P.O. Box 13204 • Pensacola, FL 32591-3204 Main Office 850-434-5456 Pensacola ReStore 850-476-0001
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #554 Pensacola, FL
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HabiChat
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Volume 40, Issue 4, Spring 2021
40 Years of Volunteers
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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.
pensacolahabitat.org rethinkhabitat.org
FROM OUR CEO Board of Directors Mei Davis Chairwomen Gene Franklin Vice Chairman Michael King Treasurer Dick Baker Secretary Al Coby Dawn Brazwell Michele Dumond Rabbi Joel Fleekop Siobhan Gallagher Mike Lanwehr Matt Newcomer Dr. Charles Reese Betty Salter Josh Womack Sam Young
“We build people while we build houses.” - Betty Salter That is a fitting quote for April, which is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Those words come from a very special volunteer, Betty Salter, our first Executive Director and inspiration, who continues to add to the thousands of hours she and her husband James have dedicated throughout the past decades to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. This spring, Betty and James joined the celebration as we dedicated home number 1,400 and celebrated our 40th Anniversary. I cannot think of a better time to thank each of the many volunteers who have contributed their energy and skills to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. This stressful year has challenged us like no other. But we at Pensacola Habitat have adapted because we believe affordable homeownership helps create the conditions that free families from instability, stress and fear. Decent, affordable shelter provides families with a place to gather and grow. We are still in the early stages of recovery from this devastating pandemic, but with the continued support of our Board, staff, homeowners and volunteers, we are poised to continue our noble mission to bring people together to build homes, communities and hope. xt 40 years and beyond.
Sam Young, CEO
Chief Executive Officer
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
It’s been said that volunteers are the backbone of any nonprofit organization and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity holds no exception. For the past 40 years, thousands of volunteers have put forth their blood, sweat, and tears alongside us to help in our mission of building homes, communities, and hope. We know that without our volunteers, our organization would be nothing.
HabiChat Spring 2021: 40 Years of Volunteers
5th Annual Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival
“It’s easy to make a buck; it’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” -Tom Brokow
by Quinn Luehring Pensacola Habitat for Humanity hosted the Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival on March 12thand 13th at Community Maritime Park raising $60K to benefit their mission. It was estimated that 6,000 community members attended the event throughout the weekend, along with 150 volunteers and 26 local and regional food trucks. Attendees witnessed live performances by Five Flags Dance Academy, Dauphina Mermaid, Hired Guns, Tribe Zion, Goldmine, Time Travelers and Fortag. The beautiful weather made it easy for attendees to eat, drink and dance all weekend long. Congratulations to the winners of the Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival Tasting Competition:
EXIT Realty Partnership
by Jamie Welch
In January, EXIT Realty, N.F.I. presented a check to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity for $68,099, which included a $30,000 match from EXIT Realty Corp. International. EXIT hosts the Habitat FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament. In addition, EXIT’s brokers invited their friends to volunteer their time to help raise money for Pensacola Habitat and its mission. build an affordable home locally. Local and corporate members from EXIT Realty were on the worksite in March with their hard hats on, ready to join Pensacola
Aside from the money raised during the event, about $40,000 was donated as in-kind goods and services for the event. The Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival would not have been possible without the following loyal sponsors; Vista Event Productions, Bay Area Printing, Incee Netinai, Lewis Bear, Buffalo Rock, Cox, Cat Country, WEAR, L.A.S. Fencing & Event Rentals, City of Pensacola, Clear Title, Synovus, Scott Westmark with Allstate, Baptist Healthcare, Anchor Pest Control, Attorney Megan Fry and Clark Partington, Installed Building Products, Central Credit Union of Florida, Visit Pensacola and Community Bank. See you all at next year’s festival!
Wacked Out Weiner (Appetizer Champion), Eastern Shore Street Eats (Entrée Champion), and Joe’s Caribbean Cuisine (Dessert Champion). Eastern Shore Street Eats also won the People’s Choice Award Competition. Habitat for Humanity in their efforts towards affordable homeownership. “Together, we have raised almost $200,000 in the last four years,” said Randy Bricker, real estate agent at EXIT Realty. “My broker, as well as our franchise EXIT, have chosen Pensacola Habitat for Humanity as their corporate charity of choice. I started working with Pensacola Habitat on the Golf Tournament, and it’s grown to be one of the best tournaments in the area.”
pensacolahabitatfoodtruckfest.org hope exponentially. These corporate partnerships impact local families and indivduals right here at home.
EXIT Realty, N.F.I. has been a key part of the golf tournament for the past four years, securing sponsorships and teams for this fun-filled day. EXIT Realty has contributed to the mission of building homes, communities, and
For more information about how you can become a corporate sponsor , email cscott@pensacolahabitat.org
Make a donation today! Please consider a contribution to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Your donation will assist families in our community!
Name
For information about how you can volunteer, please visit pensacolahabitat.org
Address
City, State
Look for my pledge online at pensacolahabitat.org/donate Enclosed is my donation of $
Zip
Please mail this slip Pensacola Habitat for Humanity 300 W Leonard St along with your Pensacola, FL 32501 donation to:
HabiChat Spring 2021: 40 Years of Volunteers
Meet Morgan AmeriCorps Family Services Coordinator
Bringing Americans together to serve communities
By Carmen Curtis-Skowronski & Teresa DeBroux
By Shannon Lewis AmeriCorps is a federal agency charged with service and volunteerism in America. Each year, more than 270,000 individuals enroll in AmeriCorps to serve organizations and make a difference in communities across America. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to give their time and and talent to strengthen communities across our country. AmeriCorps members serve directly alongside nonprofit organizations to conquer our nation’s most crucial challenges. AmeriCorps members provide a term of service and during that time become essentially an “employee” of the affiliate they serve. AmeriCorps is a lot like the Peace Corps with the only difference being that Peace Corps members serve internationally, while AmeriCorps members serve in the United States only. Pensacola Habitat has been partnering with AmeriCorps for several years and together, they are making strides and blazing trails in the area of affordable homeownership locally.
Shannon, Morgan, and Emma - AmeriCorps members serving at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity To find out more about available positions, visit pensacolahabitat.com/jobs
Meet Emma
Meet Shannon
AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator
AmeriCorps Outreach Coordinator
By Crystal Scott
By Kristin O’Bryan
The Volunteer Services role at Pensacola Habitat for Humanity is arguably the most important. Serving and scheduling thousands every Emma - AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator year, Pensacola Habitat is known for its stellar and unique volunteer opportunities. In the summer of 2020, I received a cover letter and resume from the north end of the country from a woman who seemed too good to be true on paper. After interviewing Emma Field, I knew I had to have her on my team, and since August of 2020, Emma has certainly has not disappointed! She has a background in Civil Engineering and Project Management, but she has completed my team with her charismatic way. Emma is the definition of a team player, and always accepts new and different projects She has been able to successfully pull of the coordination of over 140 volunteers for our Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival, and she is poised to execute an amazing Faith Build in May! Emma came to Pensacola Habitat seeking a new and unfamiliar change. AmeriCorps has given her the opportunity to serve and we hope she will remain in the Pensacola Habitat family for years to come.
Shannon began her AmeriCorps journey with Pensacola Habitat in August of 2020. From the very beginning, she has had a strong passion for our mission and our community, partly because she went through our Shannon - AmeriCorps Outreach Home Buyer Program the year Coordinator before. Since August, Shannon has grown so much professionally. She has developed into an amazingly gifted writer (if you don’t believe me, read some of her articles in this issue and her blogs on our website). Shannon doesn’t see a challenge as a problem but an opportunity. When she is assigned a task that she has never done before, I have never heard her say, “I can’t do this,” her response is always, “I’ve never done this before, but I’m excited to learn how.” She is such an asset to not only our communications team but our affiliate and community. I am so glad Shannon chose to serve in AmeriCorps this year.
“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” - Max Lucado 4
Morgan is currently serving as our AmeriCorps Family Services Coordinator. She assists with Morgan - AmeriCorps Family Services Coordinator a wide variety of tasks for the Home Buyer Program for applicants who have not yet been approved as well as approved program participants. Morgan fields phone calls from people seeking information about our program requirements and assists with processing newly submitted applications. With her excellent technology skills, she is adept at co-hosting our virtual Home Buyer education workshops and quick at completing data entry tasks. Morgan participates in home selection meetings to provide property options to our customers and also meets with homebuyers to present the materials and options they will select for their future homes. Energetic and willing to tackle almost any task thrown her way, Morgan has been a valuable member of our Family Services team during her relatively short time at Pensacola Habitat, and we are lucky to have her.
Women Build 2021 is Here!
“I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere.”
AMERICORPS PLEDGE
“Act as if what you’re doing makes a difference, because it does.” - William James
by Siobhan Gallagher
the Save te! a D
WOMEN BUILD 2021
Week! d l i u B
Saturday, October 2nd, Tuesday, October 5th Saturday, October 9th Pensacola Habitat for Humanity’s 8th Women Build volunteer sign up has started! Women Build is an annual community build event that brings people together to construct a new home for a family in our community.
houses! As a Women Builder, you will learn skills such as fundraising, home construction and job site safety. Through your participation you build confidence, meet people, and give back to our community, all while having a great time!
Why choose to participate in Women Build? During Women Build, we build more than
For me, the true highlight of each Women Build is always meeting the Home Buyer. It is
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so inspiring to meet the family that will own the home being built! You can meet our 2021 homeowner, Kay and hear more about her story by visiting the Women Build 2021 webpage. I hope to see you and your pink hardhat on the job site! To learn more about how you can get involved, please visit us at womenbuild.pensacolahabitat.org
Faith Build
HabiChat Spring 2021: 40 Years of Volunteers
by Emma Field
Faith Build 2021 is right around the corner. In just a few weeks, volunteers from local churches and faith-based organizations will come together to put their faith into action and help to build a home for a Pensacola Habitat for Humanity Home Buyer! What makes Faith Build so special is that it brings together people from different religions for one common goal…to build an affordable home for someone in our community. We have added some exciting new things to Faith Build this year, including a fundraising and incentive program! This year, we encourage all Faith Build participants to fundraise any amount to go toward the cost of building the Faith Build home. With the new incentive program, all Faith Build 2021 participants will receive a green Faith Build hard hat and a t-shirt. Each year following, each participant will receive a special incentive based on the number of years they
have participated in Faith Build. We will also be holding a celebration picnic the first week of May where Faith Builders can meet each other and meet the Pensacola Habitat Home Buyer who will be living in the Faith Build home! Thank you to Temple BethEl, the Baha‘i Community of the Emerald Coast, the UWF Muslim Student Association, First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, First Church Milton, Olive Baptist Single Adult Ministry, and New Beginnings Anointed Christian Center for signing up teams for Faith Build this year! Faith Build is the perfect opportunity to take your ministry out into our local community and develop connections with Faith Builders from other congregations nearby! By participating in Faith Build, you are serving as an advocate for affordable housing by generating awareness about its importance. Questions? Email efield@pensacolahabitat.org
The House that Beer Built
by Quinn Luehring
approximately $100 and Pensacola Habitat is selling them for $30/each. HabiHour Guide deals can be redeemed through April 1, 2022.
Did you know that the city of Pensacola is ranked 9th in the United States for having the most breweries per capita? It’s no surprise that Portland, OR takes the lead for the highest number of breweries. But with more and more breweries popping up in town, Pensacola is not far behind! This is one of the reasons Pensacola Habitat has partnered with local breweries and bars for their first-ever House That Beer Built campaign. Community members and brew lovers alike can purchase ‘HabiHour Guides’ that include coupons and discounts for participating vendors. This year’s participating vendors include Big Top Brewing Company, Blend Lounge, Coastal County Brewing Company, Emerald Republic Brewing, Graffiti Pizza, Islander Lounge, Odd Colony Brewing Company, Pensacola Bay Brewery, Perfect Plain Brewing Co., St. Michael’s Brewing Company, Taco Agave, The Dock and World of Beer. Each HabiHour Guide has a value of
All of the proceeds from purchased HabiHour Guides will go directly to building a house for a future Home Buyer. Participating vendor employees will have the opportunity to build that very house in The House That Beer Built. A big shoutout goes to our campaign sponsor, Bay Area Printing for supplying us with the printed HabiHour Guide Books. What’s better than a cold beverage after a long day? A FREE cold beverage after a long day that supports amazing efforts from an amazing local non-profit. To purchase your HabiHour Guide, please visit housethatbeerbuilt.pensacolahabitat.org
Publix Contribution
by Jamie Welch
Publix Super Markets Charities presented Pensacola Habitat for Humanity with a check for $30,000 in January. That donation will go towards building a home and will help to bring the community together to help fulfill the common goal of removing obstacles to homeownership for individuals and families willing to commit to the journey. Local Publix employees will be sharing their passion for affordable homeownership by volunteering their time on the construction site as soon as COVID-19 precautions are lifted. This is the fourth consecutive year Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has graciously received a significant contribution from Publix Super Market Charities. “A home often represents stability and independence in one’s life. In what has already been a difficult year, there are far too many people in our country struggling with housing insecurity,” said Publix Super Markets Charities Executive Director Kelly Williams-Puccio. “Publix Charities remains committed to supporting partners like Pensacola Habitat for Humanity to help build hope in our communities. We are proud to carry on the legacy of George Jenkins, our founder, to do good, together, for those in need.” Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as Mr. George, believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the foundation with the vision that it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. For more about how you can donate, visit pensacolahabitat.org/donate
“The greatest gift you can give is your time.” - John Mulhall
ReStore Volunteers
by Shannon Lewis
The ReStore is another integral part of Pensacola Habitat and has been gaining momentum and picking up steam. Centrally located, the convenience of the ReStore draws a crowd of customers, volunteers, and donors. The ReStore uses roughly 10-15 volunteers in any given month. Those volunteers are tasked with doing everything from dusting and sweeping to putting out merchandise and unloading trucks. For those men and women who are looking to make a difference and develop muscles and upper body strength at the same time, there is a pretty regular need for volunteers to help unload entire truckloads of items when they get donated. Just like every other part of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, the ReStore wouldn’t be what it is without its volunteers. As the momentum continues, the need for volunteers will rise. Consider volunteering today!
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For more information about volunteering at the ReStore, visit pensacolarestore.org/volunteer