In our last newsletter, we asked if you had any questions for me, and we saw three themes arise:
What does Habitat mean to you?
On the surface, Habitat’s goal is to ensure that everyone has safe, decent, and affordable housing. But when we look below the surface, we see the real goal is that everyone has a home - a place where they can live, laugh and learn; where they can build memories; and where they can nurture their hopes and dreams. When we build or repair a house so that it is safe, warm and dry, we are laying the foundation upon which a family will have the opportunity to build their home.
What are you most excited about in your new position?
I am most excited about the opportunities I see to help more families in our community. We will be finishing the homes in Freeport and starting eight new homes in South Portland; we will be expanding our new Critical Home Repair Program which was sidelined during the pandemic, and we will be exploring other ways that we can use our talents and resources to build communities and hope. I’m also excited every day by the boundless energy and enthusiasm I see in our staff and our volunteers. We can only accomplish our goals as a team, and this one is strong.
What is your vision of Habitat in five years?
In five years, I see Habitat as an organization grounded in the vision of a home for everyone and using every tool in our belt to achieve our goals. I see us as a key partner in providing affordable housing in Cumberland County and a thought leader across the state. I see us becoming involved in community development and revitalization efforts that strengthen the bonds and develop resilience in our neighborhoods. I see us reaching out to engage our supporters in this work and growing the circle of people who believe that creating a home for one creates a community for all.
I am grateful to each of you for your support, and I hope that I will have the opportunity to meet you on a job site or in the ReStore, or at a future event. In the meantime, my door is always open, and I welcome a call, an email, or a visit if you have questions or just want to say hello.