In September, members of several different faith groups gathered at our Lake City and La Fortuna (Renton) sites to build both homes and bridges between communities. Since launching in 2001, more than 50 faith communities have participated in Interfaith Builds with Habitat SKC. Habitat strives to be an example of what we can accomplish when we work together, and this year’s Interfaith was a perfect example of that kind of teamwork and community.
On the first day of our 19th annual Interfaith Build, volunteers from Stroum Jewish Community Center of Greater Seattle, Holy Rosary West Seattle, Holy Family Parish, Kirkland WA, Congregation Beth Shalom Seattle, and Bothell United Methodist Church worked with us at our Lake City site. The crew framed walls, set floor, rim joists, and beams, and performed other important site work.
Our second day of Interfaith build 2020 was held on the 19th anniversary of 9/11. Interfaith Build was originally initiated in response to 9/11 under the name “Together We Build.” Since that fateful day, dozens of Muslim, Jewish, Christian, and other faith groups have been coming together each year to overcome cultural divisions and work together to build safe and affordable housing.
A team of volunteers from Bothell United Methodist Church, Our Lady of The Lake Parish Church, Center for Spiritual Living- Seattle, University Unitarian Church, Plymouth Congregation, and other faith groups came out on the 11th and helped us cut and set floor joists at our Lake City Way site.
On the final day of Interfaith Build 2020 we were excited to be joined by Board Member and Interfaith regular Gary Fallon and his daughter Katie along with volunteers from Timberlake Church and St. Joseph Parish, Seattle.
It was inspiring to see how much work could accomplish by working together and pushing forward as a team. Thank you so much to all the faith groups and volunteers who allowed us to make Interfaith 2020 such a success!