It has an emotional ring to it.

The Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity is building two homes, side by side, this June.

The homes will complete Habitat for Humanity’s efforts at East 23rd and Elm streets. The organization has built three homes in that neighborhood  in the past three years during its accelerated June building project.

It is the first time the project will attempt to build two homes during its three weeks.

Habitat for Humanity is currently recruiting volunteers for the project.

Building runs from June 4 to 23 on Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers are required to commit to an entire day of work.

No experience is required. Tools are provided. Habitat for Humanity only asks that participants bring a sandwich to the work site.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old; minors need parental permission. Shifts must be planned in advance by calling 454-7025.

“We tell them they need to come with a servant’s heart,” said Nancy Milkowski, executive director of Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity.

Depending on the day, volunteers could be constructing walls, painting or building a porch. Supervisors at the work sites assign tasks.

Milkowski said they are doubling the number of shifts and volunteers to complete the project.

Normally, it takes nine months for Habitat for Humanity to build one house, said Milkowski. The organization constructs three to four houses a year.

The project is daunting, but when it is finished, it will provide two deserving families the opportunity for home ownership.

The receivers of Habitat for Humanity homes are predetermined by a family selection committee, said Milkowski. Families must fulfill three criteria: they must be able to afford a mortgage with an interest rate of 0 percent, they must complete 300 “sweat” hours of work for the organization and they must have a housing need.

“Our mission continues due to the poverty housing in the city,” said Milkowski.

At the end of June, Habitat for Humanity will leave behind the House that Love Built, the House that Faith Built, the House that Hope Built, the House that Joy Built and the House that Peace Built. The names of this year’s houses were decided by past volunteers.

“We’re going to ultimately leave the neighborhood with peace,” said Milkowski.  “It couldn’t have been better designed.”

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers have provided home ownership opportunities to 50 Erie area families in the past 20 years.

Currently, they are working on two local houses.

No experience is needed, and Habitat for Humanity provides tools and equipment.

To volunteer, fill out these individual or group waivers, review the work site regulations and submit the form at the Habitat for Humanity office located at 413 E. 9th St. in Erie. Once your waiver has been approved, you will be contacted to schedule a shift at a work site. Habitat for Humanity reminds volunteers that all shifts must be scheduled in advance.

Construction volunteers must be at least 16 years old.

For those who want to give different talents to Habitat for Humanity, the organization is also looking for committee members.

The committees currently seeking new members are:

-Church Relations

-Construction

-Family Partnership

-Fund Development

-Governance

-Grants

-Site Selection

Habitat for Humanity is  looking for volunteers for its youth programs, Girls Build and Build a Better World.

Volunteers can also get involved by planning special events and performing office duties.

For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator by telephone at 454-7025 or by e-mail.

Image and video courtesy of Habitat for Humanity