In 2005, Knights at the grassroots level reported contributing $422,240 to Habitat for Humanity (HFH) and volunteering more than 780,000 hours helping to build new houses for deserving families. Now the Supreme Council office in New Haven is officially sponsoring a HFH house through the organization’s Greater New Haven affiliate.

For families whose dream to own a home is an impossibility, Habitat for Humanity can be a godsend. A nonprofit, Christian housing ministry, HFH seeks to eliminate substandard housing and end homelessness around the globe. Needless to say, the Knights of Columbus has taken notice of this important mission.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Council office began asking state and local councils for reports of their involvement in Habitat for Humanity. Since August 2005, Knight have made multiple trips to the hurricane- devastated Gulf Coast where they have helped families rebuild homes and reclaim their lives.

 “Habitat for Humanity and the K of C are ideal partners because the two organizations have much in common,” said Greater New Haven HFH Volunteer Coordinator Jennifer Rook. “They are both faith-based organizations with similar missions. It’s natural that the two…would come together to build a house for a deserving family who would otherwise not be able to afford a home of their own.”

Located less than a mile from the Knights’ international headquarters in New Haven, the sponsored home will eventually belong to Wilfredo and Maria Ortiz.

 Contrary to popular belief, HFH is not a handout program in which families that qualify receive a house for free. Instead, able recipients work alongside the construction crew and volunteers, and are then set up with a 25-year, zero percent interest mortgage. When the house is finished, HFH holds a dedication ceremony for the owners and volunteers.

“I’m so anxious to get started,” Wilfredo explained. “We’ve been in the program and been volunteering for close to three years. To finally be this close to getting started — we can’t wait!”

Wilfredo and Maria have five children, ages 5-17, and their house is slated for completion on or around the end of the year.

“When I was young, my parents did a lot of traveling so I didn’t have a steady home,” Wilfredo continued. “I’m looking for a home for my children — for something steady, something permanent.”

Rook said, “We hope that the building of the first K of C Habitat home in New Haven will be the beginning of a long relationship between our two organizations.”