New home brings new beginning for Rochester family through Habitat For Humanity

February 23, 2024
It’s a new beginning for a single mother in Rochester, as she moves her family into their new home thanks to Greater Rochester Habitat For Humanity.

Shuane Williams has taken personal loss as an opportunity to give back. In 2013, she lost her son to gun violence.


“It was the most senseless thing to happen to our family, and I think that if you stay in the community and you see things happen, you can’t stay angry. So, what do you do, right?” said Williams.


She decided to create a youth advocacy program to give Rochester kids support and a voice.


“It was something we started for our children to be able to advocate for themselves. We wanted children to be able to stand up on their own and be able to speak about things going on with them. We find out they speak to themselves more than they speak to us,” she said.


Williams and her daughters will soon move into the new home in the Beechwood neighborhood, with the help of Habitat For Humanity.


She is the first homebuyer in her family, and also had a hand in construction, putting in 300 hours of work toward the build.


“This is a dream come true for me. I’ve literally been trying to do this since my son passed away. Not only did Habitat nail it, they gave me exactly what I wanted,” said Williams.


“There’s something really solid about an owner-occupant who moves into a neighborhood, puts their stake down and says, ‘I’m going to take care of this neighborhood because this is where I live.’ They’re more likely to look out the window and say what needs to be fixed versus turning the other way and wondering when something’s going to happen,” said Matt Flanigan, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Habitat For Humanity.


Williams says she didn’t turn away from the city after the loss of her son. She reflects on the decision to stay as this new chapter begins.


“So many people run away from the violence in this community. So many people go, ‘Oh, well this should happen, and we should do this.’ Then, they move out. So, how are you helping your community if you’re not here? In order to help your community, you have to stay inside your community. So, it’s very important for me to stay here in the city of Rochester,” said Williams.


This home build is the second of 2024 for Habitat For Humanity. It was also made possible through a partnership with Avangrid and RG&E as well as Bank of America.


Original Article: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/new-home-brings-new-beginning-for-rochester-family-through-habitat-for-humanity/

This Facebook widget is no longer supported.

Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity Appoints Kim Brumber as Chief Executive Officer

March 20, 2026
ROCHESTER, NY — Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity (GRHFH) has appointed Kim Brumber as its new Chief Executive Officer. She will officially begin her role on March 23, 2026. Brumber brings 27 years of executive leadership experience spanning nonprofit management, organizational transformation, executive coaching, and community development. She has served 23 years as a nonprofit executive, leading complex organizations through strategic growth, financial turnaround, and mission expansion. “I’m honored to lead an organization that recognizes homeownership as more than just having a roof over your head; it’s about creating stability and opportunity for individuals and families to thrive. It’s transformative,” said Brumber. “When we help someone become a homeowner, we’re not just handing them keys; we’re opening doors to better health, stronger communities, and brighter futures for themselves and their children. That’s the work that gets me up in the morning." Throughout her career, Brumber has led significant organizational transformations. She directed the merger of five companies into a sustainable enterprise, guided multiple turnaround efforts, and aligned people, strategy, and systems to strengthen long-term impact. She has raised more than $20 million in capital to create loan opportunities for high-risk borrowers and secured investors for a complex $56 million real estate development project. Her experience also includes oversight of multiple Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments. Brumber’s appointment signals a continued commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable homeownership across Monroe, Ontario, and Wayne Counties. Under her leadership, Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity will build on its strong foundation while advancing sustainable growth, financial strength, and long-term community impact. Original Article: https://rbj.net/2026/02/27/greater-rochester-habitat-ceo-kim-brumber/

Habitat for Humanity unveils first two-story modular home in Rochester

December 16, 2025
Rochester, N.Y. - The start of a new chapter of homeownership in the area. Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity celebrated Rochester's first two-story modular home on Friday in the Beechwood neighborhood. The nonprofit says the modular building process slashes construction time and costs, helping more families get safe and affordable homes faster. It also says frame-based house construction will continue, as it helps teach volunteers valuable technical skills. Original Article: https://13wham.com/news/local/habit-for-humanity-unveils-first-two-story-modular-home-in-rochester

Buy the Block housing initiative: Second phase completed

June 24, 2025
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Friday, the City of Rochester’s Mayor Malik Evans celebrated the second phase of the Buy the Block Housing Initiative with a ribbon cutting.
More Posts