Dear Habitat Friends,

Welcome to Habitat for Humanity! Since our inception in 1984, we have partnered with people from all walks of life to create access to decent and affordable housing for over 800 people in Yakima County.  At Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity we know that our strength and success relies on the power of people who come together to make a difference.

The idea of a global movement to build homes and community was conceived on Koinonia Farm in the late 1960’s when hatred and discrimination was swirling around them. Established in the early 1940’s, Koinonia Farm was a humble, integrated farming community in southern Georgia, whose residents believed in the equality of all human beings. The black and white residents of Koinonia Farm were victims of violence, persecution, and terrorism because of their strong beliefs. Yet, they stood together as equals during an era of segregation and demonstrated their strength as a community.

Habitat for Humanity was inspired by Koinonia Farm founder Reverend Clarence Jordan and made a reality by Millard and Linda fuller. The idea of bringing people together, from all walks of life, to pick up a hammer as an instrument of God’s love and build houses around the world, was an extension of the deep belief in inclusivity held on the farm.

Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live in is based on the principles of Koinonia Farm and the belief that all people are equal and deserve to live in dignity. We believe that by being inclusive in our work, we will achieve our ultimate vision. Our inclusivity statement reads,

“Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity will actively include people from all walks of life in our work and be intentional about developing a diverse network of partners. Together we embrace our common humanity as we work side by side building a community where everyone has a decent affordable place to call home.”

Please join us in our work as we celebrate and value our diversity, welcome differences and leverage the collective strengths of all people. Working together, we are building great homes!

In Partnership,

Yakima Valley Partners Habitat for Humanity