who we are

Stable, affordable housing is critical to education, health, and economic success across our area. Habitat’s unique homeownership program allows hardworking, low-income families to build and buy a home with 0%-interest mortgage after completing 250 sweat equity hours.

Meet the Team
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Homes Builtfor families in the Lehigh Valley

Habitat Lehigh Valley is made up of a volunteer board of directors, a dedicated paid staff, volunteer leadership committees, hundreds of homebuilding volunteers and parents and children working together to secure homeownership for families who are in need of affordable, decent housing.

what we do

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit organization that works to build simple, decent homes for hardworking, disadvantaged families in the Lehigh Valley. We are an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), a global organization that has provided housing for more than 2 million people in communities in America and around the world. As one of 1,500 U.S. affiliates, Habitat Lehigh Valley embodies the mission and goals of HFHI at the local level.

Founded in 1989, Habitat Lehigh Valley brings together people from all walks of life to help others. Habitat Lehigh Valley works by partnering with local businesses, individuals and faith-based groups to build and renovate housing for families in need in our community. Our objective is to provide our families with a decent home in a safe neighborhood. Additionally, our families help to revitalize neighborhoods and increase the local tax base.

Our Mission

The Habitat mission is to offer families in need a hand up, not a hand out, and to walk alongside them as they realize the dream of home ownership. Each of our families contributes 250 hours of sweat equity to help build their home and the homes of their neighbors. Once in residence, they make monthly mortgage payments. Since most of our families are new to home ownership, HLV stays in contact with them, guiding them and providing support to ensure their successful transition to home ownership.

Habitat International

Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

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 convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in Americas, Georgia, USA, in 1976. Habitat for Humanity today operates around the globe and has helped build, renovate and repair more than 600,000 decent, affordable houses sheltering more than 3 million people worldwide.

Please note that donations made to Habitat International do not directly impact our efforts here in the Lehigh Valley. To support our local program in Easton, Allentown and Bethlehem, please direct your donation to Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley or donate through our website.

The Habitat Home Ownership program provides deserving families and children with a stable home and a safe neighborhood in which to grow and thrive. Studies indicate that the children of homeowners are more likely to attain higher academic achievement. They have a 25% higher probability of finishing high school and a 116% better chance of graduating from college. Additionally, children of homeowners are 59% more likely to become homeowners themselves.

ref. www.americanfamilyfunds.com

Meet Our Team

Jessica Elliott

Executive Director

Elise Smolinski

Director of Financial Services

Alli Ingram

Director of Operations

Dave Wagar

ReStore Director

Steve DeMarchi

Director of Construction

Brenda Strockyj

Program Director

Greg DiGiacomo

Jovanni Martinez

Repair Program Manager

Maria Ares

Office Coordinator

Rob Moser

ReStore Driver

Bonnie Moser

ReStore Associate

Eric Wood

ReStore Associate

Chris Staller

ReStore Associate

Olga Reyes

ReStore Associate

Nancy Dobil

Accountant

Lindsay Fly

Events and Marketing Manager

Danielle Fugate

Donation Scheduler & reColor Paint Coordinator

Erica Harris

ReStore Administrative Assistant

Gary Johnson

ReStore Associate

Gina Loiacono

Community Engagement and Grants Manager

Bonnie McIntyre

Front End Lead Associate

Evan McKee

ReStore Assistant Manager

Steven West

ReStore Assistant Manager

Board of Directors

John Cecchini

Chair

Kellie L. Rahl-Heffner

vice-chair

Steven Mertz

treasurer

Kevin Davis

secretary

Kelly Berfield

Andrew W. Elmore

Terry Grier

Carol Kalmer

Todd Lindsey

Kyle McLemore

Jessica Goffredo-Pantaleo

Richard Reynolds

Justin Ryan

Lindsay Watson

Catherine Curcio, Esq.

Tony Zimmermann

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