Great things are happening at Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity. Our Family Selection committee is busy evaluating applications from families who have expressed an interest in partnering with us for the next new home construction.

The Construction Committee is planning for the start of the new home construction as well as coordinating projects that fall within the scope of the Home Preservation program. These projects focus on accessibility improvements, mobility modifications, and some critical home repairs. We have recently completed our third Home Preservation project his summer. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we built and installed a wheelchair ramp and painted a deck for a repair completed last year.

Someone recently asked how much of an impact do I think I have on a homeowner during a repair project. Alone, I don’t have much of an impact. However, the beauty about what we do at Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity is that we do not work alone. Individuals gather together as volunteers and form teams to work on a project. The impact of this collaborative approach was evident at a recent Home Preservation project. A total of twenty individuals gathered together at different phases of a repair project to make some minor door and siding repairs and to transform access to a home. Final touches to the overgrown landscape were coordinated with volunteers from New Community Christian Church. From the oldest to the youngest volunteer, the impact was far reaching. Neighbors comment on the improvements, volunteers ask how else they can assist, and groups become our advocates.

Working together provides a rewarding way to get to know each other while doing things that make the whole community stronger. It gives us an opportunity to make our community a place where everyone can thrive. We will have many opportunities for you to get involved as we continue with our Home Preservation projects and upcoming new home construction. If you are interested in learning more about partnering with Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity's construction process or behind the scenes in a committee, please call 815-942-1452 or visit us at www.grundy3rivershabitat.org or email us at info@grundy3rivershabitat.org.

• Elena Cabral is the Executive Director of Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity