QUICK COMMENTS

All Habitat affiliates-across the country and around the world-have at least one thing in common: they all started out as grass-roots organizations with all the work being completed by dedicated, hardworking volunteers. As the organizations grow, they raise more money, become more prominent in the community, acquire more land, locate deserving families and begin to build a strong volunteer base. An organization evolves, doing more than just building homes: it provides social services, educates, becomes a mortgage lender, a builder and a land developer. At this point, the affiliate realized additional staff was needed to maintain the day-to-day operations. Typically, the first position filled was that of Executive Director. This occurred three years ago at our affiliate. Since then, volunteers have stayed very involved in many aspects of the operations by serving on the committees and providing office help. Our affiliate will continue to gratefully welcome the many volunteers who walk through our doors. These people want to make a difference in their community and in the lives of others through the opportunity Habitat presents. Because our affiliate has grown from building two to three homes a year to plans for ten to twelve homes a year, additional paid staff is necessary. We now have four full-time and three part-time employees. Great things are happening at Habitat. We are moving one step closer to meeting our mission of eliminating substandard, poverty housing in St. Johns County. We thank you for your support of that mission.

Diane Quick, Executive Director