SVTAGS - Habitat for Humanity – Silicon ValleySilicon Valley Technology, Art, Green & Sustainability talk show with host and Executive Producer Heather Durham. Episode guest is Jennifer Simmons, the Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity – Silicon Valley. Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley, is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Their mission is to transform families and strengthen communities by partnering with volunteers, the community, and qualified families with low incomes, by building decent, affordable housing for long-term home ownership. They serve families who currently live in inadequate housing, are willing to volunteer a minimum of 500 hours of “sweat equity” labor on Habitat homes, and have an ability to pay for their home. All Habitat partner families participate in a Homeowner Self-Sufficiency program, designed to provide families with additional skills needed to increase economic self-sufficiency and become successful homeowners. Volunteers are in integral part of Habitat’s program, and houses are built using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials contributed by churches, businesses, foundations, and by individuals. Neighborhoods are revitalized and in the process of bringing people together to build, Habitat for Humanity creates a strong sense of community