Pikes Peak Habitat’s 2024 Apostles Build officially launched on Thursday, March 21, with an event for church leaders at the Peel House at First Lutheran. Leaders whose congregations have volunteered in the past or might be considering participation had the chance to see a video from Apostles Build future homeowner Bernadette, hear from new Pikes Peak Habitat homeowner Kayla, and sign up for group volunteer spots at the construction site.
Chloe Henry, Pikes Peak Habitat Faith in Action Program manager, opened the event with remarks about the high cost of housing in El Paso County.
“This is affecting all of us,” she said. “It’s affecting members of our church communities. It’s affecting our teachers, our childcare workers, and many in our community. So we really need to be able to come together to address this from a multi-faceted approach.”
One of the childcare workers who has struggled with the high cost of housing is Bernadette, whose home will be the 2024 Apostles Build. Although she was unable to attend the event in person, she created a short video introducing herself and her three kids. “I applied [to the Pikes Peak Habitat program] because there would be no other way for me to get my kids a stable home with a backyard and good neighbors,” she explained.
After the video, Henry introduced Kayla, a single mom of two teenagers, whose family moved into their Pikes Peak Habitat home in December 2023. She shared her journey from discouragement to hope and community.
Although she works full-time and had met her financial commitments, Kayla had found herself unable to qualify even for first-time homebuyer programs. “There was no hope for us,” she shared. “I think there’s a stigma that comes with being a single parent when you’re trying to buy a house.”
A friend who is a Pikes Peak Habitat homeowner encouraged her to apply to our program. She was accepted, and her home, the 3rd George Hammond Build — Honoring Tim Trowbridge, was dedicated in November. “Not only do we get to have a home, but we get community!” she said.
She shared that her family had moved seven times in 11 years trying to find a safe, affordable place to live. She compared their experience to the Old Testament story of Elijah praying for rain during a drought. He repeatedly sent his servant out to look for clouds, and the seventh time, the servant spotted a tiny cloud the size of a person’s hand.
“And I think of how many times that we moved, and we waited for the drought to end. And seven times — this was our seventh time,” Kayla said. “And we’re done, and this is our rain. This is our blessing.”
For church congregations who want to become involved in bringing hope to local workforce families, the Apostles Build offers multiple ways. Groups and individuals can sign up (PDF) for volunteer shifts, donate, bring lunch to work crews, and/or commit to praying for partner families. And as Henry noted, volunteering on the construction site often brings groups into contact with future homeowners who are working on their sweat equity.
“It improves the experience, because you try and get to know the people who are moving in and see what their background is,” said Bernie Redlinger, a member of the Apostles Build subcommittee who was featured in Pikes Peak Habitat’s 2023 Year in Review booklet (PDF) and poster. “It’s such a rewarding thing to you personally to help other people get into better working environments.”
Church leaders who were unable to attend the kickoff event and are interested in learning more are welcome to e-mail Chloe@PikesPeakHabitat.org.
Watch a video of Kayla’s full remarks.
