History
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MID 1970's The Habitat Movement began as an idea in south Georgia and continues to expand across not only the nation but throughout the world. There are over 1,500 U.S. affiliates and operations in over 80 countries worldwide. Habitat has built more than 500,000 houses around the world, providing more than 2.5 million people with safe, affordable housing.
EARLY 1986 The Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity had its beginning in early 1986 when the Reverend Fred Dare, Pastor of Community United Church of Christ and one of his parishioners, Sharon Brown, attended a meeting at Eden United Church of Christ to hear Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity International. The meeting inspired 5 people from Muncie, including Dare & Brown to go to a work camp at the Americus, Georgia headquarters of Habitat International.
JULY 1986 From that experience, the momentum to organize a Muncie affiliate was born. On July 15, 1986 a task force formed to explore the possibility of establishing a Habitat affiliate in Muncie. Shortly after that, on July 20th, twenty-three Muncie residents went to Lafayette, Indiana to attend a Habitat Home Dedication. At the Dedication, they were able to meet President Jimmy Carter.
SEPTEMBER 1986"Infectious Habititis" set in and on September 4th a call out meeting took place at the Community U. C. C. where further discussion took place and plans were formulated for formal organization. On September 30th a Board and slate of officers were chosen.
OCTOBER 1986 Less than a year after getting the vision for Habitat in Muncie, the group had been given half a city block, consisting of 5 building sites! Two houses were also donated; one on South Walnut and the other on East Jackson Street.
DECEMBER 1986 By December of that year, the group had been formally recognized as Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity, Inc. (GMIHFH or Muncie Habitat).
DURING 1987 Powered by volunteers for both administration and construction, work is done toward building the first Habitat home in Muncie, Indiana.
APRIL 1988 Only a year and a half after the Habitat vision was cast to a few inspired folks in Muncie, the first Habitat home in Muncie was dedicated on April 30, 1988. It was 1,300 square feet in size and the cost was $22,000.
JUNE 1989 Muncie Habitat broke ground on a second home at 3001 South Jefferson. But unlike the first home, which took a year to build this home was built in a week's time!
Until 1993 During this period Muncie Habitat functioned essentially as a volunteer organization, operating out of donated office space in various churches, and building only on Saturdays. Donated storage space in empty warehouses allowed Habitat to gradually gather tools and supplies, and to recycle building materials. During this period a part-time construction coordinator was employed to plan and supervise the Saturday activities.
OCTOBER 1993 Wayside Mission gave Muncie Habitat space in a building on South Madison Street. For the first time, an actual office became a reality!
JANUARY 1994 Sharon Brown, who was instrumental in the founding of the Muncie affiliate, was employed as the first Executive Director.
MARCH 1996 Muncie Habitat had purchased a permanent office/warehouse facility at 1923 South Hoyt Avenue, our current home. Construction activity was increased with building taking place not only on Saturdays but on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well. The number of volunteers, donations, and grants had increased to the point that when Habitat observed its 10th anniversary in December 1996 a total of 18 houses had been built.
MARCH 2001 The 35TH Habitat home in Muncie is dedicated, kicking off the year in which 5 homes were built.
APRIL 2007 The Grand Opening of the Home Discount Center (later named ReStore), which sells new & used building supplies to the general public which might otherwise end up in a landfill.
NOVEMBER 2008 More families are served in 2008 than any previous year in Muncie Habitat's history. The week of Thanksgiving, the 9th home of 2008 is dedicated! This dedication brings the total number served by the Greater Muncie, Indiana Habitat for Humanity to 85 families. 2011 100th Partner Family Served!
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