Habitat for Humanity of McLean County
By Alexander Germanis
For several decades, whether through advertisements, songs, or films, the holiday season is equated with one unifying factor: being home. Indeed, in the perennial favorite “Home for the Holidays,” Perry Como famously sings that “there’s no place like home,” particularly at this time of year.
But for many, simply having a place to call home is their only wish during this or any other season. According to the McLean County Housing Coalition, as of last year the county had a shortage of 7,000 housing units and nearly 26,000 people were experiencing homelessness.
Helping to rectify this housing crisis is Habitat for Humanity of McLean County. Through their efforts, coordination, volunteer base, and an upcoming home show, Habitat is working to grant that wish of a home to as many families as possible.
It Starts With People
Although Habitat for Humanity of McLean County is technically a nonprofit entity, its mission is and always has been people. Of course, those who carry out the mission are also people – people like Erin Jennings, Director of Resource Development for Habitat. She is one of many individuals who put a face on the vital work Habitat carries out.
“I grew up in the construction world,” Erin shares. “My dad is a painting contractor, and I’ve spent more than 20 years helping him on job sites and behind the scenes with his office work. About seven years ago, I discovered my love for event planning and realized how much I enjoyed bringing people together for a purpose. That led me to take a leap into the nonprofit world five years ago, and I finally found the perfect fit with Habitat.”
Combining her greatest cares – community, construction, and creating opportunities for families to build better futures – Habitat is not just about building homes, Erin says, “It’s about building stability, confidence, self-reliance, hope, and safety.”
Propel It Forward
Like a simple stream that has enormous potential to help life thrive, an act of kindness has a way of spreading its positive influence far beyond the confines of the act itself. Without volunteers and community involvement, Habitat and its mission would fail to thrive. “We couldn’t do what we do without the hands, hearts, and time that our volunteers give,” Erin insists. “Every home we build and every family we serve is made possible by people showing up – whether that’s swinging a hammer, serving on a committee, hosting a fundraiser, or shopping at the ReStore.”
Neighbors helping neighbors, businesses partnering for a cause, and volunteers creating lasting change are what turn the dream of affordable housing into a reality, Erin says.
Of course, not everyone is able, feels skilled enough, or has the time to help in the aforementioned ways. Fortunately, the ReStore is another wonderful way to help out. “One of the best kept secrets in our community,” the ReStore is a publicly accessible store stocked with items from nearly every category: furniture, building materials, home décor, appliances, books, games, movies, dinnerware, exercise equipment, tools, and more are available to purchase at a fraction of retail prices. The stock is constantly changing as well, so even a weekly visit can turn up different treasures.
“What makes it even more special is that every purchase directly supports Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, helping us build homes for local families,” Erin adds. “It’s really a win-win: Donors keep usable items out of landfills, shoppers find great deals, and the proceeds help families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable housing.”
Community Cascade Effect
Whether touring a village, town, or city, the first indication of the overall wellness of a community is often indicated by the state of its housing. Stable homes lead to stable neighborhoods and stable communities in general. The wellness of a community begins with the wellness of the individual home.
“When families can live in a safe, stable, and affordable home, they experience less stress, have more money for essentials like food and healthcare, and can focus on education, work, and wellbeing,” Erin says. “At Habitat, we see every day how access to affordable housing improves health outcomes. Families sleep better, kids do better in school, and parents are able to plan for their futures. A stable home truly supports every aspect of a family’s wellbeing.”
A ripple effect from home stability extends to physical, emotional, and social spheres. Besides being a basic shelter, stable homes also provide a sense of safety and reduce a family’s exposure to health risks like mold, pests, and extreme temperatures. Home ownership builds confidence in the future, a sense of pride in ownership, a feeling of belonging to the greater community, and a peace of mind.
“Economically, homeownership allows families to build equity and generational wealth, often for the first time,” Erin continues. “It creates financial security and freedom from the uncertainty of rising rents.”
“Socially, homeownership strengthens communities,” she adds. “People who own their homes are more likely to volunteer, vote, and support local initiatives. Parents become more engaged in their neighborhoods, and local economies grow stronger. Safe, affordable housing builds healthier families, and healthy families build thriving communities. At its core, homeownership builds confidence, connection, and hope. It’s not just about owning a house – it’s about creating a home and a future that lasts.”
BloNo Home Show
Going hand-in-hand with owning a home is taking care of that home. Whether you’re updating, renovating, building, or remodeling, there will be something for every homeowner at the very first Habitat for Humanity BloNo Home Show. Running from February 14th to 15th, 2026 at the Interstate Center, the event will host dozens of vendors from local and regional businesses, allowing attendees to discover new products and services and connect with experts in construction, design, décor, and sustainability.
“There will also be interactive displays, demonstrations, and family-friendly features throughout the weekend,” Erin points out. “Best of all, the entire event benefits Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, meaning every booth and sponsorship helps local families build safe, affordable housing. It’s a weekend of inspiration, connection, and community impact.”
The BloNo Home Show provides a win-win situation for both current homeowners and the future of Habitat for Humanity home recipients. Every connection made, product purchased, or partnership formed helps to fund the materials and resources needed “to build home and hope for families in our community,” says Erin. “It’s a fun, feel-good event that celebrates local businesses, empowers homeowners, and ultimately helps more families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable housing.”
It Ends With People
A house, no matter how grand or humble, no matter how well-appointed or spartan, is really nothing more than a structure without the human element bringing hope, love, and life into the equation. It takes people to make any house an actual home.
With Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, houses become homes the moment their foundations are laid. Habitat’s efforts, time, talent, and resources infuse hope and love into each project long before a family can step across the finished threshold of their new home.
This holiday season, consider how you can help Habitat for Humanity of McLean County in building not only homes for families in your community, but also building hope, health, and futures for them as well.
Habitat for Humanity offices are located at 103 West Jefferson Street in Bloomington, Illinois.
If you have any questions or would like to see how you can contribute to their mission, call (309) 827-3931. The ReStore is located at 1402 West Washington Street in Bloomington.
Call them at (309) 454-6047 or look over their inventory online. Visit both Habitat and the ReStore online at www.habitatmclean.org.
