Dan Conkle’s Story of Service and Impact

Dan Conkle was first introduced to Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County in the 1990s through his church, First Presbyterian Church. The church sponsored a Habitat house, and when Dan and his wife participated in building that home, they found the experience rewarding and chose to continue their involvement with Habitat. 

Dan is a long-time Habitat supporter. Since his first encounter with Habitat, he has served two terms on the Board of Directors, served on committees, donated, and most recently, helped organize a Habitat build day in summer 2026. 

Safe, affordable housing is foundational to individuals and families, to the communities in which we live and to the economies in which we all participate. Increased family stability and economic mobility, a greater sense of dignity and civic pride, and stronger and more vibrant communities are all connected to stable, decent, and affordable housing. 

Since partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, Dan has realized the need for affordable housing because it is so expensive to live in Monroe County. He believes that Habitat plays a pivotal role in addressing the housing affordability crisis locally. 

Dan remembers that while serving on the board, he had the opportunity to contact Spanish-speaking applicants who had been accepted into the Habitat program. Dan spoke enough Spanish to make the phone calls, and he found these conversations particularly meaningful because he could experience first-hand the emotion and excitement of the families who had been accepted into the program. 

“I could feel the emotion that they were feeling, having been accepted, and it was really going to change their lives and the lives of their families.” 

At Habitat, families work towards homeownership through “sweat equity.” Families do not get free houses. They earn them through their sweat equity and later through making affordable mortgage payments. At the beginning of their homeownership journey, families will take classes on managing their finances and reducing their debt, home maintenance, and mental health. 

Dan is passionate about Habitat because the organization brings together volunteers, donors, partner families, and local community groups. He values that Habitat views affordable homeownership as a long-term solution to financial stability and freedom. 

“It’s not a band-aid, it’s kind of a permanent path out of poverty for families.” 

For Dan, Habitat’s philosophy, community and partnership, and life-changing impact are what make the organization so valuable. Through his years of involvement, he has seen how affordable homeownership can impact not only individual homeowners, but their families and livelihoods as well.