Equity is a common term in banking – especially investment banking – but recently Teachers Credit Union team members invested in another form of equity – sweat equity as volunteers with Habitat for Humanity across northern Indiana. Habitat is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S.
Habitat works toward its vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
TCU regularly volunteers on traditional builds but has especially been active on women’s builds – a special week when women are invited to help families build strength, stability and independence through housing.
Twice this month TCU volunteers have hammered, hauled, hoisted (and more) at women’s builds with Habitat of Northwest Indiana and Habitat of St. Joseph County. The work in the South Bend area, in particular, has been part of an especially unique program in 2018 – the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Thirty-eight homes in Mishawaka and South Bend will be built this year, and in late August volunteers and future homeowners will work alongside President and Mrs. Carter.
“Habitat gives us an opportunity which is very difficult to find: to reach out and work side by side with those who never have a decent home but work with them side by side on a completely equal basis,” wrote President Carter on the project’s website.
In addition to the work in St. Joseph County, local Habitat organizations across Indiana are completing construction projects in honor of President and Mrs. Carter and their legacy of helping raise awareness of the need for decent, affordable housing.
A tip of the hardhat to the many TCU team members who remain diligent in their efforts to be community committed.