State Employees Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity for 9/11 Day of Service

LANSING, Mich. — State employees of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO) partnered with Habitat for Humanity Michigan to volunteer during the week of 9/11. During these projects, themed LEO Gives Back, employees will participate in a variety of activities including land clean up, building a structure and home repair. 

“We wanted to give our employees a meaningful way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11 and those who served, by working together to provide safe and affordable housing for those in need,” said Susan Corbin, LEO Director. “At LEO, we are committed to making Michigan a place where all people, businesses, and communities can thrive, and volunteerism is a powerful way to support that mission.” 

LEO’s Michigan Community Service Commission and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) teams worked with Habitat for Humanity Michigan to organize project sites across the state for employees to volunteer their time to build and renovate affordable housing. Habitat Michigan was selected for the LEO Gives Back project for their statewide volunteer opportunities and their long-standing partnership with the state going back 25 years. The MSHDA and Habitat Michigan missions align through the provision of down payment assistance, priority home repair and homebuyer education.   

"As we honor the 9/11 National Day of Service, MSHDA is proud to join forces with our LEO colleagues and Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Michigan to make a real difference in our communities. We understand how important safe, affordable housing is for stabilizing lives, and this is the perfect opportunity for us to step out from behind our desks and actively support the people and neighborhoods we serve. In addition to showing government can be a force for good, I’m confident the work we do together will have a lasting impact for these homeowners and neighborhoods for years to come,” said Amy Hovey, MSHDA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. 

 “We are deeply grateful for the partnerships with LEO and MSHDA in this meaningful 9/11 Day of Service initiative,” said Carolyn Bloodworth, board chair for Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. “The dedication of state employees volunteering their time and energy across multiple sites in Michigan significantly strengthens our mission to provide safe, affordable housing to Michigan families. Together we’re making a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors by addressing Michigan’s housing challenges.” 

 The Sept. 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups. It became officially recognized following the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of April 2009.  

The Michigan Community Service Commission, the state’s lead agency on volunteerism, offers volunteer project funding for National Days of Service, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Global Youth Service Day and 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance to help support Michigan organizations engage volunteers.  

“As a positive way to forever remember and pay tribute to the victims of September 11, honor those that rose in service in response to the attacks, and to remind people of the importance of working more closely together to improve our world, we invite everyone to volunteer on the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance,” said Ginna Holmes, Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director. 

To learn more about volunteer opportunities in your community, go to volunteermichigan.org