A Stronger Future:
The merger of Habitat for Humanity Lake County and Habitat for Humanity McHenry County has created a unified, stronger organization dedicated to expanding affordable homeownership opportunities across both counties. With our combined resources, expertise, and passion, we are now better equipped than ever to serve local families and make a lasting impact in our communities.
What This Means for Our Community
This integrated organization has enhanced capacity to take on larger, more ambitious projects while continuing to provide the same essential services that families and individuals rely on. Both the Lake and McHenry County offices remain fully operational, and the McHenry and Woodstock ReStores continue to be vital resources for affordable building supplies and home goods.
This merger also marks the well-earned retirement of Jerry Monica, longtime President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity McHenry County. His remarkable leadership and vision have shaped a thriving organization that has transformed countless lives. Stepping into the CEO role is Joel Williams, former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lake County, who brings nearly two decades of nonprofit experience and a deep dedication to affordable housing.
“Jerry Monica’s impact on affordable housing in McHenry County is extraordinary. His leadership built not just homes but a legacy of service, a talented team, and a culture of excellence. I am honored to build upon his vision as we embark on this new chapter together.”
– Joel Williams, CEO
The Benefits of This Merger
- Greater Impact: By combining expertise, resources, and networks, we can build more homes and serve more families.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes ensure donor funds are maximized and our work is more effective.
- Expanded Reach: Our presence across both counties strengthens our ability to advocate for affordable housing.
- Long-Term Sustainability: A unified organization is better positioned to navigate economic challenges and pursue innovation.
A Bright Future for Lake and McHenry Counties
“Joel has transformed Habitat Lake County’s approach to affordable housing, making this merger a natural step toward growth. I have full confidence that under his leadership, this combined organization will become the largest-producing Habitat affiliate in Illinois.”
– Jerry Monica, Retired President & CEO
To our community members, donors, and partners—this merger is a commitment to doing more, reaching further, and building stronger. Together, we will continue our mission to create a world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.
Welcome to the future of Habitat for Humanity in Lake and McHenry Counties.
For more information about the merger and how you can get involved, contact Joel Williams at [email protected].
Hear directly from Jerry and Joel at the recording of the Virtual Town Hall that took place on Thursday, November 21, 2024
Join Us in Building a Stronger Future!
With our new, united organization, we have the opportunity to build more homes, make more repairs, and transform even more lives across Lake and McHenry counties.
Your support can make a difference. Your donation will go directly toward expanding our programs, empowering more individuals and families, and creating safe, affordable places for our neighbors to call home.
Let’s build something incredible—together!
Frequently Asked Questions
This merger has been an exciting opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient organization that serves both Lake and McHenry counties even better! By combining our strengths, expertise, and resources, we have expanded our impact, increased our capacity to help more individuals and families, which means we can build a more equitable future for our communities.
Absolutely not! In fact, we’ve expanded our services to better meet the needs of our communities. This merger has enhanced our ability to serve more families, build more homes, and complete more home repairs across both Lake and McHenry counties.
East Office: Lake County (1425 Tri State Parkway, Suite 110 Gurnee, IL 60031)
West Office: McHenry County (907 Front St. McHenry, IL 60050)
We have retained both ReStores in McHenry and Woodstock from the McHenry affiliate. They remain open and eager to provide you with constantly changing inventory and volunteer opportunities.
Any checks or documents that still have the old affiliate names will continue to be valid for the near future. We’re working to make this transition as smooth as possible for all of our supporters and partners.
No, both affiliates’ tax ID numbers remain the same for now. We’re maintaining our current tax structure until further notice, so everything will remain in place during the transition.
contact [email protected] if you have any questions about the status of our tax IDs
The new affiliate is called Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity.
This merger is about ensuring long-term sustainability. By pooling our expertise, resources, and efforts, we’re able to take on bigger projects, increase our presence in both counties, and advocate for affordable homeownership opportunities on a larger scale. Our merged organization is better positioned to face challenges, maximize resources, and continue our mission of providing safe, affordable homes.
As a larger, unified organization, we have a stronger voice to advocate for affordable housing and homeownership at local, regional, and national levels. We’re committed to raising awareness and securing funding to address the housing crisis and provide more families with safe, affordable homes.
We’re so glad you asked! There are many ways to get involved. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or advocating for our mission, we need you to help us make an even bigger impact.
This merger is an important step toward expanding our reach and serving more communities. With enhanced capacity, greater efficiency, and a stronger presence, we’re excited to make a deeper, more meaningful impact in both Lake and McHenry counties. Together, we’ll do more to make affordable housing a reality for everyone who needs it!
Jerry’s leadership at Habitat for Humanity McHenry County has driven tremendous growth and lasting impact. His legacy will continue to benefit the community for years to come. Following the merger, Joel Williams, former Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Lake County, now leads the unified organization, bringing extensive experience and a deep passion for Habitat’s mission. Jerry’s contributions made this merger possible, and we are honored to build on his foundation as we expand our impact across Lake and McHenry Counties.
You can follow us on social media to get the most up to date information about all of the exciting things happening here at Lake-McHenry Habitat.
As always, you can reach out to [email protected] and we will connect you with a member of our team!