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There's no place like home Since its foundation in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 70,000 houses around the world for impoverished and inadequately-housed people. In return for a new house, homeowner families are expected to contribute up to 500 hours of "sweat labor," which can include working on their own or other people's houses, helping in preparation of food for volunteers, or even, in the case of children, achieving high grades at school. Families are given no interest loans to finance their houses, which cost an average of $38,000 in the U.S. Habitat for Humanity unashamedly declares itself "a Christian organization," although its volunteers or homeowner clients can be of any denomination. The former president gets his hands dirty "The prediction that everyone in the world will have a decent home is not an idle dream. Dreaming about it is the thing that makes it all come true." Although spoken by former president Jimmy Carter, this grandiose statement is not part of a political platform or fodder for the news cameras. Instead, Carter made the remark while addressing a group of Habitat for Humanity volunteers, who had been working every day for a week to build a new home for an underprivileged Appalachian family. Jimmy Carter's involvement with Habitat for Humanity International began in 1984; the former president led a work group to New York City to help renovate a six-story building for 19 families. The Jimmy Carter Work Project has thereafter been an annual, internationally recognized event at Habitat. Currently the former president and his wife, Rosalyn, donate one week of their time each year to Habitat. News of now In 1997 KeyCorp, one of the nation's largest financial services companies, made a $2.5 million contribution - the rough equivalent of 50 properties - to Habitat for Humanity. Key's contribution expands Habitat's already beefy inventory in more than 20 Northern U.S. cities. In 1998, Habitat announced its "largest-ever U.S. Home Build." Jimmy Carter led 6,000 volunteer workers in an effort to build housing in Houston, Texas. 1998 also marked a key partnership in Habitat's history. Homestead Technologies, Inc., a leader in online community-building technology, announced that it would donate $1 to Habitat's Peninsula branch on behalf of each new member who registered at its web site. Recently the state of Minnesota announced that it will give $20 million of its welfare surplus to the 20 Habitat affiliates in the state. Celebrities such as Harry Connick Jr. have turned out in New Orleans to help build homes, and Habitat represents an increasingly popular option for college students and church groups looking for "alternative" Spring Break experiences. Habitat has also supported the efforts of female volunteers as over 250 homes have been built in the last two years by all-woman volunteer crews.
The vast majority of Habitat for Humanity employees are volunteers, but the organization does have a limited number of paid positions, mostly at its headquarters in Americus, Georgia. In addition, there are some positions at Habitat's regional affiliates. While many affiliates are staffed by volunteers, a few of the larger ones employ paid executive directors. Also, there are "Region" and "Area" offices. "Areas" - as workers in these offices are called - coordinate several states each, while "Regions" coordinate one or two each. For more employment information, check Habitat's web site at http://www.habitat.org.
Not a rich man's game Nobody works for Habitat for Humanity to get rich. Instead, employees and volunteers alike agree that "it's a life-changing experience." Working at Habitat "helps people recognize the possibilities. When you know that [the project] can be done, it's just so energizing." One insider remarks, "It is a Christian nonprofit and a lot of people are here for this reason. However, you don't have to be a Christian to feel comfortable here. I'm not and have never had a problem." Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat, adds, "We make shelter a matter of conscience. Everybody should have a decent place to sleep." God? Many volunteers come to the organization out of a sense of religious commitment. One informant describes a typical "call" to work for Habitat: "I said, 'Okay, Lord, what do you want?'" Whether religious mission or philanthropic obligation, working at Habitat is always "a team effort or no effort at all." Although the physical exertions can be "overwhelming," insiders insist the "positive work ethic" and "group effort" make the job worthwhile. One informant adds: "Habitat tends to feel like its own little community in many ways. We have our own language in a sense, rituals, traditions, and so forth." Jeans - just not ripped jeans Dress at Habitat is "rather relaxed." One contact wears "shorts and a tee-shirt if it's warm out." Tight or low cut/revealing clothing, however, "is frowned upon, as is anything that is too casual - ripped jeans or stained shirts." If you work construction, "you can wear whatever you want." Office jobs, on the other hand, "are a little more professional. Some departments tend to be more dress up than others. However, if you have an interview with Habitat, definitely dress up." Terrible pay, great diversity "You will work very hard," remarks one insider, "and you won't earn what you should or even close to the market rate. Moreover, you'll be expected to go the extra mile." Still, all that work doesn't go unrewarded. "Good bosses remember good work," divulges one source. The typical workday "is 8 to 5, with a one hour break for lunch. Depending on who you work for, you can sometimes get flex time hours." While Habitat provides health insurance and a prescription plan, it "does not provide dental or eye [care]." Insiders report that the organization is fair when it comes to diversity. "There is no glass ceiling at all," says one, "for women, for gays, for the disabled, or even for the non-religious." Heard it through the grapevine Our sources report that Habitat's HQ is located in Americus, "a small town of about 18,000 or so." Many workers feel secluded because "the nearest big city is Atlanta, which is almost three hours away." The dearth of artsy events is another gripe: "If you like being near cultural things - museums, concerts, the theater - then Americus could be a problem." Another insider summarizes: "Some people love Southern small town living; others go nuts." Social life at Habitat consists of "doing things with folks from work or getting involved with a church." One stifled source complains that this lack of options sometimes leads to a lack of privacy. She says, "there are few secrets here and sometimes you might feel like you're under a microscope. The grapevine is large and extensive and gossiping is a recreational activity. However," she concedes, "that same closeness that can drive you crazy can also be a wonderful thing."
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