Habitat announces new staff, new office

Warren County Habitat for Humanity is on the move! The Board of Directors today announces with pride the naming of their first-ever professional Executive Director, Lee Smith Osina, CAE, IOM.

Lee has been for the last nine and one-half years the chief staff officer of the local United Way. In August of this year, Warren County Habitat’s Board of Directors tapped her to take on the successful and growing local affiliate and help it develop its potential in Warren County.

“I am delighted to use my talents and expertise to assist Warren County’s Habitat for Humanity affiliate. I am awed at what this dedicated group of volunteers here at Habitat have accomplished with NO staff support… and I can’t wait to jump in and try to keep up with this amazing organization. They have accomplished more as an all-volunteer organization than any other organization I have come in contact with for the last 30 years of my professional non profit career. Together, I think there is no limit to what we can accomplish here in Warren county.”

Warren County Habitat for Humanity was organized in 1991-92 by a small, dedicated group of volunteers who were committed to the goals of Habitat for Humanity International of building decent, affordable housing for low-income working families here in Warren county. The goal, like that of Habitat for Humanity International, was and still is to to offer a helping hand up, not a hand-out. Of the 14 houses completed to date, only one partner family has defaulted on the mortgage.

In addition to the new staff initiative, Habitat has also changed their address and opened a new office in Front Royal. The office is now located at 27 Cloud Street, the Team Waller Real Estate building. The office space, a more than $3600 annual value, is being donated free of charge by Beth Waller, owner of Team Waller Real Estate.

“I am personally so excited to be a part of this exciting time for Warren County Habitat for Humanity. It is an organization I have always wanted to support. We will be working with Lee and the Warren County Habitat to improve and expand their outreach, supplying office space and assisting them in making the connections vital to the home-building nonprofit association. And Lee is the perfect person to lead the charge. I enjoyed my time working with her on five successful United Way campaigns and look forward to re-igniting our synergy!!!”

With more families in our county being impacted by the ongoing economic crisis, Habitat expects to meet increased need for the services it offers. The goal is to expand the operation to average one and one-half to two houses completed per year.

Currently, Habitat is looking for raw lots, for new construction as well as for foreclosures or abandoned properties that can reasonably be rehabilitated to Habitat standards.

Habitat’s new office will be open from 8:30 to 5 pm, Monday through Thursdays. In addition to the above, Habitat is actively seeking Board volunteers, citizen volunteers for office work as well as building, and social media experts. If you can help, please call Lee at: 540-551-3232