This week, I had the chance to witness state employees from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) as they teamed up with Habitat for Humanity Capital Region for the 9/11 National Day of Service.
And trust me—it wasn’t just photo-ops and speeches. State employees rolled up their sleeves: shoveling dirt and mulch, erecting a fence, making a real difference in a neighborhood that needed it.
What Is LEO Gives Back?
The initiative, called LEO Gives Back, lets state employees use their leave time to volunteer. That part hit me—these folks didn’t just show up because they had to; they showed up because they wanted to..
From land clean-ups and building new structures to repairing century-old homes, the work was gritty—as well as deeply meaningful. I watched workers and Habitat volunteers working shoulder-to-shoulder, proving that for some, affordable housing isn’t just a mission statement—it’s a hands-on job.
Housing Not Just A Mission – Real Impact
Amy Hovey, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) CEO, summed it up perfectly:…