Iowa State University United Way Campaign

Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa

We are very proud of the unique partnership between ISU, United Way of Story County and Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa. To date, this partnership that began in 1999 has allowed 9 families with 25 children to purchase simple, decent, affordable housing in Story County. As part of the project our future home buyers construct or rehab their homes with assistance from ISU students during Homecoming Week. The response and financial support of the university community to the United Way of Story County campaign has been a tremendous benefit for HFHCI each year.

"Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live where they can dwell in dignity and respect. The support we receive from ISU and United Way of Story County helps give our families a chance they normally wouldn't have."

-- Sandi Risdal, Executive Director Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa

We are certainly not done yet. Thousands of households in Story County have incomes within Habitat's guidelines, 25 - 60% of the median income - these households have income, but not enough to purchase simple, decent housing with conventional financing. Many children in Story County come home to overcrowded, run-down, unsafe conditions. As we work to raise the funds necessary to build the homes of Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa, we are also striving to meet the rising costs needed to build affordable housing in Ames. This year again we are committed to continuing this wonderful partnership, and we will strive to increase the numbers of Partner Families served in Story County.

Your support of Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa makes a tremendous difference for the families in our area. Your generosity can stretch beyond the houses of our partner families to revitalize the community of Ames. The challenge of making affordable homeownership a possibility for low-income families is intimidating, but not impossible, and your contribution to Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa can be a reason for us all to have hope.

2008 Homecoming Service Project:

Habitat for Humanity of Central Iowa is partnering with the City of Ames and the community to help update, recycle, and beautify the city by remodeling homes in need. This year, our build project will be located on Durrell Circle in Ames. ISU students will work alongside Brenda Hykes and her two children while helping to remodel an existing house. Volunteers learn that individually and collectively, we can make a difference, one family at a time; a helping hand up, not a hand out. The students will play a role in helping Brenda realize the dream of owning a home in Ames. Along with her family and friends Brenda will volunteer approximately 400 hours of sweat equity on her home or another Habitat home.

Habitat would like to invite ISU groups-residence hall floors, student organizations, GSB, administration, faculty, alumni, and athletic teams-to come out and build the Saturdays following the blitz week until the home is completed. After the completion of Brenda's home a dedication/celebration will be enjoyed by everyone involved.

Your donations through designations during the United Way annual campaign make possible our 0% interest mortgage so we can sell to "low income" buyers. Once we sell a Habitat house, we receive the mortgage proceeds to use toward another house, called the Fund for Humanity. The ISU and United Way donation represents support to build a Habitat home, the leverage to build future homes, and most importantly, the dreams of a family.

We can make this promise, "You really are changing someone's life."