UUAA is part of an interfaith group of 16 area congregations, the “Good News Group” that has been working together since 1997 in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley. We have helped 38 families (with over 70 children!) move into affordable, very energy efficient housing, primarily in Ypsilanti neighborhoods. We help families, neighborhoods and the environment– and we laugh and have fun doing it. Click on this link to view a map of the homes we have built and renovated in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area.
Each summer UUAA sends about 30 volunteers to paint, hammer, do yard work and much more. We also have volunteers who bring lunch to the site workers. And of course, we always need your donations to help pay for the materials for Habitat for Humanity homes. Use this Donate button to make an online donation (be sure to select “Habitat for Humanity” in the drop down selection list).
Good News House for 2024
The 2024 Good News House is a NEW build from the ground up, on Firwood Street in Ypsilanti! This was our first ground-up build in sixteen years! The GROUND BREAKING ceremony took place on April 15th.
After a great “regular” 2024 season, we added 3 bonus work days this year. The last is Friday, Dec 6th, 2024. The house will be finished in the spring of 2025. It does not have a family yet.
Interested in volunteering? Email habitat@uuaa.org to get on our mailing list. Typically our season starts in late May or early June. Dates will be posted in April.
Use this link to add your name to the “Short Notice List” — You will receive email asking if you can help out any time we need extra workers on a work day that is not a scheduled UUAA work day (usually 3 or 4 opportunities each summer).
LOCATION
The 2024 Good News House is located at 345 Firwood Street in Ypsilanti. It is the middle of 3 new Habitat home lots.
Please park on the street near the house.
The Good News Group Impact for 2023
Read or download the fact sheet that shows the wonderful Good News Group and Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley impact on our community in the year 2023.
Our 2023 Good News Home Renovation
The 2023 Good News Home is located at 1120 Studebaker Ave in Ypsilanti. It was finally completed in spring of 2024 and now has a family! Read an inspiring statement from the Smith family at this link.
THANK YOU to all of the UUAA volunteers who worked on the site and provided lunches this year. An AMAZING amount of work was accomplished as these before and after photos show.
Handy Information
All volunteers must complete a volunteer waiver once each year. This year there is a new online system that is easy to use. You will receive an email asking you to confirm your volunteer date. A checkbox on that page and an electronic signature quickly confirms the waiver for the year. Or you can download and print a paper waiver.
Site workers should wear comfortable clothing and shoes that you don’t mind getting splashed with paint or mud or sawdust!
No special skills needed! You will be taught how to carry out tasks that are new to you.
All tools are provided. You can bring your own tools if you want, but please mark them to make sure they go home with you!
The site work can include installing insulation, installing windows, floor repair, wall repair, caulking, installing blue board, cabinets, shelving, fixtures, lighting, painting, landscaping and other related work.
Questions? Email habitat@uuaa.org .
To see photos of site work and read more about the Good News Group, go to the Habitat for Humanity Huron Valley Good News website.
Good News Group — UU’s hard at work
