On March 3rd, 2007 as we dedicated homes to two new families, we stood as a young man of just 13 talked from the heart about what it means to know that he has a place of his own for the first time…a room to call his, a home to feel safe in.  He also talked about the pride he takes in telling his friends that his parent is a homeowner—that he is a person who no longer lives in a garage. 
There are:
… families in our neighborhoods who live eight people to a garage.
…children in our schools who can not succeed because homework is done in a corner  of a room where six people who work the night shift are sleeping, and the lights must remain off.

Together, we can continue to be their light—we can build homes that make a difference for generations to come. We can do all this by joining hearts, hands, and hammers in a circle of faith.

Now it is time to come together in a NEW effort—a program that reflects our mission to serve people from all walks of life and to engage the service of all age groups. 

Right here in North Los Angeles we are creating the largest contiguous community of Habitat Homes in the Western United States and have a second property planned for building in the same city.  This community is a safe-haven that is designed to produce a profound impact on its “home town” of Pacoima.  It will infuse the school system with children who have hope.  It will fill the community with parents who see a new future—a future of self-sufficiency as a realistic vision.  A community of faith—faith in themselves, faith in their neighbors, and faith in much more. 

Right now, literally hundreds of families are waiting for the simple blessing of the opportunity to buy a home of their own that they can afford. The mission of Habitat for Humanity, San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valley is to provide that opportunity to these families – to provide people from all walks of life with simple, decent, housing at affordable prices and with related services that can assist them in their efforts to achieve self sufficiency. 

We invite all the synagogues, churches, mosques and other religious groups in our community to join our mission through the Habitat’s Circle of Faith. Through this interfaith partnership, your Faith Group can support Habitat in the way that suits your congregation.

What do Faith Groups Provide to Habitat?

• Spiritual support
• Labor – Volunteers and skilled leadership, family partner volunteers
• Resources – Funding, in-kind donations, possible building sites
• Affirmation within the community
• Potential for long-term growing relationships

What does Habitat Provide to Faith Groups?

Many groups begin their partnership with Habitat for Humanity out of a desire to help other people. They are delighted to discover how working with Habitat benefits them. Being a Habitat partner:

• Provides a way for faith groups to engage in an established housing organization that has an excellent reputation
• Allows a congregation to participate in a series of service projects that each has a beginning and an end
• Provides group members with a tangible opportunity to put faith into action and to see tangible evidence of their faith after the project is over
• Builds community within the congregation and among all who work on a Habitat project team
• Provides for important and meaningful connections for children and teens to learn the meaning of service to the community and those less fortunate
• Gives individuals with a variety of skills the chance to respond to the needs of others
• Often attracts new members and involves inactive members by providing people with an opportunity and to see tangible results of their faith efforts as they work side by side with other people
• Communicates the message of being a caring and compassionate congregation called to action
• Helps generate a healthy pride within the congregation

• Pray for the success of Habitat’s mission, families and volunteers
• Give access to church/synagogue/congregation communications (bulletin, bulletin boards) to announce Habitat activities including family selection, need for volunteers/donations and fundraisers
• Provide a link on their website to the Habitat site, and allow Habitat to mention them on its website regarding Circle of Faith members
• Select Programs for different age groups to participate in
• Provide a contact person to serve as liaison between Habitat and congregation and attend the interfaith Circle of Faith Advisory Board meetings (frequency to be determined, but no more often than every three months)

In addition to the above, each member organization will select a level of membership from those listed below: 

• Circle of Faith commitments
• Participate in the financial sponsorship of a Habitat house
• Sponsor’s financial commitment is $100,000 of the approximately $150,000-180,000 cost to build a house.
• Sponsors normally provide build teams as pre-arranged, and participate in groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies.

• Circle of Faith commitments
• Participate with another Faith Organization (of the same or different faith) in the financial sponsorship of a Habitat house
• Sponsor’s financial commitment is generally split such that each commits ½ of the $100,000 (or $50,000) of the approximately $150,000-180,000 cost to build a house.
• Sponsors normally provide build teams as pre-arranged, and participate in groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies.

• Circle of Faith commitments
• Make a total annual contribution of $2,500 or more for program support:
  $2,500 – to buy sheetrock and/or basic building materials
  $3,500 – enough to buy vinyl flooring and/or finishing materials
  $5,000 – enough to buy roofing and/or windows/doors

• Circle of Faith commitments
• Make a regular financial contribution (monthly, quarterly, annually or each time a house is completed) to Habitat for Humanity – appropriate to the size and resources of your congregation
• Participate in Nickels for Nails

Whatever your level of commitment, your congregation can:

• Celebrate Building on Faith Week and the International Day of Prayer and Action the third weekend in September.
• Spread the word about Habitat for Humanity’s local and worldwide ministry throughout the community.
• Plan a workday for members of your congregation to help build a Habitat house.
• Hold a fundraising event or special collection for Habitat.
• Participate in Programs of Choice