A publication of the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
October 2010
photos by Pam Remai & Jefferson Palmer
MEET THE CREATORS OF SGV HABITAT’S NEW PHOTO DOCUMENTARY
Pam Remai and Jefferson Palmer are the photographers who documented the entire Kenwood build. Using those images, Pam created a masterful documentary of the recently completed Kenwood Street build in Glendale. You can see this new presentation and hear the heartfelt comments shared by homeowners and volunteers. Go to www.sgvhabitat.org to experience the talents that Pam and Jefferson have shared as volunteer photographers. You can also view the entire collection of still photos taken over the 32 months of construction by these talented artists at pamremai.com. SGV Habitat is tremendously grateful to Pam and Jefferson for creating this outstanding new presentation
which will inspire all who see it to join hands and hearts with SGV Habitat for Humanity so more lives can be touched through local building. Guest reporter Nancy Weckwerth recently interviewed Pam and Jefferson and shared that watching the couple take photos of one another for this article was an experience into the energy of true artists. Asked when he realized his dream was to be a professional photographer, Jefferson replied,
“I think I’ve always known. By the time I was 13, I was a photo geek, taking pictures and developing them myself.” Pam realized photography was her calling when she became aware
that she would lose track of time when she was taking pictures. The couple met at Brooks Institute of Photography. After graduating, they moved to Atlanta and then to South Africa before returning to the U.S. where they settled in Pasadena. Soon thereafter, they decided to attend one of SGV Habitat’s monthly Volunteer Orientations. Within a few days they were asked to document the Kenwood build through photography. “The moment I got on the Kenwood site, I knew it was right,” Pam explained. “The challenge was to keep a fresh eye, time after time, day after day, as the homes emerged.”
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Board of Directors Claus Agger-Nielsen, Jan C. Berentsen, Michael T. Davitt, Ann Dougherty, Tom Doud, George Garfield, Donald W. Goodman, Jay Harvill, Cynthia Heydt, John Mac Lean, Daric Lee, Deborah A. Loveland, Paul McAnnally-Linz, Judd Reas
Staff Sonja L. Yates Executive Director Damien Allen Construction Mario Federis AmeriCorps Direct, Construction Sayaka Ota Accountant Amy Borton Volunteer Coordinator James Burke
Coordinator of Youth Programs & Fund Development Support
Mike McGowan Coordinator of Support Services & Marketing Catalina Velez Office Manager
ReStore Bill Anderson Manager Michael Krecker Assistant Manager Eric Bridges Assistant Manager Sara Timberlake ReStore Services Development AmeriCorps VISTA Ricky Brownlee Driver Aaron Henrichs Driver Erik Kristiansen Sales Associate Craig Chew Sales Associate David Hill Sales Associate Sean Leavelle Sales Associate
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Pam and Jefferson have big dreams for themselves, their careers, and for the community in which they live. When asked what advice they would give to all of us about living our dreams, Jefferson stated,
“Be true to yourself. If you’re doing something you love, you may not become rich or famous, but your chances improve.” Throughout the months when the Kenwood homes were under
construction, Pam and Jefferson saw the joy and pride of 11 Habitat families as they achieved the dream of homeownership. Just as the Kenwood homes were dedicated, the couple realized their own dream of homeownership as they purchased their first home in Altadena. Special thanks to: Nancy Weckwerth Guest Reporter Realtor – Dilbeck Real Estate
Micah Hillis Sales Associate Nancy Weckwerth Guest Reporter Robert Picardo Hard Hat Council, Guest Reporter
San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
photos by Pam Remai & Jefferson Palmer
400 South Irwindale, Azusa CA 91702 Tel: 626-387-6899 Fax: 626-387-6890
WELCOME SARA TIMBERLAKE
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In August, Sara joined SGV Habitat for Humanity as the ReStore Services Development AmeriCorps VISTA. Sara is a recent graduate of Berea College, a small liberal arts college in Kentucky. She is a Kentucky native, moving to California only a few days before her VISTA position began. Sara has experience with Habitat for Humanity through her
work with the organization during college, serving for a year as the leader of the Berea College Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter. Throughout the coming year, Sara will be working to help SGV Habitat for Humanity’s two ReStores, located in Pasadena and in Azusa, by developing a system to increase repeat donors to the ReStores, creating a system to increase the number of returning volunteers to the ReStores and engaging ReStore clients as donors for SGV Habitat for Humanity. Aside from working for SGV Habitat, she enjoys hiking, listening to music and reading philosophy.
WELCOME JAMES BURKE
James Burke is the newest addition to the SGV Habitat for Humanity family, serving as the new Youth Programs Coordinator and providing support for fund development. James was born and raised in the Bay Area
in the town of Antioch. After high school, James attended Azusa Pacific University. There, he pursued his passion for athletics and played football—wide receiver from 20042008. He was also part of the track team, running high hurdles and throwing the javelin from 2005-2009. It was through his experiences at APU that James discovered a calling to mentor, coach, and inspire youth. He worked at Kanakuk Kamps in Branson, Missouri over four summers and served as a substitute teacher for Western Christian High School. He graduated from APU with a B.A. in Psychology in 2008 and a M.A. in Organization Leadership in 2010. As the Youth Programs
Star Trek fans believe in a brighter future, so they’re natural Habitat supporters. On Sunday, August 8th, I held my fifth benefit for SGV Habitat for Humanity in Las Vegas. I’m a Hard Hat Council member for SGV Habitat as well as a former hologram on Star Trek: Voyager. A dinner follows the conclusion of the yearly Star Trek Convention. This year we had about 35 attendees who each made a $50 contribution, paying for their own meal and bidding on Star Trek memorabilia. Executive Director Sonja Yates had recently given me a tour of the just-completed Kenwood homes. I want to give special thanks to the Nuno family for letting me visit their home! I also saw a wheelchair lift that had, in part, been funded by Star Trek fans from last year’s benefit. It was a great moment to share
Cathay Bank David Nakagaki photo taken by Mike McGowan
Bob Picardo’s Annual Benefit Dinner
Coordinator, James’ vision is to actively engage and ignite a new generation of student leaders within the San Gabriel Valley who are dedicated to the cause of eliminating substandard living. Through Campus Chapters, fundraising events and other exciting activities, he is finding ways to connect local youth with the mission of Habitat for Humanity. In providing support for fund development, he will build relationships with organizations and corporations, as well as create fundraising events for the local community. James’ leadership training and experience with youth make him a natural fit to advance the work of SGV Habitat for Humanity.
the inspirational things I had just seen; this year’s attendees could see how their money made a difference in a family’s life. The dinner brought in about $5,800 which will go toward the future “green” Geneva Project. I am grateful to my webmaster Patricia Arthur for organizing the event and my daughter Gina for running the live auction. Robert Picardo
Hard Hat Council Guest Reporter
Cathay Bank donated $10,000 to SGV Habitat for Humanity’s future “green” Geneva build. Groundbreaking is tentatively set for March 2011. We are extremely grateful for Cathay Bank’s generous gift which will be used to build future homes for families in need and appreciate the support of David Nakagaki, Vice President & Community Relations Officer, El Monte Branch
Find SGV Habitat Online www.sgvhabitat.org Facebook—www.facebook.com/sgvhabitat Myspace—www.myspace.com/sgvhabitat Flickr—www.flickr.com/photos/sgvhabitat Blogspot—sangabrielvalleyhabitat.blogspot.com Twitter—twitter.com/sgvhabitat 3
A MESSAGE FROM The Executive Director
I am delighted to share with you that San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has earned Charity Navigator’s 4-star rating for sound financial management for the third year in a row (2008, 2009, and 2010). This places our affiliate in the top 14% of all non-profits rated by Charity Navigator. Here are some of the key factors that earned our affiliate this prestigious recognition:
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Our affiliate has never had a default, foreclosure or resale of any of its Habitat homes in the 20 years of its existence. Our net assets have quadrupled since 2005. Our affiliate has no debt. Our administrative expenses
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are very low, so funds donated go directly to our affordable housing mission. Our affiliate operates two successful ReStores. We raise at least 2/3 of the cash needed for each build before ground is broken.
Our 54 Habitat families deserve much of the credit for our Charity Navigator recognition. They faithfully attended Homebuyer Education classes while their homes were under construction, and they are diligent in making their Habitat mortgage payment on time each month. Our hard-working staff members also have contributed to this achievement. They could earn more in other job sectors, but they have chosen nonprofit service because they believe in the work of Habitat for Humanity. As I send this message of good news, I give heartfelt thanks to you for showing your confidence in our work through your regular and generous donations. We are almost to the fundraising goal that will qualify
our affiliate to break ground for the five, sustainable Geneva homes, and the Glendale Housing Authority approved the Geneva Disposition and Development Agreement with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity on October 5th. What a joy it is to be on track to touch many more lives in the San Gabriel Valley as our resources grow. Please celebrate with us and share this good news! Blessings and sincere thanks, Sonja L. Yates Executive Director
www.charitynavigator.org
Please e-mail us so we can update your e-mail for our mailing list: info@sgvhabitat.org 4
Charity Navigator Recognition
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Cathay Bank Donation
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Bob Picardo’s Annual Benefit
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Welcome: James Burke
Welcome: Sara Timberlake 2 New Kenwood Documentary
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Inside San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity 400 South Irwindale Avenue Azusa, CA 91702
NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID PASADENA, CA PERMIT NO. 224
Every time you use your Ralphs Rewards Card after it is linked (#82343), San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity will receive 1% of your purchase amount. You can sign up in the store or online at www.ralphs.com. How it works
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Make copies of this form and give the copies to members of your organization who wish to enroll with your organization, but do not have access to register online. DO NOT remove these instructions from this letter. These instructions are necessary for the cashier in order to process the link between your card and your organization at the register. Participants take this form the next time they go shopping at Ralphs and hand it to the cashier to scan within their order IN ADDITION to either their Ralphs rewards card, or phone number entry that is linked to their rewards card. Within 72 hours, participants will then begin giving a percentage of each shopping trip for the duration of the Community Contributions Term to your organization You only have to scan this letter once to create the link between your card and your organization. You must continue scanning your Ralphs rewards Card/phone number during all perchases to get credit for your organization. Ralphs is unable to credit an organization if card is not swiped during any transaction.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
Dragon Thrift Shop C/o St. George’s Episcopal Church 808 Foothill Blvd La Canada, CA 91011 HOURS: 10am to 2pm Closed Wedensdays & Sundays
Our deepest apologies to Lagerlof, Senecal, Gosney & Kruse, LLP for omission of their firm in the August Habitat Builder list of 2010 pro bono service providers. We extend our sincere thanks for the extensive pro bono services provided by this firm.
SUNGREEN SYSTEMS HELPS SGVHFH GO “GREEN”
Now is your opportunity
SunGreen Systems is proud to donate complete Photovoltaic Solar Systems to each of the five new San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity townhomes at the Geneva Build in Glendale. Each homeowner will enjoy lower electric bills while contributing to the health of our planet through use of their SunGreen solar system. While SunGreen Systems is covering the cost of the solar systems in full, SGVHFH is still raising money for the construction of the buildings themselves. You can help. If you are considering PV for your home or business, call SunGreen and present this advertisement. If you purchase a SunGreen solar system, we will donate $1000 in your name to SGVHFH for the Geneva Build project, SGVHFH's first "green" community. 12731 Ramona Blvd, Suite 208 Irwindale, CA 91706 Tel: 626-851-0008 Fax: 626-851-0001 www.sungreensystems.com
ReStore Hours
Pasadena
Monday-Saturday, 9:00am-5:00pm
770 North Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91103
OUR RESTORE LOCATIONS:
626.792.3838
Azusa
410 South Irwindale, Azusa, CA 91702 626.387.6900