About Us
At Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. With the help of permanent affordable housing solutions, families embark on an immediate path to financial stability & self-reliance that transcends generations. Beyond the family unit, homeownership helps Gloucester County preserve the available workforce, often preventing families from leaving the county to seek a better life. In traditionally underinvested neighborhoods, homeownership instills long-term residents with a vested interest in maintaining, advocating for, and investing in resources/ improvements for their neighborhood. Studies provided by Habitat for Humanity International, based on GCHFH’s data, shows homeownership is foundational to child development and growth. Homeownership lifts families from instability, stress, and fear, and encourages self-reliance and confidence.
What We do
- Build – We build and sell homes with an affordable mortgage to partners and set them up for success with coaching and training. Homeownership Program
- Stabilize – Coming Soon – Repairs
- Connect – promote your corporate social responsibility goals while making a lasting impact.
- ReStore – We operate a discount home improvement store to generate revenue from donated home furnishings, furniture, and building supplies.
Mission
As part of Habitat for Humanity International, the largest not-for-profit builder in the world, Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Our Vision
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Our Mission
Bring people together to build homes, communities and hope.
Our Core Values
Operate with Integrity, Work as a Team, Have Empathy, and Embrace our Differences.
All Are Welcome
Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views, or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
Our Staff & Board of Directors
Executive Director
Ashley Griffiths has worked in the nonprofit industry for over a decade, with specific experience building programs to increase access to affordable homeownership and support the military and veteran communities. Ashley earned a B.A. in History from Temple University and is a proud AmeriCorps alumna, for which she credits teaching her the importance of leadership and turning talk into action to implement change. Ashley currently volunteers with the Delaware Valley Veterans Consortium, serving on the Executive and Membership Committees, and participates in the Honorary Commander Program at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. In her spare time, Ashley enjoys the performing arts and can be seen on stage in plays and musicals throughout the Philadelphia/South Jersey area.
“A safe, decent, affordable home is foundational to all other aspects of your life, but it’s out of reach for many hard-working families. Habitat makes the dream of homeownership a reality, providing families an opportunity to gain skills and tools to be successful homeowners, bringing stability that will positively impact themselves and their children for years to come.“
Staff
JD Davenport
Derrick Dancey
Sarah Merz
Marvin Miller
Jeremy Sheridan
Gene Weaver
Board of Directors
Ronda Abbruzzese
Tim Golden
Dan Paradis
Dick Woodward Ph.D
Board Members
Catherine Allen–Carlozo
Joe Brigandi
Tara Gallagher
Jim Jefferson
Tim Jennings
Bani LaRiche
Matthew Mazza
Anneliese McMenamin
Loretta Winters
FAQ’s
What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the United States and in more than 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.
How does Habitat for Humanity help families?
People in Gloucester County and all over the world partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage.
How does Habitat for Humanity homeownership work?
- Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity. Gloucester County Habitat for Humanity’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
- The applicant’s level of need.
- Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
- Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners, in addition to paying an affordable mortgage and receiving financial education. Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners
Does Habitat for Humanity only build new houses?
Currently yes, GCHFH only builds new homes for partners in the homeownership Program. Within the next 3 years, GCHFH has plans to launch a repairs program that will help people improve their own homes.
How do you volunteer for Habitat for Humanity?
There are many ways to volunteer. Visit our Volunteer section to learn how
What kind of donations does Habitat for Humanity accept?
- Habitat depends on financial donations to fund our work. These donations help partners build a place they can call home. Visit our Donate page to learn more.
- We also have a discount home improvement store called ReStore, which sell reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and appliances to the public. The money made from these sales is used to help families build a better future. To donate materials, click here.
- For large corporations wishing to make bulk donations of goods and materials, please email Gene Weaver, ReStore Manager at ewaever@gc-habitat.org
- For vehicle donations, please visit our Cars for Homes page.
What is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore?
Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a discount home improvement stores and donation center that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to build strength, stability, and self-reliance locally.
How does Habitat for Humanity work with the government?
- Habitat asks legislators and housing regulators to increase support for affordable homeownership and decent housing. Habitat monitors public policies related to housing, community, and international development. Habitat advocates for policies that will increase access to decent, affordable housing available to people around the world.
- Is Habitat for Humanity a Christian organization?
- Yes, we are a global nonprofit Christian housing organization. All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We have a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supports from all backgrounds.
