Subscribe Love

New Habitat CEO ramps up building

by | Aug 22, 2024 | Latest, News

Shonda Schaefer, right, newly appointed CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Collin County, consults with Construction Manager Rosa Garcia at the home being built in Princeton. John Kanelis/The Princeton Herald

Shonda Schaefer has been on her new job as chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity of Collin County for a little more than five weeks.

However, she has hit the ground in a dead sprint seeking to get her arms around the multitude of tasks confronting the nonprofit agency every day.

Her goal for Habitat for Humanity of Collin County is straightforward: “We want to build 10 to 15 houses annually,” she said, adding that “we want to put people in houses, keep them there and then serve the community.” 

Schaefer came to Habitat for Humanity from her post at another non-profit, Grace, based in Grapevine, where she also served as CEO. Grace is involved in setting up transitional housing for residents in need, helping them move into permanent housing. Schaefer said Grace works with clearing clients’ debt and “other skills to allow them to attain self-sufficiency.” 

Now she is running Habitat for Humanity of Collin County, which Schaefer said covers all of Collin County and parts of surrounding counties, such as Hunt, Grayson and Denton counties. Schaefer succeeded Sam Lawrence as CEO of Habitat in Collin County.

Schaefer has 30 years of experience in nonprofits. Habitat for Humanity is building a house on Harrelson Drive, which Schaefer estimates will be complete in “a couple of months if all goes well.” She said the project stalled for a brief time during the CEO transition, but said the work is “back on schedule in a big way.” 

To read the full story and support your local newspaper, subscribe to The Princeton Herald today!

Subscribe Love

0 Comments

Subscribe Love

Related News

Fall fun fills October calendar

Fall fun fills October calendar

Fall on the Farm at Reeves Family Farm offers pumpkins, farm activities and autumn-themed fun. The event runs through Oct. 23-24 at Reeves Famaily Farm, 3577 FM 1377, Princeton. Shelley Dowdle/The Princeton Herald Pumpkins, costumes, candy and a little local history...

read more
‘Tis the season to plan for Christmas giving

‘Tis the season to plan for Christmas giving

Princeton ISD families needing help with Christmas gifts and a holiday meal can now begin applying for assistance through Princeton Gives. For 17 years, the annual holiday assistance effort was known as Angel Tree before being renamed Princeton Gives last year. The...

read more
Meetings set on Collin County Outer Loop project

Meetings set on Collin County Outer Loop project

Collin County is planning to hold in-person and virtual meetings to present updates on two segments of the proposed Outer Loop roadway project. Segments 2 and 4 of the Collin County Outer Loop would extend about 14 miles from County Road 656 northeast of Farmersville...

read more
Voters to consider partisan, non-partisan candidates

Voters to consider partisan, non-partisan candidates

There’s a lot for voters to consider on the ballot for the Tuesday, Nov. 3, general election. In the 3rd Congressional District, Rep. Keith Self, a Republican, is seeking his third term in the U.S. House. He is opposed by Evan Hunt, the Democratic nominee. ...

read more
City takes new look at drainage needs

City takes new look at drainage needs

New Public Works Director Rifat Alam. Courtesy Art Princeton is preparing to restart work on a citywide stormwater and drainage master plan after public works officials concluded an earlier proposal did not adequately address the city’s rapid growth or long-term...

read more
College expert weighs data center impacts 

College expert weighs data center impacts 

What happens when a 75-megawatt data center moves into a rural neighborhood? At first, probably construction traffic, dust and noise. Once it begins operating, traffic should decline dramatically, but the facility would become a substantial consumer of electricity...

read more
Clean kids on the block

Clean kids on the block

Four Princeton kids patrol their neighborhood to pick up litter strewn along the road. From left, Tucker, 9; Ray’lynn,9; Brecklyn, 9 and Luna, 7. Courtesy Photo For the past three years, four Princeton youngsters have been hiking around their block near FM 1377,...

read more
Data stolen in city cyberattack

Data stolen in city cyberattack

Two weeks after first reporting a potential data breach, the city of Princeton has confirmed that confidential information and personally identifiable information was downloaded from municipal computer systems. On Sept. 18, Princeton said it was investigating what was...

read more
Photos online