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Greenville Business Magazine

Bridge Builder Series Home Build Pairs Habitat For Humanity Of Greenville County, The Greenville Police Department, And Local Churches

Photo: Habitat President and CEO Monroe Free gives opening remarks at Bridge Builder wall raising ceremony.

The Habitat for Humanity wall raising ceremony for the Greggs Family marked the official start of the nonprofit organization’s Bridge Builder series, a set of home construction projects designed to foster greater connection, cooperation, and goodwill among distinct groups in our local community. The first build in the series pairs members of the African American community with members of the Greenville Police Department to foster greater trust and respect among these groups.

The Bridge Builder Series is the result of a discussion between Habitat for Humanity of Greenville CEO Monroe Free and Christ Church Episcopal Rector Harrison McLeod, on the critical role the faith community and nonprofits can play in uniting people through a common and noble purpose, thereby building bridges of trust and bonds of friendship among seemingly distinct groups.

Long Branch Baptist Church and Greater Mt. Calvary Baptist Church committed volunteers and additional support for the build. They will work alongside Greenville police officers, community members, and volunteers from Christ Church Episcopal to change the life of a hardworking area family.

“We feel blessed, eager, and excited to join our efforts with Habitat for Humanity, Long Branch Baptist Church, Mount Calvary Baptist Church, and our dedicated Police Department to raise this wall, this family and this community,” says Christ Church Episcopal Rector Harrison McLeod.

These volunteers will also share a meal each day and participate in thought-provoking discussions on topics ranging from why they choose to be involved with this project and what the greatest current challenges and opportunities are for their respective organizations to what each group can do to encourage stronger relationships.

“We are proud to pioneer this inspiring series with compassionate and impactful local community members and leaders,” says Habitat Greenville CEO Monroe Free. “The Bridge Builder Series is a wonderful example of how the Habitat mission seeks to bring people together by building home, hope, and community.”

Habitat for Humanity is currently planning several Bridge Builder builds. Following the African American and Greenville PD project, the next up in the series will be an interfaith build, with representatives from local mosques, synagogues, and churches working together to build a home for another local family in need.

Construction commenced immediately following the wall raising ceremony and will last approximately 12 weeks. Volunteers from each group will be present each day, working together and learning from one another. Joint workdays are June 21-22 and 27-29, July 11-13 and 25-27, August 9-10, 15-17, 23-24 and September 13-14. We welcome media visits on volunteer workdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Please call or email Nancye Edwards at 864-612-1128 or [email protected] to schedule.