Home is our sanctuary. Home is the key to our refuge, our safe place. Over the past two years (and I can’t even believe it’s now been that long), since purchasing our house, we’ve put in effort and time to truly make this house our home. While we love to travel and adventure, there is nothing like coming back to a place of comfort and peace – a space where we can be ourselves, within the safety of these walls.
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Habitat for Humanity
That feeling is something every family deserves. Kids should be able to feel safe, content and at ease when they walk through the doors of their home.
We don’t often acknowledge the significance of the house keys jingling in our pockets — that what’s behind doors unlocked by those keys eliminates barriers to better, healthier lives.
It’s in our nature to desire strength and stability day after day. We deserve to know that we have the power to take care of ourselves and build our own futures.
If you’ve been around here for a while, you know we like to find ways to give back and support the at-risk community around us. While I love to feel safe and cozy in our home – creating an oasis or my family – I never want to feel cut-off from the world around us.
Just this week, Skylar was holding our kitten and feeling the love when he mentioned, “Hey mom, I know we bring food and supplies to people that are homeless, but I bet they would really love to have a cat too. Maybe we could find them one.”
Which spurred a whole conversation of logistics and pet care, but ultimately resulted in his response of, “let’s get a bunch of people together and help build them a house… Then we can bring them a cat and food to their house!”
I like where his mind was going, even if it’s something we can’t do on our own… but help is needed. Even in the U.S., decent and affordable housing is unreachable for too many.
The Scary Reality:
- Nearly 19 million U.S. households pay half or more of their income on a place to live.
- In fact, 1 in 6 families pay half or more of their income on their rent or mortgage, and according to Harvard, often choosing between paying for housing or nutritious food, reliable transportation or even life-saving medicine.
- Virtually nowhere in the U.S. can a full-time employee earning minimum wage afford a one-bedroom apartment.
To me the stats are mind-blowing. Imagine not knowing where you might rest your head tonight or if your children will be safe and warm. That’s the reality for far too many families.
The fact is, there is someone who helps… and THAT is something we’re excited to help with!
That’s why we actively support Habitat for Humanity. Their nationwide Home is the Key campaign brings together sponsors, community leaders and supporters like Habitat Humanitarians Drew and Jonathan Scott so that even more families have access to decent housing. And they’ve made it SO easy and SIMPLE to help in so many different ways!
Now, Habitat does not give away houses:
- Future homeowners put in a significant amount of sweat equity and then pay an affordable mortgage.
- Future homeowners also receive financial education and training to help them succeed.
- Habitat builds in local communities across all 50 states and 70+ countries around the world.
- With all of us helping together, Habitat helps another family improve their living conditions somewhere around the world every 17 seconds.
How can we help?
Visit or Shop to support Habitat for Humanity in three simple ways this month:
Visit: Home is the Key to make a donation.
Shop: Chico’sFAS: Donate in-store or online at any of the Chico’s FAS brands mentioned below:
- Chico’s: Every sale of a signature Slub Tee Shirt from April 1 – May 31 will support Habitat, as well as $5 from the sale of each gift card over $25 in value, up to $100,000.
- White House Black Market: From April 1 – May 31, White House Black Market will donate $5 from the sale of each gift card over $25 in value, up to $50,000.
- Soma Intimates: From April 1 – May 31, Soma will donate $5 from the sale of each gift card over $25 in value, up to $50,000.
- O-Cedar: O-Cedar will donate $1 to Habitat for Humanity for every ProMist MAX Microfiber Spray Mop sold by O-Cedar to any U.S. retail channel in the U.S. from April 1 to May 31.
During the month of April, Nissan donated $5 every time the hashtag #HomeIsTheKey was used, part of their $250,000 commitment to Home is the Key!
Shayla says
Very powerful article. I didn’t realize the stats you shared, I thought we were alone and didn’t realize our situation was as common as it is!
Marna Altman says
Love all the pics of your home. One of my favorite things to do is redecorate my home. I love my home and my things!!!!
Stephanie says
I know a lot of people in those hard situations you mentioned and I absolutely love that a program like this exists. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Jen says
I wasn’t aware that these stores helped raise funds for this cause! How wonderful!
I’m also totally in awe of your beautiful home.
Kathi says
Thanks for sharing these facts so more can be aware of how to help. Much needed.
Alli says
Habitat is such a worthy cause! There truly is no place like home and everyone deserves a place to call home.
Melissa Chapman says
Living in and owning a home is my one reliable factor in my life. It is good to know that there is help for people to get that same good fortune in a home.
Ashley says
I didn’t know these stores did something like this. I will have to remember so I can shop there.
Amber Myers says
I love this! I always love when I can give back and I try to do it whenever I can.
Marcie W. says
Wow, I had no idea so many people struggle to have (and keep) a safe, steady place to live. That’s heartbreaking. Habitat for Humanity is really doing some amazing things!
Ash says
What a great post! I love that all these companies are working to help the less fortunate. very admirable!
Pam says
I had no idea it was so easy to support Habitat for Humanity. They are doing great work.
Heather says
You have a wonderful home and I think it’s amazing that you go out and feed the homeless and teach your kids about it. We need more parents like you in this world!
Catalina says
Oh yes! I am so agree! Nowhere is like home! I love travelling but i love spending time at home too! You have a beautiful home!
Sue says
Habitat for Humanity is such a wonderful organization. Good for you for helping them get the word out.
Sarah Bailey says
Those stats are scary aren’t they. It is sad to think the reality is we are lucky to even have a roof over head a lot of the time.
Swathi says
You have a beautiful home. Yes keeping safe of people in need is most important. Having a home is best thing in the entire life.
Ruth I says
Oh, that is really scare! But thanks be to organizations like Habitat for Humanity who are helpful.
Lynndee says
The stats are mind blowing. Glad that Habitat for Humanity is always there to help. Anyway, love how bright and airy your home is.
Name (required)Heather says
What a great organization. and I just love that tandem bike picture above the couch!!! So cool!
Beth says
Your house is so lovely! I loved reading about Skylar’s empathy for homeless people and glad to see that there is such a simple way to help Habitats for Humanity.
Kristine Nicole Alessandra says
I have read about how Habitat for Humanity has helped a lot of people around the world and it would not be possible without the help of countless others! I will patronize these companies that help Habitat so that more people will have a decent place to live!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Everyone deserves a roof above their head and I am thankful that Habitat for Humanity makes this happen. I am in full support of the companies that give back to the community and support such a worthy cause.
Lia Mae says
Being able to help people in need is just amazing. Habitat for Humanity does so much.
Sapana says
Being a mother of two, I can feel how horrifying is the thought of not having a place to keep yourself and your family safe. Coming back to your own place is always special. I must say the program you dished details about in this blog is wonderful. Thanks for the information.