Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley and the Allentown Rescue Mission have partnered to help low-income families buy homes and employ formerly homeless men. The nonprofit organizations have worked together sporadically in the past, however, COVID-19 has solidified the partnership.
Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley called on the Allentown Rescue Mission to provide reliable workers for their ReStore. The Restore sells gently used and new items to the public at a fraction of their retail price. Proceeds from the ReStore support the work of Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley. In return, the ReStore employs men on the Allentown Rescue Mission’s Clean Team Workforce. The Clean Team Workforce provides jobs to formerly homeless men in an effort to help them become self-sufficient.
“We love the partnership with the Allentown Rescue Mission. The staff is always accommodating when providing workers and the men are always hardworking”, stated Dave Wagar, ReStore Director.
The partnership grew stronger in 2020 as a result of the labor shortage created by COVID-19 and has continued to grow throughout 2021. Habitat Lehigh Valley has increased Clean Team Workforce engagement by sixty-six percent.
“Working at the ReStore has provided our Clean Team Workforce employees a new purpose! Not only can our formerly homeless employees practice job skills on a daily basis, but they are helping salvage building materials and other donated items that would otherwise be discarded in a landfill. It’s a triple win”, said Clean Team Workforce Manager, Michael Mauro. “Our Clean Team Workforce employees are helping the ReStore staff, helping themselves out of homelessness, and helping the environment, all at the same time.”
About Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley aims to help hardworking, low to moderate income families build and buy a home with a 0% interest mortgage. As part of the qualification process, families contribute 250 sweat equity hours into building their homes and the homes of others in the homeownership program. Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley believes stable, affordable housing is critical to education, health, and economic success.
To learn more about Habitat for Humanity Lehigh Valley, please visit https://habitatlv.org/
