Who We Are
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1989 as Attleboro Area Habitat for Humanity and is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. Habitat succeeds in reintroducing into neighborhoods the most basic building block of any community – the homeowner.
Old Colony Habitat provides resources, guidance, and hope to aspiring families. These families work from within their neighborhoods, creating the change we all seek, and repaying the investment that we have made in them.
Our service area comprises 24 towns: Assonet, Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, Dighton, East Freetown, Fall River, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Swansea, Taunton, and Wrentham.
By working together–volunteers, corporations, faith communities, civic groups, individual supporters, and homeowner families–we nurture strong families, healthy neighborhoods, and a vibrant community.
VISION
Building hopes, homes, and community – one family at a time – one home at a time.
MISSION
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization that builds homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that everyone should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
“Everyone worked tirelessly for myself and my 4 children to have a place to call home. They were by our sides explaining, teaching and embracing my family. I am so grateful for this organization, and all involved for caring about people who need help at their lowest time.” – Donna, Habitat Homeowner
We welcome all who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of race or religion. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. Regardless of your background or faith, if you have willing hands and a compassionate heart, we welcome you to focus on the tasks and goals to be accomplished.
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Old Colony Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1989 as Attleboro Area Habitat for Humanity. Over the past 30 years, our service area has expanded to include 24 cities and towns in Bristol and Norfolk County and became the Old Colony Habitat for Humanity.
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s first home was built in 2002 in Norton, MA, as part of a three-home collaboration with the town. The first house, located at 478 South Worcester Street, was completed that year, followed by the neighboring homes at 474 and 476 South Worcester Street over the next two years. Over the next 10 years many homes were built in several communities including 2 homes in Attleboro, and one in Mansfield, Norton, Norfolk, Plainville, Seekonk and Taunton. And a Habitat home was built in Medway, which is now our service area.
In 2016, the affiliate opened the ReStore at 9 Washington Street in Attleboro, MA. The ReStore, located on the busy road of Route 1, is a second-hand store where the community can donate gently-used furniture, building materials, and appliances
For many years, Manny Cunard led the organization with dedication, helping to expand its impact across the region. In 2020, Kim Thomas was hired by the Board of Directors as the Chief Executive Officer. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Kim remains dedicated to expanding affordable homeownership opportunities within our community.
Since 2002, Old Colony Habitat for Humanity has built 11 homes—and we remain committed to creating more opportunities for families in need.
About Us
Our Team
Kimberly Thomas
CEO/Executive Director
508-399-1781
kimthomas@oldcolonyhabitat.org
Christine Dumouchel
About Us
Board of Officers
Brenda McDonough, Esq.
President
Troutman Pepper Locke
pres@oldcolonyhabitat.org
Grant King
Jim Peers
Treasurer
Eleanor Health
Suzanne Catraio
About Us
Board of Directors
Brendan Mullen
Board Member
President of B&D Construction
Mollie Rigby
Board Member
Tax accountant at Duquette, Hurley, & Assoc., Inc.
& President of Mpire, Inc
Nancy Adams
Board Member
Bristol County Savings Bank
Rocco J. Iannaci. Esq
Tony McDonnell
Domenic Longobardi
Board Member
Director of Non-Gaming Operations at Plainridge Park Casino
Tom Cosentino, Esq.
Board Member
Sr. Project Manager - Koura, an Orbia company
Wendy Kamens, Esq.
Yvette Minnifield
Randy Hausmann
Does Old Colony Habitat give away homes?
No. The homeowners we partner with pay an affordable mortgage for their home and contribute 250 hours of work towards their future home.
What guidelines are used to determine a family partner?
Habitat for Humanity offers homeownership opportunities to working families who are unable to obtain conventional financing. To qualify for homeownership, Habitat families must meet 3 criteria:
- They must have a need – earning less than 80% of the area’s median household income
- They must be willing to partner — contributing 250 hours per adult of labor (“sweat equity”) to help the affiliate
- They must be able to pay – a monthly mortgage payment that they can afford … they buy the house.
Habitat for Humanity homeowners buy their homes, they contribute to the cause in a way that creates momentum for other homeowners, and they are proud, hard-working, tax paying members of our communities.
What is sweat equity?
Sweat equity is the hands-on involvement of future homeowner families in the construction of Habitat homes. It is very important in building the partnership between the families and Habitat staff and volunteers. 250 hours total per single adult family, with each household member over the age of 16 years old contributing to the total hours, and every family selected by Habitat must complete sweat equity hours. If physical labor on the construction site is not possible due to a disability or other consideration, sweat equity hours may be logged helping at Habitat fundraising events, working in the office or at the ReStore, or representing Habitat at engagements in the community.
Sweat equity hours are tracked, and all hours must be completed before closing on the home.
What kind of donations are accepted?
One-time donations to support our mission to build home and help local families.
You can donate new or gently used items to our ReStore to support our mission and reduce items in landfills. 100% of the money raised helps us build affordable homes for local families.
You can do a corporate sponsorship to support the mission.
Consider planned giving through wills or trusts to support our mission.
Donate or give a gift in kind of your volunteer time or materials to support a home build.
If you would like to start your fund-raising efforts and reach out to your social networks on Old Colony Habitat’s, please reach out to dir@oldcolonyhabitat.org
How long does it take for Old Colony Habitat to build a home?
6-8 months
How long does it take to get a Habitat house?
The length of time to get a house will vary. On average the family selection process takes 3-4 months and construction takes 6-8 months.
Employment Opportunities
EOE Please email your resume to dir@oldcolonyhabitat.org with the subject line: EmploymentWe are always in need of Volunteers to help at the ReStore. Please check out our volunteer page for more opportunities.
EEO Policy Statement: Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The organization does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, country of ancestral origin, or veteran status.
Volunteer Construction Site Supervisor
Job OpeningsOld Colony Habitat For Humanity is seeking dedicated Volunteer...
A Special Thanks
Many thanks to our lead partners
Communities We Serve
Assonet, Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, East Freetown, Fall River, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Dighton, Swansea, Somerset, Taunton, Medfield, Medway, Millis and Wrentham.
Old Colony Habitat for Humanity
Attleboro, MA 02703
