At Habitat, we see this community come together to put love into action every day. In 2024 alone, more than 43,500 hours of service was provided by 1,341 individuals. We’re celebrating them during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
Instead of catching up on sleep or taking a beach vacation, many college students are swinging hammers and wielding drills during their spring break. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is hosting numerous college groups from all over the country this spring. Schools include Michigan Tech, Boston College, St. John Fisher University, Colgate University, University of Alabama, and many others. This provides students a hands-on opportunity to build homes, meet Habitat homebuyers, and learn about the challenges of building affordable housing.
Due to Hurricane Helene, Asheville Habitat is hosting more out of town teams than ever before. “We typically host 4-6 groups in the spring. This year, there are already 19 out of town groups scheduled and nearly three hundred more individuals have expressed interest in coming here to help,” said Construction Services Volunteer Manager, Stephanie Wallace. The organization has added a new Volunteer Associate to help manage the influx of volunteers.
In addition to out of town college groups, there are local schools and groups, as well as Habitat affiliates from all over the country sending volunteer teams: Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Fredrick Maryland to name a few. And, to further support local recovery and rebuilding efforts, an AmeriCorps NCCC team has been dispatched to Asheville Habitat. The 8-member team is helping through mid-May with Habitat’s disaster home repair work and new home construction. Volunteers are working at various home repair sites throughout Buncombe County and Habitat’s Glenn Bridge neighborhood in Arden.
In a recent period of reflection, one student shared, “I love that future homeowners have a direct handprint on their own home.” Another said, “Even when it was really cold, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.” Whether commenting on the Habitat model, their personal desire to serve, or what they have learned, it is clear volunteers leave with something special at the end of their week with Habitat.
https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/OOT-group_blog-image.png8002000Ariane Kjellquisthttps://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AAHH-logo_black_with-counties-tag-300x150.jpgAriane Kjellquist2025-03-31 15:57:272025-04-01 12:33:14Volunteerism increases in wake of Helene
What a blessing to be part of such an incredible organization, always– and especially during difficult times. We are grateful to our sister affiliates who have supported us as we help rebuild from Hurricane Helene.
Following their recent trip to Washington D.C. for Habitat on the Hill, Asheville Habitat staff Maddy Alewine, Communications Specialist, and Cassidy Moore, Government Relations and Grant Manager, sit down to discuss and reflect on the experience.
https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USE.jpg12241800Maddy Alewinehttps://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AAHH-logo_black_with-counties-tag-300x150.jpgMaddy Alewine2025-02-21 09:19:432025-02-21 09:57:30Habitat on the Hill 2025
When people learn I work for Habitat, people of all backgrounds say, “Jimmy Carter is a great man.” He loved people. He put that love into action. He lived with an integrity that gave him a moral authority that called people together and made you want to build a better future. We will miss that now that he is gone.
https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Carters_blog-image.png33338333Ariane Kjellquisthttps://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AAHH-logo_black_with-counties-tag-300x150.jpgAriane Kjellquist2025-01-03 15:25:182025-01-06 10:00:41Remembering President Carter
If you’re struggling with the process of giving this year, consider stopping by the ReStore to try an idea from this guide. The ReStore makes for a reliable source of secondhand gifts that support safe, affordable housing with every purchase. No matter what you buy, your patronage allows us to help more families spend the holidays in the comfort of their own home. How’s that for a gift?
Hurricane Helene derailed many of our organization’s plans this fall, including a visit from our friends at Habitat Guatemala in October and a Global Village Trip to Guatemala in November. These cancellations added to the list of things we were grieving.
Habitat for Humanity Guatemala was one of the first partners to reach out to us after the storm hit, Helene’s havoc making headlines around the globe. We exchanged a few emails, and then the days on the calendar flipped by. Recently an email from Executive Director Delorian Randich arrived, and with it a fresh batch of tears.
His email came on a day that our team should have been in Guatemala helping to build homes and install smokeless stoves and concrete floors. In Guatemala, 60% of the population lives below the national poverty line and 21% live in extreme poverty. The housing deficit exceeds 2.2 million homes. The need is great and Habitat’s work there is crucial.
The letter attached to the email announced that Habitat Guatemala was sending a tithe (donation) to help Asheville Habitat in the wake of Helene.
“In Guatemala, we understand these struggles all too well, having endured our share of natural disasters and their consequences. As part of the global family we are, and driven by our commitment to support our sister offices and the communities we all serve together, we are honored to share that the Board of Directors at Habitat for Humanity Guatemala has decided to designate $6,000 from our annual tithe to assist with your recovery efforts.”
Tithe is a core tenet of Habitat for Humanity, a characteristic that sets us apart from other non-profits organizations. Habitat affiliates around the world tithe to each other, supporting our collective goal of building a world where everyone has a decent place to call home. As our longest standing global partner, we have been tithing to Guatemala since the late 1980s. We are grateful and humbled by their thoughtful and generous gift. It is a reminder of the power of Habitat for Humanity and the fact that regardless of our location, we are all working towards the same end goal and it takes all of us. Together, we build and rebuild.
https://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Guatemala-tithe_blog-image.png33338333Ariane Kjellquisthttps://www.ashevillehabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AAHH-logo_black_with-counties-tag-300x150.jpgAriane Kjellquist2024-11-19 10:37:212024-11-20 14:10:03A Very Special Letter
Rhoda started donating to Habitat for Humanity in the 1980s thanks to Habitat’s most famous supporter, Jimmy Carter. Volunteering wasn’t a good fit for her, so she began giving monthly so she could make an impact and help others achieve a decent, affordable place to live.
Sherry and Wendy at the Asheville ReStore’s upper registers.
Meet Sherry and Wendy, two best friends who worked together as educators and continue to work together as volunteers. Sherry introduced Wendy to the ReStore, and together they turn customers into new volunteers and volunteers into new friends. Learn more about their experiences at Asheville Habitat and what brings them back to the Asheville ReStore every Thursday in the video below.
Celebrating Service
VolunteerAt Habitat, we see this community come together to put love into action every day. In 2024 alone, more than 43,500 hours of service was provided by 1,341 individuals. We’re celebrating them during National Volunteer Appreciation Week.
Volunteerism increases in wake of Helene
service, VolunteerInstead of catching up on sleep or taking a beach vacation, many college students are swinging hammers and wielding drills during their spring break. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is hosting numerous college groups from all over the country this spring. Schools include Michigan Tech, Boston College, St. John Fisher University, Colgate University, University of Alabama, and many others. This provides students a hands-on opportunity to build homes, meet Habitat homebuyers, and learn about the challenges of building affordable housing.
Due to Hurricane Helene, Asheville Habitat is hosting more out of town teams than ever before. “We typically host 4-6 groups in the spring. This year, there are already 19 out of town groups scheduled and nearly three hundred more individuals have expressed interest in coming here to help,” said Construction Services Volunteer Manager, Stephanie Wallace. The organization has added a new Volunteer Associate to help manage the influx of volunteers.
In addition to out of town college groups, there are local schools and groups, as well as Habitat affiliates from all over the country sending volunteer teams: Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Fredrick Maryland to name a few. And, to further support local recovery and rebuilding efforts, an AmeriCorps NCCC team has been dispatched to Asheville Habitat. The 8-member team is helping through mid-May with Habitat’s disaster home repair work and new home construction. Volunteers are working at various home repair sites throughout Buncombe County and Habitat’s Glenn Bridge neighborhood in Arden.
In a recent period of reflection, one student shared, “I love that future homeowners have a direct handprint on their own home.” Another said, “Even when it was really cold, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.” Whether commenting on the Habitat model, their personal desire to serve, or what they have learned, it is clear volunteers leave with something special at the end of their week with Habitat.
Gratitude for our sister affiliates
Affordable Housing, Collaboration, DisasterWhat a blessing to be part of such an incredible organization, always– and especially during difficult times. We are grateful to our sister affiliates who have supported us as we help rebuild from Hurricane Helene.
Habitat on the Hill 2025
AdvocacyFollowing their recent trip to Washington D.C. for Habitat on the Hill, Asheville Habitat staff Maddy Alewine, Communications Specialist, and Cassidy Moore, Government Relations and Grant Manager, sit down to discuss and reflect on the experience.
Remembering President Carter
Affordable Housing, HistoryWhen people learn I work for Habitat, people of all backgrounds say, “Jimmy Carter is a great man.” He loved people. He put that love into action. He lived with an integrity that gave him a moral authority that called people together and made you want to build a better future. We will miss that now that he is gone.
2024 ReStore ReUse Contest Winners Announced
Contest, ReStoreCongratulations to the winners of our 13th Annual ReStore ReUse Contest: Jen Hyde, Michael Bunch, Sarah Osborne, and Roger Gauthier.
ReStore Holiday Gift Guide 2024
ReStoreIf you’re struggling with the process of giving this year, consider stopping by the ReStore to try an idea from this guide. The ReStore makes for a reliable source of secondhand gifts that support safe, affordable housing with every purchase. No matter what you buy, your patronage allows us to help more families spend the holidays in the comfort of their own home. How’s that for a gift?
A Very Special Letter
Disaster, Global Engagement, TitheHurricane Helene derailed many of our organization’s plans this fall, including a visit from our friends at Habitat Guatemala in October and a Global Village Trip to Guatemala in November. These cancellations added to the list of things we were grieving.
Habitat for Humanity Guatemala was one of the first partners to reach out to us after the storm hit, Helene’s havoc making headlines around the globe. We exchanged a few emails, and then the days on the calendar flipped by. Recently an email from Executive Director Delorian Randich arrived, and with it a fresh batch of tears.
His email came on a day that our team should have been in Guatemala helping to build homes and install smokeless stoves and concrete floors. In Guatemala, 60% of the population lives below the national poverty line and 21% live in extreme poverty. The housing deficit exceeds 2.2 million homes. The need is great and Habitat’s work there is crucial.
The letter attached to the email announced that Habitat Guatemala was sending a tithe (donation) to help Asheville Habitat in the wake of Helene.
“In Guatemala, we understand these struggles all too well, having endured our share of natural disasters and their consequences. As part of the global family we are, and driven by our commitment to support our sister offices and the communities we all serve together, we are honored to share that the Board of Directors at Habitat for Humanity Guatemala has decided to designate $6,000 from our annual tithe to assist with your recovery efforts.”
Tithe is a core tenet of Habitat for Humanity, a characteristic that sets us apart from other non-profits organizations. Habitat affiliates around the world tithe to each other, supporting our collective goal of building a world where everyone has a decent place to call home. As our longest standing global partner, we have been tithing to Guatemala since the late 1980s. We are grateful and humbled by their thoughtful and generous gift. It is a reminder of the power of Habitat for Humanity and the fact that regardless of our location, we are all working towards the same end goal and it takes all of us. Together, we build and rebuild.
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity Guatemala.
Spotlight: Monthly Donor Rhoda
Affordable Housing, DonorsRhoda started donating to Habitat for Humanity in the 1980s thanks to Habitat’s most famous supporter, Jimmy Carter. Volunteering wasn’t a good fit for her, so she began giving monthly so she could make an impact and help others achieve a decent, affordable place to live.
Spotlight: ReStore Volunteers Sherry and Wendy
ReStore, VolunteerSherry and Wendy at the Asheville ReStore’s upper registers.
Meet Sherry and Wendy, two best friends who worked together as educators and continue to work together as volunteers. Sherry introduced Wendy to the ReStore, and together they turn customers into new volunteers and volunteers into new friends. Learn more about their experiences at Asheville Habitat and what brings them back to the Asheville ReStore every Thursday in the video below.