| Partnership Opportunities
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Adopt a family
The adopt a family program is a relational opportunity for churches to reach out to Habitat families. Although construction is a huge part of the ministry of Habitat, this program offers churches and other faith organizations an opportunity to connect with families from the time they are selected to the time they move into their new Habitat home. So, if swinging the hammer is not one of your strengths, you might find this program great for your church members to participate in.
How it works:
• Every approved homeowner shall have a church ready to adopt the family
• Habitat for Humanity will match approved families with available churches based on a
three point criteria.
• Alternatively, a church may start by sponsoring a house and/or sending volunteers to help
build on a given homeowner’s house.
• Church members are invited to meet and get to know the homeowner and consider
building a relationship with the family.
• During the holiday season, your church may share holiday gifts with the family over
Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Following completion of the house, a church may wish to help the family move in.
Families usually have various needs with this being the first time they are having a home of
their own. A church may request the family to make a wish list and ask church members
to help provide the items on the list.
• Invite the family to visit your church for a Sunday service. Also, be open to visiting the
family’s church if they have one.
• To maintain a lasting relationship with the family, a church may repeat the above things
every year.
• Churches are encouraged to be creative in their approach but stay within the
organization’s mission.
• This is how Habitat and your church will demonstrate the Love & Teachings of Jesus
Christ and help build hope for families in need.
Criteria for matching families with churches
• Habitat for Humanity will select qualified homeowners using its family selection criteria
• The faith relations program will recruit churches with a desire to adopt approved families
• Habitat for Humanity will match families with churches based on:
1. The family’s desire to be adopted by a church
2. The church’s strengths in relation to the family’s needs
3. Willingness of all parties to maintain the organization’s mission: simple, decent and
affordable
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