The
mid-SUMMER 2002
BLUEPRINT
The Newsletter of the Habitat For Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver _________________________________________________________________________________________
HABITAT BENEFICIARY OF ISMAILI WALK ATTENTION: ALL BLUEPRINT READERS!
By Jane Davidson and Tyler Sampson The Ismaili Muslim community has chosen the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver as the recipient charity of the 2002 Ismaili Walk. The Ismaili community works with a different charity every year. Organizing the annual walk is a joint effort with volunteers from the recipient charity and the Ismaili community. This year, Habitat will put its own unique fingerprint on this annual event. In addition to refreshments and children’s activities, Habitat volunteers will assemble a children’s playhouse during the Walk. The 11th Annual Ismaili Walk will take place on Sunday, September 8th. The seven-kilometre course will begin at 11:00 am at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. Call the Habitat office at 604-681-5618 for more information about volunteering, walking or pledging.
THANK YOU FROM A FAMILY PARTNER Upon entering our new townhouse, the smell of fresh paint still in the air, my family and I realized that the foundation that holds up this house does not consist solely of steel and cement. The physical and emotional support of all the volunteers and organizers has made this miracle possible. Not only have we been given a house, but a "habitat." Our neighbours are friends, and we are not afraid for our children's safety. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for a house we can truly call home. ---Wally Dilk and family
All volunteers, Habitat Society members, and all those interested in putting an end to poverty housing are strongly encouraged to take part in the upcoming 11th Annual Ismaili Walk. The proceeds from this year’s Walk go to Habitat Vancouver. Please consider contributing some time to help make this event a success. You can take part by being a Walk volunteer, a walker or by sponsoring a walker. This year’s Ismaili Walk is a leisurely seven kilometres through Stanley Park, starting at 11:00 am on September 8th, 2002. Call the Habitat office at 604-681-5618 for more information about volunteering, walking or pledging.
ORGANIZED LABOUR KEY TO PHASE ONE By Don Jantzen and Tyler Sampson In April of 2002, the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver finished Phase One of the Government Street project, the first four townhouses of a planned twenty-sevenunit development. While there have been many, many volunteers working on-site and in-committee, the key to the successful completion of Phase One has been the participation of organized labour. The British Columbia Federation of Labour and the BC Yukon Building Trades Council have both endorsed Habitat Vancouver and the Government Street project. Thanks to their cooperation and active support, Habitat has been able to reach out to both active and retired union members from all trades.
The efforts of these union and trades volunteers have made a large and very significant difference throughout Phase One of the Government Street project. The Habitat Board originally estimated a 1:3 ratio of volunteer to paid labour on the site. In fact, it has turned out to be the converse, largely due to volunteers from the building trades. These highly skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen work quickly, are good leaders and provide excellent instruction to their crews of unskilled and semi-skilled volunteers. These qualities have made them an important partner in Habitat’s mission to eliminate poverty housing. Organized labour has also assisted Habitat Vancouver is other ways. Union locals have provided significant donations, postage for mail-outs and technical support for the Home Dedication Ceremony on April 27, 2002. All signs point to a blossoming relationship with organized labour and their continued support in the fight against poverty housing.