Description

Boots to Suits is a networking and resource initiative created by Veterans, for Veterans and Supporters.

TOPIC - Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build: Serving Those Who Served

Speaker: Melanie Watts, Community Impact Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Washington County

Join Melanie as she discusses:

• Overview of the Veterans Build initiative and its mission to provide affordable housing to veterans.
• The impact of stable, affordable homeownership on veterans' quality of life, including financial stability and mental well-being.
• Specific details about our upcoming Veterans Build in November, where we are earmarking a home specifically for a veteran and their family.
• How the community can get involved—through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word.
• Partnership opportunities with local businesses and organizations to support veterans and their families.
• Success stories from previous Habitat for Humanity builds, with a focus on veterans we’ve helped in the past.

About Melanie:

Melanie Watts is a passionate advocate for affordable housing, recovery initiatives, and community development, currently serving in the areas of development, marketing, and community impact at Habitat for Humanity of Washington County. Originally from Baltimore, Melanie moved to Hagerstown in 2015 seeking new and growth opportunities. Having found a supportive and vibrant community, she is now committed to giving back to the place that has given her so much.

She co-chairs Washington Goes Purple, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and prevention about substance abuse and supporting recovery efforts. Melanie is deeply committed to initiatives that help individuals and families break the cycle of addiction and create stable, fulfilling lives.

In her role at Habitat for Humanity, Melanie is instrumental in organizing the various build days for Habitat such as, Women's Build and Veteran's Build. Her work also includes overseeing community outreach, marketing campaigns, and managing fundraising events like the annual dinner auction. She focuses on building strong partnerships and amplifying Habitat’s impact within the community.

Known for her dedication to service, Melanie supports a variety of recovery initiatives, and her personal journey in recovery fuels her passion for helping others. She strives to create opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals to achieve homeownership and a better quality of life.