Et cetera : NCCC’s First Week with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Anna and Michelle staining wood.

The team is working on a roof with A Brush with Kindness

By: Yazmeen Green and Joy Holleman, Cedar 2

The AmeriCorps NCCC team, Cedar Two, arrived in Minneapolis last week to begin work with the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. The team will be working in the area until April 27, and are also helping with the A Brush with Kindness program, which focuses on home restoration for families in need.

According to the Habitat for Humanity’s website, more than 20 percent of the population residing in the Twin Cities metro area spends too much on housing, and the problem of affordability is growing faster in Minnesota than in any other state. Habitat for Humanity has also been kept busy by the tornado that hit the area last May and took out several blocks. They have been working closely with A Brush with Kindness to help the community recover from the disaster.

While Habitat for Humanity works to provide the opportunity to work and live in a safe environment for low-income families, A Brush with Kindness seeks to assist current home-owners who may not be physically able to make repairs and do home maintenance

So far, the team has helped at the Restore, which is a Habitat for Humanity-ran warehouse store; spent three days installing windows, trim and flooring at a housing site in St. Paul; and spent a day with A Brush with Kindness putting up roofing. The team has learned a lot about home restoration and construction already in their first week. They also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Camden Lions Pancake Breakfast for St. Patrick’s Day.