November 26, 2024 | Savannah Espiritu
Over the course of a week in early October, over 200 local Bank of America volunteers mobilized on Red Vest Way – Habitat Charlotte’s newest affordable housing community – to build homes for two deserving future Habitat homeowners from the foundation up.
Their efforts were part of a larger Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity Global Build Week initiative, where Bank of America associates and Habitat staffers partnered to support affordable housing and revitalization projects in vulnerable communities throughout the world.
From October 5 – 12, more than 2,800 Bank of America volunteers helped families tackle the challenge of obtaining affordable housing through projects across 108 communities from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, South Africa, and the U.S. The broader goal of Global Build is to promote better work- and education-related outcomes and advance the long-term health of communities.
Here in Charlotte, bank volunteers worked on the homes of Shaquanna and Tierra, both single mothers who can’t wait to move into their new neighborhood. As they are literally next-door neighbors, both moms are excited for their kids to get to know each other, grow up together and attend the elementary school nearby.
Be forewarned however, as volunteering with Habitat can be habit forming, as two of our Global Build Week participants can attest.
Highly skilled Bank of America volunteer Juan Lozano has been building with Habitat for Humanity for over 21 years. “I love it – it helps build a community, and above all it helps build a family. That really makes me proud to participate.”
Long-time volunteer Juan (L) with fellow Global Build Week volunteer Marlene (R).
Bank of America volunteers Samm (L) and Michael (R).
Although he hasn’t volunteered quite as long, 15-year Habitat veteran Brian is inspired every time he builds with his Bank of America team. “I like to make everybody smile, teach them some skills and show them how to build a house.”
Throughout Global Build Week busy volunteers framed walls, installed trusses and exterior sheathing, and shingled the roofs of both houses. Plus, Bank of America will continue to supply volunteers for the remainder of the shifts for each home all the way through mid-November.
Partnering with Habitat Charlotte offers a great team-building experience for our corporate partners, and their volunteer efforts make a significant impact in solving affordable housing challenges in Charlotte. Whether your company is big or small, we have a partnership program that fits your organization.
