For more than 35 years, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity has been changing lives across Lucas County. Since its founding in 1988, the organization has worked tirelessly to fulfill its mission: to put God’s love into action by building homes, community, and hope.

Through the dedication of staff, volunteers, and partners, they’ve provided countless families with the opportunity to create a safe, stable place to call home.

“If there’s one thing I share with everybody, it’s that we do not give our homes away for free,” says Erin McPartland, Executive Director. “We partner with families to make the dream of homeownership possible.”

A Path to Homeownership

Most people know Habitat for its homebuilding program—volunteers raising walls, swinging hammers, and building houses from the ground up. But Erin emphasizes there’s much more to the story than construction days and blueprints.

Homeownership through Habitat is an 18-month journey that transforms more than just a family’s living situation. Participants commit to 250 sweat equity hours, attend education classes on topics like budgeting and home maintenance, and purchase their home at 0% interest.

This model makes homeownership possible for families who may have once believed it was out of reach. Along the way, it provides the education, resources, and hands-on experience needed to maintain that home for the long term. For many participants, it’s more than receiving a set of keys. It’s the start of breaking cycles of instability and creating a foundation of security that can benefit generations to come.

Preserving Homes and Neighborhoods

Beyond new builds, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity has a robust Home Preservation Program that tackles critical repairs, allowing residents—often seniors—to remain safely and comfortably in their homes. These repairs go beyond convenience; they directly impact health, safety, and quality of life.

This program’s impact is so significant that in 2024, Maumee Valley Habitat was recognized as the top affiliate in Ohio for numbers served. Each year, they replace around 65 roofs and complete approximately 20 owner-occupied rehabs. These projects often include lead abatement and bringing homes up to current code standards, ensuring that residents can live in environments that support their well-being for years to come.

The Ripple Effect of Stable Housing

For Erin, housing is about more than four walls. It’s about stability, opportunity, and community. She recalls one homeowner’s story that continues to resonate:

“At one point in a single year, she had seven different addresses—two of them were cars. She taught her children their grandparents’ address because she didn’t know where they would be living. Now, over six years later, she and her children are thriving in their Habitat home. That kind of stability changes the trajectory for an entire family.”

Stable housing, Erin says, is the foundation for so much more:

“When you correct someone’s home situation, what else can be corrected in their life? It gives them access to transportation, education, employers, and a community.”

Stories like these highlight the far-reaching effects of Habitat’s work. A stable home doesn’t just protect families from the elements. It opens doors to new opportunities, builds community connections, and fosters a sense of belonging that can last for generations.

Powered by Partnerships

Maumee Valley Habitat’s work is fueled by a web of partnerships. From collaborating with other housing providers and community coalitions to engaging corporate teams and working with grantmakers, these relationships make it possible to keep construction costs affordable and projects moving forward.

“Construction is expensive,” Erin explains. “To make it affordable, we subsidize a lot of those costs—and we need the volunteers and donors who make that possible.”

Whether it’s a group of local business employees spending the day on a build site, a foundation awarding grant funding, or a neighborhood coalition helping identify needs, every partner plays a role in creating lasting change.

How You Can Help

One of the most common misconceptions about volunteering with Habitat is that you need construction skills. Erin is quick to dispel that myth:

“You just have to have a willingness to show up. We have skilled staff on-site every day who are used to teaching people how to swing a hammer. By the end of the day, you’ll leave with a new skill.”

There are many ways to get involved:

• Volunteer on a build site – no experience needed, just enthusiasm and a helping hand.
• Donate funds or materials – even $10 buys a box of nails for a roof.
• Get your team involved – group volunteer days and playhouse builds are available and make for impactful team-building experiences.

Every hour volunteered and every dollar donated directly contributes to a family’s journey toward a safe, affordable home.

Shop, Donate or Volunteer at ReStore

Located at 1310 Conant Street in Maumee, ReStore is a unique funding source for the organization and an eco-friendly way to support the mission. Accepting furniture, appliances, and leftover construction materials—but not clothing—the store diverts over 600 tons of materials from Lucas County landfills each year.

Donations can be dropped off or picked up for free, and the items are resold to the public to generate sustainable revenue. This funding helps Habitat cover ongoing operational costs, bridge gaps between grant reimbursements, and respond quickly to urgent needs.

For those who prefer not to volunteer on a build site, ReStore offers plenty of opportunities to help—from working the sales floor to assembling donated items for display.

Upcoming Opportunities

• Rock the Block – Join a neighborhood clean-up event designed to revitalize local communities. Volunteers work together to improve curb appeal, assist neighbors, and strengthen community pride.
• Playhouse Projects – Help build and decorate custom playhouses that are donated to local families, offering a unique and creative way to support Habitat’s mission.
• Ongoing Build Opportunities – Volunteer days are available year-round, along with sponsorship and team-building activities that bring people together to make a tangible impact.

A Foundation for the Future

For Erin, it all comes down to one core belief: every family deserves a strong foundation to build their future on. “Every nonprofit meets a need,” she says. “But when you look at the base of how to change someone’s life, it starts with where they’re living.”

Whether you’re swinging a hammer, making a donation, or shopping at the ReStore, you’re helping Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity create more than houses – you’re helping to build stability, dignity, and hope that can last for generations.

Learn more, volunteer, or donate at: https://mvhabitat.org/