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Habitat for Humanity MetroWest / Greater Worcester in the news


Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester Receives
Transformational $3.5M Gift From MacKenzie Scott

$3.5 Million Gift. mission. transformation. impact.

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester (HFH MWGW) recently received a $3.5 million unrestricted gift from American author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. This transformational donation will substantially help further HFH MWGW’s mission to build homes, communities, and hope for MetroWest and Greater Worcester families in Massachusetts and its vision of a world where everyone has equitable access to a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Read the full Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester press release.

  • Habitat for Humanity International and 84 U.S. Habitat affiliates receive transformational $436M gift from MacKenzie Scott – Habitat.org Press Release
  • Helping Any of Us Can Help Us All – MacKenzie Scott on Medium
  • Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donates $3.5 million to Worcester area Habitat for Humanity. - Spectrum News
  • Habitat for Humanity in Central Mass. and MetroWest receives $3.5 million donation from Mackenzie Scott – telegram.com
  • MacKenzie Scott gave $3.9 billion to nonprofits in the last nine months - Boston Globe

 


Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester In the News

2023

February 2023 - Our Executive Director, Deborah Maruca Hoak, and our Construction Supervisor, Ted Oxholm, talked with Spectrum News regarding the special relationship between Habitat for Humanity and former President Jimmy Carter. This exceptional man has done so much to better the world we live in, working on behalf of so many who need so much. Mr. and Mrs. Carter and their family mean the world to us. We continue to pray for President Carter’s safety and comfort during this difficult time. Read the Spectrum News interview here: Spectrum News

 

2022

We recently collaborated with Owens Corning and Vista Home Improvement on a Roof Deployment Project. The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide effort to show gratitude to veterans and their families. Read more here > Spectrum News 1/23/2022.

We had a successful first day for our Clothing Drive to benefit our mission to build homes, communities, and hope. A big thanks to UNITS of Northeast MA that donated the storage containers. Read more here > Spectrum News 1/23/2022.

Watch our Women Build event video where our teams fundraise and help build homes on behalf of women who need a safe and affordable home in May of 2022: Spectrum News

View our Greater Worcester Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon video where our partners built playhouses for the children of veterans in June of 2022: Spectrum News

 

2021

Consigli Construction helps build Habitat for Humanity home on Harrison St. in Worcester. Consigli Construction partnered with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester to help with the construction of a home at 81 Harrison St. on Friday. Read the full article here > Telegram.com.

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester is proud to be one of nearly 40 community organizations that are partnering with the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts and the City of Worcester to initiate conversations about getting vaccinated. Read full article here > Mass Live 5/28/2021

2020

Northborough Affordable Homeownership Opportunity. Due to COVID-19, applications and supporting documents can be mailed in or can be dropped off by appointment only. Read full article > Northborough, MA Patch 10/9/2020

Northborough Affordable Housing Project Earns Preservation Award. The Gale Store in Northborough was once a pair of historic properties in town and was repurposed into affordable housing. The award recognizes projects that meld collaborative partnerships with creative and cutting-edge ideas for the rehabilitation and active reuse of historic buildings.

The project earned the 2020 Robert K. Kuehn Jr. Award, which recognizes projects that meld collaborative partnerships with creative and cutting-edge ideas for the rehabilitation and active reuse of historic buildings. The project was led by Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. Read more here > Northborough, MA Patch 10/6/2020

Northborough affordable housing project wins award. Northborough – Preservation Massachusetts (PM), a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining the historic and cultural heritage of the commonwealth, will be granting its 2020 Robert K. Kuehn Jr. Award for a project that converted two historic Northborough properties — the Gale-Slaney House and the Cyrus Gale General Store, both located on Main Street — into four affordable housing units. The award acknowledges the project’s “… unique & creative partnerships… and green & sustainable elements.” Due to COVID-19, PM will celebrate this award and others by holding a two-week multi-media celebration this October, followed by a live virtual event on Oct. 22. Read more here > Community Advocate 10/5/2020

OP-ED: ‘We Will Do Better, Because Black Americans Deserve That’ Starting now, the Board of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, Inc. will actively engage with and listen to the experiences of our Black Homeowners, community leaders, staff, volunteers and friends.

We will reach out to include more People of Color on our Board because we are stronger when all points of view, all experiences, and all communities join in our mission. Read more here > Framingham Source 7/10/2020

Worcester Together distributes $2.3 million in grants to area nonprofits. We are proud to be one of the Phase II recipients. Read more here > Telegram & Gazette 7/9/2020

HFH MW/GW to re-open Ashland ReStore on June 24, 2020 after being closed due to COVID-19: Every purchase made at our ReStores supports the mission of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester to build homes, communities and hope for local families and veterans.

With the support of shoppers, more local families will be able to live in safe and decent homes, build strength and stability for their families, and contribute to the community in which they live. Through shelter, we empower. Read more here > Framingham Source 6/22/2020

Security Engineered Machinery Donates to Local Habitat for Humanity #BeamOfHope Crisis Fund. During a fundraising drive in the month of May, SEM employees pledged $1,250 and SEM provided a 100% match.

"During the current pandemic, Habitat for Humanity made a plea for some desperately-needed funds, and SEM answered the call," commented Nicholas Cakounes, SEM Executive Vice President. "We've partnered with this incredible organization in the past, and we'd hate to see this crisis leave them unable to assist veterans who are struggling to find or keep housing."

"We were honored to give to Habitat for Humanity as their non-profit does so much good for veterans who need homes. We hope this donation along with others helps them serve those who need it most and to survive this financial crisis," added David DiTullio, SEM's Vice President of Finance. Read more here > Yahoo Finance 6/5/2020

As I See It: For the love of our fellow man, Worcester must unite as one. By Mary Streeter DeFeudis To all my fellow Worcester friends, I am “stranded” in Florida, but my heart is with you all, as I write this, and ask for your help in our current situation. We are hunkered down in our own bunkers — alone, isolated and lonely — but let us rise up to feed our hungry and house our homeless. Let us give our dimes, and dollars — to St. John’s food pantry, to Joseph Townsend at Habitat for Humanity, to the Worcester Food Pantry, to your own local food pantries to Tim Garvin at the United Way, to our hospitals and our medical school, and all the many homeless shelters and food pantries, too numerous to mention. Read more here > Telegram & Gazette 4/3/2020

A wonderful group of West Boylston High School students are planning a trip to volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity build in Dade City, Florida. When they return, they will continue to support the Habitat mission locally by volunteering at our ReStores in Worcester and Ashland or at our build sites in Holliston, Northborough, and Worcester. Our Volunteer Program Manager, Molly Pietrantonio, is always excited to engage volunteers! To learn more or get involved email volunteer@habitatmwgw.org. Read more here > The Gardner News 3/2/2020

172 Concord Street Rehabilitation Coming Right Along: Just about a year ago, Habitat for Humanity received the contract from the Holliston Housing Trust to turn the abandoned property into affordable housing. The project is well underway thanks to hundreds of volunteers and several Keefe Tech students. Read more about the amazing work being accomplished by Keefe Tech Electrical and Plumbing students here > Holliston Reporter 1/15/2020

2019

CareGiving Chronicles: When a consumer with mobility issues reaches out for help, BayPath does all it can to assist. In this instance, Michelle Birdwell, ANCHOR Case Manager for BayPath, was working with a consumer who could go downstairs but not come back up without assistance, and her front door had steps going up to it. Michelle reached out to several sources, but either the price or the timing was prohibitive. Then Michelle made a call to Habitat for Humanity for MetroWest and Greater Worcester, and that changed everything! Not only was Habitat for Humanity able to help, but they also stepped up almost immediately to assist in building an ADA compliant handicapped ramp to the front entrance of the home. CareGiving MetroWest.org 12/10/2019

Bank of America has awarded Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester a $20,000 grant to help build more affordable housing. In addition, Bank of America volunteers Nov. 15 helped remodel a single-family home at 172 Concord St., Holliston as part of the bank’s commitment to improving access to affordable housing. The partnership with Habitat for Humanity is intended to help in the mission of building and improving affordable homes for low to moderate-income families, according to Edwin Shea, Bank of America’s Central Massachusetts Market president. The MetroWest Daily News 11/22/2019

Eversource NH sponsored a two playhouse build for veteran families as part of our Operation Playhouse program. These playhouses provide a special place for these families to bond, play, dream, and think! Watch a wonderful video that shows these log cabin themed playhouses and the veteran families who received them > WMUR9 11/12/2019 

Cornerstone Bank participates in Habitat for Humanity Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon. Fifteen Cornerstone Bank employees including Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester's Board Vice President, Scott Auen, spent the day building two playhouses – one a Mickey and Minnie Mouse theme and the other a Cozy Cottage theme. At the end of the Build-A-Thon, the Mickey and Minnie Mouse-themed playhouse was presented to the daughter of current U.S. Army Master Sergeant Luiz DeSouza and his wife, Krystal, of Milford. The cozy cottage-themed playhouse went to the children of current Massachusetts Army National Guard Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Ryan Sarenpa and his wife, Clarissa, of Lunenburg. Read More Here: Community Advocate 8/12/2019

In Worcester, businesses build playhouses for children of military veteran families. When 3-year-old Adrianne Casaubon of Leominster saw the playhouse built for her Friday, she rushed inside, shut the door and settled in as if it were her new home.

The 5-foot-tall playhouse, built in the plaza at the Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester, was one of 12 constructed for families with a record of military service. It was part of an initiative by Habitat for Humanity MetroWest-Greater Worcester. Read More Here: Telegram & Gazette 6/29/2019

In Worcester, businesses build playhouses for children of military veteran families. The 5-foot-tall playhouse, built in the plaza at the Mercantile Center in downtown Worcester, was one of 12 constructed for families with a record of military service. It was part of an initiative by Habitat for Humanity MetroWest-Greater Worcester. Read More Here: 6/28/2019

Heartbeat of Holliston Episode, 6:8. In this episode of Heartbeat of Holliston hear about our 172 Concord Street in Holliston Groundbreaking Ceremony that took place on Monday, April 29th, and also about our 2019 Women Build event! Our portion of this episode begins 28 minutes in. Click here to watch the episode.

Let The Work Begin - Habitat for Humanity Breaks Ground. What a beautiful day for a Groundbreaking Ceremony!  A large crowd of state and local leaders, along with Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers, and many well-wishers gathered recently to kick off the rehabilitation of this 110 year old house on Concord Street. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 5/3/2019

Operation Playhouse Event: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. May 17, 32 Crosby Drive, Bedford. Operation Playhouse, an initiative of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester in support of veteran families, will be onsite at the Crosby Center where teams of volunteers will build, design and decorate three children’s playhouses, which will then be donated to local military/veteran families on the same day. Read More Here: Wicked Local Bedford 5/1/2019

Select Board Meeting April 29, 2019. The Select Board, called to order at 7 PM last night by Chair Jay Marsden, opened with a thank you from Mark Ahronian to Brian Clancy from the Holliston Housing Trust, Habitat for Humanity, Representative Carolyn Dykema, and a representative from Senator Karen Spilka’s office for their participation in the ground breaking ceremony at 172 Concord Street. This ceremony marked the beginning of the third affordable house build to be added to Holliston through the efforts of Habitat for Humanity and its community of volunteers who make good things happen. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 4/30/2019

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester Receives $30K Grant for Box Truck. Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester received a grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts for $30,000.

“Housing is an important determinant of health, and The Health Foundation is pleased to support this critical program that helps homeowners remain in their homes safely and with dignity. We hope local organizations and agencies will refer needy individuals and families to this Home Repair program, which now has greater capacity to carry out projects with the purchase of this truck,” said Dr. Jan Yost, President and CEO of The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts. Read More Here: Go Local Worcester 4/27/2019

Habitat for Humanity - Women Build 2019! Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester announces its 2019 Women Build event to take place at 172 Concord Street in Holliston, MA. The event begins on April 30th and runs through June. 

Each day will feature a different team from a local business, church, or community group.  Some of the businesses participating in the event include Consigli Construction, New York Life, Mirick O'Connell, Cutler Associates, ERA Key Realty, SVN/ Parsons Commercial Group, MathWorks, Boston Scientific, and more. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 4/27/2019

Habitat for Humanity Announces Groundbreaking. Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester will break ground on a single-family home located at 172 Concord Street in Holliston on Monday, April 29th at 1:00 PM. The 3-bedroom, 1 ½-bath home is located on a .5 acre parcel of land. The home has been abandoned for several years and needs extensive rehabbing so that a local family be able to live in a decent and affordable home.

The 110-year old home was donated to Habitat by the Holliston Housing Trust. The home is scheduled to be dedicated to a local family in early summer of 2020. Among those scheduled to speak will be Debbie Maruca Hoak, Executive Director, Bryan Clancy, Holliston Housing Trust, and State Rep. Carolyn Dykema. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 4/20/2019

Habitat for Humanity gets donation for truck. A grant from The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts will allow Habitat for Humanity Metro West/Greater Worcester to purchase a new box truck for its housing projects.

The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts awarded a $30,000 grant to purchase the 14-foot truck, which will be used to transport tools, paints and building materials to work sites for Habitat for Humanity’s home repair program. Read More Here: Telegram & Gazette 4/15/2019

Habitat for Humanity holds walk-through of historic home in Northborough. Executive Director Debbie Maruca Hoak from Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester held an informal walk-through of the second of two homes that have undergone extensive restoration. The home, at 37-39 Main St. in Northborough, was once the Cyrus Gale General Store built in 1855, and is of great historic value to the community.

State Representative Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough), Town Administrator John Coderre and Town Planner Kathy Joubert, along with members of the Northborough Affordable Housing Corporation, was given an advance preview of the home before its formal dedication. Read More Here: Community Advocate 2/20/2019

Holliston Housing Trust Awards Rehab Contract. The Holliston Housing Trust met to discuss the disposition of the town owned property at 172 Concord Street. Members of the Trust had questions about Habitat's mission, the renovation plan, budget, and fund raising. The questions were handled skillfully by Site Supervisor, Ted Oxholm and Construction Manager, Paul Robello.

A three bedroom, two bathroom affordable home will emerge from the decaying building. The new home will be energy efficient using the highest grade construction materials. The voting members of the Trust accepted Habitat's proposal and approved the transfer of the deed to the property to Habitat for Humanity.  In addition, the Trust allocated $110,000 from the Trust fund to subsidize the renovation. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 2/8/2019



Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester complies with the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.

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