Having worked with local Habitat affiliates for the last two years, Gerry Roethel sees tremendous potential benefits from the program over the next four years. "The point of the Thrivent Builds program is to build additional capacity, and they’ve done that here."

Do it. It is absolutely worth it.

The start of something great

If Gerry Roethel had a chance to meet the person who first came up with the idea of Thrivent Builds, he would tell them what a great idea he thinks it is.  “It’s putting your money where your values are,” Gerry says.  “It’s building on the commitment that Thrivent Financial already has.  And it’s a natural alliance between Thrivent Financial as a a national grassroots organization and an organization that is completely local.”

Having worked with local Habitat affiliates for the last two years, Gerry sees tremendous potential benefits from the program over the next four years.  “The point of the Thrivent Builds program is to build additional capacity, and they’ve done that here.  We couldn’t have built these houses this year without the money for the additional capacity.”

When comparing the alliance with Thrivent Financial to other corporate alliances that Habitat has had, he sees one big difference.  “This is a long-term arrangement, a long-term commitment.  We have some great corporate benefactors that have sponsored houses, but that’s a very ‘iffy’ thing.”  In those arrangements, Gerry says he needed to go back each time there was a potential project to ask the sponsor if they were willing to get involved again.  But with Thrivent Builds, “We are hoping that this Habitat affiliate can build a house or two with Thrivent Financial every year.  That makes this program a lot different from all of our other corporate givers.”

He offers some advice to other Habitat affiliates who are applying for Thrivent Builds projecs.  “Do it.  It is absolutely worth it.  This alliance with Thrivent Financial will work.  Thrivent Financial will provide you with access to the organization.  It will provide you with a person or two that you can work through so you don’t have to carry it all on your own shoulders.”

Looking forward, Gerry has great plans.  “We intend to grow the affiliate and we’re hoping that Thrivent Financial is going to be a part of that building. 

“I have great hopes for the future.”