Grayslake Real Estate Agency Raising Money to Build Homes for Needy Families

GRAYSLAKE, IL - Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes announced Friday a partnership with New Story, a non-profit organization aimed at transforming lives in El Salvador.

For the last two years, New Story has been building communities in Haiti, El Salvador, and Bolivia. They work with local partners to transform slums into safe, life-changing communities, according to a news release. Each home costs just $6,000 and is given to a family in need to improve their lives for generations to come.

A goal of raising $12,000 in a month might seem audacious to some but Jim Starwalt, Broker/Owner of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes, is confident in his team.

“Up until now, we’ve focused on supporting local organizations that directly benefit our neighbors here at home,” Starwalt said. “But when Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate CEO, Sherry Chris, put out the call to come together and build a whole community for people in need, we had to answer.”

To date, BHGRE Star Homes owners Jim and Susan Starwalt have made an immediate $6,000 contribution to build one home for New Story. They have challenged their office and the community to match it with an additional $6,000 to finance a second home, according to a news release.

“When you see the kind of conditions these families are living in and how much of an instant and permanent change one of these homes can make in their lives, it’s hard not to act immediately,” Starwalt said.

New Story has created an innovative and more transparent model than the traditional charitable giving experience, according to a news release. Every dollar given to New Story goes directly to building homes. Operations are paid for by completely separate investors so donors know exactly where their money is going.

Additionally, every donor receives a digital profile of the exact family they helped support.

“Our 100 percent model and move-in videos are how we’re providing a unique experience for donors.” Brett Hagler, CEO of New Story said. “We don’t want giving to just be a transaction. We strive to create an experience that truly shows donors how much their donation means to these families.”

The Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Star Homes campaign with New Story will run until April 2, 2017 and if completed will provide two families with life-changing homes.

To learn more about the project or to donate, visit here.