Greetings! 

Recently Habitat for Humanity international (HFHI) revised its Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and Mission Principles. As expected, HFHI will continue to build single family homes. However, the new Core Documents, expand HFHI's scope of work through a new component - the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). NRI is a program designed to transform communities through home repair and convening neighborhood residents to tackle the issues facing their neighborhoods.

These revisions come at an opportune time since Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West (HFHSTW) will soon begin a Strategic Planning process. As we begin this process, we will reach out to key stake holders in our community - current Habitat homeowners, volunteers, business leaders, government officials, political leaders, donors, other not for profit organizations, local faith and religious leaders, and others. Through this effort, we will hear directly from individuals outside of our affiliate to learn what they believe are the needs of our community and how HFHSTW can address those needs.

We currently have two families in their 60s and 70s age who are becoming HFHSTW Family Partners. Their presence in our program indicates that the baby boomer generation is knocking at our door. Also, we know that our Partner Families will want to age in place. How will HFHSTW address the needs of our older residents?
  

In our community there are 1000s of veterans and many recent veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans returning from the current wars are faced with challenges including re-intergration into our community and in some cases emotional and physical disabilities. Also, unfortunately one of the largest groups of homeless persons in the U.S. are veterans. How will HFHSTW address the needs of veterans?  

Throughout our community there are hidden neighborhoods. In these neighborhoods, there are blighted homes, a lack of play areas for children, and other social ills. How will HFHSTW address these needs through the NRI?  

HFHSTW is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is at a crossroads. The path we choose to follow will determine the impact HFHSTW will have in our community well into the future. If you are interested in helping us chart our course for the future, please contact me at jstromain@habitatstw.org. 

Sincerely,  

Jeff St. Romain,
President