Celebrating 40: 1986-2026

June 2026 - Jack Daly, on behalf of Housing Ministries of New England

Housing Ministries of New England (HMNE), a not-for-profit corporation, is dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods by ministering to the housing and social needs of low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The organization seeks to empower and be an advocate for the populations served, to be at the forefront in developing housing and communities of the highest standards, and to channel its resources to ensure that the residents served will enjoy a commensurate quality of life. Housing ministries of New England have been involved with South Shore Habitat for the last six years. During that timeframe, Housing Ministries of New England awarded six grants totaling $115,000 to South Shore Habitat.

Why do you support South Shore Habitat?

"Housing Ministries of New England supports South Shore Habitat due to the fact that South Shore Habitat aligns closely with our mission. It is our Board of Directors’ consensus that the Habitat Model best serves the population in need of affordable housing."

How have you seen South Shore Habitat change?

"Housing Ministries of New England have seen South Shore Habitat continually broadening the area and population that it serves."

What is your hope for the future of South Shore Habitat?

"Housing Ministries of New England hope that South Shore Habitat will continue its great work in providing homes for those in need. It is also our hope that there will be more volunteers involved in helping South Shore Habitat fulfill its mission."

May 2026 - June Cruz, Grant Manager, South Shore Habitat for Humanity

June Cruz has been involved with South Shore Habitat for six years. She started with South Shore Habitat as a volunteer to help with social media. During her time as volunteer social media manager she enjoyed sharing stories from build days to family partners to our generous donors and volunteers. After this, she started on the staff as a grant writer, then transitioned to her current role as grant manager. As grant manager, she leads the charge in securing funding not only for our home construction which helps families in need of housing, but also for our Critical Home Repair Program, which helps seniors homeowners with critical home repairs and modifications.

Why do you support South Shore Habitat?

"I think the lack of affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges people of all ages are facing, whether young and trying to establish a place to call home for themselves and their families or as an older adult with less income trying to maintain their way of life; it’s all a challenge. I enjoy knowing that the work I do helps provide a solution to this challenge not only when South Shore Habitat builds homes in towns that don’t offer a lot of affordable housing options, but also when we provide critical home repairs for older adults in need."

How have you seen South Shore Habitat change?

"I have seen South Shore Habitat grow in staffing and in the programs we offer. We are building more homes in our service region and providing more critical home repairs each year. It’s great to see all the progress and to know that we all work as a team to make it happen."

What is your favorite memory of South Shore Habitat?

"My favorite memory would be our Staff Build Day, a day where all the South Shore Habitat staff work on a habitat home together. I enjoyed the time with my co-workers and helping to build the home."

What is your hope for the future of South Shore Habitat?

"My hope for South Shore Habitat is that it continues for another 40 years pursuing its mission of providing safe and affordable housing to families in need."

April 2026 - Michael Falotico, Moor Realty Group

Michael Falotico is volunteer, supporter, and Member of the Board of South Shore Habitat for Humanity. He is part of the team at Moor Realty Group, who host the Give Moor Charity for the last three years which benefits South Shore Habitat for Humanity. This years tournament is coming up on May 11th, 2026.

We asked Michael Falotico, Moor Realty Group, about his favorite memory at South Shore Habitat. His answer: "My favorite memory is when I was in Easton interviewing the family partner. She is a mom with three young girls. When the daughters were asked why they were excited about their new home, on of them replied 'We can finally decorate our own house from Christmas inside and out.' The glow in their eyes and joy that exuded cut right to my inside as a father and as a human. What we do will forever change a family's lives."

"My hope is that we continue to promote education, awareness and increase financial and community support so that we can double our organization and hopefully manage 4-5 new builds each year."

"My thoughts are that amazing things happen in life when you least expect it. When we decided to host a tournament to support Habitat, we never thought we would be this involved in the impact that we can have on peoples lives. Many take for granted a simple luxury which we have, a forever home for our family. Habitat makes that dream come true, and we get to be a part of that."

-Michael Falotico and guests at 2nd annual Give Moor Golf Tournament May 2025.

March 2026 - Family Partner (Anonymous):

Families who purchase Habitat homes (known within our organization as Family Partners) are critical partners in our housing program. We reached out to one of our past Family Partners to see how South Shore Habitat has impacted their lives.

"Life with our Habitat home has been great. We were able to foster for almost 14 years and added 3 children to our family. [Our children] are married and have children... We are so thankful to Habitat for giving up an opportunity to own a house and help other children while allowing [one of us] to continue as a stay at home mom. We would love to stay in contact. Thank you."

Families in need of decent, affordable housing can apply through our program for homeownership when home opportunities are available. Family Partner selection is based on a multitude of criteria, including: 

• The applicant’s level of need. 
• Their willingness to partner with Habitat with substantial volunteer time on the construction of the home.
• Evaluation of debt, income, and credit scores.
• Ability to repay a 30-year mortgage through an affordable payment plan. 

South Shore Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners. Households who pass all qualifications are then placed in an affordable housing lottery for final selection. 

We know that everything starts with an affordable place to call home. A Habitat home serves as a family’s foundation for living healthier, unlocking more educational and economic opportunities, and dreaming bigger. At South Shore Habitat we are dedicated to providing affordable homeownership opportunities for families and individuals south and southwest of Boston. Our homes are much more than shelter. They are the foundations that build brighter futures that open doors to new opportunities. Together, we are making a positive and lasting impact in our communities.

To learn more about recent Family Partners, please visit: https://www.sshabitat.org/about#RecentFamilies

- Family Partner feedback survey received February, 2026. Stock photo (SSHH).

February 2026- John Galvin:

As a founding member and past board president, John has had more than 40 years of involvement with South Shore Habitat and no one has a greater perspective than John Galvin on the growth and impact of the organization. Present at the founding of the organization in 1986, John cites one of his fondest memories being when he met Millard Fuller (founder of Habitat for Humanity) and former President Jimmy Carter (one of the best-known supporters of Habitat).

John humbly recalls the earliest days of South Shore Habitat, "We [members of the United Church of Christ, Norwell] would meet in Mark Newby’s office to plan how we would complete the renovations on our first major project. We didn’t have the skills or know-how on what we were undertaking. We prayed for guidance and help."

40 years later, the organization has professionalized and expanded but the core of the organization remains the same; John notes that he supports Habitat because housing is such a critical factor in the well-being and development of families, especially children. 

Many don't know that South Shore Habitat makes regular contributions to support Habitat work in El Salvador. To date, South Shore Habitat has tithed more than $650,000 to support El Salvador's Habitat. John had the opportunity to visit El Salvador and help with the work. He says, "Cement block construction is not easy. We mixed cement on the ground and one time we were making sidewalks and had to mix tons of cement for the sidewalks. It was backbreaking. The El Salvadorans were wonderful to work with and provided great Hospitality."

-John Galvin, past President of South Shore Habitat and one of the early founders of the organization. Photo c. 2006.

January 2026 - Senator Patrick O'Connor:

"I’ve been involved with Habitat over the past 9 1/2 years I’ve been in office. We have been part of groundbreakings, the Jimmy Carter memorial service, Habitat builds, presenting members of the team with Senate recognition, and offering support through the Towns that I represent. It is truly inspiring to see these projects come to life from the ground up. Experiencing all the work that the construction workers and the Habitat staff put into ensuring that these homes are built with care and precision is really moving.

My favorite memory is when my team and I helped on the build in Cohasset in September 2024. When we went to the unveiling of the home in September 2025, it was truly remarkable to see how the foundation of the home that we had helped to build really came together, and to meet the families that would be living there. It felt like a positive impact was truly made.

I hope that South Shore Habitat continues to grow and continue to impact our communities here on the South Shore, and beyond. I truly admire the work that you all do and look forward to participating in these projects in the future. I will always support the invaluable work that South Shore Habitat does."

- Patrick O’Connor, State Senator representing part of the South Shore (Weymouth-Duxbury). Image: O'Connor's team at Cohasset build site, 2025.