Volunteer Training Center
2015

You may have noticed the new Habitat structure going up adjacent to the Rapid City ReStore on Omaha Street. In recent days I have been asked by some, “Why spend limited resources on a volunteer facility when there are so many families that need homes?” Questions as such reminded me of the importance of sharing both not only the need, but the logic behind our efforts.

Volunteers are the backbone of Habitat’s work, not only creating safe, affordable homes, but managing and setting our strategic vision. In 25 years of service, Habitat volunteers have built over 90 houses in the Black Hills, helping 320 men, women, and children find a home, and started the only recycling and re-use stores in the Black Hills. Additionally, we have supported over 60 families to find homes in developing countries around the world through Habitat International.

Unfortunately, the current space we occupy to train and connect with volunteers is extremely limited and temporary. Our occupancy is promised for no more than 30 days. Further, our current space is rather hidden away from the public, with no exterior Habitat sign on the building, no designated parking and limited access after 5pm.

Volunteer orientations are held at the library or Goodwill, and committees meet at coffee shops throughout Rapid City. Construction crews have no designated meeting place and staff members are disconnected between the current ReStore buildings and the administrative office located at Wells Fargo. Additionally, ReStore associates do not have a break area to sit down for a meal or conversation. To continue to grow and meet the affordable housing and recycling needs of the community, the BHAHFH board decided that we need a permanent facility to house all our programs, volunteers, and administrative staff.

Because we did not want a facility as such to compete for limited home construction funds, we requested, and were granted funding for the facility from the John T. Vucurevich Foundation, as well as the National Guard Vertical Construction training unit. JScull Construction, Knecht Home Center, along with the entire design team, and numerous sub-contractors have all agreed to assist donating most, if not all profit toward the completion of this facility. Our valued partners understand the value of having a permanent facility that will host 700 construction, ReStore, and program volunteers each year, along with providing conference and training space to all seven managing committees, the board of directors, and visiting volunteer teams from across America.

In summary, the facility will provide ample space for all of our volunteer engagement needs, while letting us move our administration from a temporary space to a permanent space, where we plan 3500 volunteers will pass through the doors over the next five years, volunteering to ensure every family has place to call home – and that is worth every penny invested.

Thank you for your interest and your support, and we appreciate your prayers toward a successful launch of our first Volunteer Training Facility in our nearly 25 year history.

Sincerely,

Scott Engmann
Executive Director