HABITAT FOR HUMANITY METROWEST /
GREATER WORCESTER IN THE NEWS

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY METROWEST/GREATER WORCESTER RECEIVES
TRANSFORMATIONAL $3.5M GIFT FROM MACKENZIE SCOTT

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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
  • MacKenzie Scott gave $3.9 billion to nonprofits in the last nine months: Boston Globe

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY METROWEST/GREATER WORCESTER IN THE NEWS

2024

September 2024 – We celebrated building our 500th playhouse for veteran families during the Operation Playhouse event at MathWorks.   Watch WCVB’s coverage of the event here: MathWorks employees build playhouses for veterans’ families with Habitat for Humanity

June 2024 – Gridwealth Powers Up Hope with Solar Panel Donation to Habitat for Humanity Metro West/Greater Worcester. Local sustainable energy provider will fit two homes for families with solar panels, lowering their energy costs for decades to come. Read more here: Gridwealth Provides Hope through Solar Donation

June 2024 – Read about our Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon in Worcester: Nine playhouses built for veteran families.

June 2024 – Read about our Operation Playhouse Event in Natick: Three playhouses built for veteran families. 

May 2024 – Groundbreaking for a New Affordable Home

May 2024 – Watch the video that covers our annual Clothing Drive that supports our mission to build homes, communities and hope: Spectrum News 5/5/2024

April 2024 – Single Family Homes Dedicated to Three Families: 81 Harrison St., Worcester Home Dedication

April 2024 – Our Clothing Drive Benefits Local Families who need an Affordable Home

April 2024 – Happy news! View our Worcester Home Dedications:  Three more families will be living in safe, decent, and affordable homes after the 3 single-family attached homes in Worcester were dedicated under sunny Springtime skies. We are so happy for the families and know they will benefit from living in decent homes surrounded by a caring community.  Congratulations to Folly and  Shaina, Yaritza, Angelica and their families who will build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable housing. Spectrum News 4/10/2024

March 2024 – Endless Energy Home Services  to Donate and Install High-Efficiency Mini-Split Cooling and  Heating Systems to 521-523 Sunderland Road: Endless Energy Home Services Donation to Habitat for Humanity

March 2024 – Granite City and HFHMWGW to Partner on Behalf of Local Families: Granite City to Donate Electrical Supplies to Habitat

February 2024 – View our Holliston Home Dedication with Rebecca, a single Mom of two daughters.  We are thrilled that Rebecca and her family have received their forever home.  Through shelter, we empower. Holliston Home Dedication 2/25/2024

2023

September 2023 – MathWorks built four playhouses for the children of New England veterans at their Apple Hill campus in Natick as part of our Operation Playhouse program. View the photo gallery with smiles all around here: MetroWest Daily News 9/7/2023

June 2023 – Exciting news! On June 9th, we broke ground on 2 new affordable home builds at 521-523 Sunderland Rd. in Worcester that will provide strength, stability, and self-reliance for two local families right here in our community. Watch the video and read the story here: Spectrum News 6/9/2023

June 2023 – We’re number one in the Forbes ADVISOR list of Best Car Donation Charities! Read more here: Forbes ADVISOR. Donate your vehicle today to support local families who need affordable and safe housing by following a few simple steps: Cars for Homes

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 2/22/2023

2022

View our Greater Worcester Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon video where our partners built playhouses for the children of veterans in June of 2022: Read more here: Spectrum News 6/24/2022

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: Read more here: Spectrum News 6/3/2022 

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

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 3/21/2022

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 more here: 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

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

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 7/2/2020

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: PRWeb 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 3/1/2020

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

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 more here: Telegram.com 11/19/2021

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 more here: Mass Live 5/28/2021

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. Read more here: The MetroWest Daily News 11/23/2019

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: Mercantile Center 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

2018

Security Engineered Machinery Co., Inc. (SEM), global leader in high security information end-of life solutions, participated in Operation Playhouse, a unique program offered through Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. The event started at 9am onsite at SEM corporate headquarters in Westboro. SEM employees volunteered to participate in various tasks including painting, constructing, roofing, and decorating the playhouse as well as building accessories. Several authentic firetruck items were donated by the Boston and Dunstable fire departments for use in the playhouse. Read More Here.

Security Engineered Machinery builds playhouse for veteran family. “This event was incredibly special to me personally,” said Leonard Rosen, Korean War veteran and SEM founder. “Mr. Brown selflessly served his country, ensuring our rights and freedom. That is a debt we can never repay, so we were thrilled to be able to do something to bring joy to him and his family.” Read More Here: Worcester Telegram & Gazette 12/5/2018

Security Engineered Machinery participates in Operation Playhouse. Operation Playhouse enables local businesses and organizations to build and donate a custom playhouse to benefit the children of local veterans and military personnel. The one-day event culminated with the presentation of the firetruck-themed playhouse to United States Marine Corps Operation Iraqi Freedom combat veteran Richard Brown and his family. Read More Here: Wicked Local Westborough 12/4/2018

Habitat for Humanity Does Home Repairs Too. A lesser known and yet an equally powerful service Habitat volunteers do in this affiliate’s service area is Home Repair.  The Home Repair program helps homeowners, including Veterans, who need home repairs to live in their existing home with safety and dignity.

The Home Repair program provides extensive exterior or minor interior home repairs that alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or housing code violations. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 11/22/2018

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester was the recipient of a grant for $30,000 from The Health Foundation of Central MA. The funds will allow us to purchase a truck for our Home Repairs program, an outreach initiative that seeks to provide repairs for qualified local homeowners who are struggling to maintain their homes due to age, disability, or family circumstances. We are so grateful to The Health Foundation of Central MA for their support of our Home Repairs program! Read More Here: Worcester Business Journal 10/31/2018

Welcome to Jessica Murphy, Esq., who was recently named Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester’s Board President.  We are excited to have Jessie’s expertise and leadership. Read More Here: Telegram & Gazette 10/26/2018

MathWorks builds playhouses for veterans’ families: MathWorks employees built four playhouses for local veteran’s families September 6, 2018 with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester’s Operation Playhouse. The MetroWest Daily News captured the event with amazing photographs. View The Photos Here: The MetroWest Daily News 9/6/2018

Cornerstone Bank participates in Habitat for Humanity operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon: Cornerstone Bank employees and branches that include Holden and Rutland were hard at work on Thursday, June 28 at the Habitat for Humanity Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon. This event brought businesses from the MetroWest and Greater Worcester area together to build, paint and decorate themed playhouses for Veteran and military families.

Nineteen Cornerstone Bank employees spent the day building two playhouses. At the end of the Build-A-Thon, families were presented with their playhouses. An American flag themed playhouse went to the daughter of current US Air Force First Lieutenant Allen Magdycz and his wife, Nicole Magdycz, of Westfield. A barnyard themed playhouse went to the two daughters of US Marine Corps Veteran Michael Wing and his wife, Ashley Wing, of Lancaster. Read More Here: The Landmark 8/24/2018

Local students help make home repairs to a Marlborough veterans’ home: On June 23, students from Marlborough High School (MHS) and Advanced Math and Science Academy met at 47 Highland St. in Marlborough to assist a Critical Home Repair Program funded by Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester and the Marlborough Community Development Authority (MCDA).

The two organizations have partnered over the past two years to help provide home repairs to veterans, seniors and families in need. Read More Here: Community Advocate 7/4/2018

Habitat for Humanity dedicates historic home on Main Street: The sun shone brightly on 33-35 Main St. in Northborough on the morning of June 25 as Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester dedicated the home and welcomed Northborough’s newest homeowners. Coreen and Gilana became homeowners for the first time and will occupy the two newly renovated units of this historic home with their respective families. Read More Here: Community Advocate 7/2/2018

Critical repair on veteran’s home in progress: Another local veteran is benefiting from the city’s Critical Home Repair Program, offered by the Marlborough Community Development Authority (MCDA) in partnership with the Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester (MWGW). Students in Marlborough High School’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter are assisting with the project.

For the past two years, Mayor Arthur Vigeant has been working with Habitat officials to help veterans, seniors and family homeowners who need critical home repairs. The veteran’s home at 47 Highland St. is a much larger undertaking than the two home repairs completed in 2017, which included replacing a heating system in one home and installing a new wheelchair ramp and repairing the existing deck in the other home. Read More Here: Community Advocate 6/27/2018

Habitat for Humanity delivers special gift to military families: The home is actually a “playhouse,” one of 10 donated on Saturday to military families. Dubbed “Operation Playhouse,” it’s the brainchild of Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit is known for building, and fixing up, full-size homes. But the local chapter – Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester – takes it a step further. It’s the only Habitat chapter on the East Coast that builds playhouses for military families. The catch is parents can’t tell their kids, to not spoil the surprise. Read More Here: MetroWest Daily News 6/17/2018

Assabet students honored for helping build Habitat home in Northborough: Students from Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School were honored Wednesday for their renovation and construction work on two affordable housing apartments as part of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Students from the electrical wiring, HVAC and refrigeration, house carpentry and millwork, painting and design technologies and plumbing programs were recognized for their work on 33-35 and 37-39 Main St. The students did most of the work at 33-35 Main St. and part of the heating work at 37-39 Main St. Read More Here: MetroWest Daily News 6/6/2018

Women Build Homes Two: Women Build brought 12 volunteers to work on Habitat for Humanity’s two homes on Chamberlain Street in Holliston on May 18, 2018. Women Build calls attention to the plight of local single women who need affordable housing.  During the first few weeks of May, teams of participants will be building at 72 Chamberlain Street in Holliston to help bring this issue to light.  The single family home in Holliston will be completed in Summer of 2018, and Maggie, a single woman with three young boys, will be living in the safe and affordable home. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 6/21/2018

‘Women Build’ volunteers advance Habitat for Humanity’s missionOn May 5, two groups of volunteers, from Mirick O’Connell law firm and Golden Group Construction, offered their time and resources at the Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester “Women Build” event on Main Street in Northborough.

“‘Women Build’ calls attention to the plight of single women who need affordable housing…three of the four homeowners who are moving into these homes are single women with children so it’s a good fit all around,” stated Deborah Huegel, vice president of philanthropy for Habitat MetroWest. Read More Here: Community Advocate 5/17/2018

Habitat for Humanity to host ‘Women Build’: The organization will be hosting teams of participants who will be building at the site to call attention to the lack of local affordable housing for single women. Three out of the four condo units that Habitat is building at the Northborough site will be occupied by local single women with children who are currently living in sub-standard housing. Some of the teams building at the Northborough build site on behalf of local women are Consigli Construction, Castinetti Realty Group, MathWorks, Golden Group Roofing, and Reliant Medical Group. Various Northborough restaurants are donating lunches each day including Pickle Haus, Lowes Meat Market, and Monti’s Pizza. Read More Here: Community Advocate 4/25/2018

Women Build. Women Build is all about helping local single women own a safe, decent and affordable home. Since 1991, Women Build volunteers from all walks of life have come together to build stronger, safer communities. Our future homeowners are largely comprised of women and children who most often have been affected by poor living conditions. Our Women Build events provide the opportunity for women to take a proactive step in helping other women improve their living situations. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 4/25/2019

Habitat for Humanity Preserves Memories for Future Generations: Future generations of Northborough residents will get a very personal glimpse into what life was like in the town in the year 2018. Read More Here: Community Advocate 2/22/2018

2017

Worcester Home Finished For Veteran’s Family, in Time for Holidays: “Those doors are yours,” Ms. Uvanitte told her three young daughters Thursday evening, as friends, volunteers and city officials officially presented her the keys to their brand-new home on Aetna Street. To Ms. Uvanitte and city officials, the one-story ranch, built from the ground up by more than 1,500 volunteers over more than 16,000 hours, is more than just a new house on the street. It’s a symbol of promise in a struggling neighborhood that the city, along with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, is trying to revitalize. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 11/30/2017 

Marlborough mayor and Habitat for Humanity partner to offer critical home repairs: Mayor Arthur G. Vigeant announced that the city of Marlborough and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest Greater Worcester are moving forward with performing critical home repairs on two homes in Marlborough in November. Vigeant met with Habitat officials over a year ago to see if their programs can help veterans, seniors and family homeowners in need of critical repairs to their homes. Read More Here: Community Advocate 11/16/2017

Habitat for Humanity gets boost from Home Depot on next project in Worcester: Home Depot is heading a district-wide team of 50 employees from Central Massachusetts to help Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester complete its second home for a veteran family in Worcester. The team will arrive at 38 Aetna St. at 8 a.m. Nov. 9 and work until 4 p.m. to help put the finishing touches on the single family home for the Uvanitte family. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 11/2/2017

Dedication on Chamberlain Street in Holliston: Habitat for Humanity MetroWest Greater, of Worcester, announced that it will be hosting a dedication of its first new home in Holliston on Nov. 18. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. and the public is invited to join in welcoming the Baptiste family to their new home at 68 Chamberlain St. Light refreshments will be served and parking is available on site. Read More Here (3 articles): Holliston Reporter 11/19/2017  Holliston Reporter 11/16/2017  (third paragraph down) MetroWest Daily News 10/31/2017 

Birthday girl parties for Habitat for Humanity in Northborough: Happy Birthday to Hannah Renze, who chose to have her birthday part at our Northborough home build site at 33-39 Main Street.  She and her friends performed a great service to Veteran families by priming the Operation Playhouse kits that we use to build playhouses for the children of local Vets.  Hannah’s special day brought lots of love and light to others – we wish Hannah the same! Read More Here: Shrewsbury Wicked Local 10/4/2017

Women Build team helps build Habitat house in Holliston – It may take a village to raise a child but it takes a team of loving and caring volunteers to build a Habitat for Humanity affordable home for children and their parents. This year, its Women Build project engaged more than 160 women and raised more than $60,000 to support its efforts of empowering women and building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Read More Here: MetroWest Daily News 9/2/2017

Operation Playhouse on the Worcester Common – Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester staged an Operation Playhouse event Thursday 7/27/2016 on Worcester Common, building and decorating playhouses to be given to children in six military and veterans’ families during the Worcester Out To Lunch series. Read More Here (2 articles): Worcester Telegram & Gazette 7/21/2017 Worcester Telegram & Gazette 7/27/2017

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester Partners with Marlborough CDA- Many homeowners in the French Hill area of the city have applied for assistance in the Critical Home Repair Loan Program, recently made available through a cooperative effort with the Marlborough Community Development Authority (MCDA) and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. The goal is to address critical health, life and safety issues in this area of Lincoln Street. Read More Here (2 articles): Community Advocate 7/6/2017MetroWest Daily News 7/12/2017

Dedication at 21 Aetna Street in Worcester – Marking one of the biggest accomplishments in its 5-year neighborhood revitalization project, Habitat for Humanity restored a duplex on Union Hill for a long-time volunteer and her daughter. With a building donation from Worcester Academy and volunteer help from numerous residents and organizations the Romano family celebrated their finished duplex on Aetna Street during a dedication ceremony. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram & Gazette 6/28/2017

Real Estate Agents Help Out Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester in Northborough – Real estate agents from ERA Key Realty Services of greater Worcester volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity work site on Main Street in Northborough on Friday, May 12, 2017. The Realtors were taking part in the annual Women’s Build held all over the world. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram & Gazette 5/12/2017

Habitat for Humanity volunteers build playhouses for families of veterans –Over 50 volunteers occupied the parking lot at Trinity Church April 29 as they teamed up with Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Great Worcester’s Operation Playhouse. Two playhouses were built, designed, and decorated and at the end of the day were unveiled and donated to two local military families. Read More Here: Community Advocate 5/7/2017

Habitat for Humanity project cuts energy costs – When the Ewings got a call from Habitat for Humanity Metro West/Greater Worcester, their dream of homeowership finally came true, and the family is now living in a highly efficient remodeled home at 79 Kendig St. Tim Firment, executive director of Habitat, said the Ewings home is likely the first in the state to achieve nearly zero net energy consumption and the organization’s first deep energy retrofit with LEED certification. “We pulled out all the stops with this one,” Mr. Firment said. “It was a community home and lent itself so well to this project. It is also about transforming the lives of a veteran and three kids.” Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 4/23/2017

Lexington Minuteman High School students complete project – Several juniors and seniors from Lexington Minuteman High School’s plumbing and HVAC programs were able to get hands-on experience by working with Habitat for Humanity MW/GW to build a duplex for families on Stonebridge Rd. in Wayland. Students were able to bring what they learned in the classroom to life by working on this home build project. Read More Here: Wicked Local Lexington 2/14/2017

Applauding Community Involvement- In November, Mona and Maggie were selected in a lottery held at Town Hall to become homeowners for the two Habitat homes that are being constructed at 68/72 Chamberlain St. Holliston is a small town with a big heart. Keefe Tech has become involved by providing a hands-on experience for their students interested in pursuing a career in the trades. The 5th and 6th graders of Miller and Placentino schools have raised over $2500 for the Holliston homes through bake sales, car washes, and a variety show. Read More Here:  Holliston Reporter 2/12/2017

2016

Family Receives Wayland home from Habitat for Humanity- After three years of working with Habitat for Humanity MWGW, Yartiza Ventura and her three children were given the keys to their first home. Ventura heard about Habitat for Humanity through her sister-in-law, applied, and was randomly selected three years ago to participate in the program. About 1,500 volunteers helped build the house along with Ventura who provided at least 400 hours of labor with Habitat. Read More Here: MetroWest Daily News 12/2/2016

Union Hill Elementary Receives a Playhouzz- Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester on Wednesday morning presented an early holiday gift to kids at Union Hill School: a brand-new playhouse. Located in a courtyard behind the school, the Playhouzz was constructed by Habitat for Humanity’s team of volunteers with a $5,000 grant from Houzz, a home and design website. Read More Here: Telegram and Gazette 2/1/2016

Project Launches in Northborough- Habitat for Humanity MW/GW will convert historical properties at 33-35 and 37-39 Main Street in Northborough for four families. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 21st as a kick off for the renovation projects that has an estimation of 12 to 18 months to complete. Students from the Carpentry Department of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School will be volunteering with this project to gain some hands-on experience, as well as a few students from Algonquin Regional High School’s Habitat for Humanity Club. Read More Here: Community Advocate 11/30/2016

Operation Playhouse Build-A-Thon in Framingham – The Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston will sponsor a LEGO “Build Your Dream Home Competition” during the MetroWest Build-A-Thon. Operation Playhouse is a daylong event, where local businesses and organizations can sponsor and build a playhouse for children of local veterans and active military personnel as a way to say thank you for their service. Proceeds from this event will help support home builds in Wayland and Holliston as well as the Critical Home repair program. Read More Here: Framingham Source 7/18/2016

Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/ Greater Worcester welcomes groups to build in Holliston – We are happy to announce that the first of the two builds on Chamberlain St. in Holliston is taking shape. This home will be built largely with the help of volunteer labor. Corporations, organizations, faith based groups, and individuals will be welcomed to help us build two affordable homes It won’t be long until we select the two families who will live in these homes. Read More Here: Holliston Reporter 11/7/2016

Habitat’s National Women Build Week to build Auburn duplex – Between May 3rd and 7th, about 100 women will offer their time and effort to be part of National Women Build Week. They will be assisting with our efforts on a build project in Auburn for two families, which began earlier this year and has a completion goal by December. More than 70% of Habitat homes around the U.S. are built for families with women as the heads of the household. The Women Build event helps women learn skills that can help them maintain their homes for themselves and their children. Read More Here: Telegram and Gazette 4/29/2016

WPI Playhouse Event- Over 60 volunteers from WPI raised funds and built three playhouses for local veteran families during this heartwarming event on February 13, 2016. Playhouse themes included Doc McStuffins, Sophia the First, and Mickey & Minnie Mouse! Read More Here: The Daily Herd 2/26/2016  Worcester Telegram and Gazette 2/15/2016

2015

A New Day Dawning for Worcester’s Union Hill Neighborhood- Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester, the City of Worcester and other local groups are invested in a five year project to improve the Union Hill Neighborhood in Worcester. Read more hereInCity Times 9/22/2015

Two Homes to be Dedicated on Saturday Dec. 5, 2015- Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester is thrilled to dedicate two homes on Saturday December 5th. These homes are the first two to be completed in a four home (two duplex) project on Stonebridge Road in Wayland, MA. Read More Here: WickedLocal.com Wayland 12/5/2015 Update: WickedLocal.com Wayland 12/7/2015

Habitat for Humanity to Build Homes in Auburn, MA- Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester (HFH MWGW) will break ground on Tuesday, October 27th at 1 PM to begin building an affordable duplex home at 4 Homestead Avenue. Read More Here (2 articles): Auburn Mass Daily October 13 2015 Worcester Telegram and Gazette 10/27/2015

HFH MWGW hosts Project Playhouse on October 15- Worcester For the last year, HFH MWGW has been creating special playhouses for veterans’ children thanks to local corporations support. On Thursday, Oct. 15 there will be seven houses built and dedicated at the Worcester Common. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 10/10/2015

Habitat, Academy Spruce up Worcester Home- Worcester Academy students and staff participated in national A Brush With Kindness week to kick off a five year plan, in collaboration with other Worcester organizations, to revitalize the Union Hill neighborhood. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 10/4/2015

Discussion begins for Historical Northboro buildings to become affordable housing-   A pair of historic homes downtown could house the town’s newest affordable housing units. The Northboro Affordable Housing Corp. is in talks with Trinity Church to buy residential buildings the church owns at 33 Main St. and 37-39 Main St. NAHC, a nonprofit launched several years ago to increase the town’s affordable housing stock, hopes to turn the buildings over to Habitat for Humanity, which would renovate them into condominiums. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette 9/11/2015 

HFH MWGW Collaborates With City Groups to Revitalize Union Hill-  Read about our collaboration with the City of Worcester, Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, Worcester Academy, the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department and area residents to revitalize the Union Hill neighborhood of Worcester. Read More Here (3 articles): Worcester Telegram and Gazette August 17 Worcester Magazine August 17 Mass Live August 18

Minuteman High School Students Help Build a Habitat Home in Wayland –  Students from the plumbing and electrical programs at Minuteman High School donate their time and expertise to help bring one Habitat duplex home closer to completion. Read More Here: YourArlington.Com News August 2

Framingham Veteran Receives Crucial Home Repairs Thanks to Habitat for Humanity- He may not be on reality television, but disabled veteran Cezary Nalaskowski is receiving his own home makeover this month thanks to the Habitat for Humanity’s Critical Home Repair Program. Read More Here: MetroWest Daily News July 26

Three Local Companies Join Together in Habitat Project – On Wednesday, June 17, SanDisk, EMC, and Deloitte came together to participate in our biggest Project Playhouse event yet raising over $40,000. Read More Here (2 articles): Worcester Telegram and Gazette June 21 Brittany Murphy – Local Marlborough Channel (Video)

Worcester Academy Donates House Lot to Habitat for Humanity – On Monday, February 2, Worcester Academy held a ceremony to hand over 21 Aetna Street to Habitat for Humanity. The plan is to construct a two-family home on this lot. Read More Here: Worcester Telegram and Gazette March 2

Grant Awarded to Rehabilitate Veteran’s Home– Commerce Bank and Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester have been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, to help fund the rehabilitation of a single-family home in Worcester for a wounded veteran and his or her family. Read More Here (2 articles): Worcester Telegram and Gazette February 18 Worcester Business Journal Online February 12