A rich past, a bright future—our history and accomplishments.

We’ve built this ministry on our Christian faith and on the belief that everyone, everywhere deserves a decent, affordable place to call home.

In 1988, we began working locally with a small group of dedicated volunteers and their desire to eliminate poverty housing in our community. Today, we have served over 650 families and have changed the face of many neighborhoods. Through the years, we have maintained our unrelenting determination to offer families strength and stability by offering a hand up, not a hand out. Here is a glimpse of the history and accomplishments that have shaped our past and continue to shape our future.

We can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.

None of what has been accomplished so far would have been possible without the support we have received from our generous donors and devoted volunteers. We are so thankful for every dollar and material donated, every ReStore donation and purchase, and every hour of volunteer time invested. As we look to the future, we remain excited about the opportunity to put our Christian faith into action, to be a blessing to future homeowners, to work tirelessly with volunteers, and to continue transforming the communities we serve in east central Ohio.

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Investing In People

Since 1988, we have helped over 600 families achieve the dream of homeownership. Over 2,300 individuals live in the homes built and renovated by Habitat for Humanity volunteers and future homeowners in east central Ohio. Approximately 1,800 of these individuals are children.

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Considering Impact

Since Habitat for Humanity ReStore opened in Canton in 2005, millions of tons of reusable materials have been diverted from landfills through merchandise sales and recycling. At ReStore, every donation and purchase helps us build and renovate homes with hard-working east central Ohio families and children. Learn more.

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Investing Globally

We tithe 10% of each unrestricted donation to build houses in Bangladesh, Poland, and Lesotho – in southern Africa. In 2006, we became only the seventh Habitat for Humanity ministry out of 1,700 to reach the $1 million mark in tithing. In 2016, we were named the top tithing Ohio affiliate.

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Giving Our All

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is a leader among U.S. Habitat for Humanity ministries. We’ve been named the #1 affiliate in Ohio, and since 1995 we’ve remained in the top thirty Habitat for Humanity ministries in the United States. We take these honors seriously and work tirelessly to honor our mission of building homes, communities, and hope.

History and Accomplishments

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1988

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Canton was born through a small group of dedicated volunteers who were concerned about the housing needs of the city’s working poor.

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1989

Through much prayer and hard work, the ministry’s first home was completed in November.

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1995

Over 1,000 volunteers participated in the first multi-home blitz build, constructing 7 houses in 7 days on Canton, Ohio’s southeast side.

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1998

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Canton celebrated its 10th anniversary by building its 100th house.

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2003

To celebrate 15 years of ministry, the affiliate framed 15 houses in one week, including the ministry’s 200th home built in Canton, Ohio.

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2005

Following over a year of prayer and planning, and months of renovation work by dedicated Habitat volunteers, the Habitat ReStore in Canton, Ohio opened in July on Leemont Avenue. The store served as a fundraising division of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Canton, and as a way to help keep usable items from ending up in a landfill. Learn more.

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2006

Our affiliate was honored to become the 7th affiliate in the nation (out of 1,700) to tithe over $1 million. As a proud participant in Habitat International’s tithe program, we donate 10% of all our undesignated funds to build homes with Habitat affiliates in countries around the world. We continue this important tradition today, as tithe dollars from our affiliate are used to build homes Bangladesh, Poland, and Lesotho – in southern Africa.

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2007

The affiliate expanded its service area to become Habitat for Humanity of Greater Stark and Carroll Counties, striving to offer hope to families in Canton, Massillon, and other areas of Stark and Carroll Counties. The ReStore also expanded and moves to a new location on Cleveland Avenue in Canton, Ohio.

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2012

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Stark and Carroll Counties set and reached a record-breaking goal of serving 30 families in one year.

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2013

The affiliate marked 25 years of building hope, homes, and community. Through the providence of a motivated seller and several very generous donors, the affiliate took steps toward having all aspects of the ministry under one roof with the purchase of the building at 1400 Raff Road SW in Canton, Ohio.

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2014

For the first time, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was named Favorite Nonprofit in The Canton Repository‘s Readers’ Choice Awards.

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2014

A second Habitat for Humanity ReStore was opened in August in the same facility as the Habitat ministry offices on Raff Road SW in Canton, Ohio.

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2015

The affiliate completed a merger with Habitat for Humanity of Tuscarawas Valley, Inc., expanding coverage area to the east central Ohio counties of Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson.

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2015

Our affiliate received the Clarence E. Jordan Award from Habitat for Humanity International for our Homeowner Maintenance Education Program (H.O.M.E.).

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2015

For the first time, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was named Favorite Nonprofit and Favorite Volunteer Opportunity in About Magazine‘s Local Faves.

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2015

Serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Stark and Carroll Counties officially renamed to Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio.

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2015

Habitat for Humanity was named the 2015 Social Services Nonprofit “Brand of the Year” by The Harris Poll EquiTrend. Learn more.

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2015

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was named Favorite Non-Profit and, for the first time, Habitat for Humanity ReStore was named Favorite Thrift Store in The Canton Repository‘s Readers’ Choice Awards.

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2016

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity ReStore was voted Favorite Thrift Store in The Canton Repository‘s Readers’ Choice Awards, and for the third year in a row, the Habitat ministry received praise for being one of the top non-profits in the community.

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2016

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was voted Favorite Volunteer Opportunity in About Magazine‘s Local Faves. Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was also named the runner up for Favorite Nonprofit.

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2016

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was recognized by Habitat for Humanity International for being the top tithing affiliate in Ohio during fiscal year 2016.

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2016

For the second year in a row, Habitat for Humanity was named the 2016 Social Services Nonprofit “Brand of the Year” by The Harris Poll EquiTrend. Habitat earned the further distinction of being the “Most Loved” and “Most Trusted” in this category.

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2016

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio launched The Renewal Project, a four year, $3.5 million investment in the revitalization of one northeast Canton neighborhood. Read the news story.

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2016

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio was honored to receive the Community Salute Award from the Canton, Ohio Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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2017

In March, Habitat for Humanity ReStore merged the Cleveland Avenue location with the Raff Road location to better serve customers and improve experience.

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2018

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio hits a milestone, celebrating 30 years of building homes and hope—1988 to 2018.

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2018

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio and Habitat for Humanity ReStore were both named top rated nonprofits by the nonprofit search engine GreatNonProfits.org.

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2018

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio earned the gold seal of transparency from nonprofit review website Guidestar.org.

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2019

Partnership between Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio and City of Canton earns national Audrey Nelson Community Development Award of Merit from National Community Development Association.

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2019

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is named Builder of the Year by the Building Industry Association of Stark County and East Central Ohio.

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2020

Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Canton is named Best Local Discount Outlet in The Canton Repository’s Best of the Best.

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2022

In Canton, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio builds its 600th house, marking thousands of people and children now living in decent, affordable homes through the organization’s efforts.

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2023

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio celebrated its 35th year of building homes, communities, and hope since 1988.

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2023

Beth Lechner, CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, marks 20 years of leadership, overseeing the organization as it has grown exponentially in scale and impact.

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2024

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio built its 650th home. This milestone project was built in partnership with Hilscher-Clarke to honor the legacy of Habitat pioneer Bill Clarke, late CEO of the company.

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2024

Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Canton was voted Stark County’s favorite thrift store for the second consecutive year in the 2024 Community Choice Awards from The Canton Repository.