As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY (RCHFH) is an ecumenical Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for low-income families to purchase and own safe and affordable homes. RCHFH does not give homes away, but instead provides the Hope, Opportunity, Motivation and Empowerment (HOME) for potential homeowners to qualify for a 0-interest mortgage and complete the Partner Family program, which includes 300-400 hours of "sweat equity". “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” RCHFH also provides a 30-week mandatory financial education program that each homeowner must complete (the program is also open to the public.) This education helps our low-income families learn how to manage their money and move permanently out of poverty! We call this "A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out" The impact of homeownership on Habitat families includes: better school and career performances, increased neighborhood and community participation, improved health, and personal and financial responsibility. The program often breaks the chain of poverty and disadvantages for education and career development. The program also impacts the community in many ways: revitalized neighborhoods, additional tax revenues, increased property values, lower crime rates, less stress on government & municipal social services, fewer foreclosures, and increased consumer spending. In 2015, RCHFH is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of building Habitat houses in Tennessee and will complete the 125th house in April, 2015. RCHFH plans to build 16 new homes in Rutherford County in 2015-16, in LaVergne, Smyrna and Murfreesboro. RCHFH does not receive funding from HFHI or the government so the success of our mission relies on the support of local donors, volunteers and sponsors.