M'Lady Nissan is proud to support Habitat for Humanity projects in McHenry Country. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. They believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities, and we at M’Lady Nissan are happy to be a part of strengthening our community. 

There are several way to get involved in helping in this great organization, and you do not need any construction experience to lend a helping hand. All you need is a willingness to help and eagerness to learn and the Habitat construction staff will guide you along the way. Every task that is needed of our volunteers’ plays a volatile role in building a home from beginning to completion. Roofing, painting, landscaping, siding and framing, hanging door and windows and cleaning volunteers all work together to make a families dream of owning a home reality. 

Harvard University recently released a study entitled the 2019 State of the Nation’s Housing report. In this report, findings included several staggering issues regarding affordable housing. It is advised that no family should pay more than 30% of their income on housing, which can result in being ‘house poor’ and affect other areas of your financial health. Currently, over 31% of all households pay about 30% of their incomes, showing that too many people are paying too much of their income on housing. This is forcing low-income families to spend significantly less on healthcare, retirement savings, transportation and food. Recently, the rental market is targeting the high end of the market and most new single-family homes are larger and more expensive in the past – leaving less expensive starter homes harder to come by. The loss of low-cost rental homes has been exponential, shrinking by 4 million units since 2011, with nearly half of the remaining units being more than 50 years old. These rental homes are at risk for demolition or conversion, increasing the risk of displacement for the residents.  

Want to join us at M’Lady in working with this great organization? Here are some ways you can help:

• In partnership with the community, we have built 50+ Habitat homes in McHenry County since 1995. Construction projects run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m.  – 3:00 p.m. Work-day goals and instructions are provided right away in the morning. Volunteers as young as 16 can help with parental permission needed for those under 18.  The only thing you need is a willing spirit and sturdy, closed-toed/heeled shoes and clothing that may get dirty or damaged. 

Ways to get involved other than construction also include home repairs, deconstruction, ReStore or Committee Members. 

• If getting your hands dirty isn’t your thing, “ReStores accept donations of new and used items from individuals, retailers and contractors, then resell them to the community at affordable prices. All proceeds help fund the affiliate’s work in McHenry County.” Donors, shoppers and volunteers all contribute to providing goods and services that ultimately benefit the Crystal Lake community. 
• Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County has assisted more than 100 homeowners with updating and repairing their houses when they were not able to do so themselves. Helping those homeowners who have transitioned to their later years in life and needed handicap accessible access to their home is one of the ways the organization can assist in helping home-owners stay in the home they love. Other updates or repairs include “re-shingling leaking roofs, replacing rotted or broken windows and doors, repairing structural framing problems, repairing or replacing dilapidated siding, replacing furnaces and water heaters, painting exterior wood siding and trim, removing dangerous trees and helping clean up overgrown yards. Our trained crew leaders provide all the instructions and tools, and volunteers work alongside the homeowner helping them make the repairs necessary for their home to remain livable. No skills or experience with tools or building is required.”
• Another service that Habitat for Humanity provides the Woodstock area is Deconstruction. By redirecting wasted building material from construction projects, our ReStore is able to use these materials to help families in need. Learn more at https://www.mchenry.edu/green/recyclingAtoZ.pdf
• Being a committee member of Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County allows for volunteers to attend monthly meetings to provide opinions and solutions to increase productivity. This ultimately helps to improve the impact that the organization makes in our local neighborhoods and is always in need of willing members. To sign up to volunteer for this much needed role, please visit https://www.woodstockilchamber.com/groups/.

To view our upcoming volunteer events, we encourage you to join us by checking into https://habitatmchenry.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=436629. Our next opportunity is November 17 at 209 Greenwood Ave in Woodstock, IL. If you would like to get involved or have any questions, please contact Sara Davis, our Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or (815) 759-9002