Fall 2012 - The BluePrint

the blueprint Fall 2012 HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SOCIETY OF GREATER VANCOUVER 69 West 69th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5X 2W6 Phone: 604.681.5618 Fax: 604.326.0122 info@habitatgv.ca www.habitatgv.ca

FACEBOOK: facebook.com/hfhvancouver

TWITTER: @HFHGV_ReStore

All hail Habitat for Humanity GV Volunteers We can’t do it without them, those Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver volunteers.

You’ll spot them in our two ReStores in Burnaby and Vancouver helping out customers, and you will soon see more of them in their Habitat T-shirts at the new ReStore in North Vancouver. They’re also a critical part of our build sites—working in the hot sun and during the winter days building a home for a Habitat for Humanity partner family.

But did you know they’re also out in the community on our behalf? They’re playing a key role at community events, trade shows and other special events promoting the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver story.

A few of their recent special appearances included the LPGA Vancouver Women’s Open Golf Tournament in Coquitlam and the IDI BC Annual Garage Sale.

DONATE: Please visit our website or reply using the enclosed form.

VOLUNTEER: Individuals: email Jake at jake@habitatgv.ca Corporate Groups: email Sarin at sarin@habitatgv.ca

FUNDRAISE: It’s as easy as sending an email to your friends, family, colleagues and clients.

To get started, visit www.habitatgv.ca

SHOP: Vancouver ReStore 69 West 69th Avenue (south of SW Marine between Manitoba and Ontario Streets) Phone: 604.326.3055

Burnaby ReStore 2475 Douglas Road (past Willingdon south of Lougheed) Phone: 604.293.1898

Volunteers at this year’s record-setting IDI BC Annual Garage Sale.

Habitat at the Vancouver Home and Design Show Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver was once again part of the successful Vancouver Home and Design Show at B.C. Place Stadium, Oct. 11-14, 2012.

October 11-14 BC Place Stadium

We occupied a display booth at the Show, which profiled the product line at our ReStores and outlined the affordable housing projects in the Lower Mainland. People found out why Habitat for Humanity ReStores have become the preferred choice of renovators and homeowners who want to upgrade or renovate and save hundreds and even thousands of dollars.

The Vancouver Home and Design Show is the ultimate authority on all things lifestyle.

Cooking, designing a new home or renovating an existing one, wardrobe marketing and a host of other lifestyle displays are featured each year at the Show.

For more information visit the Vancouver Home and Design Show website: www.vancouverhomeanddesignshow.com

Corporate Partners line up at Burnaby Townhome Project Western Union employees plan to be back four times to help build our townhomes in Burnaby, while Delta Hotels, Genworth Financial and Goldcorp will have been back twice.

They’re just a few of the major supporters of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver who have stepped up to support the corporate build days program at the Burnaby build. “We’ve actually had more requests to build than we can accommodate at the site, which is very gratifying,” says Sarin Rozental, Build Day site coordinator. “The feedback we get is that it’s a great day for employees who come in teams of 15 and know they’re really making a difference.”

To date we’ve been joined by employees from: The Home Depot, DP World, Tree of Life, Western Union, Fluor Canada, Deloitte, Goldcorp, Hilti, TD Bank, Genworth, Toyota, Ricoh, WBI Home Warranty, RBC and SNC Lavalin, T-Lane Trasportation & Logistics, Macquarie Private Wealth, Nissan, Interwrap and Olympic Industries.

Burnaby Build Site Speeds into the Home Stretch Pre-fabricated designs and off-site assembly of components are making all the difference at the Burnaby townhome project of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver.

The Burnaby project of stacked townhomes is at lockup stage and headed for completion in late December or early January, 2013. The contribution of Smallworks, a company that specializes in pre-fabricated designs, roof-trusses and wall panels, has had a big impact on the construction schedule.

Marvin Wingett, Project and Operations Manager at Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver noted that the pre-fabricated wall units and roof trusses have cut months from the normal construction timetable. “This is the kind of prefabricated housing components we hope to replicate at other build sites, which will save considerable time and money on the overall construction budget.”

Alpha Technologies Announced a Major Gift To Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver Alpha Technologies, a global leader in powering the communications industry, has made a major commitment to Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver to support the creation of more affordable home ownership options for Lower Mainland families.

Alpha Technologies announced a gift of $100,000, which will help HFHGV complete the final phase of its six-unit townhome development in Burnaby and ultimately pursue other housing ownership options for families in the Lower Mainland.

“We regard this donation as an opportunity to partner with Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver in what we believe is a great cause devoted to creating affordable homes for families in Burnaby” said Mark Schnarr, President and CEO of Alpha Technologies.

Alpha Technologies presents a cheque for $100,000 to Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver

Grand opening set for North Van ReStore There’s nothing like stocking the shelves and aisles, completing the myriad of preparations and getting a store open for its first day of business.

The opening of Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver’s third ReStore at 126 Harbour Avenue in North Vancouver featured a whirlwind of activity throughout September as staff and volunteers readied the store to receive its first customers.

Volunteers and staff were working hard through September to ready the building for an anticipated opening in early November. Tom Riessner, Director of ReStore operations, praised the work of volunteers who helped get the building ready for its rebirth as a ReStore.

“There was lot of cleaning, painting and renovations that needed to be done and we had volunteers work even through the weekends to help us get ready”, he stated.

HFHGV is still looking to volunteers to work in the North Van ReStore once it opens and people can sign up on-line by visiting www.habitatgv.ca or by calling Jake Moir, Volunteer Coordinator at (604) 681-5618, ext. 28.

Quality Hotel Furniture and Doors Drive Traffic to the ReStores Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver ReStores have doors and high-end hotel furniture—a ton of them at sale prices.

And after receiving a shipment of more than 1200 brand new interior doors at the Burnaby ReStore, more quality furniture from a downtown Vancouver luxury hotel renovation also began arriving at all three locations in Burnaby, Vancouver, and our newest location in North Vancouver.

“We’re grateful to our donors in the retail construction sector and also our partners in the hospitality industry”, said Tom Riessner, Director of ReStore operations. “These items will drive traffic to our stores because they represent a huge bargain for our customers.”

For more information on our ReStores visit www.restoresgv.ca

Volunteer

At Your North Shore ReStore

North Vancouver ReStore

126 Harbour Avenue North Vancouver, B.C., V7J 2E4 www.restoresgv.ca NORTH VANCOUVER ReStore Opening in November, 2012 List of Jobs: • Renovations crew: general labour and experienced trades/carpenters • Event volunteer for the grand opening • Once the store is open we’ll need: Floor Helpers, Cashiers/Customer Service Representatives, Carpenters/Electricians/Cabinet Builders/Plumbers

You can help: Donate… Volunteer... Help us Build Contact Us:

Jake Moir, Volunteer Recruitment jake@habitatgv.ca

Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver 69 West 69th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5X 2W6 Phone: 604.681.5618 | www.habitatgv.ca

Tsawwassen First Nation and Habitat Sign Historic MOU for Family Housing Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver and the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will see up to eight affordable family homes built within the TFN community.

The agreement follows discussions held over the past few months, including a community meeting in June where TFN Members were briefed on the Habitat for Humanity family-partner model. The MOU outlines the formation of a committee structure and a process for moving forward.

New Habitat for Humanity GV Website will drive more on-line traffic Habitat for Humanity’s new website has launched and features a complete re-design with more user-friendly options. HFHGV is working with internet specialists to create more user-friendly features and more opportunities for on-line interaction.

The aim of the exercise is to increase the volume of traffic to the website and encourage greater involvement in the not-for-profit society through volunteering at either a ReStore or a build site, or making a donation.

There are also a series of pages on the new site devoted to our ReStore operations— including sales and special items of interest. This will be a ‘must-visit’ location for regular ReStore customers.

For more information log on to www.habitatgv.ca

October 1st was World Habitat Day The United Nations General Assembly has declared the first Monday in October to be World International Habitat for Humanity Day. The purpose of World Habitat Day is to call attention to the need for better shelter around the world, and to let it be known that affordable, adequate housing should be a priority everywhere, and to change the systems and attitudes that lead to poverty housing.

In conjunction with World Habitat day, Habitat for Humanity Canada has released the results of a survey on public perceptions of housing affordability across Canada.

The survey also quantifies some of the tough choices faced by families struggling to balance basic costs for shelter and the other costs associated with raising a family.

The results are posted on the Habitat for Humanity Canada website at www.habitat.ca and the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver website at www.habitatgv.ca

Province Feature on Burnaby Build, Partner Families Vancouver Province reporter Sam Cooper authored a two-page feature on Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver’s 27 unit townhome project. The article generated great response and lots of feedback about the important role affordable home ownership plays in providing stable, safe environments for families and children.

If you missed it the on-line link is: http://www.theprovince.com/business/Habitat+Humanity+Making+unaffordable+happen/7146543/story.html

Transforming a Playhouse into a Real Family Home It is possible to build a children’s playhouse and have a realistic dream that one day it will help build a real family home.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in British Columbia joined an impressive list of donors and sponsors in taking up the ‘Playhouse Build Challenge”, with their efforts and proceeds going to further Habitat’s work of building hope and homeownership for modest-income families.

The ‘Canfor Playhouse Challenge’ was the catalyst for the construction of some magnificent and whimsical children’s playhouses—which were unveiled at the Pacific National Exhibition on Thursday, August 16th in advance of the Fair.

They have been pre-sold to registered corporate donors.

All proceeds from these sales went directly to Habitat for Humanity B.C. affiliates. And since the mandate of Habitat for Humanity is to build affordable family homes for modest-income British Columbians, the Playhouse Challenge has the great potential to turn a ‘playhouse’ into a ‘real house’.

For more information on the Canfor Playhouse Challenge: www.playhousechallenge.com

Home Outfitters Steps up for Habitat for Humanity Partner Families Home Outfitters and their customers are stepping up in support of Habitat for Humanity affiliates with a “donate your points” program during the month of October.

Beginning with World Habitat Day on Oct, 1st, customers of the Home Outfitters are being given the opportunity to donate their HSBC points that they earn on every purchase.

The promotion will last for the entire month of October. www.homeoutfitters.com An email message has gone out to all Home Outfitters customers advising them of the ‘donate your points’ program. However customers will also have the opportunity to donate their points to Habitat for Humanity for the entire year.

For further details and to sign up, visit www.hbc.com/rewards

Habitat for Humanity Days at Old Navy Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver thanks Old Navy for their commitment on Oct. 13th-14th, 2012 to supporting home ownership in the Lower Mainland. Their two-day campaign benefitted Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Canada. Old Navy employees offered their customers an opportunity to donate a minimum of two dollars at the checkout to Habitat. Customers were then eligible to receive 10 percent off their purchase. The goal is to raise $200,000 for Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

Old Navy is one of Canada’s leading clothing retailers with 69 stores across Canada. In the Lower Mainland of British Columbia there are six stores at: • • • • • •

Guildford Town Centre in Surrey Coquitlam Centre Burnaby Metrotown Langley Richmond Centre Village Park Royal in West Vancouver

60 West Cordova Partner Family Celebration Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver welcomed partner families, supporters and development partners for a special celebration on Sept. 13th at 60 West Cordova.

Representatives of VanCity, Westbank Developments and Gregory Henriquez Architects joined Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver partner families who are now experiencing the security and safety of affordable home-ownership and were asked to speak during the program.

(L to R) - MLA Linda Reid, Sarin Rozental of HFHGV, and family partner member Jessica

(L to R) - Partner family Seyed, Julia and baby Rose with representatives from Vancity: - Mandeep Sidhu, Specialist for Community Investment - William Azaroff, Director of Business and Community Development - Kira Gerwing, Manager, Community Investment

Partner Family Profile Lisa and Frank Fedorak, and their daughters Scarlett and Greta, are one of the partner families awaiting completion of phase six of the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver Burnaby build site.

Lisa has participated in the Women’s Build Day at the Burnaby site and also joined the CEO of HFHGV on a special appearance on the Dr. Don Show on CISL 650 Radio. The focus of the program was the important link between housing and the health and well-being of families, particularly children.

Blueprint Going Digital This will be the final issue of the Blueprint that will sent by hard-copy and mail to postal addresses on the publication mailing list. With the next issue in the fourth quarter, Blueprint will be sent electronically to the email inboxes on our distribution list. The Blueprint will also be posted on the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver website with a link. The move will save printing and mailing costs, and will enable HFHGV to expand the distribution list for those receiving the publication.

Please let us know if you want to continue to receive the Blueprint and ensure that we have your email address.

For more information on the new digital blueprint, you can call Sarin Rozental at (604) 681-5618, Ext. 22.

“A Big Thank You to Selected Sponsors and Donors”

Lead Sponsors

Alpha Technologies

Vancity

BC Housing

Delta Hotels & Resorts

The Home Depot Canada & The Home Depot Canada Foundation

Citi Foundation

Genworth Financial Canada

Major Sponsors

BC Rehab Foundation

Mackenzie Financial Corporation

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

MCAP

Westbank Projects Corp.

RBC Foundation

Vancity Community Foundation

Western Union

Copyright © 2012 Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver, All rights reserved.