How It Started: Promoting Peaceful Coexistence & Mutual Respect
World Interfaith Harmony Week, established by the United Nations in 2010 following a proposal by Abdullah II of Jordan, is observed each February to promote peaceful coexistence and mutual respect across faiths and cultures.
To celebrate the week, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity launched a community campaign in 2021 highlighting collaboration among diverse faith groups through its Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) program. As part of this program, faith leaders from across El Paso County work together to help build homes and strengthen community, while also attending dialogues to bring people from different faith coalitions and backgrounds under one roof for important discussions around housing accessibility.
Overcoming Barriers to Build Stability with Our Latest Event
In partnership with the Pikes Peak Interfaith Coalition, Pikes Peak Habitat hosted its 5th Annual Interfaith Dialogue on February 1, 2026 titled “Together We Overcome Barriers to Build Stability.”
The event, held at UCCS Berger Hall in Colorado Springs, brought together 63 community members to discuss affordable homeownership in the Colorado Springs region.
Esteemed Panelists Discuss Colorado’s Widening Wealth Disparities
The program included a panel featuring housing leaders from across the community, including Stefka Fanchi, President & CEO of Colorado Community Land Trust, Jill Gaebler, Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Housing Network, Kris Lewis, CEO of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity, and Katie Sunderlin, Housing Solutions Manager for the City of Colorado Springs.
Panelists discussed the growing housing shortage and its impact on low-income families, noting that while Colorado ranks high in income, it ranks much lower in homeownership—highlighting widening wealth disparities. Speakers emphasized that stable housing is essential for strong families, communities, and local economies.
The event also featured a keynote from Amanda, an IBU homeowner, who shared her journey from hardship to homeownership and expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to build stability for her family.
Beliefs & Collaboration Advance Inclusive Housing
Following the panel, participants joined interfaith table discussions to explore how their beliefs inspire action on housing and how collaboration across communities can help advance inclusive housing solutions.
Attendees Create a Symbolic Gift for the IBU Homeowner
A special moment during the dialogue highlighted the creation of an Interfaith Bench, a symbolic gift for the IBU homeowner. Youth from participating congregations decorated individual bench boards, which were assembled on stage to reveal the completed bench representing unity and shared hope.
Completing Our IBU Family’s Home
The week concluded with an interfaith build day on February 7, where volunteers from multiple faith communities helped complete Amanda’s home. Her home dedication on February 28 brought together 146 community members and included prayers, blessings, gifts from congregations, and a Native American round dance.
Guided by the spirit of World Interfaith Harmony Week, Habitat continues to bring people of all faiths or no faith together to expand affordable homeownership and build stronger communities. Visit our Faith in Action page for more information on all of our programs and how you can get involved.
