“Growing up in New Orleans, LA life was never easy.  But with the strength of God, my challenges became obstacles that I overcame.  Experiencing Katrina and Rita, I know what it is like to have no home at all.  So applying for Habitat was the best and only way I saw fit to becoming a homeowner.  Being a home owner means a stable living for my daughter and myself.  It is the foundation to what we call life.  It is a place to live our lives with privacy and peace.  Habitat for Humanity is giving me and my family a safe living environment that is violence and drug free.  So I would like to thank all of you who are involved in making our lives, as Habitat Partners, better.”

Selena and her daughter Kay will soon be calling Mable Street home!

Selena Lewis, Kay Lewis, and Amie Nunez Habitat Family and Volunteer Services Manager

“On February 10, 2013, my family and I were victims of  an EF-4 Tornado. My kids and I were home when the tornado hit, leaving us to evacuate our premises. Our whole apartment complex was hit pretty hard, therefore everyone had to leave. From there we went to stay with my kids’ grandmother for a week until I could find another apartment. I continue to Thank God daily for sparing us  and others that were affected.  This transition has been a struggle for me, I’m constantly worrying about the well being of my family and being able to move forward. However, my sense of security is gone right now, I’m trying to adjust in our new apartment , but it just doesn’t feel like Home. Our bathroom and bedrooms were flooded due to roof damage.  We lost a lot in the storm, but in exchange we gained a lot of LOVE from friends, family, co-workers and even people I have yet to meet. I am so very Grateful.  I am currently a Partner Family with Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity. The first wall of our new home went up on March 18, 2013. We need volunteers to come out and help with construction, because without the Volunteers this build would not be possible. My FAITH, PATIENCE and the Smiles on my kids faces are what keep me grounded. In less than a year, I will be a homeowner and that makes me so happy. At the same time, I know that His timing is always perfect, so He is Blessing me with so much Patience.”

Ms Stevens and her beautiful children have been partners of Habitat for Humanity since December of 2010 .  Ms. Stevens works for Wesley Medical Center. The Steven’s home is under construction in the City of Petal. They were victims of the February 10^th tornado and lost their apartment and all of their belongings. Habitat has worked with our community partners to meet the immediate needs of the Stevens family and they have since been relocated to another apartment. However, their new home through Habitat for Humanity will give them a sense of stability following such a devastating loss. The Stevens family has been a partner with Habitat for Humanity since 2010 and was already selected to receive the next home built in Petal.

The Stevens family’s current living conditions are extremely overcrowded.  She currently has a 6 yr old daughter and 2 year old son living with her and they share a bedroom. One of her children currently resides with her mother due to her small apartment.  When the Stevens family home is complete, Cynthia will finally have her family all under one roof. The Stevens family home is on track for completion by the summer of 2013- they are so excited to own their very own home!

You can keep up with the progress on this home by checking our our Facebook page!

If you would like to volunteer to help out on this home please visit our volunteer page!

Spring is always a busy season for the Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity and this one is no exception. Every spring Habitat for Humanity hosts volunteers from all over as part of its Collegiate Challenge program in affiliation with Habitat for Humanity International. Following the aftermath of the tornado, these volunteers are even more important to the work of Habitat for Humanity. While none of the 60 existing homes built by Habitat for Humanity sustained any damage, homes in the areas surrounding these Habitat houses were damaged or destroyed. These homes that were damaged or destroyed will create a need for more affordable housing and Habitat for Humanity is ready to accept the challenge. To build additional homes, Habitat for Humanity will need property to build on. If you would like to discuss a property donation to aid in the long term recovery process, please contact Habitat for Humanity.

Currently, the affiliate has two houses under construction- one on Mable Street in Hattiesburg and another on McInnis Street in Petal. The house under construction in Petal has a new sense of urgency. This house will belong to the Stevens family, victims of the February 10^th tornado who lost their apartment and all of their belongings. Habitat has been working with our community partners to meet the immediate needs of the Stevens family and they have since been relocated to another apartment. However, their new home through Habitat for Humanity will give them a sense of stability following such a devastating loss. The Stevens family has been a partner with Habitat for Humanity since 2010 and was already selected to receive the next home built in Petal.

Even prior to the tornado, seven groups from all over the country and Canada were scheduled to visit Hattiesburg and serve with Habitat for Humanity.  This week Habitat is hosting volunteers from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Over the next eight weeks, an additional six groups will be coming in to build with Habitat for Humanity. If you are interested in helping support the work of Habitat for Humanity, please contact Lee Anne Venable, Resource Development Manager at 601-582-HOME or lvenable@hattiesburghabitat.org. You can also visit our website at www.hattiesburghabitat.org or facebook.com/hattiesburghabitat.

If you would like to meet the Stevens family- click here to view their family page!

Tax Deductible Donations can also be made through our website

Photo Courtesy of Matt Bush- Debris blocks Main Street in downtown Hattiesburg. A Sunday afternoon tornado cut a swath of destruction through much of the city including the University of Southern Mississippi. According the NWS at least 82 were injured in the city and over 300 homes and buildings damaged.

Click here to read our most recent press release

Press Release- Habitat gets to work in aftermath of the tornado

Following Sunday’s tornado that devastated parts of our community, we are happy to report that all of our Habitat families are present and accounted for. One of our partner families (a partner family is waiting for their Habitat House to be built) lost their apartment and all of their belongings but she and her children are all safe and sound.We are working with her and the community to meet her immediate needs. We have 60 homes completed in the Hattiesburg Area and not one shingle is missing- Praise the Lord! We were extremely fortunate to have weathered Sunday’s storm as well as we did. Because we were so blessed, we feel it our obligation to be a blessing to our community that needs us now. We have been supplying work teams with hard hats, gloves, and safety glasses to aid them in the recovery efforts this week as well as lending a helping hand where we are most needed.

Habitat for Humanity is not a first responder to disasters. Instead, we are a long term recovery solution and will continue to build homes for the families that need us, a number that no doubt will increase after the events of February 10th. The homes that we build are simple, decent, and affordable. They are also sturdy and safe thanks to the efforts of our volunteers. We thank you for your service. Please know that we will need you more than ever in the coming weeks and months to build more homes for more families that need us!

Our most immediate need is feeding the volunteer groups that will be coming in starting Sunday and will be here for the next six weeks. If you would like to help feed these hungry volunteers, please contact Amie, our Family and Volunteer Services manager at 601-582-4663 ext. 12 or by email at info@hattiesburghabitat.org. You can also sign up online!

Click here to sign up to feed volunteers! 

 Join the Habitat Hoopsters as they take on the Harlem Wizards in the 4th Annual Hoops for Habitat!

Purchase Tickets Here!

On Friday, February 8^th, the Harlem Wizards will be making a stop in Hattiesburg to square off against the Habitat Hoopsters, a motley crew of local celebrities. This will be the fourth year our Habitat affiliate has held Hoops for Habitat. However, this is our first time hosting the Harlem Wizards. The Harlem Wizards offer a unique brand of Harlem-style basketball, featuring high-flying slam dunks, dazzling ball-handling tricks and hilarious comedy routines. The Wizards feature non-stop laughs and deliver a positive message for kids wherever they play. Our last three Hoops for Habitat events have been a huge success in generating funds for our affordable housing program. Last year, we had almost 1,000 people in attendance and raised nearly $10,000!

The Wizards set themselves apart from other “Harlem-style” basketball teams by working with local not-for-profit and service organizations and holding shows as community fundraising events. For Hattiesburg’s event, the Wizards have partnered with Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity to help raise funds for our spring and summer building projects. For more information on the Harlem Wizards, please visit www.harlemwizards.com

Hoops for Habitat will take place on Friday, February 8^th at William Carey’s Clinton Gymnasium. Tickets are $8 advance purchase and will be $10 at the door. If you would like to purchase tickets, please visit www.hattiesburghabitat.org or call 601-582-4663.

This event is sponsored by Citizens National Bank, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Forrest General Hospital, Pine Grove Behavioral Health, William Carey University, Coca-Cola of Hattiesburg, and The First, A National Banking Association.

There is something for everyone to do- we can’t build it without you!

Volunteer today!

Celebrate Giving Tuesday!

Give the Gift that Gives Back!

When you support Habitat for Humanity, you are not only helping a deserving family purchase their very first home, you are helping keep the cycle going!

 Celebrate Giving Tuesday by making a gift to Habitat for Humanity today!

If you would like to give the gift of home to a deserving family this Holiday season just like Mr. Litland- click here!

We would like to especially thank a couple of Veterans that are close to our hearts here at Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity. Mike and Lucinda Pascarella met while serving in the Army in Germany in 1991.  Jump ahead to 2001, right before Mike’s retirement from the US Army after 20 years of service, they both began to volunteer with Habitat and caught “Habititis” as we all say! Now, 10 years later, Mike is our Construction Manager and also our Executive Director and Lucinda is our Family Services Committee Chair. Together, the Pascarellas have served our country well! Now they continue that spirit of service through their work with Habitat for Humanity!

Thank you Mike and Lucinda for all that you have done and continue to do for Habitat for Humanity!