As a volunteer, I came onsite hoping to do my thing, feel good, and get outta there - on to the rest of my life and back to my schedule. I expected I'd walk away feeling bad about the amount of need in certain communities. Instead, I walked away completely humbled by the information that I was given, the "Doodle", the beautiful people that are intentionally building and inhabiting stronger neighborhoods, and the degree to which Urban Homeworks staffers are enmeshed in it all. I walked away inspired and reevelauting my agenda in the first place. I look forward to going back and to supporting this strong organization.
I work nationally as a consultant and trainer to housing development nonprofits. These travels allow me to have many conversations with leadership and front line staff in all parts of the country with regard to best practices, challenges, and sustainable impact. Urban Homeworks is by far the most creative, productive, and innovative community development organizations in the entire country. And to top it all off, they do what they do in true parttnership with the entire community and with a faith-based mission in the heart of the city!
I have been supporting Urban Homeworks for over a decade, and as a 100 Gives 100 monthly donor for 5 years or so. Here's why: I find myself "refreshed" and impressed how they creatively approach challenging issues in their target communities. Lets be honest: there does not seem to be a whole lot of creativity or innovation coming from most non-profits or ministries when it comes to addressing the issues/needs in poor communities. But time and time again Urban Homeworks is creatively combining marketplace expertise with informed compassion with impressive outcomes. Well done!
I'm not an "evangelist" but I feel I make a difference by volunteering with Urban Homeworks to renovate homes and apartments that benefit people who normally couldn't afford dignified housing. One house, one apartment at a time we are making a difference and improving the lives of others. Urban Homeworks is a concientious steward of the donations they receive, always working to maximize the benefit of donations through volunteer labor and great leadership.
Urban Homeworks is the one organization that our members at Westbrook Community Church love to volunteer for and to support! From top to bottom the Urban Homeworks staff is top-notch and passionate about their mission within the community, neighborhood and families that they serve. They utilize their resources in a manner that is unmatched and you will not find a better non-profit organization. All in the name of Christ - Yeah!
We have had UHW on our list of favorite non-profit organization for more than five years. As members of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina, it has been a great joy to participate in several work weekends and with the QuickSilver volunteers. UHW's impact on their community has been considerable, not only in housing, but most assuredly on the lives of many. One Hudred for a Hundred, a rent subsidy program, has been very successful.
My family and I have been donating financially and with our "talents" to Urban Homeworks for 4 years now, and have witnessed the dramatic and real impact this group has on dignified housing and community building in Minneapolis. The group is forward-thinking and operates beyond the four walls they are dedicated to putting around people/families. Their commitment to neighborhood as a state of being is inspiring and effective. Please help to support this incredible organization.
My involvement with Urban Homeworks began over two years as a result of a St Marks fundraiser. Over the past two years, I have volunteered twice a week and have observed firsthand how this organization has helped build community and restore housing in North Minneapolis. They have provided gainful employment, mentoring opportunities, and both work skills and life skills to various individuals (and organizations) in the community. Along the way, I have also increased my own home building/restoring skills and learned how to use power tools more effectively. Keep up the good work!!
I had the opportunity to work with Urban Homeworks last year. I really admire the difference they are making in the community for so many people. This is a great organization to donate your time with. They are able to use any level of help with their projects. I painted and cleaned a home and had a great time with the other volunteers. It is really important to get involved in our communities and this is a fantastic way to do it! I highly recommend donating some of your time to this great organization.
I have been volunteering with UHW for about 3 years now, I started doing it with my church and now have become the contact between other volunteers at my church and UHW. This is a great place for men and women to get involved no matter what your skill level is. I like that aspect of it because it allows a diverse group of people to get out, be in Minneapolis, and doing something productive with their hands. I love that they always share the story of who UHW is and what they are trying to do, this not only allows volunteers to know that they are needed and appreciated but also know what role they play in the bigger picture. I have enjoyed working with many people at UHW and look forward to finding more ways for our church to get involved through making gift baskets, connecting with other inner city churches, and hearing the stories of hope coming out of this organization!
Our men's small group from EBC has volunteered twice with Urban Homeworks and we have found it to be a fun and rewarding way to serve God through the community. The people are fun and laid back but still focused on getting the job done and creating a better Christ centered community of people helping people. Thanks to all at Urban Homeworks for allowing us to help out.
Being a member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Edina and hearing the impact that Urban Homeworks has had on the community is inspring. I plan to volunteer to help with their mission next summer. Urban Homeworks truly makes a difference.
I'm a volunteer at Urban Homewoorks and part of a group of senior guys that really enjoy working on the various projects. To see the transformation of houses starting with the demo and ending with the "punch list" to finish various tasks is amazing and, we have a ton of fun while doing it. I've mentioned to leadership that, having lived in the Twin Cities for over 30 years, Urban Homewoorks is the best kept secret and shouldn't be such. What this organization does to offer affordable housing while revitalizing neighborhoods is outstanding. I'm just happy to be a small part in making that happen.
I have been a volunteer with the Quicksilver Crew for about four years, working as often as I can make it with the Tuesday crews working on house renovations in the North Minneapolis neighborhood near Urban Works headquarters. Not only has the experience of helping prepare the properties for occupancy been very rewarding and inspiring, but the fellowship with the Urban Homeworks staff and the dedicated guys on the crews has been amazing. Rick Person
My name is Ben Jaworski, and I have volunteered with Urban Homeworks both in the office and on-site with some of the renovations. Initially, I was a volunteer draftsman for Urban Homeworks. I chose them for my internship so I could finish my degree in Architectural Drafting. After I caught them up on their renovation plans, I got to help with some of the actual remodeling, even on some of the home I myself had been in and drafted. It was amazing to see just how fast the changes could take place, and how hard everyone was working. Then, after a few months of renovating, they acquired more houses that needed drafts, and they hired me as a private contract draftsman for three homes. It has been an honor to serve with Urban Homeworks. My only regret is that I was not there for the tornado relief effort, for which UHW has received a lot of praise from the communities. Urban Homeworks is a wonderful organization. When they need something done in the office, they don't just send an email, or try them on the phone, they walk to that person's office and get the task done as soon as possible. They hold weekly meetings so that everyone involved is up-to-date on the current happenings at UHW, and get progress reports on renovations. They are a wonderful organization, and I am happy to have worked with them.
Over the past year, I've become a donor, volunteer and admirer of UH. I've been impressed at the organization's intense focus on their mission. As a business executive, I appreciate how effectively and diligently UH goes about their work - being excellent stewards of donors funds. I applaud their ability to wrestle with the changes brought on by their rapidly expanding operation.
As a neighbor in North Minneapolis I have the privilage to live near many of Urban Homework's houses. Any organization can rehab a building but Urban Homeworks rehabs neighborhoods by the quality work they do, engaging the community during the transformation of a building and challenging those who become an Urban Homeworks resident to be part of the solution for the surrounding blocks. If North Mpls had more organizations like this you wouldn't be hearing such bad things on the news about the "Northside" but rather a transformation. From top down the folks at Urban Homeworks are top notch as experienced first hand and your dollar if donated here will go further than you would ever imagine.
No matter what happens the rest of the week, I know that when I head to an Urban Homeworks work site on a Saturday morning, it will be a good day. I was fortunate to see the evolution of a property that seemed like it was barely habitable to a wonderful, multi-family dwelling that was getting comments from neighbors and passersby on what an amazing transformation took place after Urban Homeworks acquired the property. God Bless !
When I consider how to make a positive difference in our community, I think immediately of Urban Homeworks. The people of UHW have the right heart and have developed the ability to effectively and consistently serve our city. I have complete confidence that every hour and dollar we provide them will be used to strengthen families and individuals in meaningful, powerful and lasting ways. UHW does big work and it's an unsurpassed delight to be one of their many partners.
The dedicated and faithfilled staff of Urban Homeworks makes it a priviledge to work with them. They inspire each other and the volunteers as well as their clients. Urban Homeworks is an extremely valuable asset to the Twin Cities and provides hope for a better future for individuals as well as the cities as a whole.
This organization gives me a warm heart - and hope! First, the fact that they are faith based is wonderful. In a very secular world, knowing their faith is first in the structure and how they function is great! The employees are always looking for new ways to help, give others hope and grow their faith. The volunteers are great too. My boss is constantly coming back with enthusiastic stories about Urban and the people who work and volunteer there. They are giving people a place to live, a life with dignity and a chance to see there are good people who care and practice what they preach in our community.
I worked in the same community with Urban Homeworks for much of a year. I arrived just after the devastation of the tornado and was more than impressed with the leadership and effort Urban Homeworks dedicated to addressing the needs in the community. This is one example of how their team is both exceedingly professional while also deeply personally committed to their work and the people and community.
It’s a pleasure to see the creativity, persistence, and shear hard work that this organization brings to its mission-based work. They have a profound impact. Executive Director, Chad Schwitters, is a smart, passionate, committed individual leading a team of exceptional people to work in concert with the neighborhood.
Urban Homeworks stands out among the best and most impactful organizations in the Twin Cities without a doubt.
Urban Homeworks takes seriously the importance of training volunteers--not only on how to swing a hammer, but also how to engage with reverence in urban communities. Through the influence, foundational messages, and philosophy of Urban Homeworks, our students and graduates from Bethel have grown immensely in their understanding of urban systems, poverty, and the assets found in urban neighborhoods!
Urban Homeworks does amazing work in my community by restoring housing, providing housing and building community wealth through home ownership. They are a valuable asset to our neighborhood and our city.
I can't say enough positive things about the folks at Urban Homeworks, the thought they put into executing their work in the community and the passion that is palpable in every interaction I've had with them. I've had the great pleasure of working with them on a number of initiatives; their work ethic is unmatched. To boot, they are a fun-loving staff and always a joy to be around. Results are key to success in the community development field. The numbers they put up - supported by the stories told by families and individuals they have helped - speak for themselves. Innovation + Passion is a winning formula. This is an A+ organization.
