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Mahoning Co. Habitat earns national grant
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
YOUNGSTOWN
Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County is one of four organizations to win the first-ever “green grants” in a national contest sponsored by Green America.
A national nonprofit green-economy organization, Green America awarded the top prize of $2,500 to Build It Up, West Virginia Summer Program. Three other green projects, including Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning County, each received a runner-up prize of $1,000.
Voters across the United States picked their favorite green project from among 10 finalists chosen by the Green America staff from an initial pool of 275 nominated green projects.
To qualify as a green project and be a finalist, each nominee’s work was required to join social-justice concerns with environmental responsibility — Green America’s definition of “green,” officials said.
“Our strong showing in this nationwide contest gives us some ‘bragging rights’ and will help promote our specific project, The House of Abraham, to a wider audience,” says Steve Hanzely, a Habitat for Humanity grant writer.
The Mahoning County Habitat project involves interfaith groups in Mahoning County — Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others — coming together to build an energy-efficient house for a local family in need, Hanzely said.
“The $1,000 grant prize will be placed in a special account and will be used toward the estimated $85,000 construction cost of The House of Abraham,” he said.
“We are hoping to work together with these diverse groups to build our most energy-efficient home yet. One thing they all can agree on is that everyone deserves a decent home to live in,” said Monica Craven, Habitat for Humanity executive director.