A 46-Year Partnership

The United Church of Marco Island (UCMI) dedicates the month of February to Habitat for Humanity, a tradition that goes back to 1977 when Reverend Dr. Richard Disseler was the minister. UCMI’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity has grown over the last 46 years as they continue to give back with funds to help build affordable homes in Collier County. 

On February 18, 2024, Andrea McKenna, Donor Relations of Habitat for Humanity Collier, joined the Sunday service at UCMI and thanked the congregation for being a founding partner. “Thank you for what you have done and in 46 years, UCMI has raised 1.7 million dollars and helped 45 families have a home of their own,” McKenna said.

UCMI and Habitat for Humanity also invited a family to come and share with the members on what it means to them to have a Habitat home. Christopher has been a Security Officer at JW Marriott on Marco for the last five years. His wife Guadalupe graduated in 2021 from Johnson and Wales University in Miami with a degree in Hospitality and when their little girl Iris is a little older, Guadalupe plans to return to work.

They were living in a 700 sq. ft. apartment paying high rent which was expected to go up to $2,400 in 2024. They moved in with Guadalupe’s mom and applied for a Habitat home. According to Christopher, “We will do additional hours to work on our home to speed it up so we can move in – we are almost there.”

McKenna added, “They came to our selection committee in November 2023 and now they only have about 40 hours to go to finish their ‘sweat equity.’ Habitat for Humanity families need to finish 500 hours prior to purchasing their home and Christopher and Guadalupe have already passed the mark where they can pick their home. They have decided on Whitaker Woods in Naples.”

“In 46 years, Habitat for Humanity Collier has helped 2,560 families purchase a home of their own. There will be one more family on top of that. It took us 46 years to get to that number,” said McKenna. But McKenna also added this sad truth: “Last year, over 2,300 families came to Habitat for Humanity to inquire about whether or not they could qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home. Just as Christopher mentioned, rent kept going up and people have very few options. Almost as many homes as we filled over 46 years, almost that same number of families came to inquire. The good news is, with your help and from other local partners, donors and volunteers, Habitat for Humanity will build 100 homes this year.”

Each year at UCMI, a bake sale hosted by the Women’s Fellowship kicks off the Habitat Month of February with proceeds added to the 2024 fundraising campaign. As they’ve done in the past five years, Karen Blackwell and Trish Nash are leading the 2024 February campaign and they are looking forward to another outstanding tally at the end of the month.

On Saturday, February 10th a home dedication took place at one of Habitat’s newest communities, Whitaker Woods, with Reverend Mark Williams of United Church of Naples giving the blessing. At this dedication, 22 homes were blessed. 

Though there is much to celebrate for Habitat for Humanity’s 46 years, the urgent need continues to grow, according to McKenna, and Habitat for Humanity is one of few organizations offering a pathway to affordable housing in Collier County.

According to a Needs Assessment Survey conducted by the Richard M Schulze Family Foundation and Collier County Community Foundation, focus group participants discussed how people who could once afford to buy homes in the county could not today, reiterating that cost is a significant barrier to homeownership. Participants also explained that unaffordable housing is driving out the workforce from the community. 

If you are interested in donating to Habitat for Humanity of Collier County you may visit their website at www.habitatcollier.org or through the United Church of Marco Island’s website.