If you’re fortunate enough to have a secure home and an income, then you could be in the perfect position to give back to those who, for one reason or another, don’t have the same advantages. Charleston faces many challenges with a 14.6% poverty rate and is located in one of the poorest states in the USA. If you want to help the less fortunate and make your city a better place, the team at Dorchester Habitat for Humanity has come up with a set of tips.
# 1 Put In Some Sweat Equity
The team at Dorchester Habitat for Humanity is constantly searching for new volunteers to donate sweat equity to our home-building projects. Sweat equity is the time and labor you can put into
helping us build homes for those in need. You don’t need much skill to take part- we can teach you everything you need to know and supply all the equipment you need. All you have to do is lend a hand, and you can make a huge impact on the lives of less fortunate residents of your city.
# 2 Become A Member Of Our Carpenter’s Club
If you’re unable to help us build houses, you can still contribute by becoming a member of our Carpenter’s Club. By pledging just $12 a month, or more, you can help Dorchester Habitat for
Humanity to fund our vital work. The club is a huge part of our housing ministry, so you’ll be making a massive contribution for less than the cost of your monthly Netflix bill!
# 3 Sponsor A New Home
More financially secure contributors can participate in our sponsorship program and help us build more homes for those in need. This program funds our work and can help us build new houses, and you can choose a package that suits you. You can sponsor the roof, walls, doors, or even the whole house, depending on how much you’re able to give. Every donation and sponsorship we receive will make a huge difference to our work and the lives of those in need.
# 4 Volunteer At Our ReStore
Not all of our volunteers help build houses; you could volunteer at our ReStore, our home improvement outlet. The store sells new and gently used household goods and building materials. All of
the money we make at the ReStore is used to support families seeking decent, affordable housing in Dorchester County, including Charleston, SC, and even further afield. So, if you’ve got just a few hours to spare every week, you could volunteer to help run our shop and support our cause.
# 5 Donate To ReStore
ReStore is always looking for donations of quality items to stock our shop with. If you have spare items that you don’t need anymore, consider giving them to us. We accept functioning appliances, gently used furniture, and home décor. We also like to receive building materials, such as kitchen and bath fixtures, cabinets, countertops, doors, and windows. The store also sells consumer goods such as books, DVDs, CDs, and Clothing. We can even take on automobiles, boats, and RVs and usable items from deconstruction and demolition and even storm windows. Whatever you have, we’ll turn it into money to use to support your community. There’s a list of everything we can and can’t accept on our website, so take a look and see if you can donate to help us today.
# 6 Encourage Your Business Or Church Group To Volunteer Together
Besides individual volunteers, Dorchester Habitat for Humanity also looks for groups who can help us build new homes faster. If you’re a member of an organization, a church group, or a business
that you think could get involved, then suggest this to other members and push them to see the benefits of our work. The more people who help us, the faster we can provide quality, affordable housing for everyone in Charleston and beyond.
# 7 Become A Board Or Committee Member
We’re always looking for dynamic, motivated individuals to join our board and committee and help us achieve even more for those without access to affordable housing. If you feel that you can make a real difference in our way of thinking and discover new ways of helping, contact us and put yourself forward.
# 8 Host A Fundraiser
Donating is a great way to help us do more, but if you really want to help us raise funds, consider hosting a fundraiser on behalf of our cause. It could be a small soiree or a larger event, depending on your preference. Whatever you’re able to do, we’ll appreciate your support. Get in touch with us, and our team will be happy to discuss the event with you!
# 9 Recommend Someone In Need To Our Program
If you know someone who needs help, recommends that they reach out to Dorchester Habitat for Humanity. They can apply for our Homeownership Program or to get in touch with us for assistance, including financial education and more. We can support them and help get them back into safe accommodation.
# 10 Be Kind
Ultimately, the best way you can give back, even if you don’t have a lot of time or money, is to be kind to everyone. From the individuals, you walk past on the street to stray dogs, give everyone the
benefit of your support if you can. If you can’t help, contact the relevant charitable organization. Compassion costs nothing, but it can make all the difference.
We hope these tips have helped you understand how you can give back to your community and do your bit to end poverty in Charleston, SC.
As a nonprofit organization, Dorchester Habitat for Humanity is always looking for individuals and collectives to support us. If you want to get in touch to find out how you can make a difference in our work, call us today at (843) 473-7464 or contact us here. We’d love to hear from you!
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