Project Goal

You’ll strengthen Habitat Wausau's presence in the community and support for their work. By building stronger partnerships and developing a more supportive framework for Habitat partner families, Habitat Wausau will sustainably increase their ability to build and repair more homes.

Project Objectives

PARTNER FAMILIES: Create and implement additional supports for partner families to help them on their path to homeownership or during the home repair process.

• Review the existing partner family experience, gathering input from all stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, and partner families, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Based on that data, identify underrepresented groups across all programs (as volunteers and participants). Research barriers to participation, gathering community feedback and input when possible, as well as best practices to address those barriers.

• Research best practices for supporting partner families throughout the homeowner process (from pre-application to closing). Research best practices for supporting homeowners through the home repair process.

• With staff and family services committee, develop a new partner family support plan. This may include a calendar, information handouts, identifying additional educational opportunities, etc. Create metrics for success and a method of evaluation.

• Implement the plan and evaluate its effectiveness. Make adjustments as necessary.

EVENTS: Plan events to promote Habitat in the community and increase support for Habitat's programs. (Depending on the timing of the member’s service year and skillset, events may differ – for example, more focus on community outreach and less on fundraising.)

• Assist planning the annual Women Build volunteer event and work with the team to create a fundraising event dedicated to Women Build.

• Plan quarterly Dine to Donate events throughout the HFH Wausau's service area.

• Assist the team in creating a fundraising event that generates new donor leads.

• Create or update any event manuals, including timelines, templates, relevant sponsor/donor info, etc. Identify who will manage these events after the VISTA term ends.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Continue previous VISTA’s efforts to create a partnership program to ensure build sponsors have a positive experience, paving the way for continued support of Habitat's home builds.

• Review project development and assess its current strengths and weaknesses. Research best practices.

• Refine processes related to coordination of onsite build days with partner organizations/businesses.

• Improve volunteer group experience onsite, including coordination of onsite check-In, site safety orientations, breaks and lunch, project coordination, team photos, social media posts and PPE/tool check in and check out.

• Follow up with build partners with thank you communication sharing the impact of their day including photos along with a survey for feedback. Ensure all required recognition for groups has been completed.

Start as soon as June 1. VISTA positions are filled on a rolling basis. Apply today!

About Habitat for Humanity Wausau

Habitat for Humanity of Wausau (Habitat Wausau) has been serving the Greater Wausau Area since 1990, building homes using volunteer labor and funds raised in our local community. In addition to being the builder, Habitat Wausau finances the homes they build with zero-interest mortgages to qualifying partner families chosen through a nondiscriminatory selection process. Partner families become Habitat Homeowners after they have completed the required selection criteria and sweat equity hours. A small down payment is required along with making monthly mortgage payments which include home insurance and property taxes.

Focused on improving access to affordable housing and maintaining the existing affordable housing in the area, Habitat Wausau began offering critical home repair assistance to qualifying homeowners in the summer of 2023.

Habitat Wausau acquired Ramp Up Marathon County in January 2024. Since then, the teams work together to provide critical ramp builds across Marathon County.

Benefits

In addition to the standard VISTA benefits, while serving with HFH Wausau, receive an additional monthly housing stipend of $200/month, paid directly to your landlord.