Completion of Habitat for Humanity homes represent a sign of ‘hope and change in a neighborhood in transition’

Two new Habitat for Humanity homes were worked on by more than 60 BMO Harris employees in the 2100 and 2200 blocks of North 42nd Street on Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

More than 60 employees from BMO Harris Bank worked in one of two, threehour shifts, painting window screens and installing new fencing on a day when the temperature registered 86 degrees Fahrenheit at lunchtime on the work site.

time on the work site. Construction on the two dwellings began in June 2014, said Lee Rowley, construction supervisor for Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. The two families, who must contribute ‘sweat equity’ as part of the agreement to obtain title to the property, were able to move in last April. Completing all of the remaining work in one day was possible, Mr. Rowley said, thanks to the BMO Harris volunteers.

They were among thousands of BMO Harris Milwaukee employees nationwide who participated in North American BMO Volunteer Day.

It was the fourth year of volunteering in the local neighborhood for Jenny Acevedo, an analyst for risk reporting who works at the downtown BMO Harris Bank. She said she enjoys “helping those who are striving to achieve a home of their own.”

A number of the BMO Harris volunteers seemed to be competent carpenters as they employed levels for the horizontal rails and fitted cut pieces precisely into place.

Lori Richards, a spokesperson for BMO Harris at the job site described the completion of the new homes as a sign of “hope and change in a neighborhood in transition.”