Partner families invest hundreds of hours in educational classes and in working on other Habitat homes in and in the ReStore locations. Partner families complete a comprehensive training program to prepare them for successful and responsible homeownership. The courses are geared toward preparing families with the skills they will need to handle the responsibilities and challenges of owning and maintaining their own home.

Homeownership classes prepare families for homeownership by covering three topics:  home management, financial management, and construction/home maintenance skills.  In total, the three classes are completed over a 24-week period, meeting once per week for 2.5 to 3 hours per session.  Classes are taught by area individuals and organizations with expertise in each respective field.  

Home Management
This course, taught by Habitat’s local partnering agency, Home Management Resources (HMR), is a combination of theory and hands-on application intended to introduce participants to the essential skills of managing a home.  The class is taught by local HMR volunteers and covers six major focus areas: personal growth, attitude, home, family & community, money, and health.

Financial Management
Good financial management is the key to successful homeownership, so this course is one of the most important components of a family’s partnership with Habitat. These classes are taught by local experts in each respective financial sector, covering traditional pre-purchase and financial fitness subjects.  Classes include but are not limited to: budgeting, goal setting, saving, credit and debt, taxes, recordkeeping, insurance, investment, homeownership.

The objective of the course is to adequately prepare families for the financial responsibilities of homeownership and to provide the tools necessary for financial stability.  Habitat’s goal is not only to provide an opportunity for families to move into a home of their own, but to maintain and sustain homeownership. Financial Management classes are taught by local professionals who have demonstrated an understanding of the mission of Habitat and who value the importance of education.  

Cornerstone Training Program
In an effort to prepare families with the skills needed to build and keep up their homes, a 10- session training program is provided to each partner family covering basic construction, maintenance and site safety skills.  A comprehensive manual guides the classroom portion of the training while skilled volunteers work side-by-side each family in the hands-on, lab component of the training.  Each course is run from mid-January through March, once per week, with two overlapping partner family cohorts.  Cornerstone is taught by the Habitat construction department and dedicated volunteers.

The main objective of the Cornerstone program is to equip families for successful homeownership, but there are numerous additional benefits that arise from participation.  It allows those who have been lifelong tenants to be transformed into competent homeowners.  Additionally, participants are equipped with the self-confidence necessary to feel comfortable and effective on the jobsite, thus creating a better experience for all those involved in the home building process.