Grace Church in New York to Build a Habitat Home

NEW YORK, July 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Grace Church in New York (Grace Church) has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity New York City (Habitat NYC) to transform a vacant, blighted house in St. Albans, Queens into an affordable new Habitat home for a hard working New York family.

Grace Church is both an old friend and new partner of Habitat NYC. More than thirty years ago, Grace Church helped Habitat NYC begin building safe, decent and affordable homes in the five boroughs by storing construction materials and equipment used in the organization's inaugural building project on Manhattan's Lower East Side in their church.

"The people of Grace Church are eager to be partnering with Habitat for Humanity and begin working on the house in Queens. As we hammer nails, put up dry wall, break bread with neighbors and watch a family move into a home of their own, we'll be able to point and say, 'This is what the kingdom of God looks like,'" said The Rev. J. Donald Waring, Rector of Grace Church in New York.

The home in St. Albans is part of a portfolio of 23 vacant and dilapidated single-family homes from the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) that Habitat NYC has acquired to transform them into affordable, energy efficient homes, which will have a positive effect on the surrounding community.

Habitat NYC CEO Karen Haycox said, "I am so moved by the generosity of Grace Church!  They have set the bar high in demonstrating how a few thoughtful and committed citizens can come together to make our city a better place to live.

Grace Church's generous contribution of $100,000 and more than 600 volunteer hours to the house in St. Albans is a remarkable commitment to Habitat NYC's efforts to build a better New York. Members of the church will volunteer predominantly on the one house, making them a Legacy Sponsor of the project. The Grace Church gift is the largest that any faith organization has given to the non-profit home builder since 1999. The gift is comprised of funds raised entirely by the parishioners of the church – even the children of Grace Church became involved in the fundraising effort, raising 'dough' through a gingerbread house build in December of 2015.

A kick-off event will be held on July 16, 2016 at the home in St. Albans, and attended by Habitat NYC CEO Karen Haycox, Grace Church's Rector, The Rev. J. Donald Waring.

About Habitat for Humanity New York City
Habitat for Humanity New York City transforms lives and communities by building affordable homes with families in need - and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers each year, Habitat NYC builds and repairs homes for families across the five boroughs.  Learn more at www.HabitatNYC.org.

About Grace Church in New York
Since 1809, Grace Church in New York has been resolute in its mission – to build up the Kingdom of God through nurturing community, thoughtful worship, and dedicated service. Its dynamic congregation lives into this mission fully, offering rich and diverse ministries ranging from music and spiritual formation, to opportunities for children and youth and outreach to the wider community. From its historic campus at 10^th and Broadway, Grace Church welcomes over 50,000 visitors every year, offering a shelter for rest and prayer for people of all backgrounds. Learn more at www.gracechurchnyc.org.

SOURCE Habitat for Humanity New York City

Related Links

http://www.HabitatNYC.org