(above: Thrivent Financial raising the wall on their 18th home construction build in partnership with Habitat LA on West 93rd Street in Los Angeles)
Thrivent Financial in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) kicked off their 18th home construction project in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 17th on West 93rd Street. Over 20 volunteers from Thrivent Financial and H.O.P.E’s House Christian Ministries of San Fernando Valley, assembled and raised walls on a new Habitat LA home.
“Working with Thrivent Financial each year is always exciting,” said Chris Untiet, Habitat LA Director of Faith Relations. “Thrivent truly lives generously in all that they do. When you think of the impact they have made building homes all around the world over the years, it really is incredible.”
The build day was equally special for the volunteers who had the opportunity to hear from Betty and Dominique Monroy, who were also on hand to share their inspiring story. The Monroy family was a Habitat LA-Thrivent partner homeowner 10 years ago in Downey. Betty described her homeownership journey and how being a Habitat LA homeowner, changed the trajectory of her families’ life. “If not for the Habitat LA homeownership program, my family would have been split apart in different family members’ houses,” Betty explained. Through the program, Betty, her two sons and daughter were able to stay together.
Ten years later, Betty is now building equity instead of losing money to month-to-month rent cycles. Her daughter Dominique is currently enrolled in college and one of her son’s is a current member of the U.S. Navy.
Over the next four months, volunteers from Thrivent Financial, faith and community partners will work together at this site to build another new home in partnership with a hardworking Habitat LA partner family. Thrivent Community Engagement Leader, Fred Chambers served as the day’s keynote speaker. “We’re proud to have sponsored 18 homes with Habitat LA. It’s always wonderful to see those working on the community achieve the dream of homeownership,” said Fred Chambers.
For the last 15 years, Thrivent Financial, has generously donated over $250 million to sponsor thousands of Habitat homes across the US and around the world! They have also invested over 5.5 million volunteer hours to help build Habitat homes.
This year, Habitat LA is honoring Thrivent Financial at our 2019 Los Angeles Builders Ball on Thursday, September 26 at the Beverly Hilton with the Foundation Builder Award in recognition of their outstanding partnership with Habitat for Humanity around the world.
To learn more about Thrivent Builds program or to learn more about opportunities to volunteer, visit here.
To view more photos from this event, click here.