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 use their leave time to participate in a variety of activities including land clean up, building a structure and home repair. 

The initiative offers LEO 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. Employees are choosing to use their own leave time to participate, demonstrating a personal commitment to service. This effort reflects LEO’s mission to make Michigan a place where all people, businesses, and communities can thrive, with volunteerism serving as a powerful way to support that goal.

LEO’s Michigan Community Service Commission and 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 mark the 9/11 National Day of Service, MSHDA is honored once again to stand alongside our LEO colleagues and Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Michigan. Safe, affordable housing is at the core of strong, thriving communities, and this is a chance for us to roll up our sleeves and help make that a reality for more Michiganders," said Amy Hovey, MSHDA Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director. "Volunteer days like this remind us that the work we do together will continue to strengthen families and neighborhoods long after the hammers are put away.” 

Last year State employees assisted with rehabilitating several homes, nine of which are now on the market and families will be living in them soon. This year, volunteer sites will include Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Macomb County and Southfield. 

“Partnerships like this show the good we can do when we all pitch in. It’s inspiring to see state employees roll up their sleeves and work alongside other Habitat volunteers and staff,” said Don Wilkinson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Michigan. “These projects make a real difference for families who need a safe, affordable place to call home.” 

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, also 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.

“We encourage all Michiganders to volunteer on the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance as a way to pay tribute to the victims of September 11 and honor the first responders to the attacks,” said Ginna Holmes, Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director. “It’s a great way for our state and nation to come together to help others and improve our communities.” 

Watch last year's 9/11 Day of Service | LEO Gives Back video. 

Learn more about volunteer opportunities in your community at volunteermichigan.org