NEWS RELEASE
This week, representatives of Habitat for Humanity of Dane County (HFHDC) traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to receive one of the most prestigious awards granted to Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) has recognized HFHDC with its 2005 Clarence Jordan Award through its annual “Pioneers in Excellence” award program. HFHI honors U.S. Habitat affiliates or individuals based on their high performance in achieving the organizational mission to eliminate substandard housing in communities.
The 2005 Clarence Jordan Award was given to HFHDC to honor this affiliate’s accomplishments in developing Twin Oaks – a mixed income subdivision of condominiums and single-family homes on Madison’s southeast side.
“Habitat for Humanity has 1,700 affiliates in the United States and a countless number of dedicated volunteers, all of whom work tirelessly to help families living in substandard housing achieve the benefits of homeownership,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Through this award program, Habitat recognizes the importance of their local work and highlights local innovation that can be replicated throughout on a national level.”
Each year, HFHI recognizes three outstanding Habitat affiliates in the United States. Winners receive a plaque and a $5,000 award for the local affiliate. The honor is named after Clarence Jordan, the inspirational pastor from rural Georgia who along with Millard Fuller, pioneered Habitat’s unique model of sweat equity, volunteer labor and no-interest financing.
HFHDC’s Executive Director Brian Miller says, “I’m extremely proud to accept this honor on behalf of thousands of volunteers and hundreds of hard-working partner families who make Habitat’s model thrive in Dane County. We believe that it is morally and ethically unacceptable that hard-working families in Dane County cannot afford a simple decent affordable place to live. They are our brothers and sisters in need and we will continue to work hard toward the ultimate goal of affordable housing for everyone in our community.”
