May 1, 2024

The board of directors of Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity is pleased to appoint Carin Crowe as our new CEO. Carin’s wealth of experience, institutional knowledge, and unwavering dedication to social justice position her to lead our organization to new heights, fostering increased impact and community empowerment.

Carin's educational background includes a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Houston and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Quincy University. Her dedication to human rights is underscored by her certification as an International Human Rights Consultant. Through her dynamic leadership, including her tenure as Vice President of People Development for a prominent international transportation company, Carin has honed her organizational leadership and community engagement skills.

Carin’s journey with Habitat Salt Lake began in 2014, with her multifaceted responsibilities spanning human resources, advocacy, development, and operations. Rising to the position of Sr. Director of Operations Carin’s creative leadership guided the organization through pivotal moments. Notably, amid the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Carin spearheaded a statewide restructuring, expanding our affiliate’s reach from Salt Lake and Tooele Counties to include Davis County. Her forward-thinking vision includes plans to establish ReStores and implement robust Affordable Homeownership and Critical Home Repair Programs in Tooele and Davis Counties.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Carin's unwavering commitment to affordable housing and social causes is reflected in her extensive volunteer involvement with various non-profit organizations. She serves on the boards of the Food Justice Coalition, the Trevor Mortimer Legal and Bail Fund, and Black Lives for Humanity. Additionally, she is a member of the Utah Housing Coalition and the Utah Women’s State Legislative Council. Carin’s dedication extends to volunteering with Unsheltered Utah and numerous organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness.

During her tenure at Habitat Salt Lake, Carin spearheaded initiatives that significantly increased revenue and fostered partnerships with over 40 community organizations serving low-income individuals. Her innovative programs, such as the ReStore Second Chance Program and the Habitat Cares Program, have provided essential support to families in need and individuals experiencing homelessness. These initiatives, valued at over $1,000,000 annually, have positively impacted the lives of countless individuals and families in our community.

As we eagerly anticipate the next phase of Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity, we are confident that Carin’s leadership, passion, vision, and dedication will continue to advance our work of building strength, stability, and self-reliance through safe and affordable shelter.

A Tribute to Ed Blake

April 2024

Ed Blake’s profound journey with Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity began in 2000, fueled by a deep-seated commitment to community service.  His remarkable tenure, spanning 24 years, reflects a legacy of tireless dedication and transformative leadership. 

From volunteering on the Real Estate Committee to assuming pivotal roles on the board of directors, including a distinguished term as board president, Ed’s journey culminated in his appointment as CEO in 2011. Throughout his years of service, Ed’s tireless efforts have helped 82 low-income families realize the dream of homeownership, positively impacting the lives of 293 people, including 182 children.  His vision and passion were the driving force behind numerous initiatives that reshaped our organization and touched countless lives.

Under Ed's stewardship, Habitat Salt Lake experienced unprecedented growth and innovation. With his guidance, our organization expanded from a modest team of seven to a thriving community of 20, witnessing a remarkable five-fold increase in revenue. Ed leaves behind a seasoned team of committed professionals poised to carry forward his impactful work.

Ed handing the keys to new homeowner Nicole and her children at the Field of Dreams, April 2024.

Affordable Homeownership Program

Ed's dedication to making homeownership accessible and sustainable for our partner families is evident in his visionary leadership of our Affordable Homeownership Program. During his tenure as CEO, Habitat Salt Lake helped 40 families become homeowners, fostering brighter futures for 159 individuals, including 104 children.

Ed's commitment to affordability led to an innovative design of highly energy-efficient homes with food production capability and low monthly utility and maintenance costs. The award-winning design was first implemented in the Field of Dreams community in Kearns, Utah, raising the standard for future Habitat projects.

Field of Dreams eco-community design

To expand the program's capacity, Ed spearheaded the implementation of a groundbreaking revolving loan fund model, raising $10 million to provide immediate access to vital resources for our clients. His pioneering efforts have established a blueprint for a sustainable funding model that will positively impact Habitat affiliates nationwide.

The Salt Lake City ReStore

The ReStore

Ed's impact extended beyond housing initiatives to include establishing and growing the Salt Lake ReStore. As CEO, Ed oversaw a five-fold increase in ReStore sales, transforming it into a beacon of hope for our community. The ReStore provides cost-effective home goods and champions sustainability by repurposing over 600 tons of materials annually.

Critical Home Repair Program (CHiRP)

Home gutted by a fireOne of Ed’s most enduring legacies is the creation of the Critical Home Repair Program (CHiRP), addressing the social determinants of health and safety within low-income households. Leveraging his experience as a founding member of the Green and Healthy Homes Initiative, strategic partnerships, and innovative funding models, Ed spearheaded CHiRP’s expansion into the healthcare sector and secured over $8.5 million in funding. His commitment to eradicating asthma triggers within households has positioned Habitat Salt Lake among the top 10 Habitat U.S. affiliates dedicated to this cause.

Since the program’s inception in 2012, CHiRP has served 227 families, improving the health and life safety of 666 people, including 231 children, 114 disabled, and 15 Veterans. Historically, CHiRP completed an average of 20 projects per year; however, due to Ed’s efforts, CHiRP will complete 80 projects in FY24 and is well-positioned to complete 100 projects annually.

Ed with a Habitat homeowner in Kenya.

International Impact

Beyond our local community, Ed's impact reverberates on a global scale. Each Habitat affiliate sponsors a sister international affiliate in an impoverished area, and Ed selected Habitat for Humanity Kenya. Support from Habitat Salt Lake has funded 106 homes in Kenya, fostering cross-cultural solidarity and empowering communities.

Disaster Relief

Having served as the President of the Utah chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Ed ensured Habitat Salt Lake could support disaster efforts.  His deployment to Texas in 2017, in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, underscores his commitment to serving communities in need. To support local disaster response efforts, Ed established the Salt Lake ReStore as a designated distribution center for essential items and implemented a system to recruit disaster relief volunteers.

Homelessness

Ed's commitment to social justice and homelessness extends beyond Habitat for Humanity. In 2014, his mentorship played a fundamental role in establishing The INN Between, Utah’s first hospice for people experiencing homelessness.  That same year, he contributed to creating No Fixed Address, an original exhibit by The Leonardo museum to raise awareness about the truth of homelessness.  In December 2016, he contributed to Where Children Sleep, The Leonardo’s follow-up exhibit, shedding light on the plight of children experiencing homelessness.

In conclusion, Ed Blake's legacy embodies the spirit of service and compassion that defines Habitat for Humanity's mission. His visionary leadership, tireless dedication, and unwavering commitment to social justice have left an indelible mark on our organization and the communities we serve. As we bid farewell to Ed, we honor his legacy and pledge to carry forward his impactful work, guided by his enduring example of service and compassion.