For Jo Riester, working with Habitat deepens her relationship with the community and with her church. She had her first encounter with the organization at a chili cook-off to raise funds for Habitat. The event was sponsored in part by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

“I am always eager to visit houses of worship” Jo said, “to help investors of time, talents, and treasures build new homes and new lives in our community.”

Within the past four years, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has donated over $125 million of their profits to build Habitat homes worldwide. This amounts to about 2,000 houses, four of which are located in Tucson. Jo has been the coordinator of this program for the Tucson Chapter of Thrivent Financial Services for the past four years.

Jo also leads Habitat’s Faith in Action Committee in Tucson and visits various churches to encourage members to raise funds for organizations such as Habitat.

“It’s fun to see how others worship” Jo said, “and it’s nice having friends everywhere.”

She is also involved in contacting Lutheran churches to help recruit volunteers, donors, and to spread awareness about the Arizona tax credit for the working poor. Jo enjoys frequenting Habitat worksites and home dedications, and recalls feeling a sense of wonder “while watching the sunrise from my perch nailing safety clamps to trusses at the Pascua Yaqui Community.”

By Sierra Russell