Five African-American Baptist conventions increase donation to Habitat for Humanity to $1 million to help with Haiti earthquake relief
ATLANTA (Jan. 12, 2011) – Habitat for Humanity International has received its second grant of 500,000 from the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration to support the homebuilding ministry’s recovery program in Haiti. The donation follows a previous gift given to the organization in 2010, bringing the AABMC’s total contribution to Habitat to 1 million.
“With the generosity and commitment of our supporters, Habitat for Humanity is able to help Haitians affected by the earthquake with pathways to housing,” said Mark Andrews, vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “We are truly grateful to the African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration and its fellowship of churches for this additional gift.”
Immediately following the earthquake in Haiti last year, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention, National Baptist Convention, USA, National Baptist Convention of America, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America and the Progressive National Baptist Convention formed the collaboration to leverage the impact their members could have in the region. The collaboration granted Habitat 500,000 in June 2010, making it the largest faith-based donation Habitat had received for Haiti relief.
“Our commitment to help our brothers and sisters in Haiti continues with this contribution,” said Dr. David Goatley, AABMC coordinator and executive secretary-treasurer Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention. “The African-American Baptist Collaboration is determined to raise our target of 50 million over a five-year period to help rebuild the lives of those hit by the devastating earthquake. We are just getting started in earnest with our assistance, and this partnership with Habitat for Humanity is one part of a variety of investments our network is making in support to churches, clinics, schools, and families.”
Working with the AABMC, the branches and units of the NAACP contributed 50,000 to the second 500,000 grant. The current gift will be used in Léogâne to fund more than 80 housing solutions, which includes materials, construction, site preparation, water, sanitation, training, community engagement and access to basic infrastructure such as roads, schools and churches. The initial funding supported the construction of transitional shelters to help meet basic needs of more than 1,600 Haitians in Cabaret.
One year since the earthquake, Habitat has constructed transitional and permanent shelters, conducted housing damage assessments, provided emergency shelter kits, trained Haitians in construction techniques and held classes on how to stop the spread of cholera. Habitat has committed to helping 50,000 families in Haiti by 2015.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 400,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 2 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
About African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration
The African-American Baptist Mission Collaboration represents more than 10 million Christians in the United States, most of whom are of African-American heritage. For more information on AABMC, contact Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley regarding the group effort at (202) 543-3200 or [email protected].