DALLAS

Building Hope and a Home: Onsite with Habitat for Humanity

By donating Titan trucks to move people and supplies, Nissan delivers the 'good' for this nonprofit housing ministry.

The echoing sound of steady hammering rang across the neighborhood construction site as a crew of volunteers worked diligently to frame what would become not only a family's new house, but a small part of their entire future as well. For several of us, it was the first time we'd ever participated in a home-building project for the Christian housing ministry Habitat for Humanity; but by the end of a long, hard day, we walked away with persistent smiles on our faces and a collaborative sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

Teaming up with Nissan for this particular project in Dallas, Texas, we had arrived before the dawn and huddled up in the driveway while cradling tall cups of coffee with both hands in an attempt to ward off the early-morning chill that pervaded the air. Welcoming people of all skill levels to assist in their efforts, Habitat utilizes volunteer labor and financial donations to ensure that every person has a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Operating in nearly 1,400 communities across the U.S. and over 70 countries around the world, the nonprofit organization builds, renovates, and repairs houses while offering innovative financing methods such as affordable monthly mortgage plans for thoughtfully-selected homeowners as well as a chance for them to develop their own sweat equity.

Habitat for Humanity | Partnership with Nissan

A crew of volunteers worked diligently to frame what would become the selected family's new house.

 
Habitat for Humanity | Partnership with Nissan

Habitat for Humanity builds, renovates, and repairs houses while offering innovative financing methods.


After a thorough discussion of safety measures and an explanation of the various project assignments, we donned our hard hats, snapped on tool belts, and broke into individual work teams. It didn't matter at all that I personally lacked any experience whatsoever in necessary tasks like finishing off the truss line or running the subfascia because I simply picked up a hammer along with a pocketful of nails and began helping attach large sheets of foam insulation to the exterior walls of the house. Instruction and demonstration was readily available for any skill that a volunteer crewmember might wish to learn (including using the power tools), but no one was ever expected to complete any task with which they were not comfortable.

For more than a decade, the work-based collaboration between Nissan and Habitat for Humanity has not only resulted in the substantial building of affordable housing for families with limited resources, but has additionally brought about the building up of better communities, brighter hopes, and enriched dreams as well. Nissan became a partner with Habitat for Humanity back in 2005 when the automobile manufacturer donated $1 million and 50 Nissan trucks valued at an additional $1 million. To date, Nissan's cash contributions toward the work here in North America have exceeded $14 million. This unique opportunity to help break the cycle of poverty housing and build long-term financial security for families in need is open to anyone who might, like us, find it to be a rather-exhausting yet extremely-rewarding way to provide the type of community service that gives individuals the chance to pay it forward.

Habitat for Humanity | Partnership with Nissan

Instruction was readily available for any skill that a volunteer crewmember might wish to learn.

 
Habitat for Humanity | Partnership with Nissan

We walked away with persistent smiles on our faces and a collaborative sense of satisfaction.


At the end of our impressively-productive day, volunteer workers uncapped a handful of black markers and wrote uplifting messages to the future homeowners on the yet-unfinished interior walls of the house. It was our way of leaving a permanent mark on their lives in exchange for the indelible imprint they'd unknowingly left on our hearts.

For more information about ways to become involved both locally and internationally, visit:
Habitat for Humanity