Ryan Dennison and Jess Brandt, two of Habitat Charlotte's former AmeriCorps members, concocted the idea to serve another local family in need by rallying the 117 Habitat Charlotte AmeriCorps Alumni together to raise the funds to build and sponsor a Habitat house.

AmeriCorps is a national service program that provides a small living allowance and education award in exchange for one or two years of community service. Habitat Charlotte’s success over the past 26 years would not have been possible without the help of our AmeriCorps members. Beyond making an impact for our affiliate, the program has greatly changed its participants. Many former AmeriCorps members are teachers, work for non-profits and have an awareness of the need to help others.

Fundraising efforts weren’t easy, but the group was determined to reach their goal of raising the $70,000 house sponsorship fee. Alumni contacted friends, family, employers and former volunteers, asking for their support of this project. They reached their goal, and kicked-off the project on Saturday, July 17th.  The house was built in a week long blitz, with volunteers from across the country working to complete the home in seven days. Phor Kpuih, a Montagnard refugee from Vietnam,  is the homeowner partner for the build. Click here to see his story in Sunday’s Charlotte Observer. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/18/1569461/4-brothers-soon-to-call-habitat.html

The home dedication was held on Saturday, July 24th at 10:30 a.m.