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"There is no place quite like the Twin Cities. This region offers a quality of life and economic vitality unrivaled in most regions nationally. However, there are many in our community that do not share in this quality of life, and that ultimately threatens our future. We can turn this around, but it's going to take all of us," said Mary Brainerd, Healthpartners President and CEO.
Brainerd chairs the socio-economic disparities taskforce for the Itasca Project, a partnership formed in 2005 by over forty Twin Cities community leaders committed to ensuring the vitality of the region. She recently spoke at the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Annual Meeting on the importance of community partnerships.
The success, vitality and quality of life of a community depends on collaborative partnerships - individuals, organizations, faith based groups, businesses and lawmakers coming together for a common goal.
Nowhere is this more evident than through the work of Habitat for Humanity, an organization built on partnerships. Each year, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity partners with over 20,000 volunteers, 300 faith based groups, 300 corporations, 2,500 in-kind donors, and 11,000 individual donors. Considering that TCHFH is but one of over 1,600 U.S. affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, an organization with a presence in 90 countries, the far-reaching impact of this global organization becomes clear.
This "it takes a village" approach has manifested in all areas of society. Research conducted by the National Network of Partnership Schools at Johns Hopkins underscores that children's success in school is critically linked to family and community involvement. A study published by the Oxford University Press said "partnership work is increasingly mandated and employed as a vehicle for health education and promotion and disease prevention."
The Ripple Effect
Partnership work in one area tends to result in positive outcomes in other areas. Research from the Center for Housing Policy suggests that stable, decent housing impacts school success and health outcomes for children. Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies published a 2001 study showing that owning a home leads to a higher quality home environment, which in turn improved math and reading test scores in children and reduced behavioral problems.
"The impact of Habitat's work goes well beyond providing affordable housing. It impacts the health and wellbeing of our community members and builds a stronger community for all. Children and families are healthier because of the work by Habitat for Humanity; lower incident of asthma and lead poisoning are directly linked to safe and environmentally sound housing," said Brainerd.
Picking up a hammer, writing a check, encouraging your church or place of business to get involved, attending a fundraising event in support of Habitat for Humanity- these are all simple acts that have an enduring affect.
At a recent staff event that recognized long-time Habitat for Humanity volunteer Larry Hossfeld, he said to the group, "We need to picture the kind of world we want to live in, and then do things that contribute to that picture."
No contribution is too small. Like a 1,000 piece puzzle - each small piece is a critical contribution to the big picture.
Contributed by Sharon Rolenc
Photo caption: Thrivent Builds youth partner with local lawmakers on raising the wall of a Twin Cities Habitat home.
Photo by Joshua Straka
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