Our Mission

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

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Our Vision

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

 

Who We Are

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is an independent locally operated and funded affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Our mission is to build decent, affordable homes and provide home ownership opportunities to qualified families who live and work in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

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How It Works

Habitat for Humanity is not a giveaway program. Families purchase our homes with a down payment, sweat equity, and an affordable mortgage.

Homeowner families are chosen according to their need, their ability to repay the no-profit, zero-interest mortgage, and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Each Habitat homeowner contributes 500 hours in sweat equity towards the construction of a Habitat home.

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Who Can Be Involved

Everyone! Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay has an open-door policy. All who believe in decent affordable places to live for everyone are welcome to help with our work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, or political views. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds, and serve the same.

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As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith. Our members, volunteers, and supporters are linked simply by the common belief in decent housing for everyone.

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What We’ve Built

Together, our volunteers and families have built 54 homes, with further plans extending through the foreseeable future.

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Who It Benefits

Habitat for Humanity is a community-based organization, and we strive to make a positive impact on as many people as possible.

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There is more to our program than just providing affordable home ownership for low and very low income families. Partner families attend workshops on budgeting, conflict resolution, home maintenance, repair, and landscaping. Our partner families acquire skills and knowledge that will enable them to establish a foundation upon which they can gain economic stability and build a brighter future for their children.

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Our volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds with a massive variety of skills. Anyone can come and put decades of knowledge to work building affordable housing, or come in with no experience and learn how to construct a home from the ground up.

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Habitat homes cannot be sold for a profit, and, should the homeowners wish to move, will be sold back to the organization at mortgage value, where they will be fixed up and remain affordable housing. Every home we build helps keep Santa Cruz a place where working class people can continue to raise their families.

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Our ReStores accept donations of gently used furniture and building materials, keeping them out of landfills, and then sells them at affordable prices. All profits from the ReStore go directly to funding our building projects.

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How You Can Help

Our volunteers are true heroes of affordable housing in Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. If you are interested in volunteering (no experience required!) check out our volunteer page, or email volunteer@habitatmontereybay.org.

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We rely on your generous donations to keep our organization funded and operational. Every little bit has a real and lasting effect, so check out our donation options here.

Staff

 

Chief Executive Officer

Satish Rishi

Director of Operations
Catherine Wylie

Director of Finance

Susan Whitehill

 

Construction Manager

Michael McIlwain

 

Office Manager
Marife Magno

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Resource Development Director

Betsy Powers

Volunteer Coordinator

Resource Development Associate
Allie Wilson

Resource Development Assistant 

Jon Wizard

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Board of Directors Officers

 

President

Ron Buswell

Vice President

Kathy Arola

Treasurer

Megan Rhodes

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Secretary
Brenda Diaz Rivas

Member-at-Large
Pete Kennedy

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Board of Directors

Patrick J. Carter
Simba Kenyatta

Rachel Chavez
Rick de la Cruz

Ron Kustek

Delmy Cardoza

Jeff Wardwell

Kendra Howell

Carol Berg

Kevin Donnelly

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Meetings

Habitat for Humanity
Monterey Bay
Board of Directors
Fourth Wednesday of each month.
Call for location: 831-469-4663

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NonProfit Status

Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID# 77-0206356.