Habitat for Humanity

America does one thing much better than Iceland does: encourage a charitable ethic. This is in fact a necessity in a country lacking a good social welfare net, but cynicism aside, the non-profits that develop in this atmosphere are really admirable organizations. Especially this morning I am thinking about Habitat for Humanity, one of the best of American charities.

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit agency that builds houses. They have had a particularly ambitious project in New Orleans since the flood, but have actually been working on urban renewal projects for many years.

Unlike many other non-profits, they accept three different kinds of donations. Monetary donations, which is of course the main thrust of most charities, is not at the top of their list. Rather, working closely with housebuilders, they arrange an inordinate amount of material donations--wood, nails, fixtures. Lots of times these are extras that the companies ended up not needing, and they are glad to find something to do with them. And they accept donations of land from civic authorities, plots of land that are public eyesores, empty and unused.

Habitat for Humanity also accepts donations of time much more readily than most other charities (even animal shelter charities are not so good about this, although animal rescue charities are). Over a weekend, a group of volunteers will get together and build a house with donated materials on free land from the city. Volunteers are very motivated because there is a clear goal, but mostly because they understand that their contribution is so essential. They get to see the outcome of their work, and it is satisfying.

Thus Habitat for Humanity is a productive coming together place, where people who are equally motivated to improve their community do so. There is no one route to becoming part of the process, no suggestion that if you can't write a check, you are not useful.

But Habitat for Humanity is picky about one thing. They have a very stringent review process for the families that get to move into one of their houses. The family members often have to assist with the construction, if they are physically able to do so, and they have to thank the volunteers that build them the house. But mostly, they have to demonstrate real need.

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