Habitat Builder Newsletter - August 2014

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, Inc. 400 South Irwindale Avenue Azusa, CA 91702

2014 AUGUST NEWSLETTER

A Publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity | Issue 6.9 August 2014

A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE.

ATWATER VILLAGE RESTORE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE PAGE 2

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Volunteer Opportunities In Memoriam - Pat Myers

PAGE 3 Four Ways to Give When You Shop Meet the Hard Hat Council

INSERT Donor Recognition Save the Date! Volunteer Recognition Habitat Builder is published bi-monthly by San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity Inc. 400 S Irwindale Ave., Azusa, CA 91702. Periodicals Postage Paid at Pasadena, CA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to SGV Habitat for Humanity, 400 S. Irwindale Ave., Azusa, CA 91702 Tel: 626-387-6899 Fax: 626-387-6890

BACK Oscar Hernandez Earns Doctorate CONNECT

WITH US

OSCAR HERNANDEZ EARNS DOCTORATE

HABITAT FAMILY MEMBER GRADUATES FROM LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY

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scar A. Hernandez received his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Loma Linda University June 16, 2013. He attended Glendale High School and graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 2008. It was after having back surgery and going through physical therapy himself that he became interested in the profession. While he was taking pre-requisite classes and earning volunteer hours, he was able to put in many hours of work on his family’s new home because he had a flexible schedule. “I was there for digging the foundation, installing plumbing and windows, putting up drywall and painting. It was the first project with a subterranean garage and an elevator and a wheel chair lift. That was important because my brother Kevin Huerta has cerebral palsy,” Oscar said.

“One of my neighbors is also in a wheel chair.”

Kenwood is an 11-home condominium development. Each home has a two-car, semi-subterranean garage. The three-bedroom, 1½-bath

units rise two stories above the garages. Two of the units have been modified for handicap accessibility. Oscar, his brother and three sisters moved into their Kenwood home in 2010. Now two of his sisters are married with families of their own.

Kevin is in school and Oscar has moved back home. He is working at Cedars Sinai Hospital and is 8-weeks into his residency in the Neurology Department. He is the first resident in the new program.

Oscar’s great work ethic and compassion for others truly shows.We wish Oscar all the best in his quickly advancing career and would like to congratulate him on his many achievements thus far.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND COMING SOON!

facebook.com/sgvhabitat twitter.com/sgvhabitat instagram.com/habitatsgv SAVE THE TREES

FOR OUR HOMES Sign up for an e-copy of the Habitat Builder on our website www.sgvhabitat.org

ave you heard the news? SGV Habitat is currently hard at work rehabbing a massive retail space in Atwater Village, soon to be the affiliate’s largest ReStore yet! Within the 15,000 square-foot building, shoppers from Atwater Village, Glendale, and surrounding communities will find thousands of home maintenance product choices and bargains galore! Dave Hahn, Hahn Contractors, Inc. is responsible for the transformation of this ReStore property and has been hard at work refurbishing the weathered buildings. ReStores are a program strategy of Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation. Net operating income supports SGV Habitat’s affordable housing work for the benefit of low-income families who need homes that are safe and decent.

Easy access from the 134 Freeway and popular surrounding businesses makes Atwater Village a prime location for ReStore customers. There is room for more than 50 parking spaces at the Atwater Village ReStore which will vastly improve customers’ shopping experience.

Another plus is that access at the railroad crossing

from Broadway (Glendale) across to Brazil (Atwater Village) will be open by the time the Atwater Village ReStore opens. The new ReStore sign will guide shoppers and donors to the parking lot and main entrance.

Planning for the Grand Opening event is underway.

Partnerships with local businesses and volunteers who are ReStore enthusiasts are needed to disseminate fliers and spread the word. The Grand Opening event will be a day to remember with a plethora of new and used items up for sale, music, great food, and valuable giveaways. Keep your eye out for the Grand Opening date! Don’t miss this milestone event!

Check out the list below to learn more about how you can contribute to the Atwater Village ReStore’s success. If you’ve never shopped at or donated to a ReStore, give it a try! You will not be disappointed—and you’ll enjoy the experience. Find the ReStore nearest you at sgvhabitat.org/restores.

Have items to donate? Call our new Atwater Village ReStore phone number (818-550-SHOP).

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

SIX WAYS YOU CAN HELP MAKE THE NEW RESTORE A HUGE SUCCESS

• Donate new and used household items & building materials to ensure the new ReStore is fully stocked (818-550-SHOP)

• When the Grand Opening date is announced, share event information on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter

• Sign up to volunteer at the new ReStore site and help with community outreach efforts (626-387-6899 x17)

• Ask your employer to donate new and used items, offer pro bono services, or plan an Office Volunteer Day (626-387-6899 x17)

• Spread the word about the new Atwater Village location to friends and family: 5201 San Fernando Road West, 90039

• Visit our Azusa and Pasadena ReStore locations to check out great items

TIMELAPSE

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

WEEK 6

WEEK 7

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

SGV HABITAT LEADERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elaine Wilkerson, President Greg Barsamian, Vice President Nicolas Alparaz, Treasurer Andrew Pittroff, Secretary Thomas S. Bunn III Glen Dawes Ann Dougherty George Hernandez Robert Law John Mac Lean Kelly Nardoni Herb Rim

STAFF Sonja L. Yates, Executive Director Damien Allen, Director of Construction Catalina Velez, Office Manager Sayaka Ota, Accountant Brenton Kelly, Marketing Manager Chelsea McHenry, Volunteer & Youth Programs Manager Linda Bermudez, Grants & Partnerships Manager Marty McBride, Family Services Coordinator Michael Escarzaga, Assistant Construction Superintendent Lindsay Lesher, Assistant Construction Superintendent

RESTORES Micah Hillis, Pasadena ReStore Manager Merrick Drake, Pasadena ReStore Assistant Manager Matt Vincent, Azusa ReStore Manager Cesar Baltazar, Azusa ReStore Assistant Manager

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FOUR WAYS TO GIVE WHEN YOU SHOP

CHESTNUT HOMES FRAMING BEGINS! CREW LEADERS NEEDED!

oundations have been poured at Chestnut, and our construction team is gearing up for daily volunteer opportunities! Available volunteer dates have now been posted for Chestnut, current repair projects and the ReStores. Please go to our website to select all dates you want to volunteer. Be sure to add your name to the list of volunteers interested in updates so you can be “in the know” about all volunteer opportunities and events at SGV Habitat for Humanity. Come out and help our new Habitat families build their homes! When you meet the Chestnut families you’ll be inspired by their stories, their goals and their achievements.

Are you interested in volunteering regularly at the new Chestnut Homes site? Do you have construction skills and experience through

home improvement projects or at a previous Habitat site? Do you like leading others and encouraging them in their work? If so, SGV Habitat is interested in you!

And, we hope you are interested in leading volunteer crews who will help build affordable homes that will transform the lives of those who purchase and live in Habitat homes.

Crew Leaders are capable people who volunteer on a regular basis and work closely with our construction staff.

Damien Allen, Director of Construction, will supervise and provide training for Crew Leaders. Crew Leaders will guide and oversee the work of less experienced individuals and groups as they work on designated tasks at the build site. If you are interested, check out the job description for this volunteer position online (sgvhabitat.org/volunteer).

Contact Chelsea McHenry volunteernow@sgvhabitat.org | 626-387-6899

In Memoriam

The next time you’re headed to that big box home improvement center, visit a Habitat ReStore first! Our affiliate operates two ReStore locations that feature 8,000 square feet of building supplies including hardware, doors, windows, lighting, kitchen cabinets and appliances, bathroom sinks, plumbing and electrical supplies, tile, paint, tools, furniture and too many surprises to list. Everything is priced at least 30% below retail — come check out our great deals!

Learn more about Habitat’s ReStores and find a location near you at sgvhabitat.org/restores

RALPHS SGV Habitat receives a donation check quarterly from Ralphs for up to 4% of all registered supporters’ purchases. Register in store or online at www.ralphs.com. If online, click on “Sign In/Register” and then click on “New Customer”.

In store? Ask the clerk to scan the barcode below along with your Rewards Card or your linked phone number.

VROMANS BOOKSTORE Participate in Vroman’s Gives Back Program and one percent of each purchase you make will go to San Gabriel Valley Habitat! Sign up with Vroman’s and let them know you support SGVHFH. Then, every time you purchase something, 1% of your purchases will be donated to Habitat. There’s no cost to you, thanks to the kind folks at Vroman’s, but you do need to tell the cashier that you are a Vroman’s Give Back member for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

To learn more about the program and to sign up online, go to sgvhabitat.org/vromans

AMAZONSMILE

Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible Amazon purchases to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity whenever you shop on AmazonSmile. The great thing about it?

AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know - all that’s different is the link.

Access the Habitat link for AmazonSmile at sgvhabitat.org/amazonsmile

MEET THE HARD HAT COUNCIL

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1919 - 2014

e pay tribute to Pat Myers, one of San Gabriel Valley Habitat’s founders and most involved and influential volunteers who served as the affiliate’s first CFO, the first chair of the Family Selection Committee and who also spearheaded volunteer management and public relations work for the young affiliate.

Pat cared deeply about housing lowincome families and employing the Habitat for Humanity homeownership model to address housing needs throughout the San Gabriel Valley. We are saddened by the loss of such an inspirational and compassionate woman.

RESTORES

HARD WORKING INDIVIDUALS PRODUCE NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

PATRICIA (PAT) MYERS

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QUICK AND EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT HABITAT THROUGH EVERY DAY SHOPPING!

Nineteen Habitat families helped build their own homes while Pat was involved, from the chartering of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity in 1990 through completion and sale of most of the Euclid Homes in Duarte.

The love and energy that Pat brought to our affiliate will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

If you would like to honor the memory of Pat Myers, please donate online (sgvhabitat.org), send a check with a note designating your gift to honor Pat, or contact Accountant Sayaka Ota (626-387-6899 x14 or accounting@sgvhabitat.org).

tudies of the work of Habitat for Humanity show that it takes about 10 hours of behind-the-scenes work for every nail that goes into building a Habitat home!

Like sister affiliates across the nation, SGV Habitat accomplishes this critical behind-the-scenes work through an extensive array of volunteer committees, councils and boards.

In this Habitat Builder issue we recognize the work of the Hard Hat Council. This Council, chaired by long-term Director John Mac Lean, is comprised of members who are passionate about the work of Habitat for Humanity. The primary charge to this Council is to secure gifts-in-kind and pro bono services to ensure that the homes SGV Habitat builds really are affordable.

Notable achievements of members of the Hard Hat Council include: • Securing an architectural firm to design the Desiderio site plan, develop cost effective floor plans for the Desiderio Homes, and shepherd all early stages of Desiderio work through the Predevelopment Plan Review (PPR) with City of Pasadena.

These pro bono services started in 2006 and continue as the Desiderio Homes come online in 2015. Savings to the affiliate are now well over $50,000.

• Securing gifts-in-kind and pro bono services for the Kenwood Build and for tenant improvements for the Azusa and Atwater Village ReStores.

• Conducting small (up to $10,000) annual fundraisers to benefit SGV Habitat.

• Facilitating property donations such as the Elmira Apartments donated by Chase Bank.

• Donating and securing gifts-in-kind and pro bono services for the Chestnut and Desiderio Homes.

The Hard Hat Council offers our heavy hitter supporters creative options for making a difference through annual cash donations to the organization, procurement of quality pro bono services and gifts-in-kind of needed materials for builds or for ReStore inventory.

The Hard Hat Council meets monthly on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.

There is always sharing among the HHC members about the successes they have had in raising funds and brokering goods and services for the affiliate’s work. There is also the opportunity for Hard Hat Council members to hear updates on the affiliate’s progress, accomplishments, strategic goals, and future plans.

Current Hard Hat Council members are: Alex Agajanian, Bob Law, Chris Burau, Damien Allen, Donna Baker, George Smith, Gregg Whittlesey, Jay Tsang, Jeff Throop, Joan McCarthy, John Mac Lean, Robert Picardo, Tom Doud and Vince Quinones.

If you would like to serve on the Hard Hat Council or other behind-the-scenes committees, please contact Sonja Yates at 626-387-6899 x13.