Habitat MidOhio Monthly Musing
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CEO Corner
There was a recent article in Columbus Business First that highlighted the many facets of affordable housing – from homelessness to affordable rentals to affordable homeownership and the growing demand. I’m proud of our accomplishments to date and look forward to growing our service and impact, in pursuit of a region and state where everyone has a decent place to live.
To help guide this growth, I’m excited to announce that the Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Board of Directors approved a three-year strategic framework on September 24, 2024. The framework outlines a North Star, Core Values, Priorities, and Strategic Objectives for the next three years.
Our North Star is our shared vision of success for the future:
We are a leader in connecting people to opportunity and hope through obtaining and maintaining affordable housing.
Our Core Values will guide our behavior with each other, our donors, partners, families, and customers:
Inclusive Teamwork
The success of our Affiliate depends on everyone prioritizing doing their job then also helping other people and teams. We take responsibility to go above and beyond to do the right thing and be collaborative and inclusive partners with each other, our families, volunteers, community partners, donors, and customers.
Ownership-Based Accountability
We strive for excellence by prioritizing the “highest and best” use of our time; holding ourselves accountable first and then respectfully holding our peers, teams, and Affiliate accountable. We demonstrate ownership of our behaviors, actions, and decisions. We exhibit vulnerability by admitting mistakes, shortcomings, and making things right.
Trust-Based Stewardship
In a continual journey to cultivate trust, we take responsibility to effectively plan for, manage, and deploy our resources including energy, time, money, relationships, and assets.
Transparent Communication
We commit to active listening with the intent to understand and demonstrate the courage to speak our truth with integrity and respect. We commit to transparency; sharing organizational strategy, priorities, performance, and financial position with all team members responsibly. We encourage communication in all directions – up, down, across, and encourage all team members to serve as ambassadors to our families, volunteers, community partners, donors, and customers.
Service to Others
As a service organization, we commit to impacting the lives of families, team members and volunteers through a service heart and mindset. We demonstrate humility; recognizing that we are serving a purpose greater than ourselves. We strive to balance people and relationships with tasks and projects. We take responsibility to show compassion, care, and empathy while guiding and assisting each other, our families, volunteers, community partners, donors, and customers.
Our 5 Priorities will be our areas of focus, where we will invest time, energy, and resources:
1. People & Culture
Build and strengthen a healthy organizational culture; ensure we invest in the development and engagement of team members.
2. Financial Sustainability
Balance mission impact through families served with fiscal performance; ensure the Affiliate meets annual cash needs including necessary reserves.
3. Stewardship
Responsibly manage Affiliate resources and assets; ensure policies, plans, and resources are in place for proper maintenance and management.
4. Position the Affiliate for Impact & Growth
Take steps to ensure planning and related investments are being made to ensure the Affiliate is positioned to be relevant and of service to the community now and in the future.
5. Community Relations & Storytelling
Strengthen our reputation and presence in the community with all relevant audiences.
Each priority area has Strategic Objectives or goals that outline what we aim to accomplish over the next 3 years. Some highlights are:
- Complete a shared roof (multifamily) housing project.
- Participate as a partner in a large-scale development.
- Develop a growth plan for the ReStores.
- Serve as many families as possible in a financially sustainable way.
- Grow philanthropy through a strategic development plan.
- Build community presence, engagement and partnerships.
In pursuit of these objectives, we recently announced a beautiful 2+ year partnership with the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services and Columbus Fort Hayes Career Center whereby Fort Hayes students will be engaged in building two affordable Habitat homes as part of their school curriculum. This is a win-win-win for affordable housing, the skilled trades, and student success. This partnership was covered by NBC4 and The Columbus Dispatch.
We will continue to share our progress, accomplishments, and learnings with you, our community partners, donors, and volunteers. Thanks for your continued support; you are the lifeblood of Habitat’s model.
Brandi Braun AL-Issa
President & CEO
Homeowner Services
Wall-Raising of Osman & Dirie Family Home, September 21
What a beautiful morning we had to celebrate with the Osman & Dirie family last month. They officially kicked off their journey to homeownership by "raising the wall" at their future home. It won't be long before we're back in this same spot as they receive the keys!
ReStore
Donate
Looking to declutter before the holidays this year? We would love to help! Visit our website to see a list of items we are able to accept and schedule a pickup for larger items by calling (614) 364-7028. Your donations directly support Habitat MidOhio and our work towards creating and maintaining affordable housing for families in our community. As a reminder, you can claim your donations as a tax deduction!
Shop
Come check out our stores for great deals! We have been fortunate to receive several large donations over these past few weeks. We have new items from La-Z-Boy, Home Depot, Lowes, Lumber Liquidators, Butcher Block and much more! We have Christmas setup in all three stores, it’s never too early to prepare for the biggest holiday of them all!
For a limited time, we will have Caraway cookware and bakeware in all three stores. Come by as soon as you can for this limited time offer!
Can’t make it into the store? Check out all the cool stuff at our eBay Store!
Desconstruction
Habitat for Humanity-Mid Ohio offers deconstruction services for your home!
The Habitat ReStore Deconstruction Team provides removal of salvageable materials from your home or business. As a locally recognized and respected organization, we offer efficient service and experienced personnel to complete your job on time.
How the Deconstruction Process Works
1. Contact us to schedule a walkthrough of your project at cconley@habitatmidohio.org or 614-419-4389
2. Our experienced crew removes salvageable materials from your property
3. Materials go to the Habitat ReStore to help raise funds to build affordable housing
4. You receive a donation receipt for tax purposes
Volunteer Services
Volunteer Spotlight
Each month, we spotlight 2 volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support Habitat’s mission. Check out our website to view all of our recently spotlighted volunteers, including Dan Davis and Mike Fritz!
HYP Leader Lessons
Join our Habitat Young Professionals chapter for another installment of Leader Lessons, featuring Mike Copella of CBRE and the Habitat MidOhio Board of Directors, on Tuesday, October 29 at 5:30pm.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
World Habitat Day
More than 30 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly took an important step in promoting the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live by declaring that the first Monday in October would be World Habitat Day.
Every year Habitat for Humanity joins our partners around the world to rededicate ourselves to recognizing the basic right of everyone to adequate shelter. Habitat for Humanity asks everyone to join together as one global network in communicating the message that every one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future, and that a decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, health and success that might have been part of a family’s life for years, and in many cases for generations. Join us for World Habitat Day and year-round by lifting your voice to help people in need of decent and affordable housing.
Global Diversity Awareness Month
This October, celebrate Global Diversity Awareness Month and pay tribute to the diverse minds and beliefs held by all cultures around the world. We live in a multicultural society and embracing the values of various cultures only strengthens our understanding and appreciation of the world. Open your mind to new views and ideas, appreciate cultural differences, and enjoy a fresh perspective you may have been missing. Here are some fun things to do to help celebrate!
• Engage in cultural practices and conversations
• Indulge in cultural cuisine and music
• Expand your knowledge through online courses and learning opportunities
• Foster respect and understanding for different cultures and lifestyles
• Embrace diversity in the workplace and community
Resource Development
Wells Fargo
On Tuesday, September 17th, Habitat MidOhio was honored to help Wells Fargo celebrate the official grand opening of its new technology facility in Columbus. Immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, over 70 Wells Fargo volunteers got to work building seven jaw-dropping custom playhouses for local families. There were many people who work for Wells Fargo here locally, but also individuals from other cities throughout Ohio and multiple states who had flown in for the occasion. We were incredibly grateful to help celebrate this milestone with Wells Fargo, whose commitment to affordable housing and our community is apparent through their 20 years of partnership with Habitat MidOhio.
Meet the Team
Welcome Connor to our Bethel Rd. MidOhio ReStore team! Connor joined Habitat with a genuine enthusiasm for exploring new opportunities, particularly motivated by the chance to meet and assist new people.
Outside of HFHMO, Connor enjoys playing music and engaging in video games, showcasing his creative and competitive spirit. A fun and impressive fact about Connor is that he has had the unique experience of performing at the prestigious Carnegie Hall!!
Welcome to our Habitat MidOhio team, Lindsey, our new Chief of Staff! She comes to us with a deep passion for empowering families and making a positive impact on the community, which aligns perfectly with our mission.
Lindsey’s initial goal is to listen, learn, and gain valuable knowledge from our team, as this is a top priority for her. In her role as Chief of Staff, her goal is to be alongside helping to support our overall strategic initiatives, especially focusing on the affordable housing crisis.
Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys cooking, traveling, spending time with her family, and exploring new restaurants. Additionally, she is involved in educational services through a nonprofit in Africa, where she serves as the board chair of the Uganda office, helping to train teachers and launch schools. Fun fact: Lindsey recently ran her first half marathon in Greece, which she also used as an opportunity to explore the country
Please welcome our newest AmeriCorps member, Ken who will be serving as an AmeriCorps Construction Crew Lead.
Ken chose to serve a year with Habitat because he wanted to learn and acquire skills and knowledge about house building and development. He also plans to enlist in the military as a life goal to become a pilot, but before jumping into that commitment, Ken wanted to do something new and different and have a worthwhile experience.
Please welcome Tiffany, who has joined our Habitat MidOhio family as the new Store Leader for Westerville Rd. MidOhio ReStore. Tiffany applied to Habitat because she loves giving back to the community, which she says aligns perfectly with Habitat's mission. She is eager to meet her team and get started in her new role.
Outside of work, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her family, attending sporting events, and volunteering—particularly with veteran organizations. Fun fact: Tiffany rides motorcycles and is passionate about staying involved in the community.
Join us in welcoming Rome Williams to the HFHMO family.
Rome will be a driver for us at the MidOhio ReStore. Rome says that he applied to Habitat because he loves to help people. He is most excited for the opportunity to spread care and compassion to all those he comes in contact with. His biggest goal is the ability to show Gods love to everyone. A fun fact about Rome is that he LOVES NASCAR!! We’re happy you’re here, Rome!
Join us in welcoming another new MidOhio ReStore team member, Martin! He is most is excited about his opportunity to interact with people and customers. Outside of work, Martin plays basketball for Columbus International and he is pro at playing the video game WarZone. He also loves to help the homeless when he is out in our community. Welcome to the team, Martin!
Please welcome Amber to the MidOhio ReStore team. She is our new Operations Lead for the Westerville Road store.
In her new role, Amber is most excited about meeting new people, building relationships and allowing God to us her to bring growth to Habitat. Outside of work, Amber enjoys going to church, fishing, hunting, 4wheeling, riding dirt bikes and motorcycles. She also enjoys gardening, reading, doing make-up, hair styling and baking! Fun fact: Amber has 12 kids, 5 dogs, and 2 guinea pigs! Welcome to the team, Amber
Warm welcome to our new MidOhio ReStore store leader, Steve!
When Steve was asked why he applied at Habitat, he said that his desire is to work for an organization that helps others and not only stakeholders. He says that he is most excited about seeing families get new homes and seeing homes repaired! Outside of work, Steve enjoys reading and doing various home improvement projects. He also enjoys fantasy football!
