Habitat Builder Newsletter - June 2009

A publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity

June/July 2009

photo by Randy Schenk

photo by Linda Hammes

photo by Randy Schenk

A Very Special Need Having a place to truly call “home� is something most of us take for granted.

These families can take nothing for granted. They have had to worry about safety for their handicapped sons in substandard living conditions, and they have constantly faced the possibility of having to move into another rental where caring for their special needs sons would be even more difficult.

We are honored to be able to support these families through homeownership and adequate accommodations for accessibility to their homes--but we need your help to build the unanticipated, but essential, lifts as well as bathroom accommodations for wheelchairs.

You can help these families and their special needs sons by designating your next SGV Habitat for Humanity gift for the Kenwood accommodations.

Donations can be made in any of these convenient ways: On-line at www.sgvhabitat.org By phone call to Sayaka Ota, Accountant, at 626-387-6899 x14.

In the return envelope in this newsletter issue Thank you for your generous response to this urgent need.

photo by Chris Bertrand

For the first time in San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 19-year history, we have the opportunity to build homes with and for two families who have profoundly handicapped sons. By coincidence, both of these boys, one age fourteen and the other age three, have hydrocephalus. Both are unable to walk and need constant care.

As these children are in wheelchairs, they require a lift to get them to the second story of their new homes where the bedrooms are, as well as a lift to get them from the garage to the ground level.

These families will live side-by-side so they can share both lifts.

To help these families with access to their homes for their sons, we are making necessary modifications to the two units they will soon call home. The total cost for the needed accommodations is $61, 261.

See Volunteer Thank You .....page 4 1

Board of Directors Claus Agger-Nielsen Jan C. Berensten Michael T. Davitt Tom Doud Geroge Garfield Donald W. Goodman Jay Harvill Cindy Heydt

Staff

Daric Lee Paul McAnnally-Linz Deborah A. Loveland John Mac Lean Judd Read Janelle Williams Howard Woo

Executive Director Sonja L. Yates

Accountant Sayaka Ota

Volunteer Coordinator Brittany Klaassen

Office Manager Catalina Velez

Special Projects Coordinator Linda Hammes

Ecumenical Outreach VISTA Amy Borton

ReStore Staff

Manager Bill Anderson

Assistant Manager Michael Krecker

Drivers Ricky Brownlee Jose Gonzalez

Sales Craig Chew David Hill Cashiers Megan Marotta Micah Hillis Paula Vargas

Newsletter Editor: Michael Schutz Reporter: Linda Magarian

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity 400 South Irwindale, Azusa CA 91702 Tel: 626-387-6899 Fax: 626-387-6890 www.sgvhabitat.org

Touching Lives by Building Continuously

A message from the Executive Director...

June 9th was a day filled with excitement and anticipation for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and the City of Glendale! Expressing their appreciation for and confidence in our local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, Glendale’s Housing Authority took unanimous action to enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to build five homes at 624-630 Geneva Street. During the next 14 months, City and SGV Habitat for Humanity will develop the details of a Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) that will advance the project to DDA approvals, entitlements, fundraising and groundbreaking. Cash in the amount of $600,000 must be raised, and gifts-inkind of building materials and pro bono services must be secured so that five more deserving, low-income families who live and/or work in Glendale will achieve the dream of homeownership. Ground will be broken when the benchmark

amount of $400,000 has been raised, and fundraising will continue until the full cash amount is on hand to complete the homes. Glendale’s own Elaine Wilkerson has agreed to chair the Geneva Campaign.

The Geneva Homes will be the seventh development built in partnership with the Glendale Housing Authority, and they will be SGV Habitat for Humanity’s first “green” build. The homes will be two-story, 1200 sf condominiums with common walls, 1 1/2 baths and a two-car garage for each home.

Other great news is that we are on the home stretch for completion of both the four Sherman homes in Monrovia and the 11 Kenwood homes in Glendale.

Sherman completion is expected by January, and the projected completion date for Kenwood is April-May 2010.

Our Board of Directors is committed to building continuously and eliminating lags between builds. In accomplishing these goals, we are touching more lives and building better neighborhoods and stronger communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

Please designate your next gift to SGV Habitat for Humanity for the Geneva Homes. Your faithful support of our affordable housing mission is a great blessing to families in need of a safe and decent home.

Thank you!

Stay Connected with SGV Habitat It’s easier than ever to stay connected with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Friend us on Facebook: search for “San Gabriel Valley Habitat” Friend us on Myspace: add us at www.myspace.com/SGVHabitat View our photos on Flickr: find us at www.flickr.com/photos/sgvhabitat Read our blogs at Blogspot: follow us at SanGabrielValleyHabitatblogspot.com Keep up on our status at Twitter: read our tweets at twitter.com/sgvhabitat Bookmark our website: www.sgvhabitat.org 2

Extraordinary Hearts Earn Special Recognition

photos by Randy Schenk

On a recent spring afternoon in a beautiful backyard setting, SGV Habitat for Humanity honored volunteers who have made significant contributions toward building affordable homes for deserving families.

The afternoon began with recognition of our “regulars”—the folks who are on the building sites day after day: Wally Anderson, Bill Boyd, Jim Davis, Virgil Graf, Wayne Kruse, Tom Lynn, Victor Sumann, Bill Weber, Bill Wofford and Chuck Wolski. They were serenaded by Centered in Song, a volunteer group of United Methodist Church employees, who sang, “Bless This House.”

The Loyal Order of the Bent Nail awards were given to extraordinary construction volunteers who have contributed over 200 hours at construction sites and who have given leadership to unskilled site volunteers.

Recipients were Jesus Diaz, Jim Lamdagan, Al Silliman and Bill Sjogren.

The Loyal Order of Helping Hands

awards went to volunteers who provide crucial behind-the-scenes work. They serve on committees, work with families, advocate for SGV Habitat for Humanity’s mission and provide continuous support for our work. Recipients included Essy and Connie Alamdari, Jan C. Berentsen, Joan Bouchard, Susan Clarke, Don Goodman, Tony Haynes, Sr., John Ingle, Jamie Keyser, Linda Margarian, Karen Norton, Monique Poon and Howard Woo. The Golden Heart award is given to volunteers who have given years of labor, financial support and leadership.

Their efforts have helped us build a firm foundation for contiuous building. These awards were given to Roger and Elizabeth Booth, Ruth Brager, Tom Doud, George Garfield, Cindy Heydt and Janelle Williams.

A highlight of the afternoon was the granting of the Ace Cain Humanitarian award, which is given in honor of the late John “Ace” Cain, one of the founders of the SGV Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Each year, this award is given to one

person who exemplifies the vision, spirit and hard work of our Habitat community and its founders. This year’s honoree is Vince Quinones, a man who has made an extraordinary impact on the effectiveness of our work.

All recipients received certificates acknowledging their community service from local and state officials and a plaque (from SGV Habitat for Humanity) designed for each category. In addition, our “regulars” received certificates from local restaurants to take their very supportive spouses out for an evening on the town.

The event was held at the lovely home of Essy and Connie Alamdari.

Attendees enjoyed the beauty of their yard, the awards ceremony and the delicious food provided by Ernie Jr.’s Taco House in Eagle Rock and dessert by St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Canada. SGV Habitat for Humanity is grateful for the giving hearts of its very special volunteers.

ReStores Bring Green Recycling to San Gabriel Valley Great news! The lease at 770 N. Fair Oaks has been extended for a full year.

This means that our Pasadena ReStore will be in full operation at this location at least through June 2010.

In addition, our Azusa ReStore is open with exciting and ever-changing inventory at 410 S. Irwindale Avenue, 91702. Both ReStores are open MondaySaturday from 9:00-5:00.

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to offer support for “green” lifestyles by offering valley

residents the opportunity to donate building materials that are reusable and in good condition. Free pick-up is offered for large items donated within our service area which extends from Azusa on the east to Sunland, Tujunga and Glendale on the west, and from the San Gabriel Mountains to the 60 freeway.

Inventory changes constantly, and smart shoppers visit our ReStores frequently so they don’t miss out on great buys! Windows, doors, tile, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, stoves, furniture, light

fixtures, hardware, nails and tools are regularly available and are priced at 1/3 to ½ retail costs depending on whether the item is gently used or brand new. Bill Anderson and Mike Krecker will welcome you and assist you with your purchases and donations.

By donating to or shopping at either of our ReStores, you are helping build more affordable homes for deserving low-income families in the San Gabriel Valley. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes.

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Thank You to Our Many Volunteers

photo by Christy Junrez

photo by Linda Hammes

photo by Mylene Neufarth

Sierra Madre’s Habitat Team joins Team Picasso (Irwindale) in making progress on the four Sherman homes in Monrovia soar dramatically! Habitat for Humanity is all about volunteers--from businesses like Picasso’s Café in Irwindale to churches like St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Sierra Madre-donating time and talent to make a difference in their communities. Call Brittany at 626-387-6899 x17 to get your group involved. Habitat hugs and our sincere appreciation go to all of our volunteers!

Please e-mail us so we can update your e-mail for our mailing list: info@sgvhabitat.org 4

Thanks to our Volunteers

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Our ReStores

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Volunteer Recognition

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Stay Connected

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Executive Director’s Message

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A Very Special Need

Inside: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity 400 South Irwindale Avenue Azusa, CA 91702

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