Founded in 1987, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International. Our mission is to build homes, communities, and hope. We work to eliminate substandard housing by providing simple, decent homes for families in need. By providing a hand-up rather than a hand-out. Habitat helps families realize their dream of owning a home. Families who qualify are able to experience homeownership through a commitment of sweat equity, a 30-year no interest mortgage and the expectation that they will continue to support other Habitat projects. In the last 31 years, we have served over 300 individuals with affordable home ownership. Each year, nearly 700 volunteers serve our mission with their hearts and hands helping us build and rehab homes for low-income families. We also link repair programs to low-income homeowners and fund repair projects to low-income homeowners that can't get help anywhere else. We fund the mission with proceeds from the ReStore thrift shop, mortgage repayments as well as generous donations from individuals and business donations, charitable grants, foundations, and special events. Our signature annual event is Chefs for Habitat, which will be held February 23, 2019. Properties are acquired through donations, purchases from landowners or an agreement with local government, often with the aid of government grants. The local affiliate is governed by a volunteer board of directors with seven standing committees. Our staff consists of an executive director, construction manager, neighborhood revitalization coordinator, Americorps volunteer coordinator, development coordinator, intake coordinator, two social work interns, and six ReStore employees. Except for licensed, skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC contractors, Habitat houses are built with volunteers working alongside the Habitat Partner Families.