ReStores & affordable home improvement
For decades, Habitat for Humanity has built homes for people in need. What you might not know is that they also take them apart. Habitat for Humanity volunteers deconstruct kitchens, bathrooms and even entire homes. The furnishings are donated by the homeowners to one of more than 600 Habitat for Humanity ReStores throughout the country where they are sold at greatly reduced prices. The proceeds go back to Habitat for Humanity to build new homes.

Looking for a job
Sean Sullivan of Raymond, NH, lost his job two months ago, and has embarked on an aggressive job search. He talks about how he’s doing it.

Growing a business in tight times
During the recession, many small businesses in northern New England were compelled to lay-off employees, cut pay, or scale back advertising. But some, like Kelly Flagg, owner of Flaggship Landscaping in Gorham, did the opposite and met with success. MPBN’s Jennifer Rooks finds out how a landscaping company raked in the sales with an aggressive marketing campaign.

Saving money for life
Where can an entrepreneur of modest means find a few thousand dollars these days? Vermont’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program offers asset-eligible individuals a $2,000 match for $1,000 saved over a two-year period. The only catch is that they attend a series of basic financial management classes during that time. Meet two Vermonters who used to the program, one to help expand her beveled stained glass business, and the other to start a math tutoring enterprise. According to Gillian Franks, a financial educator with the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity, the most important outcome is the simple act of saving: “They very often come back to us and say the money was nothing. What you’ve taught me to do in terms of savings is worth so much more.”

Importance of nonprofits
Robert Egger, a nonprofit expert and founder of DC Central Kitchen, a job training and meal distribution nonprofit, talks about the important role nonprofits play in the US economy.

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