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GREENSBORO, Ga. — Edward R. Bolen has joined Greene County Habitat for Humanity as the executive director. 

Dr. Bolen joins Habitat after 23 years of service as the senior pastor for Milledge Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. Bolen brings to Habitat an extensive and diverse skill-set, with a legacy of passionate community engagement and the proven ability to work collaboratively with neighbors across diverse backgrounds. 

Bolen’s position as senior pastor has afforded him the opportunity to work as a facilitator through both congregational engagement and non-profit leadership to address many community challenges, including affordable housing. Bolen’s expertise includes deep knowledge of the economic, social, and community challenges related to adversity. He brings to Habitat a formidable record of leading change and organizational growth through strategic planning and he is skilled at working with Boards to develop community partnerships. Bolen holds a doctorate degree in New Testament literature, a master’s of divinity, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. 

“Greene County Habitat is excited to tap Dr. Bolen’s experience to achieve a cohesive vision for the future. Edward has a proven track record of building community partnerships through his many years of service and leadership. We are confident his vast experience and expertise will guide our organization well into the future and that he will serve as an exceptional resource for our Habitat families. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to collaborating with him,” said Jan Broughton, board chair, Greene County Habitat for Humanity. local community, we make safe, decent, and affordable housing available to low-income families. Through both monetary and in-kind donations and volunteer services, a total of 63 homes have been built since our inception in 1996. Greene County Habitat for Humanity is the largest non-profit residential builder in the Lake Oconee area. 

After acceptance into the Habitat program, each future homeowner must adhere to a rigorous mentoring process, put in a minimum of 300 hours of sweat equity, and maintain an acceptable credit rating during the 18- to 24-month process before being able to purchase their home with an interest-free mortgage. Unique to Greene County is an education component resulting in significantly higher high school graduation rates. Children raised in Habitat homes are three times more likely to attend college compared to local averages for similar demographic and economic groups. Greene County Habitat is a chartered affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, International. For further information, visit us at http://habitatgreene.org/