Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Announces Appointment of Jennifer Parham as Director of Development and Community Engagement

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters,

It is with great excitement that I share an important addition to our leadership team at Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, as our mission and momentum have never been stronger.

Please join me in welcoming Jennifer Parham, our new Director of Development and Community Engagement.

A visionary leader known for aligning people, purpose, and performance, she has a proven track record of building mission-driven organizations, developing strategic partnerships, and expanding access to homeownership opportunities.

Most recently, Jennifer served as the 2024 President of the Indiana Association of REALTORS®, where she helped guide statewide strategy, policy, and professional standards. She is also the founder of Lighthouse Realty and the Lighthouse School of Real Estate, where she has led initiatives focused on equity, education, and community advancement.

Her passion for affordable housing, financial literacy, and community collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission, and her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to grow our impact across Lake County.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for our organization.
In 2026, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana proudly celebrates 40 years of building homes, communities, and hope across Lake County. For four decades, we have partnered with families to create strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership and critical home repair.

Today, that mission is more urgent than ever.

With rising housing costs and limited access to affordable financing, too many hard-working families are being left behind. That’s why we are expanding our work through innovative solutions, including the Affordable Housing Tax Credit (AHTC) program.

The AHTC program offers a powerful opportunity for individuals and businesses to invest directly in affordable housing, receive significant state tax credits, and help Habitat build more homes and serve more families. Through this initiative, we are raising critical funding to accelerate construction, expand homeownership opportunities, and deepen our community impact.

Jennifer will play a key leadership role in advancing this effort by building relationships with donors, financial advisors, and corporate partners to maximize the impact of the AHTC program and other strategic initiatives.

As we look ahead to our next chapter and the next 40 years, we are focused on scaling our impact, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that more families across Northwest Indiana have a place to call home.

Please join me in welcoming Jennifer to the Habitat family. We are excited about the energy, experience, and heart she brings to this work and about what we will accomplish together.

With gratitude,

Jim Drader
Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana

Connect with Jennifer:
dirdev@nwihabitat.org
219-923-7265
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-parham-36257727/

www.nwihabitat.org

Be part of the next 40 years of impact.
To learn more about the Affordable Housing Tax Credit program or how you can get involved, please contact our team today.

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Announces Appointment of James Drader as Executive Director

Gary, IN – February 16, 2026 — Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana announces that appointment of James (Jim) Drader to the position of Executive Director. Mr. Drader has over twenty years of nonprofit management experience, underscored by a commitment to collaborative community development and housing advocacy.

“Jim exemplifies servant leadership and strategic vision," stated Chris Johnson, Board President. "His extensive experience and dedication to building inclusive communities make him exceptionally qualified to lead our organization forward.”

Mr. Drader holds a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jim has held senior leadership roles in both banking and nonprofit sectors, most recently serving as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of New River Valley in Christiansburg, Virginia. During his tenure, Drader expanded the critical home repair initiatives for aging populations, increased donor engagement, and enhanced ReStore operations. Prior to this, he was the founder and CEO of New Creations Men’s Center in Valparaiso, Indiana, from June 2008 to August 2020, where he established nonprofit services for men experiencing homelessness, collaborated with numerous congregations and agencies, and initiated transitional housing programs.

As an active participant in local governance and housing policy, Drader serves on the Oversight Committee for Habitat for Humanity International and was honored with the 2013 Northwest Indiana Innovator of the Year Award.

In his role as Executive Director, Jim will oversee strategic planning, operational management, project development, community relations and financial oversight. His leadership will beinstrumental in advancing HFHNWI’s mission to bring people together to build homes, strengthen communities, and instill hope.

“I am privileged to join Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity during a period of growth and potential,” said Drader. “This organization has a remarkable tradition of fostering change through safe and affordable housing. I look forward to working collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and partner families to enhance our impact throughout Lake County Indiana.

Since 1986, Northwest Indiana Habitat for Humanity has not only constructed homes but also forged enduring partnerships, cultivated neighborhood pride, and created avenues toward stability for families in need. Under Drader’s leadership, the organization looks forward to furthering its long-term vision - a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

For updates and additional information about Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana, please visit www.nwihabitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana Announces Leadership Transition and Reaffirms Continued Commitment to Its Mission

Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana today announced that Executive Director Dawn Michaels, who has served in the role for the past eight years, will be stepping down effective December 31, 2025. Michaels leaves with more than a decade of dedicated service, visionary leadership, and organizational advancement, leaving a legacy that will influence the mission for years to come.

During Michaels’ tenure, Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana experienced transformational growth and measurable community impact. The organization expanded the development of essential workforce housing across Lake County—with notable progress in Lake Station—completed one Veteran home per year and continued to grow the ReStore into a thriving resource that supports ongoing mission work. Under her direction, partnerships deepened, programs strengthened, and the organization’s ability to serve families in need of safe, affordable housing continued to rise.

“Dawn has made an incredible impact on our organization and the communities we serve,” said Chris Johnson, Board President “Through her leadership and commitment to our mission, we are stronger, more resilient, and better positioned for the future. We are deeply grateful for the past decade of service and impact.”

Reflecting on her time with the organization, Michaels shared:

“It has been such a joy to serve Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana and work alongside such a passionate board, staff, volunteers, and community. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and confident that the organization’s brightest days are still ahead.”

The Board of Directors has initiated a leadership transition plan to ensure continuity and sustained success. Information regarding the Executive Director position can be found on the organization’s website: https://www.nwihabitat.org/who-we-are/careers.html

Michaels will work closely with the Board and leadership team during the transition to support a seamless handover of responsibilities.

Ask Us How You Can Get a Tax Credit for Your Donation!

We are so excited to share with you that donors to Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Indiana are eligible for a tax credit equal to half of their donations!

Donors need to contact us to get the tax credit form and more information on how you can participate.

Direct your tax dollars to Lake County, Indiana by helping give your neighbors a hand-up and not a hand-out through Habitat for Humanity's homeownership program!

Call Amanda to get all the information! 219-923-7265 ext. 1304

October 6, 2025

6 Volunteering Ideas for October

Welcome to the month of October, where the crunchy leaves drift across the road and the faint smell of pumpkin spice drifts through the air. October tends to be a fan-favorite month. Whether it’s watching football games, heading out to the pumpkin patch or getting dressed up for Halloween, there are lots of fun, family-friendly activities to do during October. And of course, one thing you can always do is volunteer to give back in your community.

Sometimes, we want to volunteer, but aren’t quite sure where to start. Should you volunteer with an organization, or come up with a project on your own? The options are endless, and it can be daunting to figure out. But, there are plenty of ways to get involved in your community this month. To get you started, we came up with six spooky-fun volunteering ideas for October.

1. Help clean up the neighborhood.

Fall tends to bring seasonal changes that affect the neighborhood. Leaves fall, gardens start to freeze and plants start to get crisp in the cool air. Volunteer to give back this month by helping clean up the neighborhood. For instance, offer to help your elderly neighbor rake up leaves in the front yard; or, help clean up the community garden and prepare it for winter. By cleaning up the neighborhood, you can embrace the season and give back at the same time.

2. Run in a fundraiser race.

Many nonprofit organizations—both local and national—offer fundraiser races during the month of October or the fall months. Volunteer to give back by running in a race you enjoy. Raise money to support the cause you care about and engage your family and friends. Then, show your support by running. Even if you’re not a huge runner, these events are fun to be a part of—and you can always raise money without actually lacing up your shoes.

3. Host a “paint your own pumpkin.”

What’s the first thing you think of with the month of October? Pumpkins, of course! Get into the spirit of the month by hosting a paint (or carve) your own pumpkin event. For example, contact your local school or community center to see if they would like to put on a pumpkin event for the children. Then, invite friends and family to bring their kids—and their pumpkins—while you supply the paint or carving equipment. Add in a few drinks or snacks and you have a fun event the whole community can enjoy!

4. Volunteer with a haunted house.

Throughout the month of October, plenty of pumpkin patches and haunted houses look for team members to help them get the show running. While some of these members are employed, you can give back by volunteering to work with a haunted house or pumpkin patch. Help bring smiles—and maybe a few screams—to children in your area, all for just a few hours of volunteering. Whether you dress up as a scarer, serve hot chocolate or drive the hayrack ride, your volunteering commitment can definitely brighten someone’s day.

5. Serve at a local kitchen.

Of course, with October comes cooler weather, which can often drive people in need indoors to local shelters or soup kitchens. Give back and show you care by volunteering to serve at a local kitchen. This can be as simple as a few hours on one single day, or as complex as a weekly commitment. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is a great way to consistently get involved in the community.

6. Trick or treat with a purpose.

With the end of October quickly approaching, we look forward to one of our favorite holidays—Halloween! Volunteer to trick or treat with a purpose this year by signing up to raise money for a cause you care about. Lots of organizations have trick-or-treat programs on Halloween, or you can create your own by raising money for something unique. You could even volunteer to trick or treat for children who aren’t able to go out on Halloween. No matter how you choose to give back, Halloween is a great time to get involved.

October is officially here, which means there are plenty of ways to give back and volunteer. Try out some of these ideas this month to show others you care and make a tangible difference in your community.

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