THUNDER BAY - Habitat for Humanity Thunder Bay has appointed an interim Chief Executive Officer.
Amber Prairie takes over from Diane Mitchell who is on medical leave.
Prairie has been with Habitat for about a year and a half as the fund development coordinator. She said her immediate goal is to ensure that a home, which Habitat volunteers are currently building on Finlayson Street, is finished by the end of the year.
The house will be handicapped-accessible to meet the needs of a member of the family that’s moving in.
Prairie said $100,000 in funding is in place for the project.
She added, however, that Habitat is “always looking for volunteers to come and help with the actual building, and for businesses to give gifts-in-kind.”
Looking ahead to 2017, Prairie said Habitat will soon be working on plans to build a smaller home for another family.
Eventually the organization hopes to construct two homes a year for needy families.
Prairie offered praise to Mitchell, saying “No one can ever replace Diane and the incredible impact she has made on the lives of families” as well as increasing Habitat for Humanity’s presence in the community.
Mitchell, who has been with Habitat since 2005, is expected to return to her job next year.
