Page 42 - BusinessWest October 28, 2024

Habitat for Humanity projects bring together a raft of volunteers, both individuals and businesses.
“That’s the other thing that’s special about Habitat for Humanity: the future homeowners help build their own houses. They put in sweat equity in the construction alongside community volunteers, who also help bring down the cost of building the homes by donating their time,” she explained.
“It’s empowering to know they helped build the house and that they can take care of it themselves,” she went on. “One of the side benefits of sweat equity is they actually learn a lot of construction skills and how to use power tools. They were there caulking and painting alongside the volunteers, so if something needs to be touched up later, they’ll know how to do it.”
A roster of local businesses, from builders and roofers to landscapers and solar-energy installers, offer discounted materials to Habitat and even send workers to help out on a job, McDonough noted, adding that the organization relies first and foremost on
We had
almost 80 applications for our last house here in Northampton, so the need couldn’t”be greater.
volunteer labor.
“There’s this deep impact that happens with the
family that’s selected and becomes a homeowner, but there are also hundreds of volunteers who
are impacted as well, and I think that’s often underappreciated,” she said. “There’s the college student who learns how to use a hammer for the first time, or the professional carpenter who gets to give back and feels the accomplishment of sharing their skills and knowledge. There’s a lot of social capital building and community building that happens when people work together for a common goal. It’s extremely gratifying.”
One of the key evolutions in the organization’s work has been an emphasis on energy efficiency and green building.
“We work really hard on bringing down our costs, selling a home at an affordable price, but if we get
someone in there and they can’t afford their utility bill, we sort of missed the mark,” she said. “We’re not building fancy McMansions. We’re building a box, but a nice box — a new one with good insulation and high-efficiency mechanical systems. And we have been getting those homes Energy Star-certified for a number of years, and have added some additional green-building certifications as well.”
That focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy is a way to impact the future, McDonough told BusinessWest. “It’s not cost- effective to build small, simple, energy-efficient homes. They’re just not getting built in the marketplace. So it’s also really unique that we build high-quality but simple homes. We have laminate countertops; these aren’t luxury granite countertops. But we also have extra insulation in the walls to make sure it’ll be a cozy house. We put in air-source heat pumps so it can be all electric and part of the decarbonization of the future.”
“
At the same time, during her 10 years as the affiliate’s executive
McDonough >> Continued on page W34
BETTER PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGIES
BETTER FRAUD PROTECTION TOOLS
BETTER SERVICE & COMMUNICATION
“Having a local business banker just makes life easier.”
Chris D. | Astro Chemicals, Springfield, MA
“Our financial security matters to Westfield Bank— because it matters to us.”
Brian T. | The Collins Companies, East Windsor, CT
“Westfield Bank asks the right questions, and has the right answers for our business.” Peter P. | Peter Pan Bus Lines, Springfield, MA
Your bank should make your business better.
Why do so many of our region’s businesses trust Westfield Bank’s team
of local experts for better Business Banking? Just ask our region’s business leaders.
Women of westfieldbank.com/business/industries or stop by one of our nearby branches today.
Then, ask us how we can help if your business is ready to switch to better banking. Visit
Women of IMPACT
IMPACTA PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
Member
westfieldbank.com
FDIC
A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
W20 2024
Women of Women of IMPACT
BusinessWest
IMPACT A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST A PROGRAM OF BUSINESSWEST
WOMEN
Impact