Community Partnerships

The City of Iowa City

The City of Iowa City has been an integral component to helping us grow. Iowa Valley Habitat shares space with the City at the East Side Recycling Center and collaborates on events, such as Earth Day. The City also supports building initiatives through assisting in land acquisition. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is fortunate enough to receive Community Development Block Grants and HOME land grants in the Iowa City area to reduce lot purchase costs.

The Furniture Project

The Habitat ReStore has partnered with the Furniture Project, a program that supplies needy families and individuals with essential furniture items. The ReStore collects materials and manages the Furniture Project open houses. Since a major mission of the Habitat ReStore is to reduce unnecessary waste in the landfill, they often work with the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Centers during specific campaigns and community initiatives.

Goodwill Industries

The Habitat ReStore works with the Goodwill Industries Career Connections program, which allows high school seniors with disabilities the opportunity to work an additional year while exploring job options. The ReStore students have enjoyed working with the staff and volunteers and have proven to be a great resource of help for the ReStore.

The University of Iowa

The University of Iowa is a supportive resource for IVHFH. The UI Campus Chapter serves as the organization’s link to the University of Iowa campus and assists us with awareness and fundraising initiatives. In addition, we participate in the work study program where students can work with the IVHFH through the ReStore, administrative office, or on the construction site to earn wages as a form of financial aid.

Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce

We are committed to being involved with the greater Iowa City community. Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity is a member of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce, and many of the IVHFH staff members serve as active members, sitting on committees, participating in programs, and attending events and functions.

The Iowa City Area Chamber has provided our organization with a better understanding of the components that make up our community, as well as an array of supportive partnerships through networking opportunities that have allowed us to assist even more low-income families.

Current and past involvement

• Mande Butler, ReStore Director, graduated from the Community Leadership Program in 2009 and Theresa Burns, Office & Finance Manager, graduated in 2010.
• David Minehart, former Resource Development Director, served as an Ambassador for the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.