It’s easy for us to sometimes take the roof over our head for granted….until disaster strikes, and we sit watching the news, watching the devastation of thousands, even millions of people, who are now homeless and left in the streets. Hurricane Katrina comes to mind and the devastation in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Haiti earthquake comes to mind with all of the people who are sleeping in parks because they no longer have a home. Chile comes to mind with all of the people there who are now left in the lurch without a place to call home. There is one organization who seeks to put that roof back over your head when you have lost everything….Habitat for Humanity. They seek not only to help those who are hit by disaster but those who are struggling in life, as well.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-denominational Christian housing ministry. Regardless of who you are or where you come from, if you are in need of shelter, they want to help you. Habitat was started back in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, and since then Habitat for Humanity has built over 350,000 houses, providing shelter for more than 1.75 million people in nearly 90 countries. These are Fuller’s words: “We may disagree on all sorts of other things,” said Fuller, “but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God’s people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest.”

How are they able to build these houses? Through volunteer workers and donations of building supplies, as well as money, they are able to successfully place a family in need into a home. The home doesn’t come totally free, but the homeowner will also have to make a downpayment and pay a monthly mortgage (all at affordable rates, since the mortgages are no-profit)….plus, they have to help build their home, along with the rest of the volunteers. Local Habitat affiliates are who families apply to, in order to try and build a home. These affiliates then choose the families who most fit the criteria. You can read more about Habitat houses here. You can also take free courses from Habitat and learn more about housing issues in the world today. If you’re ever in Georgia, you can stop at the Global Village & Discovery Center and learn all about the international work that Habitat for Humanity does, even seeing models of houses that are built.

Right now Habitat for Humanity is working in both Haiti and Chile, helping to rebuild. There are so many stories of both homeowners and volunteers who have been blessed by the work of Habitat for Humanity all over the world. There are many ways that you can get involved:

1. You can volunteer with your local Habitat for Humanity. Get out there in your own community, and serve.
2. If you are passionate about poverty and helping those who are in need of shelter, speak out; be an advocate.
3. Get your children, your students, or your youth groups involved. There is something for everyone to help with in Habitat for Humanity’s Youth Programs.
4. If you are a woman, get involved with Women Build, a program in which you can help to build houses, while learning construction skills at the same time.
5. Get involved with A Brush with Kindness, a part of Habitat that seeks to help low-income families maintain and keep up the outside of their homes.
6. Get your church involved in building or fundraising.
7. Habitat even has a Prison Partnership Program, in which inmates can help out. This is really cool, in my opinion, as it gives prison inmates something positive to focus their energy on, possibly creating a change and a blessing in their lives.
8. Donate to Habitat for Humanity, either on a monthly basis or through a memorial fund, their gift catalog, etc. One place my husband loves to go is our local Habitat for Humanity Restore. He is able to find great stuff there for very affordable prices, but not only can you shop….you can donate leftover goods there. Maybe you’re in construction and have materials left over from building a house. Donate those leftovers to the Restore, and let their sale go for a good cause. These proceeds from the Restores help to fund local projects in that community.

There are so many other ways that you can help, as well. You just have to find the best way for you, as an individual, and then get out there, and make a difference.

You can follow Habitat for Humanity on Twitter, or become a fan on Facebook. Subscribe to their newsletter to keep up with the work that they are doing. If you are a family in need of a home, you can find out how to apply here.

Remember to shine your light!