First Universalist works through external organizations like Habitat for Humanity to act on our racial justice and faithful action values in the community. The newly formed Faithful Action Leadership Council (FALC) is excited to announce the new partnership application process for First Universalist members wanting to lead a partnership with a community organization.

FALC has asked all current and potential community partners to apply by February 1, and accepted partners will be announced in March. The First Universalist Team Leader is asked to complete the application seeking information from the community partner organization. Through FALC, our First Universalist volunteers can receive training, evaluation, and spiritual reflection tools. Our community partners may receive limited funding (Sunday offering, Foundation grants, and application for Holiday giving) as well as volunteers, publicity, and use of the building for events and meetings from the church.

For more information about the partnership application process and to access the application, please visit our Partnership Page.

We asked FALC co-chair Joan Naymark to tell us about her experience volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, one of our current Community Partners. Here is what she had to say:

By Joan Naymark

“I’ve volunteered with Twin Cities Habitat for over 20 years. It was an easy way for me to be involved in the community while raising two young children. As a member of the Family Selection Committee for 15 years, I reviewed applications, interviewed families, and evaluated their need and ability to be good homeowners. This grounded me in the real need for affordable housing in the Twin Cities and provided stories to help with advocacy work years later. My kids helped me with some of my committee work; my daughter became a Habitat intern after college. That was a good day!

“Next, I helped with the Development team, thanking donors and developing stories about the benefits of homeownership for neighborhoods and families. I coordinated volunteers from my former place of work, recruiting and developing leaders, and amplifying the good that happens when people come together. Recently, I’ve helped build with Habitat volunteers at our church. It is so meaningful to be involved with others from our caring community, living our values through our actions.

“My most rewarding activities with Habitat are advocacy and being a Neighborhood Family Partner for new homeowners. My husband and I just completed our year of partnership with Maikee Lee, the homeowner of The House That Love Built. It has been fabulous working with and getting to know her, and helping smooth out the challenges of new homeownership (remember those days?) She is so grateful to our church – thank you! Our Neighborhood Partner families have been kind, loving, and interesting – we have definitely grown and benefited from their friendship. My other passion is advocacy, working toward systemic change for affordable housing throughout our region and state. Habitat’s advocacy staff is lively, professional, and well connected with others  by “building louder” with collective voices. Twin Cities Habitat is a great organization, well run, and full of interesting, fun, and creative people. It’s an important part of my life. I would love to tell you more and hear your story. There is so much need for engaged Faithful Action volunteers. It’s easy and rewarding in ways you cannot imagine. Coffee?”