The silver jubilee of a helping-hand organization is a worthy milestone, both for the celebrant and for the lives that have been touched by the good Samaritan.

Habitat for Humanity Prince William County has an enviable “scorecard” of over 200 families that have seen their lives enhanced by the legendary nonprofit organization over the past 25 years.

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International has helped more than four million people construct, rehabilitate, or preserve more than 800,000 homes worldwide since its inception. The mission of Habitat is to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. ReStore facilities are an integral part of Habitat.

These independently owned reuse stores are operated by local Habitat organizations; they accept donations and sell home improvement items to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance, and shelter in local communities around the world.

Merchandise includes building materials, tools, lumber, kitchen cabinets, countertops, bathtubs, furniture, home decor items, small appliances, and more. Underscoring the value of the store for county citizens Traci says, “We price items from 40–90% off retail.”
Unlike typical retail stores where merchandise is standardized from month to month, the ReStore’s home improvement selections vary from day to day, even hour to hour.

Why? Because its “merchandise managers” are local developers, contractors, citizens, and anyone who has a serviceable household item they can donate to the store.

“Our Habitat was founded in 1994 and ReStore has been operating since 2004,” says Traci DeGroat, president and CEO of the Prince William County Habitat. “We’ve built eight houses from the ground up and helped 215 families with a variety of home projects.”

While Habitat’s track record is impressive, it is poised to make an even greater impact on the county’s less fortunate citizens. “We are kicking off a project in the East End Mobile Home community in the City of Manassas in partnership with Catholics for Housing,” Traci notes.

“The effort will involve installing a playground, renovating a building as a training center for teaching residents banking, home maintenance, and other educational subjects. It’s a neighborhood revitalization project that will result in expanding our assistance from 25 families a year to 100.” She adds that they want to hear residents’ stories to see how they can improve their lives by having them develop a community plan that reflects their needs.

Meanwhile, Habitat will be rehabilitating a home in the City of Manassas as part of their traditional mission. Habitat applicants must be willing to attend required workshops on successful homeownership, live in the community where their home is being built, contribute up to 350 hours of sweat equity toward its construction, and be able to cover the home’s mortgage and other monthly expenses.

So how can the more fortunate among us help with these projects? First, next time a serviceable used home item is being replaced, drop it off at Restore or call and arrange for a pickup. Secondly, consider volunteering to swing a hammer. Highly skilled talent is not required but a desire to help is. Finally, reach for your wallet and make a financial contribution to this most worthy institution.

On October 9, the Prince William Chamber of Chamber will hold its monthly After Hours social at the Restore located at 10159 Hastings Drive in Manassas from 5:00–6:30 p.m. to celebrate a quarter-century of giving. For the full story on Habitat for Humanity Prince William County visit https://habitatpwc.org/

Published in the September 2019 edition of Discover Prince William.