Habitat MidOhio Monthly Musing

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CEO Corner

I’ve been reflecting on the word equanimity; defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as evenness of mind especially under stress or right disposition. This is more than a word, of course. It’s a way of being; a way of navigating life, which is undoubtedly stressful. The stress of life impacts all dimensions of our personal and professional lives.   

Personally, I’m navigating the physical, mental, and emotional stress of being pregnant while in the first year of my new role at Habitat. Pregnancy is much harder than I imagined, and I find myself daily working to find and keep a sense of equanimity as I strive to be a values-based leader and community partner while undergoing physical and emotional changes that are, quite frankly, indescribable. It’s an internal struggle of keeping a sense of my identity while simultaneously stepping into a new identity, a metaphosphoric of sorts. I’ve undergone several phases of transformation in my life, most of them are primarily internal, private journeys. The metamorphosis with pregnancy (matrescence as it is beautifully termed) is a journey that is on public display that lends itself to comments, stories, and (sometimes intrusive) questions. The journey of matrescence is allowing me the chance to affirm my core values, establish clearer boundaries, and learn about my own disposition and commitment to equanimity. 

Professionally, work often presents stressful conditions as everyone knows. At Habitat right now, the uncertainty of Federal funding and related policies has the potential to create a very stressful sense of uncertainty for our team. Large amounts of funding on which we heavily rely are at risk of being taken away rather quickly. The repercussions could be massive on the impact we have in the community through home repair and home construction. I’m working to keep a sense of equanimity at work; encouraging our team to focus on what we can control, influence, and plan for while letting go of the rest. As an organization, we’ll do our best to advocate, plan, respond, and communicate clearly. With Ramadan underway, and knowing we serve many Muslim families, I’ll close with a quote from the Quran, “With hardship comes ease,” which requires a strong sense of and commitment to equanimity.  

We remain committed to navigating stress while being of service to Central Ohio; in connecting people to hope and opportunity through affordable housing; today and in the future.  

In Service,
Brandi Braun AL-Issa
President & CEO

Homeowner Services

Dedication of Hensinger Family Home, January 24

Last month, we had the incredible honor of celebrating the Hensinger family as they received the keys to their new home! A huge THANK YOU to our amazing long-time sponsors, Nationwide Foundation and the City of Columbus, for making this dream a reality. Your generosity and commitment to affordable homeownership continue to transform lives in our community. To the Hensinger family—welcome home!

Dedication of West Family Home, January 25

We had the honor to celebrate a new beginning as we officially kicked off the build for the West family! This journey wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors: State Farm, Wells Fargo, Simpson Strong-Tie, Ohio Wireless Association, the City of Columbus, and many volunteers. Your generosity and commitment to affordable homeownership are truly making a difference!

Dedication of Osman Verlan Family Home, January 25

We wrapped up January by celebrating the start of a new home for the Osman Verlan family! A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors, Alan & Bobbie Weiler (proudly sponsoring their 14th Habitat MidOhio home!) and the City of Columbus, for making this dream possible. Your generosity continues to create a place where everyone has a decent place to live.

ReStore

Donate

Spring is always a time to start fresh—out with the old and in with the new! We would love to be a part of your spring-cleaning process. Items donated to Habitat MidOhio go to our ReStores to be sold at an affordable price to the community which in turn helps support us on our mission to provide affordable housing in central Ohio. Do you have bigger items that won’t fit into your vehicle? No problem, we will come to you and pick up for free!

Check out more information on what items we accept and how to set up a pick up here!

Shop

Our inventory is always changing and now is the time to upgrade and refresh your home as we head into the warmer months! Check out all of our new and donated items, featuring La-Z-Boy furniture, Dahdoul flooring and home décor, Butcher Block countertops and many other great items donated generously by individuals and corporations! Shop all of our locations or online:

ReStore Locations and Hours

ReStore Westerville Road: 3140 Westerville Road, Columbus, OH 43224
Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)

ReStore Bethel Road: 2555 Bethel Road, Columbus, OH 43220
Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)

ReStore Newark: 1660 N 21st St, Newark OH 43055
Open Monday-Wednesday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM and Thursday-Saturday 9:00AM to 7:00PM (Donations Drop-offs 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.)

Did you know? We have an eBay store! Take a look at all the new product we have available here!

No matter how you choose to shop, we have the items you are looking for!

Need Help with a big house project?

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio offers deconstruction services for your home!

The Habitat ReStore Deconstruction Team provides removal of salvageable materials from your home or business. As a locally recognized and respected organization, we offer efficient service and experienced personnel to complete your job on time. 

How the Deconstruction Process Works 

1. Contact us to schedule a walkthrough of your project at cconley@habitatmidohio.org or 614-419-4389

2. Our experienced crew removes salvageable materials from your property 

3. Materials go to the Habitat ReStore to help raise funds to build affordable housing 

4. You receive a donation receipt for tax purposes 

Volunteer Services

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight: Each month, we spotlight 2 volunteers who have gone above and beyond to support Habitat’s mission. Check out our website to view all of our recently spotlighted volunteers, including Andrew Terhaar and Kevin Thorburn!

Women Build

We are excited to kick off this year’s Women Build just in time for International Women’s Day! Join us for a Women Build Week Blitz with the goal of getting the house dried in by the end of the week! No experience required. Spread the word!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Black History Month

As we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the powerful contributions of Black leaders who have shaped the fight for housing equity and economic justice—values deeply embedded in Habitat for Humanity’s mission.

From the beginning, Habitat’s work has been rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live, a principle echoed by historic Black figures who paved the way for affordable housing, community empowerment, and social justice. 

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. championed housing equality as a key pillar of civil rights, advocating for fair housing laws and economic opportunity. His vision continues to inspire our commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities. 
• John Lewis, a leader in the Civil Rights Movement, understood that access to homeownership is a pathway to generational wealth and stability. His tireless work reminds us that housing is not just about shelter—it’s about dignity. 
• Millard and Linda Fuller, co-founders of Habitat for Humanity, were deeply influenced by their time at Koinonia Farm, a racially integrated community in Georgia led by Clarence Jordan. The farm’s commitment to justice and equal opportunity helped shape Habitat’s foundation. 
• Andrew Young, former U.S. ambassador and civil rights leader, was a longtime advocate for affordable housing, working to uplift communities through homeownership and economic development. 

Today, we continue this legacy by working alongside families of all backgrounds, breaking down barriers, and creating pathways to homeownership, stability, and hope. Black history is Habitat history—and the work we do every day is a tribute to the leaders who fought for a future where safe, affordable housing is a right for all. 

This month, let’s celebrate, learn, and honor the impact of Black change makers—past and present—who inspire us to build a better, more equitable world. 

Resource Development

Habitat MidOhio is extremely grateful for Mission Sponsor, Hexion! Most recently, associates helped load walls and paint trim as part of their third house sponsorship. Hexion also supports the Franklin County Playhouse Blitz Build event and was our first ReStore truck wrap sponsor in 2024. Our ReStore trucks are on the road all over our three-county service area ensuring donations are picked up on time and all three stores are well stocked. Hexion's hard work and dedication are making a real difference helping create safe, affordable housing for the central Ohio community. Thank you, Hexion!

Meet the Team

Welcome to the Habitat MidOhio Family, DeShawn!

We’re excited to introduce DeShawn, the newest member of the ReStore team! DeShawn is looking forward to growing within the company, with his sights set on moving toward the construction side of our organization! Outside of work, DeShawn is an avid gamer and loves to give back by offering free haircuts to those in need! We’re thrilled to have DeShawn on board!

Welcome Aimee Kahler to the Habitat MidOhio family! She’s eager to grow in her new role, bring her skills to the team, and make this a lasting career. Outside of work, she loves time with family and friends and looks forward to getting more involved in the community. 

Fun fact: she’s returning to retail after working in warehouses! Let’s give her a warm welcome!