March 19, 2021
Dear friends,
I wanted to share some news I am both excited about and nervous about at the same time. It is my intent to retire this year, after more than 14 years with this organization and 17 years with Habitat. The Board of Directors will engage an executive search firm to begin the public process of succession in the near future. The date of my retirement will be announced at a later time, but is expected to be in the fall.
Some of you may know I started as a volunteer with the Hartford affiliate, and fell in love with the mission. I convinced them to hire me as a fundraiser, and joined this affiliate in January 2007, and the rest as they say, is history.
Thanks to the extraordinary dedication of board members, staff, volunteers, faith partners, families, donors and community partners we have been able to grow our services focused always on reaching those who need us the most. We have accomplished much together toward the goal of decent shelter for all. I am deeply appreciative for every person who chose to be involved, and who have changed the world for the better through our mission. Thank you for allowing me to be part of such change.
Habitat’s work is so close to home for me, as it is for so many others engaged in the work. My parents were hardworking. My father was a postal worker and my mother having only an eighth grade education worked part time in minimum wage manufacturing jobs and later as a housekeeper in an upscale retirement community. I joined her in this work, when I was in high school, as did my sister, and let me tell you I still know how to shine those faucets!
After college, I began a 24 year career in the retail industry experiencing a wide variety of roles from store management, buyer, replenishment, to senior executive management. It was rewarding and consuming, so much so, that when it ended I felt lost and truly did not know who I was anymore.
In 2002, a friend introduced me to Habitat for Humanity Women Build. In that experience I found a new and life changing direction. One that has blessed me with the opportunity to work with people from every walk of life, all of whom share a greater good intention. It has been a privilege to meet and serve with some really incredible individuals and organizations, and they made me a better person, strengthening my faith in the goodness that each of us has within us. Experiences have also reminded me that there is a greater power at work in our lives. This knowledge has been a comforting part of the mission and very fulfilling to have a place to put this faith into action. I have been with Habitat ever since and it is my hope to remain dedicated to the work even in retirement.
We have a great team in place and much work to do, and while the times are challenging, I will leave knowing the organization is strong and capable of partnering with many more families as they work to realize strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
In the coming months, I would like to spend more time actually building and I invite anyone who wants to wish me well to join me there, where it all started, hammer in hand. And if the experience moves you, even better to make a donation to Habitat to honor someone in your life who inspires you.
My donation this year will be made in honor of my mother, Harmance. To find me on site, please check our volunteer up calendar periodically and look for dates where you see “Terri Build Day”.
I am humbled by the opportunity to work and thrive in the mission of decent shelter for all, thank you and God bless,
Terri O’Rourke
CEO/Executive Director
To read more about the accomplishments and milestones that Habitat has achieved under Terri’s leadership, check out this infographic.