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Building Homes
Yakima
Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity is a private non-profit, non-denominational
Christian ministry that builds homes in partnership with
qualified low-income
families in the Yakima Valley. Habitat for Humanity is a home ownership
program in which families purchase homes at no profit through interest-free
mortgages we provide.
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity
does not build homes for families; rather, it builds alongside those who
demonstrate need and willingness to partner with Habitat. Homeowner families
invest 500 hours of "sweat equity" labor into the houses. Their
monthly mortgage goes into a revolving Fund for Humanity to help fund
the construction of more houses in the Yakima Valley. Through this approach,
Habitat gives partner families a hand up, not a hand out, restoring the
dignity that poverty can strip away.
 Changing
Lives
Habitat
work sites are places to build relationships as well as houses. Modeled
on the biblical principles, Habitat's self-help solution to the blight
of substandard housing is popular with people from many political, professional,
ethic and religious backgrounds. This is the essence of Habitat's "theology
of the hammer," which invites diverse individuals to find common
ground in using a hammer and sharing a goal.
In freeing families from the unending
struggles that accompany inadequate shelter, Habitat houses open the door
to increased self-esteem and self-reliance. And, in turn, families can
devote more attention to job opportunities, education and health. As the
cycle of poverty is broken, their children benefit, their neighborhoods
change for the better, and entire communities improve.
Helping Out
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity depends
on volunteers - driving the force behind the organization - those who
contribute a day, a week, a few months, to give Habitat's vision a tangible
form. Volunteers join with the future homeowner families, providing virtually
all of the house building labor as well as administrative and office support.
Individuals, churches, civic organizations and businesses
that support Yakima Valley Partner Habitat for Humanity's mission also
provide tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials that make
the work possible.
Thanks to dedicated and generous supporters, YVP/HFH
is making a difference in the valley.
Staff
Vista Volunteer
Quick Facts
Mission
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A hand up not a hand out
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Long-term goal of eliminating substandard and poverty
housing
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Partnership between volunteers, homeowners, churches,
businesses and communities
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Ecumenical Christian housing ministry
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Inclusive, non-discriminatory policies
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Non-profit, non-government organization
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Interest-free, long-term mortgage payments put
into a "revolving fund" which is used to build more houses.
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Partner families are chosen on a basis of need,
ability to repay mortgage, and a willingness to partner and provide
sweat equity at build. (To learn more about family selection
click here.)
Habitat for Humanity International
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Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller
in Americus, Georgia -
2,100
active affiliates in 100 countries, including all 50 states of the
United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico -
Over
200,000 houses built worldwide
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Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife,
Rosalynn, have been very involved since 1984.
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Click on
their website www.habitat.org for
more information!
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity
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Founded originally as Buena Partners in 1984 by
Fred and Pam Bauman
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Completed first home in Toppenish in 1986
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Changed name to Yakima Valley Partners/HfH in 1986
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A total of
118 homes have been completed
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Over 660 individual family members now live in
simple decent houses in the Yakima Valley thanks to Yakima Valley
Partners Habitat for Humanity
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Over $10,100,000 of additional value has been added
to local tax rolls
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Affiliate is governed by a
Board
of Directors with guidance from five committees
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Has built in 11 communities from Yakima to Prosser.
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Takes down inadequate and condemned housing whenever
possible to increase the impact in the community
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for
Humanity Mission Statement
Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for
Humanity seeks to affirm the dignity of the family, to promote a sense
of community and to respond to the compelling needs of God's people by
partnering with others to build affordable housing, to provide nurturing
support, and to foster good stewardship throughout the Yakima Valley.
(numbers current as of 10/07)
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