At Alpha Sigma Tau's National Convention in June 2004, Alpha Sigma Tau expanded its horizons and officially adopted Habitat for Humanity as a National Service Project. This expansion was based on two years of research conducted by a team of sisters representing collegiate, alumnae and staff. During the new member period the collegiate philanthropy/service chairperson will become educated on mission of Habitat for Humanity, and how it models our creed of contributing our share promoting progress of mankind. Sisterhoods will perform yearly working projects for their local Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

What is Habitat for Humanity International?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter on conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all walks of life to work together in partnership to help build houses with families in need.

It is estimated that 25% of the world's population living in substandard housing or have no housing at all. Families are trapped in a daily struggle to survive amidst horrible, often inhumane, living conditions. As of today, Habitat has built more than 100,000 houses around the world, providing some 500,000 people in more than 2,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Habitat was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller and his wife Linda.

In freeing families from the unending struggles that accompany inadequate shelter, Habitat houses open the door to increased self-esteem and self-reliance. And, in turn, families can devote more attention to job opportunities, education, and health. As the crushing cycle of poverty is broken, their children benefit, their neighborhoods change for the better, and entire communities improve.

How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and renovates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable no-interest loans.

The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses. Habitat carries out its mission at the community level through organized groups called affiliates.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. Families in need of decent shelter apply to local Habitat affiliates. The affiliate's family selection committee chooses homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan. Every affiliate follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing homeowner families.

Habitat houses are affordable for low-income families because there is no profit included in the sale price and no interest charged on the mortgage. Mortgage length varies from seven to 30 years. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor -- sweat equity -- into building their house and the houses of others.

How does Habitat work with the government?
Habitat does not accept government funds for the construction of new houses or for the renovation or repair of existing houses. Habitat does accept government funds for the acquisition of land or houses in need of rehabilitation. Habitat also accepts government funds for streets, utilities, and administrative expenses.

How does Alpha Sigma Tau assist Habitat for Humanity?
Alpha Sigma Tau collegiate and alumnae chapters volunteer annual with Habitat for Humanity affiliates. We work directly with the leaders of Habitat for Humanity in determining the need of the community and our mission is to assist in filling the need. Some chapters actively swing a hammer while others babysit for the building volunteers. Others provide meals for the volunteers or become mentors the children that live in the homes. Still others assist with fundraising efforts or awareness projects.

Why did Alpha Sigma Tau choose Habitat for Humanity? And does Habitat for Humanity recognize the partnership?
Alpha Sigma Tau and Habitat for Humanity jointly since a resolution statement at Alpha Sigma Tau's National Convention in June 2004.

Adapted from Alpha Sigma Tau and Habitat for Humanity's Resolution Statement - June 2004:

Whereas Alpha Sigma Tau desires to add a national service project to our philanthropic resume that focuses on our memberships time, talents, and love of service.

Whereas, Habitat for Humanity, International:

is an organization that prides itself on direct service to others, following the ideals of Alpha Sigma Tau;

is a proven, solid organization that is rated one of America's 100 Best Run Charities based on financial practices, impacts in their fields of service and reputation;

mission of eliminating poverty housing and homelessness from the world and making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action - regardless of political, social or religious differences, reflects our open motto of being "active, self-reliant, and trustworthy";

is located in 2000 communities across the United States; 31 Alpha Sigma Tau chapters have existing programs on their college campus - making programs accessible to collegiate and alumnae associations;

provides opportunities for Spring/Winter/Summer break service projects both within the United States and Internationally for individual growth and development;

has a successful, developed program that meets the needs of builders who are woman and collegiate members;

allows for leadership development on both collegiate and alumnae levels;

provides a flexible volunteering schedule that would allow members opportunities to volunteer year-round (including summer, spring/winter break, weekends, etc.) -- where some building is completed during a weekend marathon building while others occur year-round; and

enables Alpha Sigma Tau to create a national service project with implementation at a local level -- giving members an opportunity to give back to their community;

Whereas Alpha Sigma Tau's membership has deemed Habitat for Humanity's mission and work:

highly motivating and rewarding;

exceptional as it directly effects the community where one lives or attends college; and

a life-altering experience, not only for the family who receives the house, but also for our members;

Whereas Alpha Sigma Tau sisters feel that with a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, International:

members will come away from the experience with a new sense of self;

members can see a tangible product of our time and have a sense of accomplishment;

members feel that their work along side future homeowners would be immensely rewarding;

would allow members a very seldom opportunity to leave something behind that has such meaning; and

can assist in developing a bonding within local chapters/associations and on a national scale

Whereas Habitat for Humanity, International has the opportunity to compliment our work with our National Philanthropy, Pine Mountain Settlement School, by assisting with home-building in the Harlan County, Kentucky, area.

Whereas no other National Panhellenic Conference organization officially supports the partnership with Habitat for Humanity, International.

Whereas, this unique partnership between Alpha Sigma Tau and Habitat for Humanity, International aims to accomplish several key goals:

Expanding home ownership opportunities for women and their families who could otherwise not afford decent housing;

Providing Alpha Sigma Tau members nationwide with an exciting volunteer opportunity that builds on our long-term mission of promoting progress of mankind;

Enabling Habitat affiliates and campus chapters to increase their efforts to eradicate poverty housing in their local communities, across the United States, and throughout the world; and

Expanding volunteer opportunities for women in a non-traditional role by engaging them in a home-building and other volunteer activities in support of this initiative;

Be it resolved that Alpha Sigma Tau adopts a partnership with Habitat for Humanity, International as a National Service Project.

Signed on this twenty-fifth day of June in the year two-thousand four.

Mrs. Patricia Klausing Simmons, Delta
National President of Alpha Sigma Tau
Habitat for Humanity, International

Want additional information?
For more information on Habitat for Humanity, International, visit http://www.habitat.org.

For more information on Alpha Sigma Tau's relationship with Habitat for Humanity, please contact Alpha Sigma Tau's National Philanthropy Coordinator.