Our History
The Yates County Chapter of Habitat had its beginnings in 1989 after Reverend John Tharp came to Penn Yan as the minister at the First Baptist Church. He had prior experience working with Habitat Chapters elsewhere and invited representatives from Rochester to speak and share a video with a group of interested individuals. After deciding to form a local chapter, a collection was taken and $6.00 was raised. This money was used for postage to send letters to local churches inviting them to send representatives to the next meeting. The chapter was organized and began fund raising. When enough money was collected, construction began. The first house was completed in Himrod in 1992. Since then, 13 more new houses and 5 rehabs have become home to local families.
Yates County’s Habitat Chapter tithes ten percent of donated money to Habitat International in support of their worldwide mission providing decent affordable housing to families in need. We have directed our tithe go to Oaxaca, Mexico in support of families there.