A publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
December 2009
San Gabriel Valley Habitat works globally and locally
SGV Habitat for Humanity tithes to build homes in Cambodia. Because of our global commitment, we were invited to send a delegation to this year’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project (JRCWP), which took place at six build sites in five countries in the Mekong Delta. Our delegates were assigned to work on two of the 82 new homes built near Chiang Mai in Thailand, the main site for the multicountry Mekong Delta build. House #6 will be owned by Noppadon Sathipakaem (“Nop”) and his wife . He works on a used car lot, his wife is a seamstress who works from home, and they have a seven year old daughter. The three of them currently rent a tiny room, intended for only one person, from Nop’s employer. “It’s a strange feeling seeing everyone happy to volunteer their time and work together,” Nop said. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. I’m very proud and excited for my family to have a new house and to have these new friends.” House #7 will be owned by Chaowarit Sitthichaicharn (“Jack”) and his family.
He works for the Christian organization Kuang Wang which means “Life of Hope.” Jack lives with his parents who make and sell ice cream. Now this family of five which includes Jack’s sister, a psychology major at Chiang Mai Teachers College, and his brother who is also a university student, lives in one rented room in a dormitory. Jack’s father sleeps outside because the room is so crowded and small. Jack expressed his gratitude for Habitat leaders who champion the need for affordable housing for low-income families. He looks forward to moving into House #7 and participating in the new community at Nong Gon Kru. He is planning to start a program to teach music to the children who will live there. All of the new Habitat home owners in Thailand will move into their homes by December 18th. This experience of dawn-to-dusk physical labor inspired David and Donna Baker, Nathalie Flores, Barbara Hudson, John Mac Lean and his sister Anna, Rose McCabe, Randy Schenk, Esther Tam, Anil and Mickey Verma and their daughter
Pooja, Deane Winant, Sandy Yu and Sonja Yates, who saw the same tears of joy and hugs of gratitude that we regularly see from Habitat homebuyers in the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Habitat for Humanity delegate Randy Schenk summed up the week of long hours spent building in a letter to family members in Montenegro, “By the end of the week we were tired but felt very moved and satisfied when we saw the completed homes and experienced the gratitude of the new homeowners who had worked all week with us.” The need for safe, decent housing is basic and universal. Our delegates gained a deeper understanding of this reality and carried home a renewed commitment to touch more lives as rapidly as possible by building more and more Habitat homes. SGV Habitat for Humanity has built 54 homes through fundraising in the San Gabriel Valley and helped construct over 68 homes in other countries through tithe donations to Habitat for Humanity International. 1
— Habitat works Global
Xerox Steps Up Community Involvement at sherman Avenue
Ed Viramontes, Field Manager for Technical Services at Xerox wanted to help SGV Habitat for Humanity build homes. So he arranged for 33 Xerox employees, Owner/ Agents, retirees and family members from all over Southern California to participate in a workday at the Sherman Avenue homes site in Monrovia on October 17th. The overall group, led by Ron LaBrada and Ed Viramontes, was organized into six work teams, each with a designated leader to direct their tasks. Four of these teams (one per home) installed ground
fault circuits, base plugs, switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, television contacts and telephone jacks. The other two teams provided paint preparation and did other tasks needed around the site moving us ever closer to the day we hand over the keys to our families. Bob and Donna White provided breakfast and lunch for the group. To top things off, Xerox made a generous donation to the development of $6,000 through their Community Involvement Program for the privilege of being able to help.
The success of the day from the Xerox perspective was best summed up in a note sent after the event by Robert Nadel : “I wanted to thank you all for a great day! We all worked hard and finished a great deal of work. I hope we can come back when the homes are presented to the owners!!” We gratefully thank all volunteers who worked on the Sherman homes and made their occupancy that much closer, and we thank Xerox for its monetary contribution.
LA CANADA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH “GO JOURNEY”
In May, La Canada Presbyterian Church (LCPC) invited local nonprofit service agencies from across the greater Los Angeles area to participate in their “Go Journey” activities. The Go Journey program is a way for members of LCPC to connect with a ministry with the idea that it might lead to a consistent partnership between an individual or group. George Garfield, a member of SGV Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors, as well as a member of LCPC, led the Go Journey-SGV Habitat for Humanity partnership with help from Habitat’s Ecumenical Outreach Coordinator, Amy Borton. After two Sundays of spreading awareness of Habitat’s volunteer opportunities and successfully recruiting construction volunteers, 16 GO volunteers worked at the Kenwood Homes build in Glendale. Thank you to George and all those from La Canada Presbyterian Church for giving your weekend to touch the lives of Habitat families!
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— Habitat works Local
Habitat Benefit Dinner AND Auction
On Sunday, October 11th, SGV Habitat for Humanity hosted Harvest for Habitat, a benefit dinner and auction, at a beautiful outdoor setting in La Canada. This was the first of a three-event series, “Homes for Habitat,” featuring themed fundraisers held at homes of Habitat supporters. The months of hard work and preparation paid off as nearly $12,000 was raised through ticket sales and both silent and live auctions. Keynote speakers were members of the Frausto family who moved into their Habitat home in 2007. They shared how having a house of their own has changed their lives. There was also a musical group, Blue Metro, which provided entertainment for the evening. Sincere appreciation goes out to the guests and auction item donors and bidders for making the day a success.
SGV Habitat for Humanity recognizes the passion and leadership of Ljiljana Grozdanic, chair of the Planning Committee for Harvest for Habitat, and sends sincere thanks for her ongoing support of our affordable housing work. Other special appreciation is extended to Jim Ciccolo, auctioneer and host, and to Planning Committee volunteers: Natalia Budilo and her daughter Gabriela, Ann Dougherty, Andy Goebel, Dominique Katkhouda, Juanita St. John, and Emi Tsuji. Don’t miss out on the fun of the next “Homes for Habitat” event! Mark your calendar now for May 1st for our Kentucky Derby Party. Watch our web site at www.sgvhabitat.org for release of details for this event.
Youth bake sale raises awareness
Children and youth at Pasadena First United Methodist Church adopted SGV Habitat as their mission project in November. They raised funds with bake sales and by filling Habitat house banks. Their efforts also helped educate the rest of the congregation about Habitat’s mission as they shared in conversation over cupcakes and cookies.
welcome damien
Damien Allen joined the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity staff September 1, 2009 as the Director of Corporate and Community Sponsorships. He is working to develop new partnerships with businesses and cities in our service area. Damien grew up in northeast Pennsylvania and later attend Bloomsburg University. Following his studies, he began to research ways to positively affect communities. His experience with Habitat started in 2002 with the Charleston, SC affiliate. He was promoted to Construction Manager upon completion of two years of AmeriCorps National Direct service. Twenty-six homes were completed for Charleston, SC area families from 2004 until he resigned in 2007. Damien then accepted the opportunity to work for a builder specializing in LEED construction and components of new urbanism in Mt. Pleasant, SC. This past June, Damien felt the desire to return to Habitat for Humanity in order to better serve families who need help. His search culminated in a position with the SGV affiliate. Damien enjoys working with and through others who share his passion for the work of Habitat for Humanity. He is committed to strengthening SGV Habitat’s committees and to growing volunteer leadership within our 31-community service area. If you want to get involved in this rewarding work, or if you have corporate or community sponsorship leads, please contact Damien at 626-230-8917 or via email at sponsorships@sgvhabitat.org. 3
— Habitat works Local
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity 400 South Irwindale, Azusa CA 91702 Tel: 626-387-6899 Fax: 626-387-6890 www.sgvhabitat.org Board of Directors Claus Agger-Nielsen, Jan C. Berensten, Michael T. Davitt, Tom Doud, Geroge Garfield, Donald W. Goodman, Jay Harvill, Cynthia Heydt, John Mac Lean, Daric Lee, Deborah A. Loveland, Paul McAnnally-Linz, Judd Reas, Janelle Williams, Howard Woo,
Staff Sonja L. Yates Executive Director Chris Olson Director of Construction & Procurement: Damien Allen Director of Corporate & Community Sponsorships Sayaka Ota Accountant Amy Borton Volunteer Coordinator Brittany Klaassen Youth Programs & Marketing Coordinator Sandy Yu Fund Development VISTA Catalina Velez Office Manager
ReStore Staff Bill Anderson Manager Michael Krecker Assistant Manager Megan Marotta ReStore Associate Eric Bridges ReStore Associate
art by Ana Wall-Davila
Ryan Greer ReStore Associate Ricky Brownlee Driver Jose Gonzalez Driver Craig Chew Sales David Hill Sales Michael Schutz Newsletter Editor
Merry Christmas from the Families, Board and Staff of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Linda Magarian Reporter
Please e-mail us so we can update your e-mail for our mailing list: info@sgvhabitat.org 4
Art by Ana Wall-Davila
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Harvest for Habitat
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Welcome Damien Allen
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LCPC “Go Journey”
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Xerox at Sherman Ave
SGVH Works Globally 1
Inside: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity 400 South Irwindale Avenue Azusa, CA 91702
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PASADENA, CA PERMIT NO. 224