals and mission as Habitat for Humanity International. Our goal is to eliminate substandard housing in St. Joseph County, one home, one family at a time. Established in 1987, Habitat builts its 100th home in 2006 and celebrated 20 years of serving St. Joseph County in 2007. Using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds homes in partnership with future homeowner families. Habitat's philosophy is to provide a "hand up" rather than a "handout".
Partner families must have an annual income that is 25-50% of the average income for St. Joseph County, demonstrate an ability to repay the interest-free mortgage and prove a willingness to partner with Habitat by working the required minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity on their own and other Habitat Partner Family homes. Completed homes are sold to partner families at cost.
Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is always looking for volunteers! Please contact Shannon Burke if you are interested in any of these opportunities.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore We are in need of skilled volunteers at both of our ReStore locations. We are looking for retired people who are interested in committing several hours per week to come to the ReStore and assist our staff with a variety of tasks, such as assisting customers, testing used appliances and organizing merchandise. If you're handy or like to tinker around the house, contact Shannon Burke for a wonderful volunteer opportunity at the ReStore!
The ReStore locations take in donated construction materials and used items and sell them at a significant discount to the general public. The funds raised by the ReStore locations help fund building homes and the operating costs of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County.
The ReStore is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mishawaka: 920 E. McKinley (across from Big C Lumber) South Bend: 412 E. Sample St. (corner of Sample and Fellows)
You don't need construction experience to help build a Habitat home. If you're interested in the construction process, we build from the early spring through October. Volunteers must be 16 or older. Contact Amanda Harris if you have any questions or to schedule you and your group!
The Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County ReStores take in donated construction and home supplies and resell them to the community at a large discount.
