Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles joins nationwide “Beloved Community” initiative to bring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of access, equality and opportunity for all into action

Habitat for Humanity joins The King Center to mobilize nationwide affordable housing work

Los Angeles, CA – January 15, 2018 —Building on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of the “Beloved Community,” Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) announced plans today to honor King’s legacy through a series of projects throughout the community. Over the next year, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International and The King Center’s MLK 50 Forward initiative, Habitat LA is renewing and strengthening its commitment to build a world where everyone has a decent place to live and the opportunity for a better future.

“The Beloved Community campaign is a beautiful way to honor Dr. King’s legacy and we are thrilled to be a part of this movement,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat LA. “In the coming weeks, we will be announcing unique projects and events designed to unite our community to take actionable steps that will help further the MLK 50 Forward initiative that has been in the making for more than 50 years.”

Habitat LA is currently building and repairing homes in Long Beach and Los Angeles and will soon announce a series of projects planned to unite the community through volunteering and advocacy. This effort will build on work being performed by other Habitat affiliates across the country undertaking Beloved Community projects, including the construction of new affordable homes, critical home repairs and community revitalization initiatives.

“In 2018, as we mark the 50th anniversaries of Dr. King’s tragic death and the passage of the Fair Housing Act, we renew our pledge to make the concept of a Beloved Community a reality,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “This will never be a world of equality, of fairness, of human decency that leaves no room for poverty or prejudice or violence, unless we build it. And so we build.”

Habitat is partnering with The King Center in Atlanta as it marks the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination.

“With every new home that Habitat for Humanity builds, we move one step closer to my father’s vision of the Beloved Community,” said Dr. Bernice A. King. “Since its founding, Habitat for Humanity has been lifting families up through God’s love and showing them the path to take control of their lives through homeownership. This year, we’re going to have an even more powerful voice for those families and future homeowners so that one day, everyone lives in the Beloved Community with agape love.”

The King Center’s 50 Forward initiative has issued a challenge to undertake 50 acts of kindness and service to mark the anniversary. Habitat for Humanity invites others to join in pledging to help build the Beloved Community. Read more about why Habitat is propelling this cause in an essay by Jonathan Reckford and Tjada McKenna, Chief Operating Officer. Visit habitat.org/takethepledge to learn more and follow #BelovedCommunity to join the conversation.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. As the top nonprofit homebuilder in the greater Los Angeles area with six consecutive Charity Navigator 4-Star ratings, Habitat LA has partnered with volunteers, donors and Habitat homeowners to build, renovate and repair more than 1,300 homes locally and worldwide since 1990. The lives of thousands of individuals have been transformed as a result of having a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes and pay an affordable mortgage. By supporting Habitat LA through volunteerism, donations and supporting affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the stability and self-reliance they need to build a better future. To learn more, visit habitatla.org.

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CONTACTS:

Jennifer Wise
Habitat LA
424-246-
jwise@habitatla.org

Angela Moore
Starfish P.R.
310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com