Bringing together people from various faiths can be challenging — but it’s also worthwhile! That was the message at Pikes Peak Habitat’s 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) kickoff, held June 8 at Nancy Lewis Park.
Representatives from faith traditions including Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism gathered to interact with each other, hear from future IBU homeowner Jessica, and sign up their congregations for IBU volunteer days.
The Importance of Interfaith Work
In her opening remarks, Chloe Henry, Pikes Peak Habitat’s Faith in Action program manager, noted, “Interfaith [work] is messy, and it’s hard, but it’s also very beautiful.”
She asked guests at the event to participate in a mixer. They paired off to answer questions ranging from “What’s your favorite summer snack, and why?” to “What’s a holiday or tradition that’s meaningful to your faith?” Chloe explained that these kinds of conversations are encouraged during IBU volunteer days, when two groups — each consisting of five individuals from separate faith traditions or congregations — work together on the construction site, share a meal, and get to know each other.
She also stressed the crucial role of volunteers to Pikes Peak Habitat’s mission.
“Over 90% of our homes are built by volunteers, and so what that means is that your faith community truly matters,” she said. “The members that you bring, the friends that you bring along with you, the family member that you drag kicking and screaming matter, and they are really making a difference in the lives of families.”
She concluded, “I know that it’s time out of your schedule to come when it’s hot, or when it’s rainy, or when it’s both in the same afternoon….but I do hope that hearing Jessica’s story really does propel the mission forward to say, ‘This is why we’re doing what we’re doing.'”
Jessica’s Story
Jessica told guests about the challenging path she has traveled. She lost her job of 15 years because of COVID-19 and started a new career — then realized that career demanded major sacrifices. She “made a lot of money, but they never gave me the time that I needed, ever, for my son,” she said. “They would not give me weekends off, didn’t matter what my numbers were. I had no help, so he had to sit at home all day with me, every day.”
Despite her salary, she couldn’t afford to purchase a home. And the toll on her son and her own health wasn’t worth the money — money she said she had no time or energy to even enjoy. So she made the difficult decision to find a different job.
“I am mentally better,” she said. “I am happy. I get all the time in the world with my son.”
But she took a significant pay cut, and because of that, she and her son, who is eight, live in less than ideal conditions. They share a 285-square-foot home with minimal privacy, she said. “It’s not on the nicest street in the neighborhood, if you know what I mean, and my landlord isn’t the most amazing person out there as far as fixing my residence.”
When she first heard about Pikes Peak Habitat’s homeownership program, she felt almost too demoralized to apply. “I’d been denied on so many things,” she said, “and then I’d been accepted and then denied and then kicked off. I could never make too much, and I could never make enough.”
But she got her paperwork in order and went through the rigorous application, interview, and home visit process. She finally learned she had been approved. “I’m very thankful, and I’m very blessed to have been part of this situation,” she said.
As part of her sweat equity, she’ll be working alongside volunteers to build her home. She told those at the gathering, “I’m so excited to work, and I’m a goofball, and I love to talk a lot — and cry a lot! But bear with me, ’cause we’re gonna have a good time!”
She concluded by sharing a message of hope. “The reason I led [with] that story is just to give everybody here faith on their own situations, because even though you might think you might be losing something, the grass sometimes is greener on the other side,” she said. “Since I was approved, all types of blessings have [come] my way, so I’m very thankful.”
IBU Volunteer Days
IBU volunteer days at the construction site start in August, and we have opportunities on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. If you or your congregation would like to be involved and work with Jessica to build her home, please e-mail Chloe@pikespeakhabitat.org.
Watch a video of Jessica’s son talking about what he most looks forward to about his new home!
