This post was written by Tina Wilmhoff Spring's arrival sparks a natural desire to revamp our living spaces. More than a simple clean, this season invites us to declutter with purpose, creating a streamlined home while potentially supporting valuable community resources, such as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  Let's explore practical decluttering and organizing tips to help you make the most of this spring revamp season.  1. The "Three-Box Method" for Effective Decluttering:  Keep: Items you use regularly or hold sentimental value. Donate/Sell: Gently used items that someone else could benefit from. Consider organizations like the Habitat for Humanity ReStore for your donations .  Discard/Recycle: Items that are broken, damaged, or no longer usable. For electronics, explore responsible recycling options in your area to prevent harmful materials from ending up in landfills.  Click here for a list of acceptable electronics that you can donate to a Habitat ReStore. 2. Conquer One Space at a Time:  Avoid feeling overwhelmed by tackling one room or area at a time.  Start with a small, manageable space, like a single drawer or shelf.  Completing smaller tasks provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue.  3. Maximize Vertical Space:  Utilize vertical space with shelving units, wall-mounted organizers, and hooks.  This is especially helpful in small spaces or areas with limited floor space.  In closets, use tiered hangers and shelf dividers to maximize storage.  4. Detailed Labels: Go beyond simple labels. Use detailed labels that specify the contents of each storage container. For example, instead of "Winter Clothes" use "Winter Sweaters, Sweatshirts, Sweatpants".  This prevents items from being forgotten and ensures you can easily find what you need.  Clear bins and detailed labels prevent items from being forgotten, solving the 'out of sight, out of mind' issue. Keep an eye out while shopping at Habitat ReStores for storage materials you can use! 5. Seasonal Storage Solutions:  Store winter clothing, bedding, and decorations in labeled bins or vacuum-sealed bags.  Enhanced Tip: The season before the holiday is the ideal time to declutter and donate unwanted decorations. For example, declutter Christmas decorations around Thanksgiving, or summer items in the spring. This allows ample time to decide what to donate and ensures your donations can be used by others in a timely manner.  Enhanced Tip: To keep clothes dust-free during the off-season, store them in large, clean trash bags or garment bags. This is especially helpful for delicate items.  Enhanced Tip: If you have the space, utilize an off-season closet or designated area for these items. This keeps them out of your daily rotation and frees up valuable space in your main closets.  Enhanced Tip: When packing, pair like items together within your storage containers. For example, group sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants in the same bag or bin. This allows you to quickly pull out a specific item if you experience a sudden chilly day during unpredictable spring weather, without having to unpack everything.  When storing seasonal clothing, keep them on hangers. This will make the seasonal swap much less daunting when the time comes.  Utilize under-bed storage or attic space for seasonal items.  Rotate seasonal items to keep most used items easily accessible.  6. Create a "Donation Station" & Utilize Pick-Up Services:  Designate a box or area for items you plan to donate. Check here for donation hours at the ReStores.  Consider utilizing donation pick-up services offered by Habitat for Humanity for larger items, or for smaller items a service like our "Ready to Rehome" service.  This prevents donated items from cluttering your home and makes it easy to transport them.  When that box is full, schedule a pick-up or transport it to your local donation center.  7. Implementing the "One-In, One-Out" Rule:  For every new item you bring into your home, remove one similar item. This helps prevent clutter from accumulating over time.  This rule can be implemented for clothing, books, kitchen gadgets, and many other item types.  8. The "Touch it Once" Rule:  When you pick up an item, make a decision about it immediately. Don't put it back down to deal with later.  This rule helps prevent piles of items from accumulating and streamlines the decision-making process.  9. Maintain Your Organized Space:  Establish daily and weekly routines to prevent clutter from accumulating.  Put items back in their designated places after use.  Regularly declutter and reorganize to maintain a tidy and functional home.  10. Shopping with Intention at ReStores (or any store):  If you're looking to replace or add items to your home, consider visiting a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.  You can find a variety of gently used furniture, appliances, and home décor at affordable prices.  Critical Tip: Before purchasing any large items, measure your space accurately. Also, measure the interior of your vehicle to ensure you can transport your purchases home. This will save you time, money, and potential frustration. Make sure you do all of this before heading to the Restore so you are properly prepared to check out their inventory.  Also, follow them on Facebook  for daily posts of what new items they have recently received.   Need Decluttering Assistance or an Organizing Project Game Plan? If you're feeling overwhelmed by the decluttering process or need a personalized organizing plan, don't hesitate to contact RevampT Spaces Organizing Services. We're here to help you create a more organized and peaceful home. Whether you're donating or shopping, remember that your local ReStore is a fantastic resource for your spring projects. Check their website  for locations, hours and items accepted.

Bobbie has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati for 30+ years. “It’s been a long time,” she says. Bobbie started volunteering when the Habitat office was still in a church basement. “So many people have come and gone, but they’ve all been really nice.” Right after her husband retired, they went with Bobbie’s mom to a local retiree’s dinner. They sat next to some Eastside Coalition Habitat volunteers, and they convinced her and her husband to volunteer. “When you’re retired, you need something to do,” she says. So, they got connected through a church group and started volunteering. “We ended up being advocates for 6 or 7 homebuyer families,” she says. Her husband Stan volunteered on the build sites. “He’s pretty strong." Bobbie started coming into the office to help Helen Spieler, the Director of Homebuyer Services. “Helen and I have become good friends, I know how hard she works, how hard all of you work, and so if there’s some little job that I can save you from having to do, I’m happy to,” she says. She enjoys helping to file, sort, and organize. She organizes current family folders so all their required papers are where they are meant to be. Her work helps Helen and the rest of the homebuyer services staff save countless time on office tasks. Bobbie loves to organize and clean. “My daughter loves it because then I don’t bug her for projects at her house.” “[My husband and I] are both retired and fortunate to have good health. I love coming in here because not only is everyone fun, but you also know you’re really helping, and Helen is my friend,” says Bobie. “I don’t think about anything else. You’re not thinking about politics, kids and their problems, or relatives… you just come and do what you’re told! It’s a kind of nice feeling.” “I play tennis in the morning,” she says. And after she has some fun on the court, she heads into the Habitat office. “Thursday is a day I look forward to because it’s all planned.” She’s made really good friends with some of the homebuyer families. She has seen so many families go through the entire homebuying process. One homeowner she really connected with recently paid off her house. “Getting attached to the families was really important to me,” says Bobbie. “It’s been fun to see how things have changed.” Bobbie mentioned how seeing the Repair Program grow has been cool to see. Habitat has grown so much during her time as a volunteer, and she’s seen it all. She even watched Helen’s kids grow up, which was extremely special to her. The friendship she has formed with Helen has been one of her favorite parts about volunteering with Habitat. “We talk about movies, and we talk about books, and we get a lot done,” says Bobbie. “Habitat has been really generous with their time,” she says. Bobbie also volunteers with the Red Cross helping Ukrainian refugees adapt to life here in the United States. She often connects them with Habitat homebuying classes so they can learn about what homeownership and finances are like in the states. Bobbie has been such a big part of Habitat throughout the years. Her volunteer work has helped Helen and so many families right here in our community.

This piece was written by DaVan Gassett As a Black real estate professional, I stand at a powerful intersection. One where expertise meets lived experience, and where business can be a catalyst for justice. Housing has never been just about property. It’s about access, dignity, stability, and legacy. And as real estate professionals, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for housing equity in tangible, everyday ways. Understanding the Landscape   Historically, housing policies in America from redlining to restrictive covenants have systemically disadvantaged Black communities and other communities of color. These policies didn’t just shape neighborhoods, they shaped opportunity. Today, while some of those overt practices have been outlawed, disparities persist through things like appraisal bias, predatory lending, gentrification without community investment, and unequal access to credit.   Our Role as Advocates   We are not just agents of transactions; we are agents of change.  Here’s how we can use our platform to be advocates for housing equity: 1. Educate and Empower Clients Whether it’s first-time homebuyers or seasoned investors, we can ensure our clients are armed with knowledge. Hosting homebuyer workshops in underserved communities, translating real estate jargon into accessible language, and helping clients navigate financial assistance programs all contribute to leveling the playing field. 2. Champion Fair Housing Principles Go beyond compliance—be a watchdog. If you see discriminatory practices, say something. Call it out. Report it. Advocate for implicit bias training within your brokerage or association and be part of creating a culture where fair housing isn’t an afterthought, it’s foundational. 3. Partner with Community Organizations Collaborate with nonprofits, housing counselors, and legal aid groups working toward affordable housing and anti-displacement initiatives. Supporting local organizations with time, money, or collaboration deepens your impact and strengthens your connection to the communities you serve. Learn how you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity's Real Estate Community Build. 4. Speak Up in Policy Conversations Real estate professionals have a seat at the table in city planning, zoning boards, and local government discussions. Use that seat to advocate for inclusive development, affordable housing initiatives, and protections for renters and homeowners alike. 5. Mentor the Next Generation Representation matters. By mentoring young professionals of color entering the industry, we create a pipeline of diverse leaders who will carry the torch for equity forward. Share your knowledge, your network, and your story.   The Personal is Professional   As a Black professional in this industry, I know firsthand the power of home. It’s not just about four walls, it’s about belonging. It’s about reclaiming what was denied to our ancestors and ensuring our children inherit something greater.   This work isn’t easy. It requires courage, conviction, and community. But together, we can reshape the narrative. We can build a market and a movement where everyone has a fair shot at homeownership, generational wealth, and housing justice.   Because equity isn’t a trend, it’s a necessity. And we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. DaVan (Van) Gassett REALTOR | REALTIST, SRS, ABR, PSA, C2EX, AHWD Realtor Alliance of Greater Cincinnati | 2025 President Are you a realtor looking to make an impact in your community? Check out our Real Estate Community Build. The Real Estate Build brings together businesses and professionals in the real estate industry to construct a Habitat home. Greater Cincinnati area housing institutions and related partners will come together again in June 2025 to sponsor the Habitat Real Estate Build.   Are you a member of the real estate industry—realtors, lenders, mortgage brokers, title companies, mortgage lenders, and others— interested in making a difference for a family in your community? For more information email Kerry Hendel at kerry.hendel@habitatcincinnati.org .

In honor of Women’s Month, we're spotlighting the incredible women inspiring other women on build sites across the region. Through careers in construction, hands-on volunteering and the Habitat Construction Training Program , women are gaining skills, confidence, and opportunities to build stronger futures—both for themselves and for families in need of affordable housing.  Holly Dorning- Savage and Felicia Deitmaring lead the Construction Training Program at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati and have both spent years building homes in partnership with Habitat Homeowners. Because it is not as common to see women in construction leadership, both women recount stories of men not trusting them on a build site or assuming that because they are women, they didn't know what they were doing. “In construction there's a right and a wrong way to do things, but often there's multiple ways to get to the end goal,” says Holly. “Sometimes leading a construction site is about balancing accepting feedback with sticking up for yourself.”  “It can be intimidating to be on a construction site, and we hope with our Construction Training Program and with our volunteers that we take some of that intimidation out,” says Felicia. “It is a safe space. We're going to make sure that they're doing things the right way, the safe way, but this is their chance to go for it and learn. It's amazing how happy and proud everyone is at the end of the day.”    “That’s the beauty of Habitat. From the very beginning our idea is to bring in community to teach and to empower to help provide affordable housing,” adds Holly.  Holly says that she was motivated to join HFHGC seven years ago once she learned that there were already other strong women leading construction sites. “I immediately felt more at ease knowing that there were women out there doing it.”   Each cohort of the Construction Training Program has about 1 woman to every 8 men. The program is designed to equip people who are new to the construction trades with the skills to begin careers in the construction industry. Holly says, “I think it is eye opening for the women in the class to realize they can do these things—that I’m just as good and skilled and as strong as these people around me.”  “I've said this to several of the women in the class if you don't see yourself on a construction site then you're going to have to be that example for the next person. So just get out there do it make your money, because there's a lot of money in the construction industry, so go get your piece,” says Felicia  Hear directly from Holly and Felicia here.

During the last week of February 2025, fifteen representatives from Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati traveled to Nepal to participate in Global Village . Habitat for Humanity of Nepal is one of our Tithe Partners. Check out our February 2025 Blueprint Newsletter to learn more about Global Village and Tithe. Quick Links Meeting Habitat for Humanity Nepal Safe Housing Project Meeting the Homeowners A Leader in Bamboo Technology Building Bamboo Homes Meeting Habitat for Humanity of Nepal Shortly after we arrived, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati staff were welcomed to Nepal by Habitat for Humanity of Nepal staff. The group toured the national office and Eliza Sthapit, national director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal shared about the current projects and goals of Habitat for Humanity of Nepal. Beyond building homes, Habitat Nepal works to promote joint land ownership, meaning men and women are both owners of the land titles. Because of this, female Habitat homeowners have long-term security and stability through homeownership that is not widely available to women in Nepal.   Safe Housing Project On Monday, February 24, 2025, the group traveled to the eastern region of Nepal where they worked building homes with The Safe Housing Project throughout the week. The Safe Housing Project is a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Nepal, a local NGO, Sahara Nepal, and the Kanepokhari Rural Municipality. Our tithe helps to support this project which has built 113 homes in the last two years. Other financial support comes from donations from the local community and designated funds from the municipality.   The first chair of the municipality spoke at the opening ceremony. She said that she spoke to people all over her region and that adequate housing is a top priority for almost everyone. Thanks to Habitat and Sahara Nepal, they can build many more homes than they could with municipal funds alone. She said, now, more people can “rest in peace during the nighttime.” Meeting the Homeowners Throughout the week, the Habitat Cincinnati team worked alongside the future homeowners in Nepal. These two families were both displaced from their community and their homes after the river flooded and are now staying in inadequate housing made of sheet metal with a dirt floor on land that doesn't belong to them.    The families experience many challenges due to their housing conditions. In monsoon season it is difficult to keep their belongings dry. Often the children don’t have dry clothes for school. In addition, they spend lots of time and money every year repairing their homes after the heavy rains. One family told us they had to make the impossible decision to keep their 7-year-old daughter home from school to watch her toddler sister so the parents could work harvesting mustard.   With their new homes, they will be safe and dry. Both families dream of a good education for their children. Without the extra expenses, they will be able to better ensure their kids can attend school and save for the future.  A Leader in Bamboo Technology Since 2019 Habitat Nepal has been working to develop new building technology using treated bamboo. While bamboo is widely available and affordable in Nepal, the government does not yet recognize it as a home building material. Habitat Nepal is leading a collaboration between experts to develop building codes for home building with chemically treated bamboo. The building codes will make this technology available to the wider public so more people can benefit from this affordable, sustainable, and effective technology. On Friday the Global Village group met Rajib Barma, Senior Technical Coordinator for Habitat Nepal who is helping to lead the work on bamboo technology. He recently returned from visiting Habitat in the Philippines where the two organizations shared information and building techniques.   The Global Village group from Cincinnati built homes using this new technology throughout the week. These homes are used as an example and a demonstration of the building techniques. Building Bamboo Homes Throughout the week, the Habitat Cincinnati team has worked building homes in the Kanepokhari Municipality in eastern Nepal.    The homes start with cement foundation built with cinderblocks made by the women in the community. Then the homes are framed with bamboo poles. Habitat staff began the week splitting and “cleaning” bamboo by shaving parts to make it flat. They then nailed strips to make lattice walls. Next they covered the walls with chicken wire. By the end of the week, they covered the walls with several layers of a cement plaster to enclose and protect the bamboo.   A detached kitchen, water pump, and detached bathroom will also be built with every home. Like in Cincinnati, Habitat homeowners work alongside volunteers and professionals to build their homes. At the end of the week, the team got to tour a neighboring area with completed Habitat homes.

In February, we had the privilege of attending Habitat on the Hill  in Washington, D.C., where Habitat for Humanity advocates from across the country gathered to meet with lawmakers and make our voices heard. It was an exciting and important opportunity to push for policies that will help make affordable homeownership a reality for more families. This year, we introduced Voices in Action , a new platform that empowers people like you to take action and speak up for affordable housing. I’m reaching out today to share with you the three key asks we made to Congress, and why they’re so crucial to the future of homeownership in our country. 1. Funding Programs That Make Homeownership Possible One of our top priorities was ensuring that Congress provides funding for critical housing programs that support families in need of affordable homes. We called for: $20 million  for the Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) , which helps communities build affordable homes. $1.5 billion  for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)  to fund housing projects across the country. $1.25 billion  for the USDA Section 502 Direct Loan Program , which helps low-income families in rural areas buy homes. These programs make it possible for families to own a home, and without adequate funding, many families will continue to struggle. 2. Building More Starter Homes for First-Time Buyers America is facing a severe shortage of affordable homes, 800,000 homes short , to be exact. This shortage makes it harder for people to find homes they can afford, especially for first-time buyers. We urged Congress to support Habitat’s Homeownership Supply Accelerator , a policy initiative aimed at funding the construction and rehabilitation of affordable starter homes. This accelerator would help both nonprofit and for-profit developers overcome financial barriers and build more homes for families just starting their journey toward homeownership. This idea is important because, right now, there’s no federal program focused on helping people overcome the financial hurdles of building affordable homes for first-time buyers. We need Congress to act to fix this. 3. Tax Policies That Support Housing Development Finally, we called on Congress to include housing provisions in the upcoming tax package. Specifically, we asked them to: Extend the New Markets Tax Credit , which helps fund economic development projects, including affordable housing. Support the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act , a bipartisan bill that would use tax credits to build and rehabilitate homes for low- and moderate-income buyers. These tax credits would encourage investment in affordable housing and help us create more homes for those who need them most. How You Can Help These ASKS are important, but we can’t make change alone. Your voice matters! If you want to help make affordable homeownership a reality for more families, I encourage you to use our   Action Alert   and send a message to your policymakers. Together, we can urge Congress to take action and ensure that affordable housing is accessible to all.

Written by Allie Bishop Africa has been on my bucket list since before I can remember.  I've always been an animal lover, particularly big cats, so I was excited to safari; but building in Kenya was an eye-opening experience.  Habitat for Humanity in Kenya has a beautiful vision for community development that was created in partnership with the village members. I was so glad to be invited into that vision and able to work alongside the community to build homes and learn about their innovative building techniques. The community that we built in was amazing. The members of the village met our vans on the first day and danced us in. While I was operating on a couple hours of sleep, I attempted to dance with what rhythm I could keep. They spoke with such excitement in their welcoming of us and they were all smiles. We soon broke out the shovels and started digging the toughest pile of “gravel” I've had the pleasure of digging in. It felt like half the day was spent digging gravel and the other half was mixing concrete, with a little bit of large stone tossing mixed in.  This was exhausting and the local masons put us to shame! I just remember watching Nicholas, one of the local masons from the village, mix so aggressively in slide-on shoes to get the job done. We poured the foundation of the home. We were exhausted, but this set a good tone for the rest of the week. Many stones and wheelbarrows of gravel, sand, and mortar later, we had the shell of a house and a latrine built.  The work we did was some of the most physically exhausting work I've done with Habitat, but I remember smiling and laughing through all of it. Working with a community where everyone was willing to pitch-in to help Esther, the homeowner, was truly amazing. As someone who has led many volunteer groups on build sites in Greater Cincinnati, it was a rewarding and helpful experience to be a volunteer in a new context. The home we were building was smaller than most homes in the United States with no electricity or running water. While modest, it was a major improvement from her current living situation. It made me look quite hard at what I dwell on and define as my “needs” at home. The differences in our resources and privileges were obvious and gave me a deeper understanding of the scope of our global work at Habitat for Humanity. The interaction with the people and the community is what will stick with me the most. It's so easy to get bogged down in the details of the day and lose sight of the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Homes everywhere provide a sense of security, accomplishment, and are a place to make memories. I certainly hope Esther and her family make many great memories in their home. We certainly made great memories building it.   From the hard physical work to the improved relationships with my coworkers and even with the mental, emotional wear of taking in such a different culture and way of life, I will forever be grateful for the Global Village experience in Kenya. Oh, and of course, seeing some lions and cheetahs! If you're debating on going on a Global Village trip, just do it. You'll gain a new perspective, learn about a completely different culture, and have time to reflect on our vision and mission.

Written by Morgan Ford Homeownership is more than having a place to live. It brings stability, opportunity, and a way to build wealth for your family. But for many Black families, there are extra challenges that make this dream harder to reach.   In this housing crisis, I was blessed to become a homeowner. I was nervous because the market wasn’t good, but now I’m so happy my daughters can call our place home. I look forward to staying here as I get older. Growing up, my family rented homes and didn’t buy one until I was almost in high school. We always lived in nice places, but we didn’t own them. Owning my own home now means so much to me.   For many Black families, the path to homeownership isn’t fair or equal. Discrimination in lending, lower appraisals for homes in Black neighborhoods, and the rising cost of housing make it harder to buy and keep a home. We hear stories from families facing these challenges every day. That’s why Habitat takes action by helping families afford homes creating affordable homeownership opportunities, teaching them about homeownership, providing homeownership education classes, and working with leaders to create fairer housing policies. But the most powerful voices are those of families themselves. Sharing their experiences inspires change and shows why this work is so important.   This February, I’ll be attending Habitat on the Hill, Habitat for Humanity’s annual advocacy conference. This event brings Habitat supporters from across the country to Washington, D.C., where we meet with lawmakers to advocate for better housing policies. I’ll share my own story of homeownership and highlight the challenges that many families face when trying to achieve this goal.   I’m especially passionate about being a voice for change at this conference because I know the difference that affordable housing can make in a family’s life. Whether it’s pushing for policies that make housing more affordable, addressing rising property taxes, or creating more support for first-time homebuyers, I believe advocacy is key to creating long-term change. I’m also looking forward to connecting with other advocates and learning new ways to make a bigger impact in my community. Habitat on the Hill is not just about asking for change, it’s about building relationships, sharing stories, and finding new strategies to create a world where everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home. Every time a family gets the keys to their new Habitat home; it’s a reminder of how powerful this work is. Hi, I'm Morgan,  External Relations Officer at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati. My job is to connect and build relationships within our community and with those who represent it. If you're interested in partnering with us, please contact me at morgan.ford@habitatcincinnati.org .

Sisters Sylvia and Janie have always been close. They think fondly of their childhood sharing a bed in their childhood home in a public housing development and then living as neighbors in their Downtown Cincinnati housing complex as adults. When Sylvia was accepted into the Habitat Homeownership program, she was so excited, but also sad to be moving away from Janie. At her rental home, she was able to look out her window into Janie’s. “We always have lived by each other,” says Sylvia. “It was nice growing up with Janie.”  After a bit of convincing, the University of Cincinnati and Habitat for Humanity agreed to build another Habitat home a few houses up from Syliva’s. Janie applied for and was accepted to the Affordable Homeownership Program and was matched with the home. Three years after Sylvia purchased her home, Janie closed on her own Habitat home—the sisters became neighbors once again.   “I wanted to upgrade my kids to something better than what I had growing up,” says Janie. “I was so happy when I got [Habitat’s] call.” She was excited to finally be able to paint the walls and decorate her home and yard any way that she wanted without worrying about fines and rules. She says that one of her sons was excited about having brand new carpet — he even spent the first night they moved in sleeping on the carpet.  Sylvia’s mortgage and bills at her Habitat home were actually cheaper than what she was paying at her apartment in Downtown Cincinnati. Now, both sisters have paid off their mortgages. Sylvia is enjoying retirement and traveling with her daughter. “These are things I wouldn’t even be thinking about doing if I was in a different setting,” says Sylvia. “That was the best thing in my life that I feel like I did—was apply.”  Janie paid off her car and learned to better manage her money being a Habitat homeowner. She says living where they are now inspired her kids to aim higher. “It made him look at stuff different,” says Janie about one of her sons. He now has a job and his own apartment. “It’s making everybody grow up—just from being in this house.”  Becoming Habitat homeowners together has made them closer than ever. They check in on each other when they see their cars are not in the driveway. They borrow sugar from each other or share dinner.  Sharvee, Sylvia’s daughter, looks fondly on her time helping to build her childhood home. “It was a wonderful learning experience,” she said. She purchased her own market rate home in 2012, and credits Habitat for her home repair and maintenance skills. Sharvee is proud of her mother and aunt for being homeowners and “[breaking] the generational curses.” They were the first ones in their entire family to own homes. “My grandmother didn’t own a home to my mother and aunt owning homes — that’s stuff that we didn’t see growing up,” said Sharvee. Her mom has been such an inspiration to her. She looks up to her mom for retiring before the age of 60.  “I would tell everybody to apply for Habitat,” says Syliva. “It’s affordable. It’s nice to be able to bring your kids up in something you can call your own.”  “I don’t know what I’d do if you moved because I’m not moving!” says Sylvia to Janie.

Esther has lived in her home since 1966. When her husband passed away shortly after 9/11 in 2001, she began to struggle to keep up with home repairs.  “I got to the place where I know the house needed work, [but] I didn’t know where to go,” said Esther.  One day she was driving home and decided to stop by the Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati office. She rang the doorbell and mentioned that she needed some help finding where to get home repairs. One of our Repair Coordinators, Jim, came to speak with Esther. She explained how she was treated with care and respect as Jim walked her through our Critical Repair Program application process and requirements. “He said ‘we’re going to help you,’” said Esther. “I was just so thankful.”  Esther had heard the name “Habitat for Humanity” before but she didn’t know about our Repair Program and all its services until she talked with Jim and experienced the repairs firsthand. Through our Repair Program, Esther was able to get all necessary roof repairs and brand new windows.  “Thank God they came out,” said Esther. “They put a roof on my house. I’m able to live here knowing that I’m okay, I’m safe, and the roof will not cave in.”  Esther has a goal of staying in her home until she’s ready to leave the earth. Her husband passed away in their home, and she plans on doing the same. Her home holds so many family memories that she isn’t ready to let of go just yet. She tells anyone she invites into her home to “come in and find peace.” She encourages them to “leave all the other stuff outside.”   “I hope that this will always be a house of peace. It’s a wonderful house.”  Esther’s husband served in the military, including overseas in Vietnam. As a way to give back to the veteran-connected families in our community, Habitat Greater Cincinnati hosted a 9/11 Day of Service event at Esther’s home. Volunteers assisted with small repairs and beautification projects, from gardening to painting.   Esther herself gives back to her community through her volunteer efforts with local organizations. She spends times volunteers in a Hospice Center and also works with incarcerated men.   “I’m just so grateful and thankful,” she said. “I thank God for y’all because we need more of this in the world.”

Last year over 144 women joined Women Build to fundraise and construct a home in Lower Price Hill. Together these women raised $52,193 to support the direct cost of materials to build the home. Melinda, Kirk Stenger was a key Women Build Leader who made it happen. Melinda wasn't planning to get involved with Habitat, but once she learned more about Women Build, she was hooked on the mission. "My wheels started turning immediately," she says. Melinda is passionate about inspiring others to support causes they care about, and is motivated by the collective impact that a group can make when they tap into their networks and all give together.   "It's easy for me to ask for money when I believe in a project. Fundraising might seem daunting, but it really isn't especially if you have ten of your friends giving $25 to $50. It's not a lot of money, but it really makes a difference. The collaboration among friends and supporting the community to be a better place to live in is so rewarding," says Melinda. Melinda kicked-off Women Build with a powerful and moving call to a crowded room of interested women to join the “pinky promise” —a commitment to gather friends to help support Habitat by donating and volunteering.   Next, Melinda got to work building her Women Build team. Melinda hosted a brunch before they got on site, so they could all get to know each other and build momentum. Melinda says, "It was fun building community with people that we already were friends with but who didn't overlap until women build.”   Melinda, a small business owner, says that working on a build site pushed her outside her comfort zone. “I figured, oh, it'll be something like painting, which would be easy. But then I ended up doing stuff that I didn't know I could do, like blowing insulation.” When Melinda’s team found out that a few extra tasks needed to be completed before an inspection the next day, they rallied together to complete the work, even staying an extra half hour. “It was a lot of fun," says Melinda.  “You form a bond not only with your friends but with the crew that's there because you're not alone. There's not a lot of hand holding, but there's a lot of support. So, you feel empowered, and you get to do things that you might not normally ever do. It is empowering, and one of my friends says that she feels like she can do things at home that she couldn't have done before,” says Melinda. “My team still talks about [Women Build]. Everyone is asking, when's the next one, that was so much fun?”   Learn how you can get involved with Women Build.

Rock the Block is coming back in the spring in a slightly new reimagined format. Instead of just one day, Rock the Block will be spread out over three consecutive days, with volunteer opportunities on each day.   Why this change? With three smaller days, we can assist the same number of homeowners without as much stress on staff and operations. In the past, we paused home building and critical repairs during Rock the Block and the week leading up to it. Now we can continue doing our core work even during Rock the Block.   How will my volunteer experience change?    Volunteers will still help complete exterior repair projects and home beautification projects for homeowners in a single neighborhood. Some of the volunteer opportunities will now include building Habitat homes in the same neighborhood. You will still volunteer with a group under the direction of a crew leader. We will still kick-off the day and you will still be surrounded by volunteers all excited to rock the block. Don't worry, you will still get an awesome Rock the Block shirt.  The difference is that there will be volunteer opportunities Thursday-Saturday. Instead of volunteering with 400 volunteers, you will be volunteering with 80-100 volunteers. That means less time waiting for tools, transportation, and waste removal. It will be much more efficient.  Even though there will be some differences, the main mission remains – you will be helping to build homes, communities, and hope in Greater Cincinnati.     Q&A   Can I still bring my family/kids/church group?   Yes! Rock the Block is still a family-friendly event where people can volunteer as a group.   Since RTB is now partly on weekdays, could my company volunteer together on work-time?    Absolutely! Email Kerry for more information at kerry.hendel@habitatcincinnati.org .  I work during the week. Can I still do this?   Yes, there will be volunteer opportunities on Saturday.   When is it?   Because there is less work for staff, we will be able to rock more blocks per year. In 2025, Rock the Block will be held in March, May and June.  We will announce the dates soon! Is lunch provided?   Yes! We are rethinking ways to get volunteers the best lunches possible (not PB&J!).   I have mobility issues or other disabilities, can I still volunteer?    As always, at Habitat for Humanity we have a job for everyone.  If you are not able to participate in the usual RTB tasks, you could help behind the scenes, making lunches, organizing things beforehand, cleaning up.