In our “Give BOLDLY” series, we highlight local residents and businesses who are dedicated to making a difference in our communities. From volunteering at a food bank to running a nonprofit, and everywhere in-between, these individuals are passionately giving back through their philanthropic efforts. In this installment, we learn about AHIP, a home repair nonprofit.
When Hurricane Camille tore a path of devastation across Nelson and Albemarle Counties in 1969, UVA students and faculty headed out to help repair homes. What they discovered was that many people were struggling with housing conditions unrelated to the hurricane—they simply didn’t have the resources to undertake critical home repair and maintenance tasks. That group kept working, and grew into AHIP.
By 1976, AHIP was its own 501(c)(3), and since then, has helped more than 7,000 families with critical home repairs and rehabs.
Today, AHIP has 28 staff members, including three construction crews who roll out every morning to tackle small and large repair projects.
In 2018 alone, AHIP crews—along with local subcontractor partners and hundreds of volunteers—helped 324 people in 148 households across Charlottesville and Albemarle. We love this video, showing some of the work done in 2018:
One of the families that AHIP is working with in 2019 is a Crozet family in need. Kimberly Carter is a busy mom, working at a local childcare center while raising her own toddler and taking care of her ailing mother. Her modest Crozet home needs insulation, replacement windows and siding, and a new HVAC system. A critical federal funding source has just unexpectedly fallen through, and AHIP now must fill a gap of $7,500 in order for work to proceed. Other public and private sources are lined up and ready to go.
To raise funds for the Carter family, and many others, Nest Realty is hosting a DRINK IT FORWARD event on Wednesday, March 13th beginning at 5:30 p.m. at South Street Brewery. Click here for more information. We hope you’ll join us in raising a glass to raise funds for this crucial nonprofit in our community.
Everyone should be safe at home—and support from the community means that seniors, kids, people with disabilities, and hard-working families will be safe at home tonight and for years to come. To learn more or to donate, please visit ahipva.org or call 434-817-AHIP.