Come Together

Several weeks ago I was able to get one of my blog postings published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  On the one hand, it felt great to get something published.  On the other hand, it made me feel that each and every posting now had to be brilliant enough to be in a newspaper or magazine.  While striving for perfection may be commendable, it should not be at the expense of creating a high hurdle for each new posting to leap.  My objective for this blog is to write.  The Pulitzer is not something I need to worry about for some time to come. 

So what should be the focus of this post?  I have so far written about guns, gay marriage and income inequality.  Americans are incredibly divided over these issues, with some fiercely advocating change and others just as fiercely arguing for maintenance of the status quo.  So rather than address another issue that divides, I thought I would seek to write about a program that all people of good will can support.

The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh recently teamed up with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Pittsburgh to renovate a home in the Borough of Sharpsburg, which is located about 5 miles northeast of the city.  When the renovations are complete, the home will be sold to a family that is currently living in substandard housing conditions in the Northview Heights Projects on Pittsburgh’s North Side. 

Many people have only a vague idea of what Habitat for Humanity does, recalling, perhaps some connection between the organization and former President Jimmy Carter – he and Rosalynn have been frequent volunteers.  Habitat for Humanity’s global mission is to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need.  It fulfills this mission by either building modest new homes or renovating existing homes.  Work on the home is performed by volunteers, often from churches or the faith community. 

Importantly, the program bills itself as “a hand up, not a hand out.”  Eligible families purchase the Habitat homes.  Their down payment consists of performing at least 500 hours of “sweat equity” on the home or other homes in the program.  In addition to instilling a sense of ownership and pride in the families, the work teaches valuable skills that will benefit them in maintaining the home they purchase.  The balance of the cost of the home is paid by the family through an interest-free mortgage.  For example, the family purchasing the Sharpsburg house will make a monthly mortgage payment of between $450 and $550.  Proceeds from mortgage payments are re-invested by Habitat to provide other homes for families in need. 

My church, St. Peter’s in the borough of Brentwood, will participate in a workday at the Habitat house in June.  About a dozen of our parishioners participated in a similar project in Sharpsburg in 2010 and found it to be a rewarding experience.  Significantly, our parishioners represent a wide range of political views from the far right to the far left and many points in between.  Yet this project received wide support, both financial and hands-on, from throughout this broad spectrum of political views. 

So while trying to change the world relative to many issues can create conflict and animosity, perhaps there is at least one area where people of goodwill of all political stripes can come together and accomplish something significant.  I’m not suggesting that anyone give up trying to accomplish change in other areas.  Rather, I’m suggesting that you consider taking a short break from whatever other issues you are passionate about and come together with your local chapter of Habitat for Humanity to create a habitable home for a family striving to improve their lives.  I think that’s change we can all believe in.