Rhode Island resident Bryan Schmeling (left) helps build a home in Exeter, RI with Habitat for Humanity

By Kelly Anderson

Providence, R.I. – Bryan Schmeling of North Scituate is traveling to Nicaragua on April 2, 2016. He will help build homes side-by-side with families in need thanks to a multi-year, multi-million dollar mission partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International.

Schmeling, a Thrivent Financial representative, serving Christians and their family members in the Northeast, was selected to represent his colleagues from the organization’s Northeast region of Thrivent Financial. Schmeling was nominated for this team because of his sales performance, passion for volunteering with members and drive to help people be wise with money.

This team of service-minded Thrivent Financial representatives and employees from regions across the United States will spend April 2-10, 2016 in Nicaragua. They plan to build both goodwill and homes working with Habitat for Humanity Nicaragua while constructing homes with local Nicaraguan families.  Thrivent Financial is committed to sending several volunteer teams in 2016 to support Habitat Nicaragua’s mission.

As a fraternal benefit society, a unique type of not-for-profit membership organization, Thrivent Financial focuses on both financial security as well as caring for others. This program is one example of how Thrivent Financial and its members work together to help others.

Schmeling was nominated as 2016 Northeast Thrivent Builds Ambassador through Thrivent Financials Thrivent Builds Field Representative Ambassador Program. Upon his return, Schmeling will begin organizing an international Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity trip. Local churches and volunteers are invited to join this future trip.

Schmeling, a Thrivent Financial representative from North Scituate, R.I., was selected for a special building trip to Central America as part of a Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity trip.

“Bryan Schmeling has proven his dedication to serve in our community,” said Kent Tedford, Thrivent Financial Community Engagement Leader –Northeast. “Whether he is helping a family in the Northeast plan for their future or when he is building a home with a family in another country, Bryan is passionate about serving others. This life-changing trip to Nicaragua will only increase his energy for service.”

Schmeling has invested his time, talent and resources in charitable causes in the area, including volunteering at church food pantries, helping assemble personalized duffle bags containing Christmas gifts for foster children and helping Thrivent Builds erect a house in Exeter, R.I. in 2015 for a single mother and her 5-year-old son.

Celebrating its 10th year, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar mission partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Christians in helping provide a “hand up” to people in need of affordable housing, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat’s largest single source of funding, constructing and repairing more than 4,000 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005.

About Thrivent Financial

Thrivent Financial is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping its nearly 2.5 million members to be wise with money and to live generous lives. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial joins with its members to create and support national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com.

For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.