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Ford Continues to Invest in Rebuilding Detroit Communities

29 August 2000

Ford Motor Company Continues to Invest in Rebuilding Detroit Communities

    DETROIT, Aug. 26 Ford Motor Company partners again with
Habitat for Humanity Detroit to build four Habitat homes for families in need.
Ford Motor Company has been a partner and supporter for Habitat for Humanity,
especially in Detroit for many years. Ford recently committed $125,000 to the
organization.
    Over 1,000 Ford employees have volunteered their time over the last two
years to help families achieve their dream of owning their own home.  Over
5,000 volunteers annually provide most of the labor, and individual, church,
and corporate sponsors provide the money and materials to build Habitat
houses.
    The Habitat for Humanity Partner family that will be occupying the Ford
sponsored home is Simone Ragins and her two children, Leshay and Ivory.
Simone has volunteered almost 300 hours helping to build several other Habitat
homes in Detroit neighborhoods.  After a two-year wait, the Simone will be a
proud new homeowner herself.  Partner families invest 300 hours of volunteer
hours into building their home and the homes of others.  Habitat for Humanity
organizers stress that by investing themselves in the building process,
homeowners gain self-reliance, self-esteem, and new skills.
    "Ford has been one of the reasons that Habitat for Humanity Detroit has
been successful in building homes and revitalizing neighborhoods, says Bob
Arcand, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity Detroit.  "It's a great
opportunity for Ford employees to spend time with each other outside of work
while working for a good cause and giving back to the Detroit community".
    Habitat for Humanity Detroit is a 501(c) 3 non-profit ecumenical housing
ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with
those in need in the city of Detroit.  Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity
Detroit has helped over 70 low-income families in the city of Detroit become
new homeowners.
    "Ford Motor Company supports community outreach initiatives that improve
the quality of life for those who live and work in the communities where we do
business.  Collaborating with Habitat for Humanity is an opportunity to bring
business and community together," said Gary Nielsen, executive director and
vice president, Ford Motor Company.
    Habitat for Humanity Detroit believes that everyone deserves a safe,
decent and affordable place to live.  The organization's mission is to
eliminate poverty housing and revive impoverished Detroit neighborhoods one
home, one family at a time.  Habitat for Humanity Detroit provides a "hand
up", not a "hand out" to families in need in the city of Detroit.  We offer
our partner families an opportunity to help themselves, to own a decent,
affordable home of their own, which they pay for through a long-term,
interest-free mortgage.
    Over 5,000 volunteers annually provide most of the labor, and individual,
church, and corporate sponsors provide the money and materials to build
Habitat houses.