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Formed in the mid-1990s, Marion
County Habitat for Humanity was founded by local community
volunteers with the mission of eliminating substandard
housing in Marion County, one home at a time. By 1999, the
group had completed construction of one new home and the
complete rehabilitation of another home in the Bellview area
of Fairmont. Together with The Communities of Shalom, an
ecumenical group of volunteers who focus on community
development through asset building, Marion County Habitat
for Humanity initiated new fund-raising and community
awareness efforts. This partnership oversaw the building of
two additional new homes in Bellview that are now owned by
single-mothers. Additionally, a new home in Mannington was
completed and construction of a sixth home in Fairmont is
underway, with plans for a seventh project in progress.
Each family that partners with Marion County Habitat for
Humanity assists in the construction of their home by
putting in 400 hours of “sweat equity” in the building
process, working alongside community volunteers. Adult
family members are also required to complete a training
program in home ownership; additionally, each family is
matched with a mentor who provides assistance and support on
an ongoing basis after the family moves into their new home.
Marion County Habitat for Humanity is committed to improving
the neighborhoods in which they build their homes and the
mentoring program ensures that families are given continual
guidance on home ownership and maintenance.
The $2,000 grant awarded to the organization will help fund
additional trainers to help present information to both
existing and new partnering families on home ownership and
maintenance, as well as training for volunteer mentors to
better prepare them to support Habitat partnering families
as new home owners. These presentations and training will
help Marion County Habitat for Humanity further achieve
their goals and give deserving families a home.
For more information about Marion County Habitat for
Humanity, please contact Janie Johnston at 304.363.4244. |
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