world habitat day

World Habitat Day is a United Nations-designated event held on the first Monday in October each year. This is a day set aside to recognize the increasing need for decent, affordable housing worldwide.  This year, World Habitat Day (WHD) will be held on Monday, October 3rd.

From this year's WHD Handbook, here are a few statistics:

+ 1.6 billion people live in inadequate shelter -- 1 billion of whom live in slums (UN-HABITAT: 2006)

+ The number of people living in slums is expected to increase to 2 billion by 2030 (UN-HABITAT: 2006)

+ As of 2008, 18.6 million households in the United States were spending more than 50% of their income on housing (JCHS 2010)

+ There is not a single county in the United States where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford even a one-bedroom apartment at what HUD determines to be the Fair Market Rent. (NLIHC: 2006)

+ Owner-occupied housing has a beneficial effect on the local economy by increasing consumer spending, providing tax revenues and fees, and growing businesses and jobs. Building additional homes requires additional employees, goods, and services from the general economy (JCHS 2006)

+ Habitat for Humanity partners with lower-income families to build and repair safe, decent and affordable housing  through 2300 affiliates in 90 countries worldwide

+ On October 3, 2011, Habitat for Humanity will dedicate our 500,000th home in Kenya and raise the walls on our 500,001st home in New Jersey

So how can you get involved?

Wear your Habitat shirts, start a poster campaign at your school, make a donation, hold a fundraiser, volunteer with us, pray for us, write an article for your local paper or blog – the ideas are endless!

On Saturday, October 8^th our two ReStore locations will be holding a free E-Waste Recycling Event from 10am to 3pm to promote an environmentally-friendly, responsible lifestyle as well as to promote the work of Habitat for Humanity in the San Gabriel Valley.  Bring your electronics – regardless of their condition – to dispose in a safe way; all proceeds will benefit SGVHFH.


ReStore locations:
410 South Irwindale Avenue, Azusa 91702
770 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena 91106
626-387-6900


To learn more about World Habitat Day, please visit http://www.habitat.org/getinv/events/whd/

another earthquake

On September 18th, a 6.8 earthquake hit northern India and Nepal.  Hundreds of people have been affected by structural damage and power outages, with relief efforts thwarted by heavy rains and landslides. Over 250 homes have been destroyed in Nepal alone.  The death toll is close to 100, mostly in northeastern India, and has been reportedly mostly due to collapsed housing.

As a recent visitor to Nepal through our tithe partnership and the Everest Build last year, our affiliate is especially concerned about our loved ones in the area.  Please pray for the communities' speedy recovery and for the families of those who have died.

volunteer spotlight: Lorraine

Lorraine Reeves has worked with Habitat for Humanity at four different affiliates across the country (Washington D.C., Pomona, Northern Virginia, and San Gabriel Valley). Since March, she has committed about eight hours per week to helping out at SGVHFH, both in the office and in our Restore (a discount builder's surplus store). Lorraine's favorite thing about Habitat for Humanity is interacting with the older guys who volunteer--like the other day when she was showing them the thrills of the recently donated slap watches from our Azusa Restore. She says the funniest thing that's happened to her though, happened at another affiliate: she stumbled into a ditch. "I couldn't stop laughing," said Lorraine.

board of directors at geneva

A big thank you goes out to Claus Agger-Nielsen, Nicolas Alparaz, Tom Bunn and Deborah Loveland for coming out to volunteer at our Geneva Build this past Saturday.  These four individuals not only spent an afternoon pounding nails and sweating in the hot sun, but they also are four members of our Board of Directors.  Paul McAnnally-Linz, another Board member, is also half-way through his year-long sabbatical with Xerox as he helps our Director of Construction lead volunteers. These volunteers devote hours and hours each month (and Paul devotes hours and hours each day!) to leading our organization in an effort to eradicate poverty housing.

Row 1: Nick; Claus + daughter Nicole

Row 2: Debbie; Tom

Row 3: progress at site; Paul

Thank you for all the work you do!

volunteer spotlight at geneva

Pictured: Mike Brander, Bill Boyd, Bill Wofford

Mike Brander, Bill Boyd and Bill Wofford are three of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity's most dedicated volunteers. Whether they've been working with HFH for 22 years (Boyd) or a year and a half (Brander), these men are committed to making a difference with their spare time.

For Brander, rendering service became a full-time project when he retired. He was concerned with the housing opportunities available to people, and believes, as HFH does, that everyone should have a decent, safe place to live. That's why he's out on the construction site six days a week. Wofford also finds volunteering with HFH rewarding; in fact, he says, "There's nothing more fulfilling. You're working outdoors, working with people you enjoy, and always learning something new."

When asked what he would say to other members of the retired community who were thinking about getting involved with HFH, Brander said,"Come out and get a lot of friendships going. There are all sorts of people out here, and at the end of the day you feel like you've really done something." Wofford pointed out the flexibility of work with HFH, "You can come out any day, any time, and can do any job you want." While Wofford was talking specifically about the construction site, that flexibility is true of HFH's other volunteer opportunities too, which range from office work and fundraising to construction. Boyd, famous at Habitat for his sense of humor, merely promised, "Don't be nervous! It's better than daytime TV."

To get involved contact Amy Borton at volunteernow@sgvhabitat.org or call 626-387-6899.

update: tornado zones

The following has been taken directly from a HFHI publication for disaster response:

This spring’s violent, tumultuous weather has left weary communities throughout the United States grappling with immediate housing needs and long-term challenges in rebuilding.

Massive tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast, along with devastating floods along the Mississippi River, have left unprecedented damages in their wake. Full recovery will take years.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates in affected areas are well-positioned to handle disaster response initiatives locally, with support from the larger Habitat network. That support will come from HFH State Support Organizations, Disaster Corps volunteers, other affiliates and HFHI staff, among other possibilities.

Home rebuilding efforts in all the affected areas will vary, depending on the level of destruction and the resources available locally. Funding will come mostly from outside sources such as state and federal governments, with additional help coming from Habitat for Humanity International via online giving and corporate donations of money and gifts-in-kind.

progress at geneva

These pictures are from May 26 -- we are indebted to the many individuals who take time out of the workweek to volunteer on site, and also to a group from the Navy (thanks to Team Leader Daniza Kramer) for digging for hours in the hot sun!

number 6

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity’s work to provide affordable housing -- and your involvement in our work! -- has helped Habitat for Humanity International rank as the sixth largest homebuilder on Builder magazine’s top 100 list. With 6,032 closings in 2010, this is the second time Habitat for Humanity has placed in the top 10.

“Our placement on the Builder 100 list is a testament to what can be accomplished when people work together,” said Larry Gluth, Senior Vice President of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity International. “So many families in the United States and around the world face an incredible need for affordable housing, and this need only increases during challenging economic times. Habitat works every day to help these families, and we are grateful for the generosity of our donors, volunteers and advocates who have joined our efforts to help families obtain safe, decent and affordable homes and to strengthen communities.”

In 2010, SGVHFH helped more than 15 families obtain affordable housing and we have just started our next build of five townhomes planned for completion in 2012. Since 1990, our affiliate has built 54 homes and has completed exterior repairs on five homes.

We are thrilled that our work to provide affordable housing has contributed to this high ranking, and we are proud to help families obtain this dream.  Thank you to our supporters for their commitment to helping families in need!

The Builder 100 list is an annual compilation of the largest homebuilders in the country. In 2009, Habitat for Humanity ranked eighth on the list with 5,294 closings, marking the first time the organization made it to the top 10.

corporate partner: collins, collins, muir + stewart, llp

We recently had our first large volunteer group out at Geneva: 30 people from Collins, Collins, Muir + Stewart, a South Pasadena-based law firm and corporate sponsor.  CCM+S sent a lively, enthusiastic and hard-working group of employees to help dig out areas for our foundation work, fill sandbags (which is about as fun as it sounds), haul materials and re-do a portion of the sidewalk.  They also donated $3000 towards our Geneva Build, which was a huge help for our fundraising efforts.

Thank you CCM+S and especially Team Leader Ryan Harley for your incredible work!

community service policy

We are happy to work with people needing community service hours for school, work or court.  As with all volunteers, community service volunteers must attend a Volunteer Orientation, fill out a Volunteer Information Form and register with VolunteerUP.  All of your service hours must be scheduled with the Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Borton.  Changes or cancellations must be made by phone to Amy at 626-387-6899 x17 prior to the start of your shift.

The construction site is the preferred location for completion of service hours, but the Volunteer Coordinator will make exceptions for completion at the Azusa ReStore or office ONLY.