Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members gather for annual leadership conference
TALLADEGA, Ala. (Oct. 22, 2013) – Nearly 400 AmeriCorps members serving with Habitat for Humanity in more than 110 communities across the U.S. gathered today in Talladega, Ala., to take part in the sixth annual Habitat for Humanity National Service Leadership Conference, Oct. 22-24.
During the three-day conference, AmeriCorps members will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, facilitated discussions, team-building activities and other events presented by experts from the fields of housing and national service.
“We’re incredibly thankful for the service these dedicated AmeriCorps members provide to Habitat affiliates nationwide and the families they serve each and every day,” said Mark Andrews, Habitat’s vice president of volunteer and institutional engagement. “AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA members have become a crucial part in helping Habitat reach more and more families each year.”
In addition, nearly 50 AmeriCorps members will take part in the second annual service project, held in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Talladega and the Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center. AmeriCorps members and volunteers will work in partnership to paint, repair and landscape the homes of Talladega residents on Oct. 24.
This year’s event will also recognize and celebrate the 20th anniversary of AmeriCorps and the Habitat’s partnership with the national service program. Habitat for Humanity was one of the first organizations to partner with AmeriCorps, inducting 122 members in the inaugural class. Since then, more than 7,000 individuals have served as AmeriCorps members with Habitat for Humanity, helping to meet the housing needs of more than 17,000 U.S. families, contributing more than 13 million hours of service, raising tens of millions of dollars in cash and in-kind resources and engaging more than 2.8 million volunteers.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 3 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates for fair and just housing policies and provides training and access to resources to help more families improve their shelter conditions. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To get more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org.
About The Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service each year through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and other programs; improves communities through the Social Innovation Fund; and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit nationalservice.gov.