Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver
September 2005
The Blueprint
With a little help from our friends…. At the beginning of the summer Habitat Greater Vancouver made a lot of new friends with the arrival of thirteen campers, a counselor and a camp director and his family from the American Jewish Society for Service, who traveled from New York to work on building the homes in Phase 3. We are thankful they chose to come here and we will be eternally grateful for the experience of working with them. Their contribution of over 3,000 hours (spanning five days a week for six weeks) made a huge impact on the build and obviously made a great impact on them. Paul & Cathy Milkman, the AJSS Camp Directors wrote about their experience at the Government Street site in Burnaby this summer:
As we have seen in the United States, Habitat for Humanity often helps to meet the challenge of making decent housing available to those who could not find it otherwise ...our kind, patient and skilled work supervisor, Terry Probert, the bevy of Habitat regulars, some retired, who find meaning in giving their labor and who delighted in giving our group additional leadership. This group included among others these men who earned our gratitude and respect: Colin Gour, Michael MacNeill, Marvin Wingett, Wayne Stewart, and Lutz Holfield. ...we worked alongside members of three Habitat families. One volunteer came to the site at least three days a week, often bringing with her freshbaked cookies, and we heard of the sardine-like living conditions her Habitat home would free her of….to Anneke, to Terry and the Habitat volunteers we owe more than we can say. We have had a spectacular summer in a glorious city. We’re delighted to have made it more of a home for four families who will spend 2006 in housing made in part by our effort. Shalom!
Volunteers from the American Jewish Society for Service Frazer, Dan A, Jake, Jeff, Anna, Dan B, Chelsey, David Rebecca, Elana, Sara, Andrew, Noah, Caleb
The productivity of the summer is clearly demonstrated in our progress; the four townhouses that we were building started at the foundation stage and by the time we leave, the second floor walls will be in place. (Anna : Camp Counselor) It was also a great inspiration working alongside the people who would be living in the house and seeing their dedication and determination to earn their house and working 500 hours. (Dan A) ...it’s difficult not to grow and I feel I have. I’ve had a good time and when I go home, I intend to bring some of my AJSS experience with me. (Caleb) I really felt good about helping families that really needed homes, but that wasn’t what got me up at 7 each morning. After just the first day on the worksite, I realized how much I loved construction work. By the end of the summer I was having so much fun working with the construction workers and trying to figure out problems that we encountered. This was the first time I had done real construction work and I definitely want to do it again. (Noah) (cont’d page 2)
The Blueprint
September 2005
Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver
Before: Site photo from June 22nd, 2005 (see back page for “After”)
(Summer at the Habitat site Cont’d from page 1)
My reason for embarking on this trip was to give back to my community by helping to construct four townhouses for families in need. While accomplishing this goal, I have developed relationships and had experiences that will reshape my future. (Elana) Spending time talking to and working alongside some of the future homeowners made the experience of Habitat for Humanity and AJSS that much more rewarding. I knew that I was working to help people who were hardworking and deserving of a fresh start. (Rebecca) ...We dug the trenches, laid pipes and tarred A process that almost let us scarred Putting up walls and beams was a true pain But we knew that our work was not in vain We worked together putting up stairs We were not even fazed by the repairs… (Frazer) I have greatly enjoyed myself this summer and I’m looking forward to volunteering for Habitat for Humanity or other community housing projects when I return home. Thanks for a great summer! (Jeff) O serious injuries 5,000 nails nailed to make a house (Caitlyn) The unique task of building not one but four homes for needy families was simply incredible. My whole life I have always wanted to help others and this summer I was able to actively do so in a tremendous way. (Sara) ...none of us will soon forget the people we shared the time with. (David) True friendship took six weeks to form. (Jake) This trip has changed my point of view how life truly is and how great it can be (Andrew)
It is truly remarkable to participate each day in the construction of a house for a family, who would otherwise be unable to afford. And working side by side the actual soon-to-be owners and hearing how drastically their lives will change has been incredible. (Chelsey) “The power of one man’s hands” Continuing my journey of life In a place far from home Enabling me to change the world, With my own two hands, Making it a better and kinder place Building affordable homes for whoever needs them, With my own two hands. I now know I can make peace on earth, I can clean up its flaws and imperfections, I can reach out to you and give myself freely, With my own two hands. I plan on making a brighter and safer place I am gonna help out my fellow man and the entire human race With my own two hands. My time in this foreign place has come to a halt I’ve watched the homes and friendships grow, All before my eyes like I was a part of something Shaping me into the man I want to be All with my own two hands. (DanB)
Congratulations to Gerard and Carolyn Garcia: Their guess of 6,125 cans to build the three “Alcan Habitat Houses” won them a wonderful Dragon at the Alcan International Dragonboat Festival in June.
Habitat’s Alcan Builds on Recycling Program still needs your help! Send your grocery store or recycling depot receipts, showing how many aluminum cans you have returned each month, to Habitat at Box 60577 Granville Park PO, Vancouver, BC, V6H 4B9. Alcan will be presenting the three affiliates who recycle the most cans with $60,000 towards construction. (Congratulations to Habitat Toronto and the Sunshine Coast who were the winners this year.) In addition each affiliate can receive up to $2,500 per year for their recycling efforts (Habitat Greater Vancouver received $640 this year through Alcan’s matching program). Page 2
The Blueprint
September 2005
Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver
CORPORATE CORNER We gratefully acknowledge the financial sponsorship of these companies in supporting Phase 3
“HALF-HOUSE” $50,000+
Thanks to the “Adopt Us For a Day” corporate volunteers who worked on the site since May The Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Schneider Electric CIBC World Markets ING Insurance Business Objects PriceWaterhouseCoopers BLJC and to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for donating $7,500 from their annual golf tournament
eBay volunteers at the build site September 1st, 2005
MCAP Mortgage Corporation
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Anneke Rees at 604-681-5618 or habitatexec@telus.net.
Habitat thanks Concert Properties for the donation of show suite furniture for sale in the ReStore.
(and their partners)
Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company of Canada & Invis Richmond Fire Fighters Cathay Pacific Global Village Trip
“ROOM BUILDER” $10,000+ Great-West Life “BUILDER” $5,000+ Commonwealth Insurance Page 3
24 Richmond Fire-Rescue members are planning to travel to areas devastated by the tsunami in Sri Lanka and build Habitat homes in March 2006. Check their website at www.rfrhabitat.com.
The Blueprint
September 2005
It’s time to thank all the volunteers that make the work of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver possible. If you’ve given any volunteer hours in 2005;
Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver
For donating time and talents thanks go to:
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Baila Lazarus - for writing articles for the press about the AJSS campers
Come to the Volunteer Barbecue
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on September 24th from 3—6pm In Friendship park at New Life Community Church
Mediquest Technologies Inc - for providing first aid training for regular volunteers
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Andrew McKenzie - for giving fall restraint training to site volunteers
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The students of J.N. Burnett Secondary School in Richmond for raising $1,700 through their Wake up and Touch the World Wake-A-Thon.
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RNV Industries
(8765 Gov’t St. next door to the Habitat construction site) See progress on the build and enjoy a meal compliments of the volunteer committee and partner families + get your new HFH logo T-shirt while they last! Please RSVP to the volunteer hotline at 604 681 5618 press ‘4” or email to habitatvolunteer@telus.net
Volunteers!
and to the following groups for their help on the site or at the ReStore:
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Engineers Without Borders
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Trinity Western University
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UBC Commerce Community Partners
Building on Faith Week: September 11-18th 2005 Each year in September, Habitat for Humanity celebrates its partnership with the faith community. In 2004, approximately 1,700 churches from 14 countries built more than 300 houses as part of Building on Faith celebrations. If your faith group is interested in partnering with Habitat please contact us at 604681-5618. “The needy shall not always be forgotten. The expectations of the poor shall not perish forever.” (Psalm 9:18)
Come and visit the Habitat booth at the BC Real Estate Convention 2005 on Fri 23 & Sat 24 September at the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre. ww.bcrealestateconvention.com Annual Report 2004 Copies of the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver Annual Report 2004 are available from the office.
YES! I want to help a family build their Habitat home Enclosed is my contribution of: $100
$75
$50
$25
$other______
Name: _____________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________ City: ________________________ Pr: _______ Postal Code __________ Email: _________________________________ Tel No: ______________ My cheque is enclosed Payable to: Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver After: The Phase 3 houses on August 21st, 2005
Please charge my credit card: (please circle one)
Visa
Mastercard
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Card Number: __________________________________ Expiration date:____________ Signature: _______________________________ Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver, PO Box 60577 Granville Park PO, Vancouver, BC V6H 4B9 Phone: 604.681.5618 Fax: 604.872.0223 Email: habitat1@telus.net