Over 150 volunteers helped transform Salvation Army Bell Shelter veterans’ housing in one day
2019 Veterans Build Group Photo
Los Angeles, CA – November 15, 2019: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA), a leader in affordable housing, held its annual Veterans Build event on Friday, November 8 at the Salvation Army Bell Shelter in partnership with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, Northrop Grumman, and SoCalGas. More than 150 volunteers including corporate sponsors and veteran service organizations repaired and improved the quality of life for veteran residents in partnership with the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army Bell Shelter has served the community for over 30 years with interim housing and supporting services for military veterans who are experiencing homelessness.
“We are so pleased to be able to dedicate a meaningful day of service in honor of the brave men and women who have served or continue to serve our country,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO, Habitat LA. “The Veterans Build engages volunteers from all over, including other service men and women, who want to help give a hand up to veterans in need. It’s extremely moving to witness how much a fresh coat of paint and some landscaping can impact a community. We are grateful to our sponsors for supporting this important, annual event.”
The scope of work performed during the event included painting several modular homes, which house up to six transitional veteran residents each, overgrown brush was cleared to create safer pathways, and new landscaping was added. Thanks to swift work by the volunteers, several additional areas in need of brush clearing were also completed.
“We appreciate being able to serve alongside likeminded companies who believe how important it is to give back to our community, neighbors, veterans, and active military,” said Melissa Hill, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations, The Albertsons Companies Foundation. “We feel honored to have partnered with Habitat LA for over 10 years and our team feels privileged to have been a part of another Veterans Build event.”
Habitat LA established its Habitat for Heroes outreach initiative to engage veterans, active duty members of armed services, and their families in Habitat for Humanity’s mission. Each year, Habitat LA has hosted a Veterans Build as a part of this initiative, focusing on housing activities, such as home repairs and affordable homeownership opportunities for veteran groups. To date, more than 4,000 veterans have volunteered with the organization, and nearly 100 have benefitted from its housing services.
During the lunch program, Erin Rank shared the launch of Habitat LA’s first Pathways to Homeownership workshop series specifically for veteran families. These workshops will help inform families about the home buying process and provide more details about the Habitat homeownership program.
Click here to learn more about Habitat for Heroes and Pathways to Homeownership.
Click here to view photos from this event.
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 and Platinum GuideStar status for transparency, Habitat LA has partnered with volunteers, donors and Habitat homeowners to build, renovate and repair more than 1,500 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 www.habitatla.org.
Habitat LA ReStores are home-improvement thrift stores that accept donations of new and gently-used household items, such as furniture, appliances, home décor and building supplies. The profits from the sale of those items help to support the mission of Habitat LA. The Habitat LA ReStores are located in Torrance, Bellflower and Mid-Wilshire Los Angeles and are open to the general public, daily from 8:30a-7:30p.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Genetric Brown
Habitat LA
C: 310-808-5902
gbrown@habitatla.org
Angela Moore
Starfish PR
C: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com
