Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity Recognized as Nonprofit of the Year

The Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity was honored recently as the 2017 Nonprofit of the Year by Senator Bill Dodd. Representatives of the home building organization were hosted on the Floor of the California State Senate by Senator Dodd. The local nonprofit was joined by other nonprofit leaders from Senate districts across the state that were also honored at the 2017 California Nonprofits Day event.
“Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity is truly honored to have been named Non-Profit of the Year in Senator Dodd’s Third District. This recognizes the dedication, commitment and hard work of our board, staff and in particular, our amazing volunteers,” said Gerry Raycraft, President of the Board of Directors of Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity.
Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity first opened in 1991 to serve the residents of Solano County. Solano Habitat for Humanity was founded by a grass-roots group of Solano County residents as a charity organization, dedicated to eliminating sub-standard housing in their community. The first home was constructed in Fairfield in 1994. Napa County was incorporated into their service area in 2002 and the name was updated to reflect this wider presence in the community. Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity also operates the ReStore, providing home improvement supplies and furnishings at a much lower cost than traditional retailers.
“I am honored to recognize the Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity as our nonprofit of the year,” said Senator Dodd. “Having served on several nonprofit boards, I know the hard work required of staff and volunteers to make a positive difference in our communities. Habitat for Humanity has made an immense difference in the lives of many families.”
In its 26 years of service to the community, Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity has built 15 new homes from the ground up and rehabbed many more in Solano and Napa Counties. In Solano and Napa, the high cost of housing makes the services provided by Habitat for Humanity even more impactful. Habitat has developed programs that allow businesses and organizations to volunteer a “Habitat Team”. This innovative model allows coworkers, friends, and loved ones to build stronger relationships, while also building a new home for a needy family. Solano-Napa Habitat for Humanity is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, which since 1976 has established more than 1,500 affiliates and 80 national organizations around the world that have helped Habitat build, renovate or repair more than 1,000,000 homes.

Elected in November of 2016 to represent California’s 3rd Senate District, Senator Bill Dodd is a fifth generation Californian and lifelong resident of the district, where he grew up on a small family farm in Napa County. California’s 5th State Senate District includes portions of Sacramento, Yolo, Napa, Sonoma, Solano and Contra Costa Counties.
Prior to his election to the State Senate, Bill represented the 4th Assembly District. In the Assembly, Bill worked to help small businesses, protect the environment, and support seniors and working families. He advanced a balanced, sustainable budget that invests in our education system from preschool through higher education. Bill helped establish the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit, promote career technical education, and create the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument – preserving over 330,000 acres of the California Coast Ranges in Napa, Yolo, Solano, Lake, Colusa, Glenn and Mendocino counties.
Prior to his election to the Assembly, Senator Dodd served on the Napa County Board of Supervisors for thirteen years. His accomplishments include the completion of Napa’s flood control project, which protects thousands of properties from flooding, restored 900 acres of environmental wetlands and produced $1 billion of investment in local businesses.
Prior to his time in elected office, Bill was a successful small business owner. He owned and operated one of the largest full-service Culligan Water operations in California, and served as president of the water quality industry’s state and national trade associations. Senator Dodd is a graduate of California State University, Chico.
Bill and his wife Mary live in Napa and have five grown children and five grandchildren. The Napa Valley Chamber of Commerce recognized their philanthropic efforts by awarding Bill its 2014 “Citizen of the Year” for raising over $3 million for local charities. You can learn more about the district and Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.