Pope Leo Village
 “In that service to others we may find that coming together in friendship, building up community, we too can find true meaning in our lives.” — Pope Leo XIV

Habitat for Humanity Chicago is proud to announce the launch of the Pope Leo Village campaign. This new, multi-city initiative is sponsored and inspired by an anonymous donor committed to Pope Leo’s vision and commitment to serving others. Pope Leo Village is launching in Chicago first, the Pope’s original hometown. It will center on the construction of Habitat Chicago’s 20-unit townhome development in the West Pullman neighborhood. The goal of the Pope Leo Village is to inspire and activate young people – and all our fellow Chicagoans – to volunteer and financially support the work of Habitat for Humanity.


Why the Pope Leo Village campaign?
The “Village” refers to you. It’s every volunteer, every hammer lifted, every shared laugh over lunch, every home constructed. Together, we are a community of builders and neighbors, crafting not just homes, but a more connected and welcoming community.


Get involved
All Chicagoans moved by the new, Chicago-born pope are invited to support this campaign through many ways - donating, fundraising, and volunteering. See upcoming dates below:

 

Date	Day of Week	Who Can Join?
April 8-10, 2027	Thursday-Saturday	All volunteers (ages 16+)

Please contact us if you have any questions!

Who can volunteer?
Open to all ages 16+
Ideal for faith communities, youth groups, service clubs, and friends/families
No prior construction experience needed - training and tools will be provided
We especially welcome youth (16+) and faith communities to take part
Fundraising or donating is not required, but always welcome for those who wish to contribute further to the project


What to expect on a build day
Start time: 8:00 AM (arrive 15 minutes early for check-in)
Lunch: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
End time: 3:00 PM
Typical work includes framing, siding, painting, interior finishes, landscape and more
Provided: T-shirt, tools, safety equipment, training, and lunch
Bring: Water, closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting dirty, and a positive attitude



Why volunteer as a group?

• Team bonding while serving the community
• Make a bigger impact together
• Learn new skills in construction and collaboration
• Connect with other groups, faith communities, and neighbors
• Be part of something bigger  our “village” of compassion and service

Closing celebration
When the first four townhomes are complete (exact date TBD), we’ll host a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate our progress and honor everyone who helped make it possible. All volunteers, partners, and community members will be invited.


Join the village
Please contact harrison.pritchard@habitatchicago.org to request more information about Pope Leo Village opportunities, and we’ll be in touch ASAP to get the conversation started.