The need for a safe place to call home is not unique to one faith, creed or economic status — and Habitat for Humanity of North Central Georgia is connecting people of all backgrounds to serve people of all backgrounds so everyone has a place to call their own.

“A home is where kids take their first steps and families have their birthday parties and holiday celebrations,” shared Steve Napier, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of North Central Georgia. “Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.” 

Before joining the organization four years ago, Steve spent over 15 years in the nonprofit world. As an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church, he’s passionate about taking God’s love outside the four walls of the Church and into the community. 

“Our love needs to be spread outside the Church. Our actions need to go throughout the community and the world alike,” he said.

Habitat for Humanity shares the love of Christ through its home-building program, interest-free mortgage opportunities, educational classes and a home repairs program for veterans, disabled individuals and elderly homeowners. 

And thanks to leaders like Steve and Director of Philanthropy Kathy Ortwerth, Habitat for Humanity is building more homes, serving more families and sharing more hope.

From an early age, Kathy’s family prioritized generosity.

“My parents emphasized giving back to all six of us kids. Going to college and giving back were the two things that were ingrained in us and shaped the values that I have,” Kathy shared. 

After graduating with her doctorate, starting her own technology training company and consulting for companies and their capital campaigns, Kathy heard about an opportunity to join Steve’s team at Habitat for Humanity.

Since coming on board, she’s had a front row seat to life change. 

Recently, she witnessed a heart-warming conversation between a mother and daughter who received the keys to their home after pouring hours of sweat equity into the project alongside Habitat team members, partners and volunteers.

“[This mother] has three kids, and her eldest is a senior in high school who just delivered a baby. So now there are four children in the house, and one breadwinner,” Kathy shared. “They had been going from a hotel room to somebody else’s basement to somebody else’s sofa.”

When the family finally received the keys to their very own home, Kathy remembers the simple question one of the children asked.

“Her little girl said, ‘Can I memorize it?’” Kathy recalls. “I said, ‘What’s she memorizing?’ And [the mother replied], ‘Our address.’”

To give this family the gift of safety and stability — and an address to call their own — makes the long hours Steve and Kathy put in so worth it. 

“God has put these people in our lives, and God has provided a way for us to more deeply understand the world and understand each other,” Steve said. “I’m so blessed to be leading the organization, and I’m so blessed to have interactions with wonderful people.” 

But this work isn’t without long days, heartbreak, tight budgets and pressure. Prayer is the core of Habitat for Humanity and gives the team strength on their hardest days. 

“Before any board meeting, before any one of our team meetings and before we build, we all pray,” Kathy shared. “Prayer is very personal to me to give me some inner peace because sometimes this work can be crazy.”

Whether they’re fundraising for another home build, trying to find affordable materials or scheduling time to complete the builds, prayer helps them find peace in the midst of overwhelming stress or busyness.

“We’re connecting with God and taking time to be still and be in communion with Him in a world where a lot of things are buzzing around,” Steve added.

Another core piece of Habitat for Humanity is community. 

“We’re not only building a community by building a 14-lot neighborhood. We’ve also got a community of our regular volunteers, the men and women who show up on the build site just because they can,” Kathy said. 

Then there’s the community of sponsors and partners who donate their services to bless families. All of these different communities with diverse backgrounds come together for each build so that the greater community of North Central Georgia can grow and thrive.

Last year, Steve made a connection to another community: a community of fundholders and changemakers at the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia. After connecting with DePriest at a community meeting with other executive directors, Steve learned about the Foundation and chose to open a fund for Habitat for Humanity.

“It’s a way to connect with philanthropic people who can help grow our capacity, to expand our reach and introduce [Habitat for Humanity] to new people,” he shared. 

As Habitat for Humanity’s team looks ahead, they’re excited to see how this partnership and the community’s prayers and support help them reach more families in a housing market where affordable housing is hard to find.

Kathy shared, “I want to be able to foster the partnerships that we have. Through the Foundation’s resources and their networks, we’ll be able to drive positive change.”

To support Habitat for Humanity as they build homes and rally communities in North Central Georgia, click here!