A Fitness Boost: YMCA and Habitat Forsyth Forge Life-Changing Partnership

For several years, the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina and Habitat Forsyth have partnered together, sharing a vision of helping the Winston-Salem community achieve and overcome obstacles, while fostering relationships. Community partnerships, whether through the YMCA or other non-profit organizations, allow Habitat’s mission to reach wider and continue working together! 

The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina has played an active role in the lives of Habitat Forsyth homeowners. One of the ways the YMCA has partnered with Habitat is by providing each new household with a gifted year-long membership. With this membership, homeowners and their families have the opportunity to go to the gym, participate in workout classes, become involved with youth programming, and have a chance to meet new neighbors and friends. Darryl Head, President and CEO of the Northwest YMCA, explains how this membership can have lasting impact. “By doing this, we hope to facilitate great Y experiences for the family that promote family bonding and help generational stability. Together, with Habitat for Humanity, we are driving long-term change.”

Head further highlights how one of his favorite parts of working with the local Winston-Salem community is being able to serve anyone. The YMCA is a place where all are welcome and invited to create change. He says, “This is not a community without challenge; however, the YMCA is deeply committed to overcoming these challenges. Our organization welcomes all and serves all, and is where all can come together for a brighter tomorrow. Every day, we see men, women and children discovering that they are more alike than different while learning new skills and caring for their physical and mental wellbeing. The Y is a place of belonging that offers hope to the leaders of the next generation.”

We are so grateful for the kindness and generosity that the YMCA NWNC extends to our Habitat families, and we look forward to our continued partnership!

From Renting to Roots: Raven Invests in a Family Foundation

Raven was 13 years old when her mother left behind the burden of renting and was able to purchase a home for their family. Now her own daughter is 13, and Raven's family -- which also includes her one-year-old son -- has achieved the same milestone, thanks to Habitat and the Builders Blitz.

“I can understand how my daughter feels – how excited she is to be moving to our own home, in a better location. It brings back a lot of memories,” Raven said. After years of renting, both are excited to be able to decorate their home however they wish. “We both love blue, so we will probably have blue everywhere,” Raven said with a laugh.

Raven, who works for National General insurance company, said she learned about Habitat through a friend who had purchased a home through the program, so she decided to apply as well.

“I was ready to have my own home and put down a foundation and set us up for the future, because renting is only temporary,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed doing my volunteer hours at the ReStore and all the classes. I’ve learned a lot in the financial classes that will benefit me throughout my life and will be good education for my kids as well. And they will benefit from this investment and the fact that I will be able to pass this home down to them one day.”

The Big Reveal: Habitat Hosts ReStore Pop-up and Home Tour

On Thursday, June 13, from 4 pm to 8 pm, Habitat Forsyth welcomed the community to their first ever Home Reveal... a ReStore Pop-Up and Home Tour in Happy Hill. This event offered a rare opportunity to tour a newly constructed Habitat for Humanity home, beautifully staged with furniture from Habitat Forsyth ReStores.

Attendees enjoyed a firsthand look at the quality of Habitat homes, envisioning the transformative power of affordable housing. The Silent Auction featured stylish furniture tastefully arranged throughout the home Guests bid on items and if lucky, could take a piece of the experience home. All proceeds supported Habitat for Humanity’s mission to provide affordable housing in Forsyth County.

The event also featured light refreshments and a 50/50 raffle, adding excitement and fostering community spirit. Every dollar raised directly contributed to helping our Habitat families.

The Home Reveal event was a tremendous success, drawing a significant crowd and reinforcing the power of community involvement. Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this event, helping to turn the dream of affordable housing into a reality for many families in Happy Hill and beyond.

Once Upon a Time in Happy Hill:

How Five Homeowners Found Happiness