frequent questions and general information about our chapter
Q: What is Habitat for Humanity?
A: Habitat for Humanity International (www.habitat.org) operates at the grass-roots level, with affiliates in all 50 states of the US and in more than 80 countries worldwide. Over 500,000 people have been housed as a result of Habitat's efforts. By freeing families from the many struggles that accompany inadequate shelter, Habitat houses open the door to increased self-esteem and self-reliance. In turn, families can devote more attention to job opportunities, education and health. As the crushing cycle of poverty is broken, their children benefit, their neighborhoods change for the better, and entire communities improve.
Q: Who is Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Connecticut?
A: Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Connecticut has celebrated over 10 years of service in the Quiet Corner. Our chapter has built nine houses and serves a ten-town area that includes Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Sterling, Thompson, and Woodstock. Organized in 1993, Habitat for Humanity of Northeast CT has been an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International since 1995. We seek to draw families in need and communities together to build decent, affordable housing. Habitat is committed, not only to the construction of houses, but to the development and uplifting of families and communities.
Q: How Can I Join?
A: Habitat committees and work sites are places to build friendships as well as houses. Habitat's self-help solution to the blight of substandard housing is popular with people from many political, professional, ethnic and religious backgrounds. We invite you to come join us in making a difference - and have some great fun at the same time. To find out more,
- Contact a member of the Board of Directors or a Committee Lead
- E-mail us at info@habitatnortheastct.org
- Call us at 860-928-7293
- Write to us at Post Office Box 409, Putnam CT 06260
- Or simply fill out the online form found here.
Q: Where can I help?
A: We welcome volunteers and donations in all areas of affiliate operations.
- We are responsible for all phases of property location and home-building or renovation.
- We conduct family selection, support, and partnership throughout the process.
- We plan and host a wide variety of community outreach and fundraising activities year-round.
- We operate a Habitat "ReStore" in Putnam on Pearl Avenue where the public is invited to buy surplus home goods and building material donations.
No matter where your skills lie, there is a place for you to make a difference volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Connecticut!
If you can think of an area where you could help, we need you!! Click here to volunteer.
Q: What makes a Habitat house possible?
A: Partnership! The driving force behind Habitat is volunteers -- those who contribute a day, a week, or a few months to bring Habitat's vision to life. Volunteers of all faiths and walks of life work alongside future homeowner families to provide virtually all of the house-building labor. Individuals, businesses, and community and religious groups provide tax-deductible donations of money, land and materials that make the work possible.
Q: How does Habitat work?
A: Habitat does not build houses FOR families. Habitat volunteers build alongside those who demonstrate the need and willingness to partner with Habitat. In our non-discrimatory selection process, all homeowners commit to contributing "sweat equity", and working as partners with the affiliate and other volunteers to accomplish Habitat's mission, both locally and worldwide. We provide a hand up - not a hand out - to a better life. Homeowner family members invest hundreds of hours of their own labor in the houses and their monthly mortgage payments go into a "Revolving Fund for Humanity" to help finance the construction of more houses.
To print an informational brochure about us,click here.
Our Mission
Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Connecticut promotes home ownership with volunteers building houses in partnership with residents in need of adequate housing.
Our chapter has built nine houses and serves a ten-town area that includes Brooklyn, Canterbury, Eastford, Killingly, Plainfield, Pomfret, Putnam, Sterling, Thompson, and Woodstock.