A $25,000 Coachella Valley Spotlight grant from the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation to Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley (HFHCV) is already helping local families by supporting the nonprofit organization’s “A Brush with Kindness” program. This volunteer-based assistance restores and repairs damaged or blighted properties throughout the Coachella Valley.
“Volunteers are crucial to all aspects of our work at Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley,” said David Thornton, HFHCV Executive Director. “We not only rely on volunteers with building skills and construction experience to build and repair homes, but we are also grateful to our volunteers who help with yard work, painting and minor repairs, as well as those who help in our retail store, ReStore, and those who assist with administrative and clerical work. It takes many people with many different talents to help improve and transform communities.”
Part of a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries, Habitat International’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. That effort is made in the desert through Habitat for Humanity of the Coachella Valley, which provides nonsectarian services without discrimination regardless of religion, age, income, gender, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
Founded locally in 1989, HFHCV plans to use the Coachella Valley Spotlight grant funds for its A Brush with Kindness program, a component of the organization’s Housing Insecurity Prevention Program, which offers a multi-faceted approach to reducing housing and financial insecurity among low-income valley residents. Through this program, HFHCV also builds homes for low-income families and provides Emergency Household Needs Assistance through donations of household appliances that impact quality of life.
“It is amazing to see local volunteers come together, and in only a few hours or a few days collectively improve a family’s home to make it more comfortable and safe for them,” said Catharine Reed, Program Director for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation. “We are excited that this grant will improve the living conditions of many local residents.”
“Habitat for Humanity is improving local neighborhoods by partnering with residents and local businesses,” said Jerry Upham, General Manager of Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns and operates KESQ News Channel 3 and KPSP CBS Local 2. “Many of the people who are helped by HFHCV also contribute to their home building or home repairs or give back to the community in the best ways they are able. We are happy to be a part of this partnership as well.”
The Coachella Valley Spotlight partnership includes featuring each organization on News Channel 3 programming including “Eye on the Desert” (which airs on CBS Local 2 weeknights at 6:30 p.m.), in public service announcements and on kesq.com.
Habitat for Humanity operates a ReStore shop, offering new and used building materials, appliances and home furnishings, located at 72680 Dinah Shore Dr., Palm Desert. For more information visit www.hfhcv.org or call 760-770-3723.