A world where we share one humanity.

Dear Paterson Habitat Family and Community,

There are no words that can be written or said which will take away the pain and hurt our community has faced and continues to face. The murder of George Floyd and the thousands that have preceded him is unconscionable. It is a moral stain on our communities, our culture, and our country.

 The individuals that perpetrated these crimes must be brought to justice and so too must the systems that have allowed these senseless murders, and all other forms of systematic racism, to continue for centuries. The way we approach our work at Habitat can provide a path to break down barriers between people. We work alongside everyone who is willing to partner with us, no matter their background or walk of life, and that will always be true. Habitat can be a vehicle for reconciliation. But it only happens if we make it so.

 Our words will not take away what generations of our black brothers and sisters have endured, and our words are not enough. As a leader of an affordable housing and community development organization I commit that we will not just talk about these issues. I commit that that we will boldly engage at every level of our organization, sector, and society to fight for long overdue and necessary system change. We simply must take action. For my child and yours we must take action. We cannot let another generation pass wondering if they will ever see a world without hate and injustice.

 Let us repent of our bias and racism.

Let us boldly stand up against injustice.

Let us turn awareness into action.

Let us listen with humility.

Let us love with equality.

Black Lives Matter.

In service,

Scott Millard,
CEO, Paterson Habitat for Humanity