Army Reserve Soldiers from the 9th Mission Support Command’s 322 Civil Affairs Brigade raised over $3000 and volunteered for a day to assist Habitat for Humanity in their Veterans Build 2021 project which will provide a home for a Native Hawaiian U.S. Navy veteran.

The ways in which Habitat for Humanity operates in Hawaii is unique to the islands and specifically beneficial for Native Hawaiian people and communities.

"Although Habitat for Humanity is an international organization, this local Hawaii affiliate partners with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to provide much needed homes for Native Hawaiian people," said TJ Joseph, chief of staff for Honolulu Habitat for Humanity.

For many Native Hawaiians, the process to home ownership can take a very long time.

"The Young Family has been on the wait list for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Fifty years, three children and seven grandbabies later, they are finally getting their chance to build a home of their own," said Maj. Jessica Woodward, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 322 Civil Affairs Brigade commander.

Lloyd Young, the Young family patriarch served aboard the USS Radford from 1965-1969.

"It's especially rewarding to be able to build a home for a veteran," said Woodward. "It's not only beneficial to be helping a veteran and the community, it is also beneficial to be executing this project as a means of team building for my Soldiers. I hope we can continue to be a part of projects such as this in the future."