Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com November 9, 2015 • Hartford Business Journal 23 The Habitat model is unique because we function as a housing developer, bank, retail center and offer support services to families seeking affordable homeownership. Over the past 25 years Habitat has created over $2 million in tax revenue for the City of Hartford and provided consistent contracting opportunities for small businesses. In 2015, through an expanded vision, committed leadership and renewed resolve, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity strengthened its mission to create and sustain affordable homeownership opportunities. With generous corporate sponsorship and enthusiastic volunteer support, we successfully: • Completed 13 homes in Greater Hartford • Assisted 17 homeowners through our home repair and age in place initiative called "A Brush with Kindness" • Processed more than 100 homeownership pre-applications Volunteer Strong More than 4,000 volunteers worked on our build sites, at our ReStore and in our administrative offices in 2015. They completed mission critical activities such as working on construction crews, coaching families through our rigorous homeownership process, securing donations for our retail store and serving as Habitat community ambassadors. This high level of sustained volunteer support enables Habitat to build homes, community, and hope — year after year. Areas of Expansion In 2015, we adopted the neighborhood revitalization model, which allows the affiliate to target all areas of housing support including new construction, full house renovation and repairs, and creating community improvement collaborations with other non-profits. We provided basic exterior and critical interior home repairs to homeowners including the elderly, veterans and those with limited mobility. All of these initiatives fulfill our mission to eliminate substandard housing by building stronger, sustainable communities. Financial Freedom Center In 2016, Habitat will launch a Financial Freedom Center in Hartford to support the financial literacy needs of the community. Through collaboration with other organizations, Habitat will offer various workshops pertaining to financial stability. The center will support families as they pursue homeownership and financial freedom. Thank You On behalf of our families, we would like to thank every business partner and volunteer that made 2015 a success. Thank you to our 2015 Business Partners Visit us at hartfordhabitat.org for engagement opportunities HARTFORD HABITAT'S EXPANDING MISSION Karraine V. Moody is the executive director of Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity. Karraine was recently named HBJ's 40 under Forty and the Trinity Club of Hartford's Person of the Year.

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