Build a Legacy of Stability, Security, and Success This National Make-A-Will Month

August is National Make-A-Will Month, a time to reflect on what we leave behind and how we can build a better future for future generations. At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, we believe one of the most meaningful legacies you can leave is the gift of home.

A safe and stable home is more than just a roof; it’s a launchpad for a child’s education, a family’s well-being, and a thriving community.

Back to School Starts at Home

As Chester County prepares for a new school year, there’s a familiar energy in the air; classrooms are being decorated, backpacks filled, and supply lists checked. It’s a season filled with promise. But for many families, one critical back-to-school essential often goes overlooked: a safe and stable place to call home.

Stable housing is the first step toward academic success. Yet rising housing costs in Chester County are making it harder for essential workers, such as teachers, EMTs, healthcare staff, and service professionals, to afford to live in the very community they serve.

At Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, we believe those who support our community deserve the opportunity to live and thrive here, too. When you support Habitat, you invest in families, children, and future graduates.

Why Housing Stability Matters for Student Success

Research consistently shows that housing stability directly impacts children’s academic and emotional development:

• Children in stable housing are 25% less likely to miss school than their peers in unstable housing.¹

• Kids who move three or more times before age 8 are more likely to face academic and social challenges.²

• Stable housing is linked to higher graduation rates and increased pursuit of higher education.³

• Housing insecurity creates toxic stress in children, impacting memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.⁴

• Stable homes allow families to prioritize nutritious food and health care—key contributors to healthy brain development.⁵

• Parents with housing stability are more likely to seek additional education themselves, setting an inspiring example.⁶

When we build homes, we’re not just building walls, we’re building futures.

Planned Giving: A Legacy of Hope

Making a will is one of the most powerful ways to care for the people and causes you love. During National Make-A-Will Month, we invite you to consider including Habitat for Humanity of Chester County in your legacy plans.

Doing so, you help ensure that future generations can access the life-changing power of affordable homeownership. Your planned gift becomes a legacy of hope, stability, and opportunity.

We are deeply grateful to Tami Levengood for doing just that. A long-time volunteer and passionate advocate for our mission, Tami included Habitat in her will to continue making a difference long after her time.

“Habitat for Humanity, Chester Co, is a fantastic institution that mirrors my personal values. Empowering hardworking people to enable home ownership and lifestyle stability while fostering community engagement is a marvelous platform to support. As Habitat volunteering is an important part of my daily life, it makes sense to donate some of my estate to continue this wonderful organization.”

Tami Levengood

Tami’s story powerfully reminds us that every planned gift, regardless of size, helps build a stronger, more stable future for families across Chester County.

Even a small percentage of your estate can make a big impact. Here are a few meaningful ways to include Habitat for Humanity of Chester County in your plans:

• Include Habitat in your will or trust

• Name Habitat as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, life insurance policy, or bank account

• Make a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA

• Add a fixed bequest amount to your estate plan

Donor-Advised Funds: Another Way to Leave a Legacy

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) are one of the most flexible and tax-efficient ways to support Habitat for Humanity of Chester County. They are also considered a form of planned giving.

When you give through a DAF, you can recommend grants to Habitat while maintaining control over the timing of your contributions and benefiting from immediate tax advantages. It's a powerful way to align your values with long-term impact.

Celebrate DAF Giving Day – October 9, 2026

DAF Giving Day is a national day of awareness and action for those who give through donor-advised funds. This year, it takes place on Thursday, October 9th, a perfect opportunity to recommend a gift from your fund to support affordable housing in Chester County.

To make giving even easier, Habitat for Humanity of Chester County will soon offer a secure online giving tool that allows you to recommend a DAF grant directly from our planned giving webpage. With just a few clicks, you can help ensure that families have access to the life-changing opportunity of homeownership.

Stay tuned for the launch of this new tool in early October!

Start Planning Your Legacy Today

Every planned gift, whether through your will, IRA, DAF, or another method, helps a family in Chester County build a safe, stable home where children can grow and thrive.

Visit our planned giving page to explore your giving options. For personal guidance, please contact Christy Kane at christy@hfhcc.org or 610-384-7993 ext. 119.

Together, we can build more than homes. We can build futures.

Sources:

1. Habitat for Humanity / National Housing Conference

2. Urban Institute

3. MacArthur Foundation / How Housing Matters Initiative

4. Harvard Center on the Developing Child

5. National Low Income Housing Coalition

6. Joint Center for Housing Studies, Harvard