Our volunteers are not the only ones giving of their time and energy to serve Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s mission. This National Volunteer Recognition Week, we are taking a day to acknowledge our AmeriCorps and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) members. Both are programs under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) that seek to support people of all backgrounds in serving their communities.

The first time that Sharon Mason went to the State Capitol to advocate with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, here’s how she felt: “I had butterflies, I feared that I didn’t have enough expertise to talk to my legislators, I was somewhat intimidated by the largess and grandeur of my surroundings…and I didn’t even know where I was supposed to park.”

Now, Sharon regularly updates her legislators on the latest affordable housing news throughout the legislative session. She’s brought friends to the Capitol who are now passionate advocates as well. And she definitely knows where to park.

“I was born in St. Louis, Missouri. I moved here in 1995. At that point, I found myself – for lack of a better word – homeless.”

Buffy was in a tough spot. Facing homelessness with several young children was daunting, to say the least. There was constant anxiety about where her babies would lay their heads that night, or the next.

But Buffy is strong.

On March 29, Adanech dedicated her Habitat home surrounded by family, friends, and folks who volunteered during the construction of the home. Soon, she'll sign the closing papers and move in, beginning a new chapter in the lives of her and her young daughter. And while her home was pleasantly packed at the dedication celebration, there were hundreds more hands who took part in making this house a home.

When you see the fabulous items at this year's Hard Hat & Black Tie gala live auction, it's OK if you can't stop yourself from waving your imaginary bidding number and yelling SOLD—TO ME!

At 9:00 a.m. on a weekday in May, Kera saw the house pop up in her online search. She was immediately intrigued, and knew she had to act fast. By 9:05, she was talking to her realtor and Angelo, her boyfriend, to see if they could get a tour. At 11:00 a.m., they showed up at the home. They loved it. Soon, they would put in an offer.

For the past seven years, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has partnered with community organizationsto support residents' vision for their neighborhood. Our work has focused on the Jordan neighborhood of North Minneapolis and the Frogtown Neighborhood of St. Paul.

It was a summer Kathleen and Kyle will never forget. Without knowing each other, they had joined a regular volunteer crew working on a Habitat home repair project. They met at the top of a roof while ripping out shingles. They went on a date. They fell in love. Eight years later, in the fall of 2017, they were married.

Cassandra loves her block in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis. She bought her home in 2002, and liked that it was close to everything—to her studies at the University of Minnesota, and to her job at Ameriprise in downtown Minneapolis. She has a long-term tenant upstairs, which makes it more affordable.

“I love my neighbors, and I’m very lucky to live in my neighborhood,” Cassandra says.

Wealth is not measured by how much cash you make, but it is measured by how much cash you are able to keep.

That quote is included at the bottom of every email sent by William S. Bolton III. As a Financial Empowerment Coach at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, William works with people on strategies to build their wealth in order to achieve homeownership.