Company volunteers help Habitat for Humanity bring new housing to Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing and West Pullman communities
Dozens of agents and employees from Baird & Warner, Illinois’ largest family-owned independent real estate services company, recently collaborated with longtime partner Habitat for Humanity Chicago to help advance the construction of four homes on the city’s South Side.
Through Baird & Warner’s nonprofit community service and philanthropy arm, Good Will Works, nearly 50 volunteers from the company’s brokerage, mortgage, title, corporate and support services divisions gathered on Sept. 23 to help construct two homes in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood and two homes in the West Pullman neighborhood. The scope of the work included carpentry work to frame the walls, floors and roofs of the homes, which are vital steps in the roughly nine-month process to complete a Habitat for Humanity build from start to finish.
“It was very rewarding to come together as a company, roll up our sleeves and work side by side with individuals across the Baird & Warner organization and see these future residences take shape before our eyes,” said Tanesha House, director of social impact at Baird & Warner, who participated in the home builds at the Greater Grand Crossing site. “The pillars of our Good Will Works initiative are fair housing, racial equity and financial empowerment, which are carried out through volunteering and fundraising, and our work with Habitat for Humanity Chicago aligns perfectly with those goals.”
The build day follows an announcement earlier this year from Baird & Warner of a multi-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity Chicago and a $500,000 contribution to the organization, the largest corporate donation in the nonprofit’s history. The funds will support all Habitat Chicago programming and initiatives across Chicagoland, including affordable home construction and first-time homebuyer education classes. Baird & Warner has committed to upcoming office-specific and company-wide build days in the coming years.
“We are grateful for Baird & Warner’s participation in our new home builds,” said Jennifer Parks, executive director of Habitat Chicago. “Their support and volunteerism are building equitable and healthy neighborhoods alongside residents. We deeply appreciate Baird & Warner’s investment in making affordable homeownership a reality for more families in Chicago.”
Located in Greater Grand Crossing and West Pullman, the four new single-family homes are ENERGY STAR rated and built with high-quality materials and modern finishes. The three-bedroom, two-bath homes include a two-car garage and fencing, and one of the homes features a first-floor bedroom that allows for aging in place. Construction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023, and the homes will be available through an affordable mortgage to Chicago families that meet Habitat for Humanity Chicago’s program criteria.
“One of Baird & Warner’s guiding principles throughout the company’s 167-year history is giving back to the communities in which we work and always doing the right thing,” said Steve Baird, chief executive officer and president of Baird & Warner, who was among the volunteers participating in the West Pullman project. “Whether building affordable homes or educating homebuyers, Baird & Warner is honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity Chicago to empower homeownership on the South Side and in communities across Chicagoland.”
Since 2002, Baird & Warner’s Good Will Works arm has donated more than $3 million to Chicagoland not-for-profits focused on housing-related causes. In addition to Habitat for Humanity builds, additional company-wide volunteer opportunities include office-based initiatives and a unique volunteer time-off matching program.
For more information about Good Will Works, visit here.
To view images of Baird & Warner’s Habitat For Humanity build day, click here.
About Baird & Warner Real Estate, Inc.:
Established in 1855, Baird & Warner is Illinois’ largest family-owned independent real estate services company. The Baird & Warner brand has been synonymous with making real estate easier through experience, innovation and integrity for more than 160 years. Steve Baird, the firm’s fifth-generation owner, has been consistently recognized among the industry’s most influential leaders. Baird & Warner has been named a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for eight years in a row. With more than 2,500 broker associates in 28 offices and comprehensive mortgage, title and relocation services, Baird & Warner ranks among the nation’s top real estate firms. In 2022, Baird & Warner received the Most Innovative Brokerage Award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®, a global network of 550 leading independent real estate firms. Learn more at BairdWarner.com.
About Habitat for Humanity Chicago:
Habitat for Humanity Chicago (Habitat Chicago) is a nonprofit organization that champions healthy neighborhoods by investing in affordable homeownership and community development projects. Habitat Chicago works at a community level to bring strength, stability, and self-reliance to our focus neighborhoods of West Pullman, Greater Grand Crossing, and Austin. For more information, visit HabitatChicago.org.
