HabiChat rethinkhabitat.org
Volume 39, Issue 4, Fall 2019
“Pensacola is growing, but we possess the heart of a small town regardless and that’s what brings people out to give their time...”
Revitalizing Communities with Rock-the-Block
Intentionality Board of Directors Al Coby Chairman Mei Davis Vice Chairman Mike Adkins Treasurer Skip Vogelsang Secretary Dawn Brazwell Michele Dumond Rabbi Joel Fleekop Gene Franklin Siobhan Gallagher Julie Griffin Sandra Hodges Pat Hubbard T.J. Jenkins Mike Lanwehr Matt Newcomer Tina Pace Randy Porto John Reble Dr. Charles Reese Amanda Salazar Everhart Betty Salter Josh Womack Karen Wright
I had a conversation this morning about the (re)emerging topic of intentional communities (thanks, Robin). That got me thinking: How much of our daily lives are lived by figuratively placing one foot in front of the other and following the path where it leads us? Too many of us now find ourselves at the start of fall and wonder where the summer has gone. I know I do. Is it that we have followed those figurative paths across pages of the calendar without any direction or goal greater than making it to the end of the workday? Again, I plead guilty of just such aimlessness far more than I am comfortable admitting. Life goes on whether we have plans for it or not. Now don’t get me wrong. It’s not like the past several months have not been eventful. In fact we’ve been busier than any summer that I can recall since I came to Pensacola Habitat more than eight years ago. But much of the ‘business’ (busy-ness) might be legitimately characterized as ‘same old – same old’. With the exception of some out of town conferences, the days in the office almost become interchangeable. But that is coming to an end, little by little. In August, the governing board of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity began a strategic planning process that will take nine months to complete. It has been just over three years since we’ve been through such a process. There is an awareness that this time the planning and visioning process is qualitatively different. We are not who we once were as an organization. A new Pensacola Habitat is in front of us now. The work before the governing board, the agency staff, and the significant stakeholders from the community is to determine a purposeful path to get from where we are to where we want to be. The work takes focus. It takes speaking and listening. It takes discernment and intentionality. The Oxford dictionary definition of intentionality is, “the quality of mental states (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, desires, hopes) that consists in their being directed toward some object or state of affairs.” It’s all of that—thoughts, beliefs, desires, and hopes. All of that together we’ll call ‘vision,’ and I am reminded that vision, without requisite action, is simply hallucination. The bold goals of this effort are to set a framework for the organization for the next ten years. Although, the intermediate steps between here and there are ultimately important. Again, no one has yet discovered a way to travel through time. We cannot get to the year 2030 without through every page of the calendars between now and then. The vision of the future calls for living and working in the present with intention and purpose.
Timothy H. Evans, Executive Director
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH37256
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Our home buyer for this year’s Women’s Build, Cazell Davis
Above: Women cheer during our kick-off for Women Build Left: Women from the Women of Hillcrest team pose, ready to build
Why Women Build?
by Sara Walker
The Women Build is one of Pensacola Habitat’s largest events. Every year more than 120 women raise $100,000 and build a home for a family that completes the home buyer program. The Women Build is unique in its execution: few women work in construction, so seeing more than one hundred women on a construction site draws some attention!
earns them incentives according to the year in which they are participating. This year, Build Week will run from October 26th to November 2nd. Pensacola Habitat has made major infrastructure upgrades that have led to a massive increase in applicants to the Home Buyer Program. The organization is committed to the applicants as they move through the program, and nobody is relegated to wait lists. Events like the Women Build bring attention to the need for affordable homeownership in our community, provide a valuable vehicle for fundraising, and offer volunteers the opportunity to work on a full campaign.
Cazell Davis is an employee of Baptist Hospital and will be the recipient of the 2019 Women Build home. She grew up in a home built by Habitat with her mother and three siblings. “Without Habitat, I do not know where I would be in my life journey,” said Cazell.
For more information about Women Build, please visit www.womenbuild. pensacolahabitat.org.
The campaign runs for six months, from May to October. Each woman is tasked with raising $500; this secures a spot for the women to build during Build Week and 3
Volunteers helping landscape Camshire Meadows
Amazing volunteers from Michles & Booth P.A.
Volunteers building graffiti wall
Volunteers helping landscape Camshire Meadows
Cultivating Community
by Faith Higgins
For the residents of Camshire Meadows, their one-year-old park, locally named “Meadows West,” is a shining example of the pride they place in making their neighborhood a true community. It was just a year ago in May 2018 when the K-through-12-year-old playground was built, an effort achieved through the rallying of Camshire Meadows residents, leveraged by local donations and sponsorships. On Friday September 27th, 2019, Pensacola Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization department lead a Rock-the-Block event, and with the support of volunteers from Michles & Booth P.A. and Magic 106.1 Radio, Meadows West Park has moved into the next phase of development with the installation of graffiti walls, benches, and an embedded natural landscape around the playground. These additions are not just items from a wish list, but intentional assets towards helping the residents achieve the goals for their community as well as enjoy a better quality of life. The graffiti or “permission wall” is designed for older youth and advocates for creative and controlled original expression. And the benches, well, they are a natural complement to the playground that says to residents, “this is a place you can relax.” While this will be the final Rock-the-Block project for 2019, with more than 30 homes and properties served and an increasing interest from an energized volunteer base, Neighborhood Revitalization is looking forward to working in more communities come 2020. 4
Money is Time is Money According to the latest study from the Independent Sector, volunteer labor in the United States is worth $25.83 per hour. With that figure in mind, we calculated that nearly half a million dollars were donated, inkind, through volunteer hours, to Pensacola Habitat this past year. Half a million! That huge contribution helps us meet a very crucial need in our region by building quality homes that are also affordable. What makes volunteers in our community so special and why are they concerned with keeping homes affordable for those around them? Imani Davis, a Habitat AmeriCorps member who works closely with volunteers, put it this way, “Pensacola is growing, but we possess the heart of a small town regardless and that’s what brings people out to give their time to the community; they take time out of their schedules to help out those in need.” She also points out that, “many volunteers make it a regular mission to volunteer and give back monthly; some, even weekly.”
by Kevin Thomas
the volunteers she works alongside, “I appreciate the spirited attitude of service and the authentic and instantaneously cultivated bonds between volunteers and the community. Seeing these relationships working side by side towards neighborhood progress is the epitome of what we hope to accomplish with our service opportunities.” On any given day, volunteers across Northwest Florida, with a wide range of interests, backgrounds and experiences, are coming together, building relationships, and taking on major issues like the rising cost of housing. This incredible sense of community is inherent in each of our hearts, but it will take many hands to build and sustain a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We are counting on you. Join us today! Contact kthomas@pensacolahabitat.org Upcoming Volunteer Orientation Dates: • October 17, November 7, November 21 • All dates have times at 12 PM and 5:30 PM at 307 North E. Street.
Faith Higgins, a leader on Pensacola Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization team, also recognizes something distinct about
A Lesson on Our Roots
On September 20th, a group of five staff members went to Azalea Trace to inform them on everything new going on at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. What we didn’t expect is for them to educate us. Most of them were a part of the beginning of Pensacola Habitat and have been volunteering ever since. They shared stories dating 38 years back, shedding light on how much we have grown as a community and an organization. Pensacola Habitat would not be what it is today without their support and dedication throughout the years. To find out more about how you can make a difference in your community, visit pensacolahabitat. org/volunteer.
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All of the wonderful attendees of our Azalea Trace event along with Pensacola Habitat representativess.
Our ReStore
Last year,Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore space moved locations, and the additional space allowed it to become a true treasure trove of donated furniture and appliances. If you are searching for a new couch or a unique dining room set, the ReStore has these and more. You can also donate your gently used furniture or appliances to the ReStore with free pickup. Your donation and purchase directly impacts our mission at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity because we earn 100% of the proceeds from all sales. Instead of visiting another thrift store, consider choosing us to help build homes in our own community. If you would like to donate: Please call (850) 476-0001. The hours for our ReStore are 9 AM-6 PM Monday to Saturday.
The ReStore sells a variety of gently-used furniture like the dining set pictured above.
Visit today! 6931 N 9th Avenue Ste. 29 Pensacola, FL 32504
Golf & Give
A couple golfers from our 2018 golf tournament enjoying their time
by Aaron Rogers
Our 4th annual Habitat FORE! Humanity golf tournament will be held on December 6th. We are excited to again be working with EXIT Realty and Scenic Hills Country Club to raise $60,000, which includes a generous $30,000 match from EXIT. This year’s tournament will bring together 140 golfers along with local food and drink vendors. In addition to the tournament, we will be holding a silent auction featuring goods and services from local businesses. There are still available spots for golfers, sponsors and vendors! Visit www.golfforhomes.org or contact Kristin O’Bryan at kobryan@ pensacolahabitat.org to get involved today.
The lineup of golfers ready to play in 2018
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A Shining Example on E. Street This downtown dream home located at 307 N. E St. in Pensacola features some popular amenities, front porch, large laundry room, Energy Star appliances, and storage room. This home won the Parade of Homes award for homes priced at $210,000 and under. There are so many people in the community who came together to make this happen. We would like to recognize our volunteers who came out to help build this home: Ohio State University brought a group of volunteers out and had the framing completed in one week. Once the house was built, Procter & Gramble (P&G) donated cleaning supplies. Without the support of our donors and community we would not be able to fulfill our mission of building homes, communities and hope. To donate or get involved, call our office at (850) 434-5456.
Open House Dates Tuesdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Thursdays 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Every Third Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM October • Tuesdays: 15, 22, 29 • Thursdays: 10, 17, 24, 31 • Saturday, October 19 November • Tuesdays: 5, 12, 19, 26 • Thursdays: 2, 14, 21, 28 • Saturday, November 16 December • Tuesdays: 3, 10, 17, 31 • Thursdays: 5, 12, 19, 26 • Saturday, December 21
Our beautiful E. Street model home! Visit our Home Buyer Facebook page to learn more! facebook.com/habitathomebuyer
Make a donation today! Please consider a contribution to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Your donation will assist families in our community!
Name Address
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Look for my pledge online at pensacolahabitat.org/donate Enclosed is my donation of $
Please mail this slip along with your donation to: Pensacola Habitat for Humanity 300 W Leonard St Pensacola, FL 32501
P.O. Box 13204 • Pensacola, FL 32591-3204 Main Office 850-434-5456 Pensacola ReStore 850-476-0001
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Think you know Habitat? Think again. rethinkhabitat.org We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.
