Habitat MidOhio Monthly Musing
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CEO Corner
The Spirit of Service
November, a month that often elicits feelings and expressions of gratitude, is right around the corner. I have so much to be grateful for – personally and professionally. In advance of our annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner in November, I want to express my deep and heart-felt gratitude for all our volunteers, who are the lifeblood of Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat’s unique and dynamic model was founded and built with volunteers – individuals and families who give their most valuable resource—time—for something greater than themselves. This greater thing can be expressed differently by different people, but I believe a common theme in those descriptions could be described as love.
Bell Hooks wrote, "love is a verb and a conscious choice”; Scott M. Peck defines love as “[T]he will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth.”
Every volunteer, whether they spend eight or 800 hours with us, is acting with love; each volunteer is making a conscious choice to nurture their own and others’ spiritual growth.
As we work to be a leader in solving the region’s affordable housing crisis, there will be new and different ways for volunteers to engage. I want to put a spotlight on ways volunteers can serve through leading other volunteers – our Cornerstone Program. The Cornerstone Program is designed to prepare volunteers to be “crew leads” - leading a crew of volunteers on various tasks as part of the house building process. This program is a critical piece of our ability to do more, be more, and build more. In three years, we hope to build nearly 40 homes a year, but we need to expand our volunteer leadership capacity to achieve this goal.
Two team members who have been integral in developing and implementing our Cornerstone Program are Alex Goetz and Rachel Hardin. I want to commend them for presenting the program and learnings at the recent Habitat for Humanity International Conference.
I encourage you to volunteer with us if you haven’t already – and – if you are a volunteer, try out a Cornerstone class.
In Service,
Brandi Braun AL-Issa
President & CEO
P.S. If you’re curious about how you can do more, or if you have questions about the Cornerstone program, please reach out to me. I’d love to hear from you and help you get connected.
Resource Development
Wells Fargo builds playhouses for 10 families
At the end of September, Wells Fargo associates gathered to build 10 playhouses for local families. Throughout the day, teams worked together to build and execute custom designs for each playhouse. The creativity abounded, and the finished products elicited squeals of joy from their recipients.
Thank you to Wells Fargo for sponsoring this great day and fostering an environment full of fun for everyone involved.
With this event, our 2026 Playhouse Project season concluded. Since May, corporate and community groups have partnered with Habitat-MidOhio to build 82 playhouses for local families. Thank you to everyone who helped make this such a successful season for this program.
ReStore
Keep your eyes peeled for year-end deals
Come check out our stores for great deals! We have been fortunate to receive several large donations over these past few weeks. We have new items from LaZBoy, Home Depot, Walker Edison, Lowes, Butcher Block and much more! We will have Christmas inventory hitting the stores very soon as well.
Can’t make it into the store? Check out all the cool stuff at our eBay Store!
ReStore Locations & Hours
ReStore Westerville Road
3140 Westerville Rd, Columbus | Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Donations 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
ReStore Roberts Road
5419 Roberts Rd, Hilliard | Mon–Sat 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Donations 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
ReStore Newark
1660 N 21st St, Newark | Mon–Wed 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Thu–Sat 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
Donations 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Give your items a new life
In the last couple of months before the end of the year, there is still time to donate for a tax receipt. Visit our website to see a list of items we are able to accept. Schedule a pick up for larger items (614) 364-7028, or bring us your smaller items. Either way, you are helping to support our mission, and you will get to claim your donations as tax deductible.
How to Donate:
- Schedule a pickup: Call (614) 364-7028 for larger items
- Drop off smaller donations: Bring them to any ReStore Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Check what we accept: Visit our donation list
Deconstruction
Did You Know: 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 rhuff@habitatmidohio.org or 614-671-3994
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
Construction
Fort Hayes Students Pitch in to Help Build Hope
Over the past month the partnership between Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, and The City Of Columbus Building and Zoning Services department has sprung back into action for the second consecutive year. The strong and vibrant partnership is a great example of how we are living out our mission of putting God’s love into action to bring people together to inspire hope, build homes, empower families, and develop communities!
This year's project located on Gibbard Ave in Columbus is now in full swing as the students have put on their boots and hardhats to gear up and work alongside the staff, volunteer leaders, and wonderful sponsors. Under the leadership of long time Project Lead Dan Clemens, assisted by a faithful crew of volunteer crew leaders, the carpentry students spent two weeks in the lab at the career center constructing all of the wall panels for the house. The things they learned in their junior year are being reinforced and they are experiencing practical application of their skills as the walls and house gets started. In addition to the faithful volunteers who are helping to mentor these young adults, we would also like to give a big thanks to The S & L Lumber Company for again this year providing all of the framing lumber for this year's project at cost. Your generosity and commitment to the community will help in making a lasting impact on both the students involved as well as the family who will soon be calling the house on Gibbard Ave. home!
While the Fort Hayes carpentry program was busy framing the walls in the lab, the students and instructors of the Fort Hayes masonry program laced up their boots to show up on site the complete the all-important foundation of the house. The students showed up and worked hard as the cinderblock was laid and the foundation rose out of the ground to form a sturdy base. This firsthand experience gave the students not only hands-on practical knowledge, but also a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. For the foundation phase of the project we would like to give a huge thank you to a couple of additional partners who helped to make this a reality. Snyder Concrete Products, Inc. was generous again this year in supplying all of the cinderblock and mortar at a deeply discounted price that allows us to control costs and make the experience for the students valuable. Thank you Snyder team! Bucklew Basement Waterproofing & Masonry spent over two weeks out teaching and working alongside the masonry program to ensure that the foundation was solid and true. Owner, Travis Bucklew, is himself a graduate of the previous Southeast Career Center masonry program and enjoys giving back to the students. He and his team are patient and dedicated to building skills and character in the next generation of tradespeople and for this we give you a big shout out!
Over the next five months, the partnerships and dedication of our volunteers and community supporters will remain important as house construction continues and many more students are involved in this important project. In the coming months, in addition to the masonry and carpentry program students continuing to come out to pitch in, the students from the other Fort Hayes programs will begin getting involved in the other phases including electrical, HVAC, and landscaping. We are excited and blessed to be a part of this powerful partnership aligning perfectly with our mission and helping to ensure that together we move the needle toward having a world where everyone has a decent place to live!
Lead the Way. Build the Future.
Every home we build starts with a strong foundation — and that includes the people who help make it happen.
At Habitat for Humanity–MidOhio, we’ve always believed that when volunteers have the tools, training, and leadership they need, the entire community benefits. As we prepare for a new season of growth — including the addition of multi-family housing units — we’re launching a new initiative to strengthen our volunteer leadership: the Cornerstone Construction Leaders program.
Why This Matters
The demand for affordable housing in Central Ohio continues to rise. Meeting that demand means we must expand how we build — not only in the number of homes, but in how efficiently and safely we manage our construction sites.
For years, Habitat-MidOhio has relied on a dedicated group of Adopt-A-House leaders, longtime volunteers, and staff project leads to guide teams through every phase of construction. But as the number of volunteers grows, so does the need for more leaders ready to share their skills and ensure every volunteer has a meaningful experience.
That’s where Cornerstone Construction Leaders come in.
What Is a Cornerstone Construction Leader?
Cornerstone Construction Leaders are experienced volunteers who step up to guide others, ensure safety and quality, and keep projects on track. Working alongside our Habitat-MidOhio construction staff, they play a vital role in helping us expand our impact and continue building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Each Cornerstone Leader will receive hands-on training from our experienced team in specific phases of construction — gaining new skills they can pass along to others.
Cornerstone Leaders:
- Support and lead specific construction phases
- Mentor volunteers of all skill levels
- Promote safety and craftsmanship on-site
- Keep projects moving smoothly and efficiently
- Help build stronger neighborhoods, one home at a time
What’s in It for You
Becoming a Cornerstone Construction Leader is more than a volunteer role — it’s an opportunity to lead with purpose and leave a lasting mark on your community.
Participants will enjoy:
- Custom Habitat-MidOhio hard hats and shirts
- Ongoing skill-building and leadership training
- Invitations to exclusive appreciation events and luncheons
- The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping families achieve their dream of homeownership
Join Us
We’re looking for people with a passion for service and a willingness to lead. If you can commit to just one day a month, you can help us build the future of affordable housing in Central Ohio.
➡️ Sign up for the Cornerstone Construction Leader Training Interest Survey:
https://forms.office.com/r/nzRu4mVFZe
Together, we can train, lead, and build — one volunteer, one home, and one family at a time.
