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Kimberly Thomas chosen to lead Old Colony Habitat for Humanity

MANSFIELD, Mass. — Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, which works with low- income families to build and own their own homes, has a new chief executive officer.

Kimberly A. Thomas has spent nearly three decades in leadership positions throughout central and eastern Massachusetts and was chosen to lead Old Colony Habitat after an exhaustive search.
“I am looking forward to our next build and being able to help our next family realize the dream of home ownership,” said Thomas, who has been on the job for about a month.

Prior to joining Old Colony Habitat, she spent six years as the Vice President of Development for Justice Resource Institute, one of the premier social service agencies in Massachusetts. Before that, she was the Executive Director of New Hope, a regional non-profit agency based in Attleboro addressing domestic and sexual violence in central and southeastern Massachusetts. Thomas joined the non-profit sector after spending 18 years with the Taunton Federal Credit Union, where she worked in a variety of leadership positions.

Thomas said she enjoys to making strategic plans a reality, invigorating teams and executing projects on time and within budget.

“I am honored to be the new face of the organization. I look forward to obtaining affordable housing for families, recruiting volunteers, raising money and enhancing the visibility of the organization throughout its service area,” she said.

Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, which has helped some 30 million people build affordable homes worldwide since its founding in 1976. Local chapters are urged to do a home building project at least every three years to support families in their service area.

“Safe, decent and affordable housing is out of reach for millions of Americans, and Habitat for Humanity is one of the most recognizable and effective organizations in the country addressing the issue, not only because it supports home ownership but also because it isn’t just a handout,” Thomas said.

Families chosen to live in a Habitat home receive training on managing their personal finances and supporting a home. In addition, they must agree to put in 250 hours — over six weeks of full-time work — of their own labor working alongside community volunteers during the construction project. “That commitment gives the families a real stake in the project and builds community support,” Thomas explained.

She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from Bridgewater State College and her master’s degree in management from Cambridge College. She spent a year in leadership development training through Leadership SouthCoast, and serves on a number of community boards of directors.

In 2013, she received the Woman of Achievement award from Girls Inc. for her work with the survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Thomas also serves on the board of Bluestone Bank and is chairwoman of the bank’s Foundation.

“On behalf of the search committee comprised of current board members and the entire Old Colony Habitat team, we look forward to Kim’s leadership as we strive to take our organization to new heights and continue our mission of providing decent and affordable housing for our community,” said Tim Travers, president of the Old Colony Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors.

Since its founding in 1989, Old Colony Habitat has built about 10 homes in the 19 central and eastern Massachusetts communities it serves: Assonet, Attleboro, Bellingham, Berkley, East Freetown, Fall River, Foxboro, Franklin, Mansfield, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Raynham, Rehoboth, Seekonk, Somerset, Taunton, and Wrentham.

The chapter, which last built a home in Mansfield, is currently looking for land on which to build.

In addition to building homes, in 2016 Old Colony Habitat opened its ReStore, which sells gently used, donated household furnishings and equipment from its store at 9 Washington St., Attleboro. Proceeds from the ReStore are allocated towards operations and home builds. The ReStore is open Tuesdays through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To donate goods or arrange for pick-up, email restore@oldcolonyhabitat.org.

For more information about Old Colony Habitat for Humanity visit www.oldcolonyhabitat.org, or to make a donation or to volunteer, email Kim Thomas at dir@oldcolonyhabitat.org.