Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Black & Veatch Insights

The impacts of climate change are being felt across the globe, especially in coastal areas. According to a physical climate risk study by XDI Cross Dependency Initiative, 40 of the top 50 most at-risk states and provinces will be in China, the United States or India by 2050, with half of all U.S. states in the top 5 percent of those most at risk in the world. With around 70 percent of the world’s coastlines currently experiencing erosion, and sea levels continuing to rise, the loss of land and property — as well as damage to infrastructure such as roads, water systems, buildings and bridges — are of increasing concern.

Coastal erosion is being driven by a combination of natural processes such as waves, tides and storms, and human activities such as coastal development and climate change-induced sea level rise. According to the US Fourth National Climate Assessment,sea level rise rates along the Mid-Atlantic Coast were three to four times higher than the global average rate.

Rising sea levels and changing weather patterns are causing saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources such as aquifers and rivers, which can lead to water shortages and deterioration of drinking water quality, resulting in potentially serious health impacts on coastal communities. As sea levels rise, storm surges also are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to increased flooding and damage to coastal communities, particularly during extreme weather events.

To ensure the safety and well-being of residents and businesses, city governments and municipalities along coastlines must assess their risks and take proactive measures to achieve coastal resilience.

Step 1: Assess Climate Vulnerability

The first step to building coastal resilience is to assess the risks the community is facing. This includes identifying areas most vulnerable to flooding and other hazards, as well as understanding the potential impacts on and cross dependency of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and power and water supply systems.

Climate analytics and other tools can provide valuable insights that enable coastal communities to understand and respond effectively to the challenges posed by climate change.

Risk assessment and planning: Climate analytics can assess the vulnerability of coastal communities to various climate change impacts such as sea level rise, coastal erosion and storm surges. By analyzing historical data and using climate models, analytics can provide valuable insights into future risks. This information helps communities to develop effective adaptation and resilience strategies, such as building coastal defenses, implementing land-use planning or relocating infrastructure and settlements.Policy development and decision-making: Climate analytics can support evidence-based policy development and decision-making processes. By analyzing climate data, economic indicators and socio-economic factors, costs and benefits of different adaptation and mitigation strategies can be assessed. This information helps policymakers prioritize interventions, allocate resources and develop long-term plans for coastal communities.Community and social resiliency: Tools such as the Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities, developed by the University of South Carolina, can be used to assess community resilience and identify areas where additional support may be needed. In addition, data on social vulnerability, such as EJScreen developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, can be used to identify populations that may be particularly at risk from climate change impacts.

Step 2: Develop Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies

Once the risks have been identified, cities and municipalities can develop strategies to adapt to climate change impacts. This may involve an array of adaptation and mitigation tactics for both natural and built environments.

Land Use Planning – Proper land use planning assesses potential development and aims to reduce vulnerability and protect environmental systems. Strategies may include:Setback zones that restrict development activities near shorelinesSustainable land use planning practices to help minimize development in vulnerable areas, preserving natural habitats and maintaining open spaceBuilt Environment – Ensuring assets can withstand harm from potential hazards and threats may include measures such as:Elevation of buildings, roads and infrastructureGreen infrastructure elements, such as bioswales, rain gardens and green roofsImplementation of energy-efficient measures in buildingsSustainable transportation optionsFlood-proofing measures, such as installing flood barriers, waterproofing buildings, and elevating critical equipmentConstruction of coastal erosion control structures, such as seawalls, breakwaters, and groins, to help protect vulnerable areas from erosionEcosystem Preservation & Restoration – Strategies to support biodiversity through protection of the natural environment, that include:Conservation and restoration of coastal vegetation, including salt marshes, seagrass beds and mangrovesManagement and preservation of coastal habitats and protected areas to help maintain biodiversity

Forward-looking planning and management of potential hazards related to climate change is necessary to achieve coastal resilience efforts. Mitigation plans, such as the 25-year framework of flood-mitigating strategies Black & Veatch developed for the city of Charleston, South Carolina, provide a blueprint for how other coastal communities can advance their own resilience strategies.

Step 3: Engage Stakeholders

Building coastal resilience requires the participation and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, including residents, businesses, community organizations and government agencies. By engaging with stakeholders, cities and municipalities can build support for a range of resilience efforts and ensure that adaptation strategies are well-tailored to local needs.

When engaging stakeholders, consider the following:

Economic impact: Coastal resilience projects can have positive economic impacts on local communities. Stakeholders should be engaged in discussions about the potential job creation, economic growth and business opportunities associated with implementing these projects. Highlighting the economic benefits can garner support and encourage stakeholder involvement.Environmental justice and equity: Coastal resilience efforts should consider potential economic disparities and equity concerns among different stakeholders. It is important to discuss how the initiatives can address and mitigate disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. Engaging stakeholders in conversations about ensuring equitable access to the benefits of resilience projects can help foster inclusivity and address socioeconomic disparities.Funding and finance options: Stakeholders need to understand the available funding and financing options for coastal resilience projects. This includes discussing potential sources of funding, such as grants, loans, public-private partnerships and cost-sharing arrangements. There are several funding avenues available when it comes to implementing coastal resilience projects. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — and the more recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provide historic funding for resiliency projects aimed at coastal protection against extreme weather events and climate change. In June 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a significant $2.6 billion framework through the IRA that would support additional investment in coastal climate resilience. Planning authorities such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Office for Coastal Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are responsible for administering portions of these funds and are valuable resources for coastal resilience projects seeking funding. In addition to federal grants and incentive programs, many states have their own grant programs specifically aimed at coastal resilience and restoration. These programs may be managed by state agencies responsible for coastal management, natural resources, or environmental protection. Exploring different financing mechanisms and discussing their implications with stakeholders can help identify the most suitable and feasible financial strategies.

Step 4: Implement Resilience Measures

In order to build coastal resilience, cities and municipalities must implement resilience and hardening measures, including:

Infrastructure upgrades: Raising the elevation of buildings, roads and infrastructure above anticipated flood levels, implementing flood-proofing measures (efforts such as installing flood barriers, waterproofing buildings and elevating critical equipment), and implementing resilient design and construction standards can ensure that new developments and infrastructure projects are built to withstand coastal hazards.Early warning systems: Adopting early warning systems for extreme weather events using real-time weather and oceanographic data can provide timely alerts and forecasts, allowing coastal communities to take preventive measures, evacuate residents or initiate emergency response plans.Natural- and Nature-based features: Nature-based solutions leverage natural processes and ecosystems — dunes, mangroves, salt marshes, coastal vegetation and natural infrastructure elements — to provide multiple benefits for coastal areas, including:Coastal protectionErosion controlStormwater managementCarbon sequestrationHabitat preservation and biodiversityCommunity well-being and recreation

The notable impact of nature-based solutions is evident in the Florida community of Babcock Ranch. When Hurricane Ian (a Category 4 storm) slammed into the Sunshine State in September 2022, 2.6 million community members lost their electricity. However, shops, offices, grocery stores, restaurants and homes in Babcock Ranch experienced no power or internet loss despite being about 20 miles from the storm’s landfall. Previously drained cattle ranchland was allowed to revert to natural wetlands that function like retention ponds to uptake excess rain and floodwater. Native plants comprise 75 percent of the community’s landscaping, which withstand high winds and soggy conditions to lessen storm impacts. Nature-based systems like these work across geography and ecology to emphasize an area’s natural resilience features and work in sync with Mother Nature.

Additionally, measuring the effectiveness of implemented measures is key. For example, data on sea level rise and storm surge can be used to assess the effectiveness of infrastructure upgrades in reducing flood risk, and predictive models can be used to anticipate future impacts of climate change, which can inform ongoing efforts to build coastal resilience.

Ensuring the safety and well-being of coastal communities in the face of climate change begins with physical climate risk assessment. By identifying and assessing risks, developing adaptation strategies, engaging stakeholders and implementing resilience measures, cities and municipalities can build the resilience needed to weather the impacts of climate change.

Each year, thousands of KeyBank teammates come together on “Neighbors Make the Difference Day.” This day of volunteering and engagement with non-profit organizations across KeyBank’s footprint is the hallmark of Key’s commitment to its communities and a leading corporate volunteerism effort in America.

For the past several years, Tamica Lewis, a Vendor Contact Center Manager at KeyBank, has organized “Neighbors Make the Difference Day” efforts at the YMCA William-Emslie branch in Buffalo, New York.

Watch Tamica explain what “Neighbors Make the Difference Day” means to her in the video player above or here: https://youtu.be/b_lwgwtIsBw

Learn more about KeyBank’s 2023 Neighbors Make the Difference DayLearn more about KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 26, 2023 /3BL/ – Entergy Arkansas is launching “Kids to College,” a my529 child savings account program to help families plan and save for their children’s higher education, with a pledge to match up to $100,000 for qualified customers.

Research shows that opening a college savings account statistically improves college-going rates for students, regardless of the contribution amount and the level of household income. Even with savings of less than $500, a child is 25% more likely to enroll in college and 64% more likely to graduate than a child with no savings, according to a study from the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL).

“Kids to College is an investment in the future of our young people and the future of Arkansas,” said Laura Landreaux, Entergy Arkansas president and CEO. “We’ve been a leader in helping advance education and workforce development in the state for decades and are excited to be extending that legacy by launching this program for all of Entergy here in Arkansas. It will help ensure our children have an equal chance at achieving their dreams.”

Powered by Entergy and in partnership with the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, the company will help up to 2,000 low- and moderate-income Arkansas families establish a child savings account and will provide $50 towards the account.

“ACAAA has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Entergy Arkansas,” said Tomekia Moore, interim executive director for the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association. “We are thrilled to partner with them for the Kids to College Program. We look forward to promoting youth financial literacy and education as a result of this most recent endeavor.”

A college savings account is designed specifically for postsecondary education costs, including tuition but also for books, computer technology, room and board, and other related fees. These accounts allow families – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and more – to put money away to start saving for their children to attend a two- or four-year college, trade school or technical school.

Families can enroll each child under 16 in the household in a Kids to College my529 account. Kids to College match participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Family is an Entergy customer.Family has an annual income at or below $60,000 for single-earner households and $80,000 for dual-earner households.

Entergy is powering Kids to College by dedicating matching funds for 8,000 child savings accounts across their four-state service area. The program is made possible thanks to an endowment fund created in honor of Entergy’s late Chairman and CEO J. Wayne Leonard.

More information is available at www.entergy.com/csr/kids and at each of the community action agencies, which can be found online at www.ACAAA.org or by emailing ARKids2College@acaaa.org. Eligible individuals can also sign up for an account through the Kids to College portal here.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.

Five years ago, Robert Ray thought using virtual reality (VR) to train specialized technicians on nylon spinning machines would be a waste of time.

“This isn’t going to work,” he thought.

But these days, Robert’s career is focused on implementing and finding valuable new applications for VR training and other extended reality (XR) technologies, such as augmented reality, inside Koch companies’ manufacturing facilities.

Robert was introduced to VR training when he was a spinning technician trainer for Koch subsidiary INVISTA, one of the world’s major nylon producers.

To Robert, going from actual to virtual seemed unrealistic. He believed the technology was too complicated for people to learn — much less the spinning equipment — in a timely manner. He also thought that not having the opportunity to work directly with the machines would mean new hires would struggle to grasp the nuances of spinning.

But that was all before he had a chance to experience the technology himself.

“The first time they showed us what it’s like, I was just blown away,” he says. “I thought, ‘This literally feels like I’m on the floor running a spinning machine.’”

Robert was excited by the immersive experience of the VR training program and recognized its potential benefits for himself and his colleagues, including shorter training times, less waste and safer training conditions inside a training room versus on the manufacturing floor. With his expertise as a technician and trainer, he soon began not just using the new VR training regimen, but helping to develop it.

Robert was transforming his career right along with the training program. He now works as an innovation specialist and has become XR’s biggest advocate inside INVISTA Camden — looking for ways to integrate new technologies so that training can occur anywhere there’s a mobile device. 

His natural aptitude for problem-solving helps him teach others to enhance and build their skills while overcoming challenges. He works to help his fellow employees turn fear of new technology into opportunities to evolve their own roles.

“Change is difficult. It’s scary!” Robert says. “But change is a part of growth. If you stay the same, you’re going to stagnate and you’re going to get left behind.”     

Robert’s “aha” moment with VR led to other revelations about what the new technology could do outside the spinning room, across INVISTA and for other Koch companies. Robert says it has started a domino effect of other INVISTA employees exploring how virtual technology can help them transform their own jobs in valuable ways. He predicts that soon, more XR tools will be used by technical and process engineers, as well as in capital projects.

“People wonder, ‘How do I make a change? How do I also implement transformation or how do I innovate?’” he says. “I try to help and then it starts a ripple effect.”

Robert advises coworkers to stop holding themselves back.

“Stop thinking, ‘I may not be the right person to do this,’” he says. “Who better knows that process than you, the person doing that process?”

He also urges colleagues to embrace new technologies, to see them as “tools in our toolbox” that will help them be more effective and efficient in their jobs. Having once been reluctant to step into the unknown, Robert understands his coworkers’ hesitation. But while the journey to self-actualize will often be challenging, it will always be worth the trip, he says.    

Robert happily credits his colleagues, like his supervisor Daphne Fulmer, for encouraging and supporting his transformation.

He says through this process they’ve built a strong relationship. She played a key role in his transformation by taking the time to talk with him and change his mentality from focusing on what his tasks as a trainer currently were, to helping him open his mind to what they could be.

“We need to have hard conversations, but we also need to have conversations about what really excites us,” Daphne says. “It all boils down to, ‘Do my employees know me and do I know them?’”

From someone who once wondered how he could make real change in his role, Robert has evolved to a leader in applying technology to discover new ways to do things. Rather than turn away from the unknown, he now leans into new challenges. His willingness to be open about his fears also has made him a champion for others, helping them, too, discover how to not only survive but thrive in a constantly changing environment.

Originally published on Packaging sites

Beverage cans are the most sustainable drink packaging format on the market, claims Florian Combe, new product development and graphics manager at Crown Bevcan EMEA. We discuss the current beverage industry trends and challenges with Combe, exploring metal cans’ green credentials.

Aluminum is hailed for its infinite recyclability. “This places the beverage can at the center of the circular economy and as the most environmentally friendly option for consumers,” says Combe.

Continue reading here

Since its inception over 100 years ago, the makers of Quilted Northern® have been on the cutting edge of bath tissue. It was among the first brands to be sterilized (1920s), to be “splinter-free” (1930s), to use two layers (1960s), and to offer a three-ply option (2008).

Our latest innovation – Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® recyclable paper packaging – just landed on retailers’ shelves and online and is expected to eliminate nearly 500K pounds of plastic waste each year. We’ve responded to consumers looking for a product that combines sustainability + comfort and is easy to recycle at home in the curbside bin.

Our brand team conducted more than 50 tests on the packaging, considering the impacts of manufacturing, shipping, production, stocking, and more, and we’re proud to be the first toilet paper brand to offer this packaging.

Recently, the brand’s paper packaging won a 2023 SEAL Environmental Initiatives Award in the Sustainable Materials Usage category. SEAL is an environmental advocacy organization that celebrates companies and leaders across the globe that make measurable contributions to sustainability.

Paper packaging marks the latest in a series of sustainability initiatives for Quilted Northern®. In 2012, the brand invested in state-of-the-art paper making technology for Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® bath tissue. This groundbreaking technology saves 30% more water and uses 30% less energy vs. other premium national two-ply brands in the drying process on a per sheet basis.

Additionally, the Quilted Northern® brand has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation® since 2020 to further sustainability efforts and restore national forests by planting two trees for each for each one used to manufacture Quilted Northern Ultra Soft & Strong® bath tissue. A third tree is replanted by the brand’s suppliers. Since the partnership began, more than 5 million trees have been planted to restore forests and rehabilitate habitats.

Learn more about our new recyclable paper packaging here: Quilted Northern Ultra Soft and Strong® Toilet Paper | Quilted Northern®

View original content here.

Quiet giving is on the rise 

The global economic downturn is placing pressure on companies to tighten budgets and consider pullbacks across areas of spend, with financial investment in corporate programs related to purpose and impact being put to the test. 

In spite of this pressure, companies remain committed to being a force for good — but more quietly than in the past two years. In 2023, we expect fewer bold statements from companies on every hot-button issue and more compassionate action and communications focused on their employees and the local communities where they can make a more pronounced impact — a trend we’re calling “quiet giving.”

Qui•et Giv•ing 
[ kwī-ət giv-iŋ ] verb 

How companies will demonstrate their corporate purpose during difficult times, characterized by turning their focus inward to center investments on their employees and local communities

Companies are investing close to home 

Companies will be leaning in to support those closest to them, namely employees who are experiencing personal challenges related to the economy — increased costs of living, decreased well-being, plunging productivity, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and difficulty maintaining a sense of connection to their colleagues, communities and company.

90% of CSR leaders say companies should spend more time acting on social justice issues through their own practices and programs versus making bold statements.

This new inward focus will manifest through different types of social investments than in years past. In 2023, companies are forecasting the largest increase in investment in employee climate action programs, followed by employee learning and social action programs; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; employee resource groups (ERGs) and volunteering. 

Volunteering, which was a bright spot for corporate purpose programs in 2022, will move further into the limelight in 2023 because it offers an answer to many of the challenges facing employees, communities and companies right now. Company-led volunteering initiatives provide an opportunity for employees to meaningfully connect with each other and make an impact in local communities that sorely need support. Doubling down on employee volunteering programs can help to address the labor shortage nonprofits are currently experiencing.

And research in the Journal of Happiness Studies has shown that spending time in service to others can improve well-being, which can come as a restorative reprieve for many during difficult times.

Upward investment in employee programs:

1. Employee climate action programs

2. Employee learning & social micro-actions

3. DEI initiatives

4. Employee resource group budgets

5. Employee volunteering

While companies will prioritize the needs of their people, they will also remain resolute in maintaining their social investments — serving as a critical source of support through grants and partnerships with nonprofits serving vulnerable populations.

Top 5 areas with increase granting focus:

1. Locally focused causes and nonprofits where employees live and work.

2. Black, Indigenous, and other people of color-led organizations and causes focused on equity and justice.

3. Grants aligned with the strengths of the business.

4. Initiatives mitigating the negative impacts of the economy on underserved populations.

5. Organizations addressing systemic problems like homelessness and food insecurity. 

Despite the downturn, we can take comfort in knowing that most companies are maintaining their investments to support key populations and issues and causes close to home while continuing to back their people in making a positive impact at work and out in the world in the ways that matter most to them. Companies who have been committed to purpose for the long term understand the resilience and value it brings to their stakeholders and communities, and they know that now is not the time to pull back.

Discover the top five emerging societal and industry trends shaping the future of CSR, DEI and ESG in The State of Corporate Purpose 2023.

VMware released its 2023 Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) Report, sharing progress and demonstrating its commitment to creating a more sustainable, equitable and secure digital world. The report provides benchmarks toward the goals outlined in its 2030 Agenda, a decade-long ESG commitment that guides business actions across VMware.

As VMware’s technology services and solutions have grown, so too has its commitment to driving ESG results, prioritizing smarter and more focused actions that can help achieve desired outcomes for employees, customers and all stakeholders. This includes engineering a more sustainable multi-cloud experience for our customers, reducing VMware’s emissions to achieve net zero, empowering diverse and distributed workforces, and being a trusted supplier that ships secure, privacy-aware solutions built on a responsible supply chain.

“Throughout our ESG journey, we have continually pushed ourselves to implement a smarter, systemwide approach while staying true to our core intent of serving the needs of our customers while growing our own resiliency,” shared Nicola Acutt, Chief Sustainability Officer and VP of ESG at VMware. “We remain laser-focused on achieving our 2030 commitments and continuing forward by prioritizing innovation and impact.”

The theme of this year’s report is ‘Smart Impact’, reflecting VMware’s strategy to focus on where the company can deliver the most significant results and drive outcomes for customers, partners, employees and the world. Some of these results include:

Launched the Green Score feature in VMware Aria Operations Cloud, which provides recommendations for customers to further optimize energy and carbon in their cloud environments Expanded the VMware Zero Carbon Committed initiative by adding 24 VMware Cloud Services Provider™ partners committed to renewable energy, reaching a total of more than 50 partnersEnhanced VMware Anywhere Workspace solutions with VMware Workspace ONE® Mobile Threat Defense™ to provide customers with added security for their distributed workforceMet near-term science-based targets as of fiscal year 2023 to reduce Scope 1 & 2 and Scope 3: Employee Commute absolute emissionsImproved diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) representation with 33 percent of global hires self-identifying as a woman, and 16 percent of U.S. hires self-identifying as an underrepresented minorityAchieved a 100 percent malware protection score with VMware Carbon Black Cloud Endpoint™ Standard in an independent cybersecurity test by AV-Comparatives1Added company-wide DEI goals as a component of funding for all bonus-eligible employees

Read VMware’s full 2023 ESG Report
Media Contact: corporatepr@vmware.com

1 AV-Comparatives. “Business Security Test 2022 (March–June).” July 10, 2022.

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Synergies Work was started by Aarti Sahgal six years ago when she noticed no other incubators or accelerators were supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities. Since its launch, Synergies Work has supported more than 200 entrepreneurs with disabilities in launching more than 50 startups.

To further propel our world to be a place where people living with disabilities can thrive, Synergies Work submitted its ideas to the Inspire Awards Challenge, sharing how its framework provides financial capital, social capital, education and mentorship to bridge the gaps between the business and disability communities.

On this episode of Inspiring Conversations, Truist Foundation’s audio series with nonprofit leaders doing the work, Truist Foundation President Lynette Bell and Aarti discuss the impact recent grant funding will have on the disability community.

Today is National Disability Independence Day—a day commemorating the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. law prohibiting discrimination against those with disabilities—and the perfect time to listen to Lynette’s conversation with Aarti.

To learn more or apply to this year’s Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge, click here.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, Truist Foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at truist.com/foundation.

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Another deserving family has earned not only a home but a new perspective as part of Habitat for Humanity’s BuildBetter with Whirlpool initiative. The program is an expansion of Habitat’s existing BuildBetter program that will build more than 250 climate-resilient and energy-efficient homes that will help hundreds of families in need of affordable housing over three years. Jessica’s road to home ownership was not easy, but she feels it will change her and her son’s lives for the better.

Jessica lived with her grandmother for the past few years in her hometown of Berthoud, Colorado. This allowed her to help her grandmother, pay cheaper rent and save money, but she also had to share a room with her nine-year-old son, Eliot, and didn’t have enough space for them and their belongings.

“I have been craving my independence for a long time, but the state of the housing market has left me feeling like that was out of my reach,” says Jessica. “I felt lost and stuck and didn’t even know where to start, or even where to turn.”

A friend who was approved for a Habitat home urged Jessica to apply to Habitat for Humanity Berthoud’s home ownership program. “I was very skeptical because I doubted that I would be accepted. I was so unsure of myself, but she insisted that I apply and encouraged me to go for it,” said Jessica. “I am so glad that she did. I felt like so many people are deserving of this opportunity, but I doubted that I was worthy of it myself.”

Jessica applied and was approved in the fall of 2021. She completed financial and homeowner education classes and completed many of her sweat equity hours at the Habitat ReStore. “I really enjoyed helping the team at the store, as well as helping the customers. I was also able to put in plenty of hours at the building site.” Jessica not only helped construct her own home, but she also worked on her new neighbor’s home as well, and helped her get ready to move in.

Jessica’s new two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has an on-demand gas hot water heater and a high efficiency gas furnace. In addition, there is above code insulation in the walls and ceiling, and the home is Energy Star rated. The family also received an energy-efficient refrigerator and range, which Whirlpool Corporation donates to every Habitat built home in North America.

It was so rewarding to see the house come together from the bones up. Not many people get to help build their house, and it is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced,” she said. “I put my blood, sweat and tears into this house and would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Jessica feels that the experience of gaining her own home was worth the hard work. “It was so rewarding to see the house come together from the bones up. Not many people get to help build their house, and it is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced,” she said. “I put my blood, sweat and tears into this house and would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Jessica has gained a new sense of confidence in herself as a result of purchasing her own home. “I now see that I am worthy of this blessing. I have worked so hard to make this dream a reality. It’s such a great feeling to know that I set out to achieve this goal and I am actually making it happen. I have also gained so much confidence in myself.”

“My world has changed in more ways than one,” she said. “Aside from being able to actually have a house of my own and achieving my dream to raise my son in Berthoud, I now have so much hope for the future.”

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