The first team of volunteers began work at Augustana Homes last fall – against a backdrop of changing colors. Just over a year later, as the colors change again, our work on the build site is wrapping up.
The conclusion of a project is always bittersweet – an opportunity to reflect on the thousands of people who worked together to make a project a success. Thanks to their efforts, we’ve built eight affordable homes where eight families will build foundations and make memories. Families will continue to buy and move into these homes throughout this fall and winter.
Volunteers are the hands and hearts behind our mission, and we want to thank everyone who volunteered at Augustana over the past year. This included an awesome crew at Women Build Week 2024, an amazing group of local leaders at Executive Build in May, and many companies and community groups who joined us for Pride Build in June. And that’s not to mention dozens more groups of employees, friends, faith organizations, and leaders who lifted hammers and paintbrushes.
We’re especially grateful for our Core Volunteers, whose continuous dedication and leadership help keep our projects running smoothly and successfully from start to finish. Your commitment is the backbone of our work, and we’re so grateful for all you do.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without the generous partnership of Augustana Lutheran Church, who leased us the land where these eight homes have been built. This generous land lease agreement helps keep costs low for homebuyers, and ensures the homes will remain affordable long-term. Members of Augustana Lutheran Church and their leadership have been consistent friends and supporters of the project – kicking off the project with a site blessing, hosting an info session for potential buyers at the church, volunteering, and being great neighbors during construction.
Behind the scenes of every Habitat community are also dozens of sponsors and donors who make affordable homeownership possible with their generosity and support. Thank you to everyone who has given to this beautiful community of homes.
We also want to extend a special thank you to U.S. Bank, a partner of Habitat Metro Denver for over 25 years. In the past year, the U.S. Bank Foundation supported Augustana Homes through an Opportunity Fund Grant, designed to increase wealth-building opportunities for families. Their employees also rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at the Augustana build sites.
We also want to recognize an unexpected but delightful contributor: the Zag Project, who surprised our volunteers with ice-cold popsicles on site this past summer.
Thank you again to everyone who invested their time, energy, and heart into this project. We couldn’t have done it without you. Stay connected to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities— we’d love to have you on site again! And keep an eye out for a celebration event at Augustana this winter, when we’ll have the opportunity to celebrate this project alongside all of our homeowners and partners.
