Habitat families work to brighten the holidays and share hope with clients of Pillars this holiday season
Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, a leader in affordable housing solutions, is partnering with Pillars: Shelter, Support, and Solutions, to spread hope and holiday cheer to those who are struggling with housing security during the holidays this year.
Children and families who have relationships with the Greater Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity will gather at the organization’s offices on Wednesday, Dec. 13 to make and decorate holiday cookies and treats for those experiencing housing insecurity. Then on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 10:30 a.m., the cookies will be presented to Pillars by a Habitat for Humanity family as the organizations discuss the importance of addressing homelessness in our communities. The family will share words of inspiration and hope along with the hand-decorated treats as a gesture of holiday cheer to those utilizing the services at Pillars shelters.
“Having a home for the holidays is something many people take for granted but for those who don’t have a place to call their own, the holidays can be a difficult time,” explained John Weyenberg, president and CEO of Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity. “Habitat understands the importance of having a home and wants to make the opportunity of homeownership more accessible. That is why sharing stories from community members who have struggled and now came out the other side as homeowners is so important.”
“When you lose your home, it can feel like an uphill battle to find your way to stability,” explained Matt Malm, community engagement director at Pillars. “When our community comes together to support each other, it gives people hope. Hope is important to overcome difficult situations and can make a difference. This gift is special because it comes from people who know how difficult the road to stability can be.”
Fox Cities Habitat makes an impact on the region every year and it is all made possible through community support. So far, in 2023 alone, Fox Cities Habitat has helped more than 50 families with home repairs or homeownership. In fact, Fox Cities Habitat just helped its 300th family achieve the dream of homeownership this year. If you look at Fox Cities Habitat’s overall impact to the community since its inception in 1993, the number would be astronomical because homeownership is a gift that keeps on giving for generations.
Through the end of the year, an anonymous donor has generously offered to match donations made to the organization up to $50,000, making all donations have double the impact throughout the holiday season. This match has been made possible through the generous partnership with the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region.
Pillars also has a match campaign going on through the end of the year thanks to a generous partnership with SECURA Insurance Companies. Donations received in the month of December will have double the impact up to $35,000. To learn more about Pillars, or how you can donate or volunteer, please visit https://pillarsinc.org/.
To learn more about the Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, or how you can donate or volunteer, please call 920-954-8702 or visit foxcitieshabitat.org.
About Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity
The Greater Fox Cities Area Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian housing organization that believes in a vision of the world where everyone has a decent place to live. This vision is brought to reality through affordable housing solutions which help families become homeowners, help low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, help families improve their financial situations to qualify for homeownership and help current Habitat homeowners through financial emergencies.
For more information and to learn how you can donate or volunteer, visit foxcitieshabitat.org.
About Pillars, Inc.
Pillars, Inc. (Pillars) was formed in October 2018 following the consolidation of three local housing nonprofits. Homeless Connections, Fox Valley Warming Shelter, & the Housing Partnership of Fox Cities merged to effectively meet the unique housing needs of the community through shared resources, collaboration, and common goals.
From homelessness to coming home, Pillars provides shelter, support, and solutions to address the housing needs in our community. Pillars offers programming and services across the housing continuum – from street outreach to shelter to supportive and stable housing. Collectively, these programs serve over 1,900 individuals and families each year.
For more information and to learn how you can donate or volunteer, visit https://pillarsinc.org/.
