CONTACT: Delis Alejandro |  (310) 566-1530  | 

St. Monica Catholic Community is honored to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity by sponsoring volunteer builds in various locations in Southern California and other states and countries!  Habitat for Humanity  advocates for affordable housing with specific focus on homeownership opportunities for families with limited-incomes. 

Upcoming Activities

 Save the Date!

Upcoming Activity!

Next Volunteer Build 

Sat, Dec. 6

8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Builders needed! We will be going to Habitat’s warehouse in Bellflower to build walls for the next 8-home project in Long Beach. The construction site isn’t ready for volunteers yet, so we are building at the warehouse.

We have 20 volunteer spots to be filled on a first-come first-serve basis. So, if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at framing, come and join us! No experience or tools are necessary.

• We will have a few forms for you to fill out, so please bear with us. ALL must to be completed to be confirmed to attend, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  
• We expect to have a waitlist for this build, so if you cannot make it anymore, please let us know.  If you do have to cancel and have already registered on the Habitat website, you will need to go there and also cancel your registration to open up your spot for someone else.

FAQs

• Must be at least 16 to work on a Habitat construction site, 16–17 year olds need parent/guardian permission
• No experience is necessary, all materials and instructions will be provided
• Must commit to the full shift
• Must provide your own transportation to the location

Past Activities

World Habitat Day

The first Monday in October marks World Habitat Day, a global observance established by the United Nations ove

World Habitat Day reminds us of the basic human right to adequate shelterand highlights the importance of affordable housing in breaking cycles of poverty and building stronger communities.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles shares this mission by partnering with families in need to build safe, affordable homes. This work transforms lives by providing stability, health, and opportunity.

In California, 1 in 5 households spend more than half their income on housing, and the income required to buy a median-priced home is far out of reach for most working families. Across the state, there is a shortage of nearly 840,000 homes.

Here in Los Angeles, the burden is even heavier. More than half of city households are considered cost-burdened, and over a quarter spend at least half their income just to keep a roof overhead. Nearly half a million low-income renter households in LA County lack access to an affordable home.

St. Monica’s Habitat for Humanity ministry will be hosting an information table after all Masses on Sunday, October 12. Stop by learn more about Habitat's local projects and discover ways you can get involved.

https://stmonica.net/18cd2fdf-7501-42da-8457-c2b19b7fa425

What can you do:

• Volunteer your time on a build or at a local ReStore
• Donate to help families 
• Shop or donate to a local Habitat ReStore
• Advocate by sharing the message that housing is a human right

Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA at the Genesis Golf Tournament

For the second year, Habitat’s Catholic Coalition staffed a concession stand as a fundraiser at the golf tournament held February 15-18 at the Riviera Country Club.  Volunteers from several parishes, including St. Monica’s, helped out taking orders and serving food and beverages from the stand on the 18th fairway.  It was a great location to catch a glimpse of some world-class golfers, including Tiger Woods.

Proceeds are still being tallied, but the Coalition expects a good result and anticipates repeating again next year.

 Saturday, January 27 - St. Monica’s Gameshow Challenge

We wanted to thank everyone who came out to support our Gameshow Challenge fundraiser on January 27th!  Whether you attended or volunteered, we appreciate your participation.  We are still awaiting our final accounting, but it’s no question that everyone had fun.  St. Monica’s Grand Pavilion was transformed into a gameshow stage complete with entertaining host, Kevin.  He kept the room involved with the games and spurred some friendly competition among our contestants.  There were plenty of winners during the evening, whether of a trivia game or one of the fantastic raffle prizes.  Although, Habitat for Humanity may have been the biggest winner of all.  Thanks again for your support and we hope to see you soon at an upcoming volunteer opportunity.

Saturday, January 20 – Dedication of Isabel Villas homes

On this very rainy Saturday, a dedication ceremony was held for these newest eight Habitat homes.  We volunteered at this location in August 2022 and April 2023.  At this time, some families had already moved in before for the holidays, while others were getting ready. 

St. Monica’s and its Catholic Coalition partners were recognized for their contributions to this site.

Back to Building: August 2022

The first Saturday in August, we were excited to be back on a Habitat build site in LA!  Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA (HFHGLA) continued building homes with their staff but without volunteers throughout the pandemic.  We spent time on Zoom participating in Catholic Coalition meetings, homeowner selections, and fundraising events, so to be back in person was well overdue.   

For this Catholic Coalition Build Day, we were paired with volunteers from St. Timothy’s in West LA, each bringing 15.  We all met at the site of Isabel Villas in South LA, where eight homes are being built and scheduled for completion next year.  Two homes had already been framed, and the next few spots were readied. 

Our volunteers were a mix of new and familiar faces, and we had a nice time getting to know each other and those from St. Tim’s.  Habitat set out hard hats, gloves, and nail bags for everyone, and after taking a group photo, we gathered to receive our assignments for the day from the site supervisor, Mishelle.  It doesn’t matter whether you know what you’re doing or not, the Habitat crew members are there to help teach and guide you, so you are comfortable with your assignment.  And, if you are still uncomfortable, they are happy to find another task.  There is never a shortage of things to do on a build site.

Everyone came eager to get to work, and you could feel the energy of everyone out there – you could almost say it was “buzzing,” and I’m not referring to the power tools!  And, as the temperatures climbed higher, we took more water breaks and enjoyed the misters set up to keep everyone cool.  While the heat slowed some of us down (speaking for myself), it didn’t lower our spirits or determination to finish what we came to do. And, before we knew it, the day was over, but our hearts were full and eager to participate again.

Angelus News Article: Parishes partner with Habitat for Humanity to take on LA’s homeless crisis

We are honored to support the mission of Habitat for Humanity through our founding membership in the Habitat LA Catholic Coalition, created in 2014 as a way to demonstrate the seven principles of Catholic Social Teaching by bringing Catholic churches, schools, and other organizations together to build hope and homes for families in need across greater Los Angeles.

Recently, the Coalition's efforts were featured in an Angelus News Article, with an interview with our very own Associate Director of Outreach and Pastoral Care, Christine Gerety!

You can read the full article by clicking the link below.

Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors who make our work through the Coalition a reality, even in the most difficult times. #StillStMonica 

Angelus News: Parishes partner with Habitat for Humanity to take on LA's homeless crisis

"Welcome Home!" Caravan Parade at Culver City Homes in Late May 2020

  Kaoru & one of her sons in front of their new home!!

We have exciting news!  Six of the Culver City homes that you helped to build have been completed, and the homeowners have moved in, including our friend Kaoru and her three sons!

To celebrate, Habitat LA hosted a safe & socially-distanced Caravan Parade on Saturday, May 30.  Several of our St. Monica Habitat volunteers were a part of the fun. Cars, festooned with balloons, posters & pom-poms lined-up at Vet's Memorial Park in Culver City, winding their way through the city to Globe Avenue, the location of six newly completed Habitat homes (with four additional homes under construction).

Driving past the beautiful homes, decorated by tons of balloons & thank-you posters, there was a wild and joyous frenzy: of horn-honking, waving from the drivers, and an enthusiasm matched by our new home owners and their families. The energy, smiles, hellos and happiness shared that day was enough to power a city for days!

We look forward to the completion of the additional four homes, and to what we know will be another joyous celebration!