Habitat for Humanity
Receives Award
Washington, DC: The Arab American Institute
Foundation (AAIF) has announced that Habitat for Humanity
will receive the 2006 “Kahlil Gibran Spirit”
of Humanity Award for Institutional Achievement in recognition
of its efforts to end the cycle of homelessness and poverty
that millions of families endure.
"Kahlil Gibran was an inspiring author, artist and
poet whose works have spoken to millions of people from
all backgrounds in dozens of languages around the world,"
said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International's
chief executive officer. "Habitat for Humanity itself
seeks to embody many of the ideals Gibran embraced and to
be similarly universal in its work to build decent housing
with families from all races, religions and languages. We
are deeply honored to be recognized by the Arab American
Institute Foundation with the Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity
Award."
Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than
200,000 homes for families in need throughout the world,
providing more than one million people with secure and affordable
housing. Through community and volunteer efforts, Habitat
builds and rehabilitates houses in conjunction with the
homeowner families who invest their own time and labor into
the project. Habitat houses are sold to partner families
at no profit and financed with affordable no-interest loans.
Habitat has active programs in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.
Additionally, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Habitat
announced “Operation Home Delivery,” a program
designed to provide housing to those made homeless by the
storm.
Past recipients of this award include Georgetown University’s
Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Rock the Vote, Amnesty
International, Reading is Fundamental, ALSAC/ St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital, and the YWCA of the USA. Each awardee
has demonstrated a commitment to promoting co-existence
and inclusion in all walks of life.
Habitat for Humanity CEO, Jonathan Reckford, will accept
the award on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. Information
on the organization and its members may be found at www.habitat.org.
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