Habitat for Humanity Task Force

• Contributions to 2022 & 2023 Habitat Women Build: We donated $2,000 to help sponsor two Women Build homes, the last ones in Habitat’s Trail View neighborhood in 2022 and another $1,500 in 2023 for two homes in Osage Place. We sponsored a 38-member Women Build team in 2022, along with the Bloomington Community Glass Center, which raised nearly $19,000, a new record for our WB team. The money was raised by individual builders, donated by UU members sponsoring builders and earned by fundraisers. The co-leaders of the team were Barb Berggoetz, Abby Gitlitz and Anne Branum, associated with the glass center. Our 2023 team of 35 mostly UU women raised nearly $20,000 and was led by co-chairs Barb Berggoetz and Christine Banister.
• Chili/soup take-home fundraiser: For the second year, we sponsored an online chili/soup fundraiser in March 2022, and after services, by offering chili and soup, made by task force members and UU supporters. We earned $1,333.
• Social Justice Moment in March 2022: Barb Berggoetz spoke about the Women Build and introduced Carson and LaTasha Hall, who are working to earn a Habitat home. They spoke about the benefits of being in Habitat’s program for their family of five children. We also hosted a table for three Sundays in March after the services to help educate people about Habitat’s activities and encourage people to sign up to build and participate in our task force. In 2024, our social justice moment and month is in May.
• Habitat build: We supplied five UU volunteers to work on two houses in March of 2022, as part of Habitat’s regular building program.  We are planning to recruit small groups of five or more builders for about three build this summer and fall. 
• UU 25% Sunday Plate Fund: Our proposal was among the top three groups for the second year chosen for a congregational vote on June 4 (All Options Pregnancy Resource Center won). We proposed spending funds to pay for home building expenses, including energy-saving equipment and supplies, for 10 homes being built in Osage Place in 2023-24. As part of our proposal, the task force committed to doubling the amount the congregation donates.
• UU Holiday Bazaar: We participated in the Holiday Bazaar again, which was back in person in 2022. We sold handmade crafts donated by individual task force members and other UUers in December 2022. As a group, as made soup and cookies-in-a-jar and bird seed feeders and three themed gift baskets. We earned $773. In 2023, we sold $1,400 worth of crafts, themed baskets and holiday décor.
• UU Social Justice grant: We applied for and received a $930 grant in 2022 for Habitat for Humanity to build to improve the parking lot at the ReStore by repainting the parking lines and buying five ladders for construction sites.
• Autumn Abundance lunch: We hosted a lunch for UU congregants after the service, with a take-home option, of a variety of casseroles, vegetarian dishes, salads and breads. We made about $815.
• IU football parking: We supplied four task force members to oversee parking and collect fees at the UU lot for one of the IU football games. Other task forces supplied members to collect fees. Each earned $1,138 in 2022 and $1,470 in 2023.
• More Than Houses event: About 10 task force members and other UU supporters attended Habitat’s annual fundraising event at Switchyard Park in 2022 and in 2023 for the community in November. Attendees made contributions to support Habitat’s operating expenses.
• Funds raised: At the end of 2023, we had $10,050 in our account, which we are planning to spend on supporting Habitat’s builds and other needs in 2024.

1. Volunteer to build. Habitat for Humanity usually has at least five volunteer slots open for most Saturdays, oftentimes at Habitat’s growing Osage Place neighborhood on the southwest side. Register at: https://monroecountyhabitat.org/volunteer/. See calendar for openings. The task force periodically recruits UUers to work together on Saturdays (dates TBD). Friends and children 16 years and older can build with you. No fundraising is required, except for the annual Women Build.
2. Join Habitat Task Force. We meet about once a month on Sundays after the service. Members set our priorities, plan activities (Holiday Bazaar table, Women Build, etc.), create fundraisers, recruit build volunteers, set up UU educational activities about housing. New members welcome! Attend whenever possible and/or add name to our task force email list to get notices of meetings, events.
3. Become Women Build team member. We organize a 35-member Women Build team every year to build one day on one day of Habitat’s community-wide Women Build in September. Each builder donates and/or fundraises $300. Recruiting begins in May for September build. No experience necessary.
4. Volunteer as site host. Site hosts welcome and check-in builders, help run hospitality tent, serve lunches, and help maintain safety on build sites on Saturdays, some weekdays. You can also volunteer to recruit site hosts.
5. Volunteer to make lunches/snacks for builders. The task force wants to provide/make lunches and snacks (homemade or snack-packs) for builders. You can do this individually or work with task force members to organize and provide food.
6. Help with fundraisers. We host several fundraisers each year, including a lunch after church, bake sales, chili/soup take-home, UU Holiday Bazaar sales, IU football parking at UU and other events. This year, we plan to make and sell benches.
7. Work as ReStore volunteer. Habitat’s ReStore needs help to stock donated items, price items, assist customers, and serve as cashiers. Revenue from the store helps finance Habitat homes. Volunteers can work two-hour or longer shifts. Learn more, register: https://monroecountyhabitat.org/volunteer/. See calendar for openings.