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Habitat for Humanity of Evansville celebrated its grand opening of the new Volunteer Center at 935 Maxwell Avenue with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, donors, and volunteers. The new facility represents a major step forward in Habitat’s “Together We Build, Together We Grow” strategic plan — and launches a groundbreaking partnership with 51����Ƶ Evansville to combine affordable housing construction with hands-on workforce development.

The Volunteer Center will serve as a year-round hub for volunteer activities, education, and new construction methods. Its design supports panelized construction, which allows Habitat to build home wall panels indoors, reducing construction time and shortening the building schedule, minimizing weather delays, lowering material waste, and enabling more consistent volunteer opportunities.

“This Volunteer Center will allow us to serve more families, more efficiently, while also helping to train the next generation of skilled workers,” said Beth Folz, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville. “Our partnership with Ivy Tech means we’re not just building homes — we’re building futures.”

A Partnership That Builds and Teaches
Through the collaboration, Ivy Tech students will gain work-based learning experiences by working in a living laboratory in many different disciplines. Daniela Vidal, chancellor at Ivy Tech Evansville, said “Ivy Tech will identify all the ways learning objectives can be incorporated -- from math to rigging, to supply chain and logistics -- as well as production processes and flow.” Future Habitat homeowners will earn college credit for completing Habitat’s 6-month money management program. Students facing housing insecurity may also benefit from Habitat’s affordable homeownership opportunities.

The partnership’s goals include:
•    Doubling Habitat’s annual home production from 20 to 40 homes by 2029.
•    Serving 150 families in the next five years.
•    Expanding workforce training opportunities for Ivy Tech students and community volunteers.
•    Reducing barriers to homeownership through financial literacy and credit-building programs.

“This partnership brings together two powerful missions — educating students and building affordable homes,” Vidal said. “Build Together, Learn Together” is a win for our students, for Habitat families, and for the entire Evansville community.”

A Lasting Impact
The Volunteer Center will also enhance team-building opportunities for local businesses, faith communities, and civic groups, offering volunteer experiences that boost mental health, physical well-being, and social connection while making a tangible difference in the community.