TACOMA — One hundred and twenty AmeriCorps members from 11 states and 27 different Habitat for Humanity affiliates nationwide are in Tacoma and Seattle to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon, beginning next Monday 20th and running through Thursday, May 23rd, 2013. Hosted by Habitat of Seattle-King County (Habitat SKC) and in partnership with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity (TPC Habitat), teams will be building on three Habitat sites in King and Pierce Counties: Rainier Vista (Seattle), La Fortuna (Renton) and The Woods at Golden Given (Tacoma).
The Build-a-Thon (BAT) is a weeklong signature event of the Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps service year. Nationwide the event will engage more than 400 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Alumni from 37 states. Other Build-a-Thon events are being hosted by Habitat affiliates in Eustis, Fla.; St. Croix Falls, Wis.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Washington, D.C.
“Over the years, AmeriCorps members have served in many roles,” said Maureen Fife, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat. “They have engaged communities, built homes and led volunteers. Their service increases the capacity and productivity of Habitat through activities like the development of new programs such as those focused on veteran outreach and neighborhood revitalization. We’re extremely grateful to the AmeriCorps members for their service to Habitat and our community.”
Since Habitat International first partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service in 1994, more than 7,000 AmeriCorps members have served with Habitat for Humanity. These individuals have helped Habitat serve more than 17,000 U.S. families, contributed more than 13 million hours of service, raised tens of millions of dollars in cash and in-kind resources, and engaged more than 2.8 million volunteers. For more information or to learn how to get involved please visit www.habitat.org/americorps or www.americorps.gov.
About the Build Site
The Woods at Golden Given: 962 104th St E, Tacoma, WA 98445
Members will work on up to eight homes in two different phases of the construction process on what will become a 30-home development. The Woods at Golden Given will bring the development of 30 houses for low-income homeownership to 7.23 acres in the Midland neighborhood of unincorporated Pierce County at the corner of 104th and Golden Given. This part of unincorporated Pierce County has long been underserved by the affordable housing community. Plans for the neighborhood includes single family residences placed closely together in a cottage style layout, with a central open space, a common house and shared community amenities, including playgrounds, a community garden, a sports field and a wetland with a boardwalk. All of these amenities will be managed by a homeowners association.