Veterans, active duty military service and AmeriCorps members build in Annapolis and Baltimore with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
ANNAPOLIS and BALTIMORE, Md. (March 17, 2011) – Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake (HFHC) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) are teaming up with more than 125 veterans, active duty military and AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members to help build and rehabilitate homes in Annapolis and Baltimore, March 17 - 18.
The build is meant to honor the “invaluable service to America that veterans and active duty military service and AmeriCorps members have contributed over the years,” said HFHC CEO Mike Mitchell. “It is an honor for me, our staff and our board members to work along with these outstanding public servants as they help to build houses in partnership with low-income families and also help to revitalize neighborhoods.”
The build is in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity International, HFHC’s umbrella organization.
“We are grateful to active members of the military, to veterans and to CNCS service members who are joining Habitat for Humanity to help build and repair homes and improve communities,” said Liz Blake, senior vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “These men and women are shining examples of service to their communities and to their country.”
Over the next year, AmeriCorps members will help develop a national program for Habitat for Humanity to engage more veterans into its efforts.
The homes built in Annapolis are on historic Clay Street where HFHC is putting the finishing touches on seven new homes. Corporation for National and Community Service CEO Patrick A. Corvington and Dr. Erwin Tan, director, Senior Corps and Strategic Advisor, Veterans and Military Families of CNCS, will join the build at noon on March 18. There also is a similar build on Jefferson Street in East Baltimore.
“Whether going into harm’s way to preserve our way of life or taking up a hammer to build a community, service represents the best of the American spirit,” said Corvington. “We are proud to join Habitat to highlight the extraordinary contributions of our nation’s veterans and active duty military. We look forward to working with Habitat and other organizations across the country to both serve veterans and military families and to tap the skills and talents of veterans in solving critical problems.”
CNCS has long supported Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to help improve housing in U.S. Since 1994, more than 5,000 AmeriCorps members have helped Habitat for Humanity build more than 12,500 homes. Last year alone, 657 AmeriCorps members served with Habitat at 187 sites, provided more than one million hours of service, raised 4.5 million in cash and in-kind donations, leveraged the support of nearly 200,000 community volunteers, and helped serve 3,642 Habitat partner families.
Corvington was nominated by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate to serve as CEO of CNCS in February of 2010. Corvington, who is of Haitian descent, immigrated to the United States as a teenager before naturalizing as an American citizen. He has devoted his life to serving and empowering communities. Working early in his career with migrant farm workers, homeless youth, and advocating for those with HIV/AIDS, he then used his experience to build capacity and develop leadership in the non-profit sector.
Dr. Tan is a board certified Internist and Geriatrician. Prior to joining CNCS, he served as an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where he was an attending physician at the Division of Geriatric Medicine.
About Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake works with people of all faiths and backgrounds to provide simple, decent, affordable homes for families in Anne Arundel County and the Baltimore region. Partner families, volunteers, and staff working together have built more than 290 houses to revitalize neighborhoods, pursuing its vision and mission to eliminate poverty housing in the region. HFHC is also honored to enjoy a 4-Star rating (the highest rating possible) with Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized independent evaluator of nonprofits and charities.
About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America and the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.
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 two million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.