Building Homes - Building Hope

world habitat day

2011-09-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-21T09:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

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.

Affiliate responses may include cleanup and removal of debris; serving on a community’s long-term reconstruction committee; facilitating access to government support for low-income families; making home repairs; and new construction.

Throughout the disaster-affected regions, affiliates are assessing the damages to housing, tweaking their programs and charting a course for the “new reality.”

In hard-hit Birmingham, Alabama, the Habitat affiliate is looking to help 25-28 partner families who have reached out for assistance repairing their homes. NBA all-star Dwight Howard and his D12 Foundation are lending some star power to the recovery, partnering with Habitat Greater Birmingham to rebuild 10 homes damaged or destroyed by the April 27 tornadoes.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity found that more than a third of the 100 houses the affiliate had built over the years suffered some damage from a deadly tornado system that swept through Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, on May 22. Instead of continuing its focus on building new homes, the affiliate is considering dedicating its resources to repair the damaged houses.

In Joplin, Missouri — a city nearly flattened by an EF5 twister May 22 — the long cleanup has just begun. Scott Clayton, executive director of Joplin Area Habitat, reports that no homes built by Habitat had been destroyed in the storm and minor debris cleanup has already been completed for two partner families. The affiliate has been actively engaged in community discussions ever since the tornado struck.

Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity in nearby Springfield, Missouri, responded quickly to Joplin’s needs with truckloads of bottled water, baby supplies, ready-to-eat meals and snacks collected from its generous community.

Washington County, Virginia, Habitat for Humanity, is teaming up with United Way of Russell and Washington counties for a June 18 fundraising concert called “Operation No Place Like Home: The Relief Project.”

In Cleveland, Tennessee — one of dozens of Southeastern communities devastated by tornadoes April 27 — the Habitat affiliate leaders are already taking the long view of the road to recovery. They’ve secured a vacant Whirlpool plant to fill with donated building supplies — shingles, siding, lumber, windows, doors — to be used in the months and years ahead.

We ask that you please keep these affiliates, their homeowners, staff and volunteers in your prayers as recovery efforts continue in their communities.

progress at geneva

2011-05-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-23T17:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-11T16:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

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.

For students needing service hours to graduate, you will need to meet with Amy to go over the specific schedule you will follow to complete the hours. Submit any school paperwork for signatures needed. Each time you volunteer, a Habitat staff member must sign off on your Hours Form. You must also sign in and out on the regular sign-in sheet. Once your hours are completed, turn in the Hours Form to Amy via email, mail or fax (626-387-6890).

For employees of companies who require or reward community service, you will need to make arrangements with the Volunteer Coordinator to go over the service requirements and schedule. Submit any corporate paperwork for signatures needed. Each time you volunteer, a Habitat staff member must sign off on your Hours Form. You must also sign in and out on the regular sign-in sheet. Once your hours are completed, turn in the Hours Form to Amy via email, mail or fax (626-387-6890).

For court-ordered community service volunteers, you will need to meet in person with Amy. The organization does not work with court-ordered community service volunteers whose offense involves theft or is of a violent or sexual nature. You will need to turn in an Acknowledgment form prior to the start of your service, along with any relevant court documents. Each time you volunteer, a Habitat staff member must sign off on your Hours Form. You must also sign in and out on the regular sign-in sheet. Once your hours are completed, turn in the Hours Form to Amy via email, mail or fax (626-387-6890).

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

national volunteer week

2011-04-01T14:14:00.000-07:00

April 10-16 is the 2011 National Volunteer Week. SGVHFH is participating by honoring some of our long-time ReStore volunteers (spearheaded by our ReStore VISTA, Sara!) and our construction volunteers. For our volunteers headed to the construction site, we will have a drawing every day Tuesday-Friday for a small Habitat gift.

We can only do as much as our community allows us. Thank you, San Gabriel Valley, for supporting Habitat for Humanity for over 20 years!

japan

2011-03-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

Taken from Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific Update 03/18/2011:

As Asia-Pacific Update goes to press, Habitat for Humanity Japan is planning to mobilize people living in Japan to help with clean-up operations after last week’s earthquake and tsunami. Would-be volunteers are asked to register their interest at info@habitatjp.org even though it may be several weeks before work can begin. HFH Japan has also announced a fund raising appeal on its web site. In addition donations are being accepted onwww.habitat.org.

Habitat for Humanity International staff are in Japan assisting local Habitat staff to liaise with would-be partners and discussing with government authorities how to best support the relief effort in the still unfolding tragedy.

The 9.0-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on 11th March. The resulting aftershocks and tsunami destroyed homes, crushed cars and killed thousands of people. Major tsunami warnings were issued for New Zealand, the Philippines and Indonesia, and further afield.

HFH Korea is already stepping up to assist. Korea’s Joongang Daily reports HFH Korea will be offering HFH Japan materials and technical training for constructing temporary shelters. HFH Korea built 50 temporary houses for flood-affected families in 2006. HFH Korea has also joined hands with SK Telecom, Korea’s largest mobile phone operator, to seek donations via short messaging services.

Hotel group JW Marriott in Thailand is appealing to its associates for donations to support Habitat for Humanity in Japan. Peter Caprez, cluster general manager for many Marriott properties in Thailand, has called on general managers in the Marriott group to approach their associates over the next week.

Meanwhile a Japan volunteer team building with Habitat in southern India is tugging heartstrings. Nineteen Japanese university students arrived in Bangalore city just an hour before the earthquake hit Japan. The volunteers are studying in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe which are not affected but many are worried for their families living in Sendai and Tokyo. Their volunteerism moved Habitat home partner J.Sreedhar in Kothanur village. “They are here to help me with foundation work when people in their own country are homeless. What more can I ask?” Sreedhar was quoted as saying in a Times of India article. Read more.

geneva groundbreaking pictures

2011-03-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Click on the cover to see the pictures from our groundbreaking ceremony!

tuesdays at the restore

2011-03-07T16:35:00.000-08:00

Great news! Our ReStores are offering a 15% discount to senior shoppers (over the age of 62) every Tuesday! Stop by one of our stores 9am-5pm and mention this special to learn more!

Pasadena: 770 N. Fair Oaks Avenue 626-792-3838
Azusa: 410 S. Irwindale Avenue 626-387-6900

geneva build

2011-02-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

It's an especially exciting week for SGVHFH: after a three-month-long selection process, the future homeowners of the townhomes on Geneva Street in Glendale have been chosen! These five families have just been notified and will be formally introduced at our groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 5.

The groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public -- join us in this celebration! You can download the invitation below (and it doubles as a parking permit!)...

Homebuyers are chosen based on their income levels (roughly 30-80% of the Median Family Income for the city of Glendale), household size, current residence in substandard housing (too small, unsafe, unfit for their needs, etc.) and their willingness to partner with Habitat. A partnership with Habitat for Humanity requires a homebuyer family to commit 500 hours at the construction site, our administrative offices or ReStores -- investing in their community directly and indirectly. It also requires their completion of Family Education Classes, where they'll learn about everything from setting up a Homeowners Association to basic home maintenance.

So many families have spent all or most of their life in substandard housing, making our selection process especially difficult. We rely on our Family Selection Committee -- comprised of volunteers who have been working with us for over a decade -- to perform thorough screening of the applicants and submit their recommendations to our Board of Directors. Thank you to the FSC for once again partnering with us for our Geneva Build: Janelle, Darlene, Sue, Diane, Alice and Ann -- your generosity, commitment, discernment and warmth continues to amaze us!

staff spotlight: sayaka

2011-01-12T11:05:00.000-08:00

Name
Sayaka Ota

Birthday

September 25

Where are you from?

Japan

What do you do with Habitat?

Accounting (budget, audit preparation, financial statement, payroll, sales deposits, maintain banking, account payable, HOA account, bookkeeping, etc.)

How long have you been with Habitat?

Since January 2007

What is your favorite thing about working here?

Working with such a great people J!

How much coffee do you drink every day?

At least 3 cups…

What’s your favorite color?

Pink Pink Pink

Do you have any hidden talents?

Ski/snowboard (I had a part-time job as a ski instructor a while ago in Japan)

What is the last movie you saw?

Avatar

Did you like it?

Yes, I like it.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Elite Restaurant in Monterey Park has one of best Dim Sum in the area!

Where would you go on your dream vacation?

Tahiti/Bora Bora/Maldives

400,000 milestone

2010-12-14T12:42:00.000-08:00

What a banner year this has been for Habitat!

Our affiliate celebrated its 20th year serving the San Gabriel Valley and we finally surpassed the 50-home benchmark upon the completion of our 11-home build in Glendale in March.

At the global level, Habitat for Humanity International has officially reached a monumental milestone: 400,000 homes have been built or repaired through Habitat affiliates worldwide!

Thank you -- to both our local and international supporters -- for your love and sacrifices to help us continue our work of eradicating poverty housing!

To learn more, check out Habitat for Humanity's press release here.

cars for homes update

2010-11-23T12:42:00.001-08:00

Good news! We just received word from Habitat for Humanity International that San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is among the top 30 life-to-date affiliates fundraising through the Cars for Homes program! Ranking at #24, we have raised just over $56,600 through this program, which utilizes donated vehicles to raise funds for Habitat!

Learn more about the benefits of donating your old car, truck, boat or RV to Cars for Homes here, or click on the picture above to donate.

Don't forget to designate your local affiliate as the recipient to your vehicle donation so that we can further the work of Habitat in the San Gabriel Valley!

thank you whirlpool!

2010-11-12T17:39:00.000-08:00

The following is a press release from Habitat for Humanity International thanking Whirlpool Corporation for its national partnership with Habitat. Our affiliate benefits from the generosity of Whirlpool -- all 15 of our newest homeowners received free Whirlpool appliances to jumpstart their new homes!

Contact: Tami Griffin

Habitat for Humanity International

404.695.3274

tagriffin@habitat.org

ATLANTA (Nov. 11, 2010) – Habitat for Humanity International congratulates Whirlpool Corporation as it kicks off its yearlong 100th anniversary celebration. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity’s largest corporate partners and has an active partnership with Habitat in 22 countries. Through 2010, the company’s aggregate Habitat contributions since 1999 have exceeded $73 million, and more than 6,000 Whirlpool employees have volunteered their time on Habitat build sites around the world.

“We offer our heartiest congratulations to Whirlpool upon reaching this important milestone,” said Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford, “Whirlpool Corporation and its employees share with Habitat the passionate desire to improve the lives of families, and we are exceedingly grateful for their partnership."

In North America, the cornerstone of Whirlpool Corporation’s partnership with Habitat is a gift-in-kind donation program through which Whirlpool donates a range and an ENERGY STAR® qualified refrigerator for every new home built. In Europe and Central Asia Whirlpool donates a refrigerator, hood and washer to every Habitat home built where Whirlpool Europe sells appliances. The company’s activities in Latin America include construction funding and volunteerism in Brazil and Argentina. Whirlpool has donated more than 125,000 appliances in support of more than 69,000 families through these programsWhirlpool has been a long-time supporter of Habitat for Humanity’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, sponsoring projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, and China. Whirlpool Corporation has sponsored more than 100 homes in communities around the world, including 45 through the Whirlpool ® Building Blocks program.

In 2009, Whirlpool Corporation became the first Habitat for Humanity partner to make planned product donations to Habitat ReStore Outlets, which sell used and surplus building supplies at reduced prices. Within 18 months, Whirlpool exceeded its $1 million pledge by $9 million, donating product to 60 Habitat ReStore outlets in 23 U.S. states.

“Throughout our partnership, in both favorable and challenging economic climates, Whirlpool has consistently committed resources and expertise to Habitat’s mission,” said Mark Crozet, senior vice president of Development for Habitat for Humanity International.

Whirlpool Corporation has leveraged other corporate relationships to benefit the Habitat partnership. The Whirlpool sponsorship of the Women’s Tennis Association led to the Tour adopting Habitat for Humanity as its official European cause from 2005 to 2008. In 2003, Whirlpool Corporation introduced Lowe’s and Valspar to Habitat, and today those companies share robust partnerships with Habitat for Humanity. A Whirlpool partnership with Grammy award-winning country music artist Reba McEntire raised close to $1 million for Habitat between 2005 and 2007.

“We are honored to partner with Whirlpool to transform lives and communities around the world,” Reckford said, “and we proudly join Whirlpool and its family of employees around the world in celebrating a century of turning houses into homes.”

For more information on the partnership, visit www.habitat.org or www.whirlpool.com/habitat.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, 70,000 employees, and 68 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

nepal

2010-09-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce that our affiliate is sending a team of nine to participate in the Everest Build with Habitat for Humanity International! The delegation includes Board members, major donors, crew leader volunteers and two SGVHFH staff members -- Dr. Sonja Yates and Amy Borton. The build will take place October 1 - October 10 in Pokhara, Nepal.

Please keep the team in your prayers -- especially for health and safety. Stay tuned for updates and pictures of the adventure!

youth programs

2010-09-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that we have officially launched a youth program at SGVHFH!

James Burke is the newest addition to our staff and is working specifically with developing our Corporate Team Build Days, where groups donate time and money to a Habitat build, as well as with implementing ways to engage the youth ages 5-25.

So how can youth get involved? Although anyone over the age of 16 is welcome to volunteer individually, our youth program will empower kids, teens and young adults to start or join a group dedicated to the cause of eliminating substandard housing and to be the change our world (and our local community) needs. Students or church groups can form a Campus Chapter or Youth United group to collectively fundraise, volunteer, spread awareness, advocate, learn and develop leadership skills.

Contact James to learn more about getting your school, church or community group involved!

volunteer recognition reception 2010

2010-08-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

We recently held our annual Volunteer Recognition Reception (VRR) on July 25 at the Thursday Club in La Cañada. The purpose of event is to celebrate the hard work of our volunteers, who serve in a variety of ways to further the mission of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. In the year since our last VRR, we have had a LOT of volunteer-based achievements to celebrate: the launch of our Geneva Campaign, a variety of successful fundraising events and the completion of 15 homes in Monrovia and Glendale. We can only accomplish as much as our community of supporters enables us to, and we are incredibly grateful that we have such dedicated volunteers and donors to allow us to accomplish such feats!

The first part of the VRR consisted of mingling and enjoying light refreshments, the latter of which were graciously provided by our Habitat homeowners and committee volunteers. In addition to our major supporters, homeowners and staff in attendance, we invited all volunteers who have served with us at least five times for the duration of our Kenwood and Sherman builds, either at the sites or behind-the-scenes. As a special treat, our pro bono attorney, Tom Bunn, shared his musical talent on the piano. The good food, great music and beautiful grounds provided the perfect atmosphere for our volunteers to reconnect with each other and the families they served.

The second part of the event was our affiliate's opportunity to formally thank some of our most devoted supporters with Habitat awards. Most of the awards are created each year through the joint donations of David Lazier at Nelson Nameplates and Bill Anderson, our ReStore manager. Recipients of the Loyal Order of the Bent Nail, who all spent at least 200 hours on site at Kenwood or Sherman, included Joan Bouchard, Mike Brander, Harry Curley, Reverend Gregory Douglass, Wally Drake, John Duxbury, Adrian Krag, Fran Maliszewski and Mike Morales.

We have just as many volunteers who serve equal amounts of time (or more!) serving on committees, fundraising and volunteering at the ReStore and/or office, earning them the Loyal Order of the Helping Hands; this year's recipients were Anne Bockenkamp, Reverend Gregory Douglass, Ken Hunt, Alan Ikuta, the Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge, Sharyn Delahousie Lewis, Monrovia's Mayor Mary Ann Lutz, Paul McAnnally-Linz, Sona Mooradian, Jim Mullen, husband-and-wife team Jefferson Palmer & Pam Remai, Stefanie Rico, David Sieving, Elaine Wilkerson and Peter Zovak.

Those who have supported us year after year (and have typically already been awarded Helping Hands) and taken on a leadership role in fund development and/or committees are given the Golden Heart: Reverend James Anderson, Jan Berentsen, Darlene Hubanks, Sue Koury and Nina Perry.

Our Executive Director and the Board of Directors jointly select one person to receive the Ace Cain Humanitarian Award; this award, named after our affiliate founder, is given to someone who has provided long-term, transformational service, commitment and leadership. We are proud to announce that this year's recipient is Joan McCarthy, who has worked with us through Disney to provide overwhelming support over numerous years.

The third part of our program included brief speeches by two families -- the Quiroz family from our Sherman build in Monrovia and the Menjivar family from our Kenwood build in Glendale. They shared both humorous and touching stories of how their lives have been transformed since moving into their homes.

The afternoon concluded with a deeply moving slideshow/movie documenting the progress of the Kenwood build, created entirely by Pam Remai. Stay tuned for a preview of her movie! Afterwards, it was finally my opportunity to actually talk with the attendees, which include some of my very favorite people. Our volunteers and homeowner families are truly what keep the staff motivated and inspired!

I also want to very briefly thank those who helped me pull off this year's VRR -- I truly couldn't have done it without Connie Alamdari and the Ladies of Guadalupe, Ivonne Contreras, Jim Davis, Cheryl Torricelli, Girl Scout Cadet Troop #125-6 and, most of all, the amazing Carol Martin. Thank you!

Check out pictures from the event, courtesy of photographer Benjamin Simpson!

favorite place

2010-07-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

Last month, we received an automated letter from Google stating that San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity's ReStore is one of the top 250,000 business found and clicked on in Google. We have officially been listed as a 'favorite place' on Google.

Congratulations to our ReStores and thank you to all of you who have been searching for us on the internet!

dedication day!

2010-06-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

June 5th couldn't have come sooner for the eleven families who have waited to move in to their homes for two and a half years. This build features eleven condominium-style homes; each is roughly 1200 square feet and features three bedrooms, one-and-a-half bathrooms, two balconies and a semi-subterranean two-car garage. Two of the units have been modified for handicap accessibility: wider doorways, special bathrooms and two elevator lifts. Through Habitat's model of safe, decent and affordable homes, these new homeowners can begin a new chapter of their lives -- they finally have stable living conditions in a house that they can afford AND be proud of.

Thank you to the City of Glendale, the 580 donors and the 4000+ volunteers whose time, resources and talent were invested into San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and our amazing homeowner families!

fundraiser at california pizza kitchen

2010-05-14T18:58:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday, May 19, the California Pizza Kitchen in Arcadia will be donating 20% of your check to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity -- as long as you bring in this flyer (click on the picture for the full version)!

Come enjoy a great meal at CPK and donate to Habitat at the same time!

betting on habitat

2010-05-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

The San Gabriel Valley can “bet” on Habitat for Humanity to be continuously building homes for deserving and hard-working families. On May 1, hundreds of guests came to Santa Anita Race Track’s Club Court for fun, music, food, races and camaraderie. The Del Grosso family, who just moved into their Habitat home in Monrovia, shared their touching story of their journey to homeownership. The event also featured a buffet lunch, visits from two retired jockeys, a handicapper, auction, a jazz band and live feeds from the Kentucky Derby and other races.

Thank you to Juanita St. John, Betty Sandford and the rest of the Kentucky Derby Committee for planning a successful Derby day! The event raised $14,000 to advance the cause and mission of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity!

kenwood dedication

2010-04-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

It's finally here! The condominium-style homes we have built in partnership with the City of Glendale, donors, thousands of volunteers and, of course, eleven very deserving families are scheduled to be dedicated on Saturday, June 5th at 11am at 711 North Kenwood Street in Glendale.

Please come and join in the celebration!

RSVP to Catalina at cvelez@sgvhabitat.org

elevator updates

2010-04-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

The eleven homes we are building on North Kenwood Street in Glendale are almost finished! We have set the date for our dedication ceremony as June 5th at 11am -- it's coming soon! As you may know, two of the eleven families moving into these homes have wheelchair-bound sons, so we've been able to add a few modifications to accommodate their needs -- I've included some pictures of what has recently been installed. There is a lift that goes from the semi-subterranean garage to the first floor, an elevator to go from the first to second floor, widened doorways and a special bathroom for easier bathing.

With just 6 weeks until completion, we still have about $19,000 left to raise to cover the costs of the modifications ... we need your help!

You can donate to help offset the costs the elevators online or by contacting Sayaka Ota at 626-387-6899 x14 -- make sure you designate your gift to the "Kenwood lifts" so we can ensure that every cent will go towards our wheelchair accessibility modifications!

catalina's fifteen year anniversary

2010-04-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

On April 17, 1995, Catalina Velez started working for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity as an administrative assistant. Back then, SGVHFH was operating in the basement of a church in Altadena and was in the process of completing its second build -- 4 homes in Glendale.

Exactly fifteen years later, we celebrate the many contributions of Catalina Velez, who now serves as the Office Manager as well as the heart of our staff.

Thank you Catalina!

sungreen systems

2010-03-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

SunGreen Systems (http://sungreensystems.com/), a local business dedicated to renewable energy solutions, has recently committed to donating the entire Photovoltaic Solar system for our upcoming five-home build on Geneva Street in Glendale!! Thank you to the team at SunGreen Systems for this extremely generous donation!

In addition to this incredible gift, SunGreen is also helping us with our fundraising efforts for the Geneva build --for every SunGreen solar system sold to a customer with the flyer below, $1000 will be donated in the customer's name to SGV Habitat's Geneva Campaign!

You can learn more about SunGreen Systems, our partnership with them and more ways to support SunGreen, the "green" lifestyle AND San Gabriel Valley Habitat here:

cement masons apprenticeship program

2010-03-03T11:04:00.000-08:00

The guys over at the Southern California Cement Masons Apprenticeship Program who work with Local #500 and Local #600 have helped us SO much with the cement work at our Sherman site in Monrovia -- and it looks beautiful!

To Armando Pena and crew: thank you!!

You can also watch a video interview with them here.

ruth brager

2010-02-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

On January 30, I attended a memorial service on behalf of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity honoring a woman named Ruth Brager. Ruth was someone I had gotten to know the past year because of her work with Habitat and her enthusiasm for spreading awareness to those around her.

Ever since I started working with Habitat, I heard stories of Ruth -- she used to be a heavily involved supporter who, even when confined to a wheelchair, spent a lot of Saturdays working as a hospitality volunteer; she was a consistent and passionate advocate for our mission of affordable housing; she attended numerous groundbreakings and home dedications; she invited Habitat staff to regularly visit the retirement center, Solheim Lutheran Home, which resulted in a very generous endowment from one of her friends. Even when she was in such a state of physical disability that she had a difficult time holding her head up, she exuded warmth and friendliness. The first time I met her, even though she could hardly speak, she spent time showing me a compilation book of her writings that Solheim had put together and a memory book of pictures.

Ruth passed away at the age of 92 with more energy and passion than most people, regardless of age or physical health. She had never ceased to impress me in the short time I knew her, but after attending her memorial service I am more in awe of Ruth Brager than I could have imagined. Though there were plenty of tears and sad moments, it truly was a time of celebration of Ruth's life. Reverend Richard Garner, the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Glendale, invited those of us at the service to stand and share a personal memory of Ruth. I learned that aside from her extensive relationship with Habitat for Humanity, Ruth was one of the most involved members of her church and had, for decades, organized pretty much every club and event imaginable. In the 1940's and 50's, when racial segregation was still the status quo, Ruth started interracial youth camps at church. Years before AIDS was an acceptable topic to even discuss, Ruth became a huge advocate for prevention and treatment ... and, most of all, an advocate for love and acceptance of the people suffering from it. Among her many accolades, Ruth was given an award as an Honorary Homosexual -- at a time when it was "not ok" for a middle class Christian housewife in Glendale to associate with the gay community. At one time, she was almost arrested for protesting a nuclear power plant.

Aside from her work with social justice issues, she was an extremely devoted wife and mother, who was heavily involved in her children's lives as well as taking on the role of a mother to other kids and extended family members. I left her service with a newfound inspiration for my own life and a new role model. Ruth Brager's memorial service -- filled with tears but mostly with funny, courageous stories of her life, told by those who knew her the best -- was exactly the type of service I hope to one day deserve. Ruth Brager, herself -- who led a life filled with hardships just like anyone else's but was directed by her faith and her determination -- was exactly the role model I need as I attempt to carve out the next 70 years of my own life.

haiti

2010-01-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

The following is an excerpt from a publication by Habitat for Humanity International, "Habitat for Humanity's Commitment to Rebuilding Haiti" in response to the recent devastation. I would like to share it with you to not only spread awareness of Habitat's work but also of how the earthquake has brought to light (and, of course, exponentially exacerbated) the existing problems in Haiti, especially regarding what we take for granted: food, shelter, government stability. Please join me and the rest of the SGVHFH staff in prayer for those affected by this tragedy and in hope for more than just a superficial recovery.

I would also like to say that the excerpts I will post were published and shared with Habitat affiliates just days after the earthquake, and this has truly made me more proud than ever to be a part of an organization that is pro-active, educated and compassionate.

Damage from the earthquake has added yet another dimension to the humanitarian crisis and poverty conditions faced by Haiti, where more than 80 percent of the people live on less htan US$2 per day and 55 percent live on less than US$1 a day.

In the past two years, political instability, food shortages, tropical storms and hurricanes have made it next to impossible for Haitians to break the cycle of poverty. More than 50,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in 2008 storms alone, and the next Atlantic hurricane season is fast approaching.

Most Haitian homes are of low-quality construction and not built to withstand disasters. Walls are made of concrete bricks, mud or stones that lack steel reinforcement and are not anchored to a foundation. Roofs are often made of scrap wood and metal sheets; floors are dirt.

Although the full toll of homes damaged or destroyed is not yet known, Habitat for Humanity International has begun to respond and will remain there long after relief efforts have faded and long-term recovery work begins.

Based on current information and past experience with international disasters, Habitat for Humanity is planning a multiphase strategy that includes early recovery and mid- and long-term responses.

[I have summarized Habitat's planned three phase recovery below]

1 – Early Recovery: This will include recovery starter kits, which have basic construction tools to make immediate repairs and construct emergency shelter; this phase will also help re-establishing operations for our Habitat affiliate in Haiti.

2 – Rehabilitation and Cleanup: Habitat will mobilize people to remove debris and salvage materials that can be used to build new shelters and to assist in repairing homes with smaller amounts of damage; Habitat will also give Haitian residents shovels, wheelbarrows, etc. as well as provide them with cash to cover their basic needs (for food, etc.)

3 – Reconstruction and Recovery: Habitat will replace destroyed homes with transitional housing to address immediate housing needs; for the future, the transitional housing will then be built and improved upon to provide the beginning of a new, permanent home; the core transitional shelter unit will adhere to international Sphere standards, providing adequate living space for the average Haitian family of five.

You can donate to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity specifically for Haiti relief efforts. 100% of your donation will go directly to Habitat's recovery plan. Donate online or you can send in a check to our office at 400 S. Irwindale Avenue, Azusa CA 91702 -- please be sure to designate your gift for Haiti so we can ensure that every cent goes to where it is needed the most.

Habitat has had a presence in Haiti for 26 years and will continue to not only help the small country recover after the devastating earthquake, but will also continue to work to improve and stabilize the lives of Haitians long after recovery efforts have been "completed." You can learn more here.

sherman homes dedication

2010-01-07T14:31:00.000-08:00

The four houses we have been building on Sherman Avenue in Monrovia since September 2008 are finally fully fund-raised and almost finished with construction! We have set the date for our dedication as March 6, after which four incredibly hard-working families will move into their very own homes.

THANK YOU to our donors and construction volunteers for making sacrifices to help finance and build these houses. THANK YOU to our office and ReStore volunteers to working behind-the-scenes, often unnoticed except by the staff members you work with, for your commitment and selflessness. THANK YOU to our families, who have invested much more than the required 500 hours and who have become a part of the extended Habitat family!

new year, new policies

2009-12-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

On behalf of the entire office, ReStore and construction staff, I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season! With the coming new year, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGVHFH) is implementing some changes when it comes to our volunteer policies. These have been made in an effort to be more efficient with our records, to stay in better communication with our supporters and to keep things running smoothly at our construction sites.

The biggest change is in our Saturday schedule at Kenwood. We are now scheduling volunteers to work in one of two shifts -- 8am-12pm or 12pm-4pm. This applies to individuals as well as groups.
Volunteer Orientations are now MANDATORY for potential volunteers to attend -- so you must come to this before you can start your involvement with SGVHFH.
Individuals must schedule their volunteer days with us. Although groups tend to be scheduled at least a month in advance, we are only asking individuals to give us a day's notice -- please let me know if you plan to come out to our site as an individual by noon the day before.
We are no longer providing lunch on Saturdays. Instead, we hope to find people to donate refreshments for all volunteers to enjoy throughout the day -- as bonuses on some Saturdays, but not necessarily on a regular basis. If you are volunteering at the construction site, please make sure you eat breakfast and/or lunch before coming to the site and, as always, bring your own water.
Our Sherman build is almost complete! We will only be scheduling groups on an as-needed basis; otherwise, we are relying on individuals to schedule their time at Sherman for smaller tasks.

If you have any questions, suggestions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know! You can contact me via email or by phone at 626-387-6899 x17.

Christmas Wish List

2009-12-21T12:12:00.000-08:00

As Christmas approaches, we couldn't resist posting a few items from our wish list for Santa (or you!) to bring us in the new year...

+ 15 new 40-gallon gas water heaters (or a big discount on them!)

+ PVC pipes for our Kenwood drainage system

+ Catch basins for our Kenwood drainage system

+ Pumps for our Kenwood drainage system

+ Concrete ready-mix

For more information and to find out how to donate these items, please contact Chris Olson, our Director of Construction and Procurement, at 310-420-7805. Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

staff updates

2009-12-14T20:39:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard, we have had some recent staff changes at the office. Our beloved Linda has returned to her roots in the corporate world, and although we already miss her dearly, we absolutely wish her the best and are excited to have her stay involved with Habitat as a volunteer.

I just completed my year of service with AmeriCorps*VISTA and have been hired on as a regular staff member in the role of Volunteer Coordinator. I plan on continuing my work with the faith community, especially the Faith Relations Committee, as well as expanding our affiliate's capacity in our volunteer and advocacy programs. Though it is still possible to reach me at my old email address, my new contact information is volunteernow@sgvhabitat.org and 626-387-6899 x17.

Brittany is now the Youth & Marketing Coordinator. She will be building our youth program as well as dealing with our graphic design and marketing needs. She can now be reached at either marketing@sgvhabitat.org or youth@sgvhabitat.org (depending on your needs) or at 626-387-6899 x18.

We are also currently looking for a new AmeriCorps member who would spend their year of service as a Construction Crew Leader at our affiliate. To learn more about this opportunity and to apply, please contact Damien at sponsorships@sgvhabitat.org.

sgv habitat in chiang mai, thailand

2009-12-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

Our San Gabriel Valley affiliate of Habitat for Humanity recently sent local staff and volunteers to the village of Nong Gon Kru in Chiang Mai. Led by our Executive Director, Sonja Yates, SGVHFH representatives spent six days working on two homes. Along with Sonja were Sandy Yu (our very own Fund Development VISTA), Randy Schenk, Barbara Hudson, Deane Winant, David Baker, Donna Baker, John MacLean, Anna MacLean, Rose McCabe, Nathalie Flores, Anil Verma, Mickey Verma, Pooja Verma and Esther Tam.

The two homes the group worked on were #6, which will be owned by Noppadon Sathipakaem and his family of three, and #7, which will be owned by Chaowarit Sitthichaicarn and his family of five.

Stay posted for personal updates from Sandy, and be sure to read our December newsletter for the full story by Sonja...

... and, in the meantime, read about the trip from the Carters' prospective or check out Sonja and Randy's pictures from the week by clicking on the icon below:

Carter Work Project 2009
pictures by Randy Schenk

sherman fundraising updates

2009-11-24T09:51:00.000-08:00

With our Sherman Avenue build in Monrovia entering into its final months before completion, we recently received two generous contributions to help alleviate the nearly $40,000 remaining to finish the homes. Xerox, which has a large office in Monrovia, has given us $6,000 in addition to their volunteerism at the Sherman construction site! A special thank you goes out to Paul McAnnally-Linz, a member of our Board of Directors who is also with Xerox and has orchestrated this wonderful new partnership.

California Community Foundation is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the improvement of the qualify of life for local residents. One way in which they carry out this mission is through authorizing grants to help other nonprofits ... such as giving San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity $25,000 for our construction efforts in Monrovia!!

With the immense generosity of these two local donors, we are now only $9,000 away from our fundraising needs at Sherman. Thank you Xerox and California Community Foundation for investing in our beloved San Gabriel Valley!

Johnny, head of our Sherman construction site, in front of one of the four units in early November

sandy at the jimmy & rosalynn carter work project

2009-11-18T00:34:00.000-08:00

Guest Blogger: Sandy Yu

On Sunday, November 15th, fifteen delegates from San Gabriel Valley affiliate gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand for 26th annual Jimmy Carter Work Project. Habitat's Carter Work Project is an annual, internationally recognized week during which the former U.S. President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, along with his wife, join thousands of volunteers to build and renovate simple, decent, and affordable housing. This year, volunteers from 44 states in United States and 33 countries, including New Zealand and Singapore, are building 82 homes in Chiang Mai from November 16-20.

Update: We are currently in our third day of building. We reached a milestone this afternoon: we put up the roof trusses.

Pictures will soon be uploaded.

holidays with habitat

2009-11-17T10:31:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, which means Christmas is right around the corner! Incorporate San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity into your winter celebration by participating in Holidays with Habitat:

Attend an Alternative Gift Fair event at a local church featuring SGV Habitat! Check our schedule here.
Purchase adorable Christmas cards designed by the children of our Habitat homeowners. They come in packs of 5 for only $7 (please add $1.50 for shipping costs if you would like your order mailed).
Create a gingerbread house or ornament. You can even sell the item and donate the proceeds to Habitat. We would love to see what you make -- be sure to send us the pictures!
Ask a friend or family member to donate to our Sherman Avenue (Monrovia) or Kenwood Street (Glendale) build in your name in lieu of a gift this holiday season. This small sacrifice will greatly help us finish fundraising for both of these builds. They can do this by donating securely online or by using one of our honorary gift cards.
Volunteer with us -- we especially need help on our construction sites on weekdays!
Pray for our soon-to-be homeowner families... and rejoice with us that this will be the last Christmas they will have to spend in substandard housing!

sample holiday cards designed by our Habitat kids

golden hammer pin + gift box, as featured in our Alternative Gift Fairs

americorps + habitat

2009-11-10T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sandy and I, the current AmeriCorps*VISTA members here at SGV Habitat, recently joined over 600 other AmeriCorps members who work with Habitat affiliates all over the US for a leadership conference in Talladega, Alabama. We spent the week attending various seminars on topics ranging from position-specific (grant writing/fund development for Sandy and faith relations for me) to general Habitat for Humanity International updates (such as advocacy and global builds). Though the seminars were (mostly) really interesting and a great way to learn how to become better assets for our affiliate, the real benefit of coming to Alabama was networking with other AmeriCorps members. It was great to meet (or hang out again with friends I met during the Build-a-thon in Iowa in June) people who have similar jobs, share similar passions and face similar challenges. We were able to share best practices, hear about new ideas other parts of the country are developing and join forces to come up with more solutions to common problems (i.e. the current economic crisis creating more difficulties in fundraising)... and it was also nice to have people who could sympathize with the very modest AmeriCorps living allowance. :) Since I am finished with my VISTA year in just under a month, spending a few days surrounded by hundreds of people who are actually doing something to make the world a better place was the perfect send-off.

If you are interested in learning more about the AmeriCorps program, feel free to visit our affiliate page or the AmeriCorps home.

harvest update

2009-10-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 11, we hosted a benefit dinner and auction called Harvest for Habitat. This was the first of a planned 3-event series, Homes for Habitat, that will feature themed fundraisers held at the private homes of some of our supporters. After months of preparation by committee members and Habitat staff, our hard work and effort paid off as SGV Habitat raised over $11,000 through ticket sales and both silent and live auctions. The keynote speakers were members of the Frausto family, who moved into their Habitat home in 2007 and shared how having a house of their own has changed their lives. We would like to sincerely thank our guests, auction item donors and bidders, and especially our committee members for successfully starting up our Homes for Habitat series!

Did you miss out on the fun? Our next Homes event will be Kentucky Derby-themed in the spring. Contact our office staff for more information!

click on collage for a larger view!

faith relations committee

2009-10-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

SGV Habitat has a brand new Faith Relations Committee! The committee is made up of spiritual leaders (both official and non-official) and other active believers from various religious traditions who have at least one thing in common -- the belief in community service. The idea of an ecumenical group is based on Millard Fuller's concept of the theology of the hammer: despite our differences, we are united in the idea of serving families who are struggling to find decent, affordable shelter.

We will be holding our first committee meeting on Tuesday, October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at our office on 400 S. Irwindale Avenue in Azusa. This will be a time to meet each other, learn more about the work of Habitat and the inner-workings of a partnership with the faith community, have a time of fellowship and some light refreshments.

Interested? Visit our committee page to find out more!

habitat dinner at b.j.'s restaurant

2009-09-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

As part of our Geneva Campaign, which will raise funds for our next 5-home build on Geneva Street in Glendale, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse will be hosting a dinner to benefit SGV Habitat on Tuesday, October 13 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. For more information, click on our flyer below. See you there!

harvest for habitat

2009-09-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, October 11, SGV Habitat will be hosting an event called Harvest for Habitat. This is a dinner and auction event that will raise funds for our building efforts. Each table will have a small late afternoon meal provided by the table hostess, with plenty of refreshments and company throughout the evening. Music will be provided by the group Blue Metro and both silent and live auctions. Our keynote speaker is one of our Habitat homeowner families, sharing their story of how their Habitat home has changed their life; volunteers at the event will be other Habitat homeowner families. Each ticket is $65, and space is limited -- let us know a.s.a.p. if you would like to attend! This is a perfect opportunity to support the work of Habitat and also find great deals on vacations and gifts through our live and silent auctions, as well as to get to know the amazing families we work with!

For more information, please contact Linda at 626-387-6899 x18 or lhammes@sgvhabitat.org

san gabriel valley fires

2009-09-03T12:12:00.000-07:00

As you know by now, fires have been rampant in our San Gabriel Valley for the past week. On August 25, a brush fire started in Angeles National Forest along San Gabriel Canyon Road near Morris Dam and lasted several days, burning over 750 acres near the cities of Glendora and Azusa (pictured). Then, on August 26, what is now known as the Station Fire broke out and remains a huge threat to our community.

Though the fire has not come close to our Habitat-built homes thus far, it has greatly affected a large number of our supporters: board members, volunteers, businesses, and churches in the La Canada, La Crescenta, Tujunga, and Altadena area have had to face the fires encroaching on their neighborhoods; many have even had to be evacuated from their homes. We are thankful that Mount Wilson Observatory and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory have been spared -- at least for now -- and we also pray that the fire does not spread to more populated areas.

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department website, as of 8:30 this morning the Station Fire has destroyed 94 structures (including 64 homes and 3 businesses) and almost 145,000 acres, with flames reaching 80 feet. Containment has finally reached 38% (though it is not expected to be fully contained until September 16) thanks to the amazing work of our firefighters -- but not without a price. Six people have been injured, and two have lost their lives due to the fire. Please keep the families of our fallen heroes, Fire Captain Ted Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnie Quinones, in your thoughts and prayers. As a member of the SGV Habitat family and resident of La Canada, Carol Martin wrote to me recently, "May God hold extra close the 2 firefighters, their family and friends, their brothers in service. [They] do amazing things in life-threatening circumstance. They saved our neighborhood Fri/Sat and will live forever as heroes in our hearts."

air support dropping retardant -- photo credit Carol Martin

flames approaching residential areas -- photo credit Carol Martin

Station Fire Community Meetings:

Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 p.m.
First Church of the Nazarene
3700 East Sierra Madre Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
(626) 351-9631

Friday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m.
Azusa Senior Center
740 N. Dalton Ave.
Azusa, CA
(626) 812-5204

For more information, please visit:
Los Angeles County Fire Department
SGV Tribune
Mount Wilson Observatory
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guest blogger: bentley prince street

2009-08-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Even when times get tough, a good company knows that community service and corporate citizenship are central to running a successful business. With this in mind, Bentley Prince Street participated in a Habitat for Humanity build on Saturday, August 22nd. Nine Bentley Prince Street associates and their families helped to paint the trim on 4 houses in Monrovia. It’s amazing how much difference paint makes on a home! By the end of the day, the homes almost looked complete. The best part of the day was talking to the Habitat homeowners putting in some of their 500 hours of sweat equity. They told me that since breaking ground on the homes 6 months ago, they have worked every Saturday and have seen their first home develop before their eyes. They were really excited about the progress and appreciative of the volunteers who came out to help. This is the reason I love participating in Habitat builds - the sense of accomplishment and pride I feel by working alongside a family and helping them achieve their goal of safe, affordable housing. I think I speak for all of the Bentley Prince Street associates that participated when I say the event was truly rewarding and we are grateful to have the experience!

- Kim Matsoukas
LEED AP
Sustainability Manager
Bentley Prince Street

restore reviews on yelp

2009-08-24T10:10:00.000-07:00

Just out of curiosity, I googled San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to see what would come up ... and I found this review of our Pasadena ReStore and this review of our Azusa ReStore, both found on Yelp. I am so glad to see that we are earning a good reputation in the community -- especially with how hard our ReStore employees work to ensure that we can offer quality items at an affordable price!

In case you haven't discovered the benefits of shopping at our ReStores, hopefully this gives you a reason to check them out! Both locations are open Monday through Saturday from 9am until 5pm...
Pasadena -- 770 N. Fair Oaks Avenue -- 626.792.3838
Azusa -- 410 S. Irwindale Avenue -- 626.387.6900

Thanks for your continued support of our ReStores, which help finance our homebuilding efforts in San Gabriel Valley. :)
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st. francis of assisi

2009-08-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

.
Make me an instrument of Peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

- inspired by the prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
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networking

2009-08-13T12:12:00.000-07:00

SGV Habitat has never felt so popular!

We have 90 friends on MySpace, 106 followers on Twitter, and 255 friends on Facebook! Social networking sites such as these have helped us spread the word about Habitat and our local work.

Thanks for supporting us on the world wide web, and we hope to continue our growth!

sgv habitat at work abroad

2009-08-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is only one of more than 2,300 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International serving in over 90 countries. Each affiliate is asked to tithe 10% of undesignated donations to fund house-building work in other parts of the world. These contributions provide much-needed funds for international development and give affiliates, especially those here in the United States, the opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of Christian partnership. Therefore, when you give to our SGV Habitat, you are not only supporting local efforts to alleviate the cost of homeownership, but you are also helping our partners worldwide!

Thanks to your generosity, SGV Habitat has funded 70 homes around the world, including in Armenia, Cambodia, United Kingdom, Philippines, and Romania. Additionally, we have tithed specifically to the Asia Tsunami Response and are now tithing to the 2009 Jimmy Carter Work Project in the Mekong Delta.

Interested in learning more about our international efforts? Ask Amy at 626-387-6899 x16 or faithrelations@sgvhabitat.org.
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happy birthday clarence jordan!

2009-07-29T10:29:00.000-07:00

Clarence Jordan was a highly influential theologian and social justice activist in the mid-20th century. As the founder of Koinonia Farm, he served as a major inspiration and mentor to Habitat's founder, Millard Fuller through his dedication to putting his faith into action and leading by example. We celebrate the courageous life of Clarence Jordan today, on the anniversary of his birth, with a brief excerpt from one of his published works:

A Spirit of Partnership by Clarence Jordan

The rich man will sit down at the same table with a poor man and learn how good cornbread and collard greens are, and the poor man will find out what a T-bone steak tastes like. Neither will shiver in a drafty house, nor have to move his furniture when it rains. Both will rejoice in the robust health of their children, who are not listless from having too little nor bored from having too much. They will discover the blessedness of sharing, the warmth of compassion, the quiet strength of humility, and the glow of gentleness, the cleanness of honesty, the peace of justice, the ecstasy of love.

God’s spirit will let a white man look into the eyes of a black man and see his soul; it will let a black man look into the eyes of a white man and see his soul. And they'll both know it's the soul of a man.

God's spirit will teach an educated man and an uneducated man to walk together in the cool of the evening after a hard day's work and both will know that one could not live without the other. One will not ask for more than his share and the other need not accept less than his share. Each will delight in the skills of his brother, and neither will exploit the other's weakness.

God’s spirit will call the people from the East to join hands with the people from the West, and the people from the North to join hands with the people from the South and all will seek the other's good. None will smite his brother, nor deal deceitfully. They will sing at their labors, and be thankful for the fruits of the fields and factories. Their soldiers will learn the arts of peace; their strong men the ways of service. All will be spared the degradation of making implements of war and the agonizing shame of using them.

God's spirit will join an old man's wisdom with a young man's strength and they will be partners for the Lord. They will respect one another, and will be slow to take offense and quick to forgive. They will be as father and son. The old man will be filled with compassion and understanding, and the young man with gentleness and loving concern. They will find joy in bearing one another's burdens.

God's spirit will give eyes to mankind with which to see the glory of the Lord.

God's spirit will give ears to mankind to hear the sound of his trumpet as well as his still small voice. He will dwell with us and be our God, and we shall be his people. He will wipe away our tears, dispel our doubt, remove our fears, and lead us out. He will heal the brokenhearted, open the eyes of the blind, release the captives, preach the good news to the poor, and usher in the acceptable year of the Lord. He will bulldoze the mountains and fill in the valleys, he will make the rough places smooth and the crooked ways straight. He'll stand every man on his feet so that all mankind may see his glory together.

Reprinted by permission of Koinonia Partners from The Substance of Faith and Other Cotton Patch Sermons by Clarence Jordan, copyright 1972.
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benefit dinner

2009-07-27T15:45:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Robert Picardo, best known for his roles on the television shows China Beach, Star Trek: Voyager, and Stargate: Atlantis, is an avid supporter of SGV Habitat? Not only is he an advocate for our work and mission, but he is also a major fundraiser! On August 9, he will be hosting his 3rd annual benefit dinner in Las Vegas, with all proceeds going towards San Gabriel Valley Habitat!

Tickets are $35 each and includes dinner as well as entry into the charity auction.

Interested? Visit Picardo's website ... and thank Bob for all of his hard work and dedication!

faith e-newsletter

2009-07-23T13:23:00.000-07:00

SGV Habitat now officially has a monthly e-newsletter, Building on Faith, specifically for the faith community! Whether you are a leader at a local church/temple/mosque or religious organization or you just want to stay informed on what's new with our religious partnerships, sign up to receive Building on Faith and get plugged in to Habitat!
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houses for hope

2009-07-20T14:22:00.000-07:00

Support San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity one coin at a time!

With our Houses for Hope program, you can collect your spare change in these house banks. A great way for children, families, and anyone interested in contributing to the Habitat cause, this small cardboard house bank features a slot for coin donations. We even offer optional corresponding calendars to guide a child or family's contributions. Once it is full, turn it in to us so we can total up your collection and put it towards our projects!

If you are interested in participating in our Houses for Hope program, please contact Amy at 626.387.6899 x16 or faithrelations@sgvhabitat.org today!

kenwood special request

2009-07-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

Two of our families at our Kenwood build need your help!

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is currently building 11 affordable condominiums on North Kenwood Street in Glendale. The families have been selected and are in the process of helping build their homes. However, there is a very special need at our Kenwood site that requires extra fundraising. Two of the families have a hydrocephalic son – sons who are unable to walk and who need constant care.

To help care for these boys, Kevin and Axel, we need to make modifications to the two units that these families will call home. We are purchasing and installing two elevators for handicapped accessibility along with complete bathroom alterations. The total cost to do this is $62,000 -- and we still have $55,000 left to raise.

This is the first time SGV Habitat has had the opportunity to help families with such challenging health-related needs. We are honored to be able to support them through homeownership as well as providing proper accommodations for accessibility – but we need your help to pay for these unanticipated and greatly needed adjustments.

Please make a donation to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to defray the costs for two handicapped accessibility elevators and the modifications for bathing. You can donate securely online or by sending a check to us at 400 S. Irwindale Ave, Azusa CA 91702 -- and make sure to designate it for the wheelchair lifts. We deeply appreciate your generosity!
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pictures from build-a-thon

2009-06-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures from my week spent at the AmeriCorps/Habitat Build-A-Thon in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Luckily, members from my work crew and from Cedar Valley Habitat shared these with me so I can post evidence of an incredible experience! To view more, check out my Picasa online photo album.

We build, we sweat, we love.

NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda

Amy's work crew #42 ... making progress!

#42's future homeowner Shannon talking with Iowa's governor, Chet Culver, who came by for a site visit

Crew #42 with Shannon on our final build day ... not too bad for 5 days with plenty of rain!
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2009 build-a-thon in cedar rapids, iowa

2009-06-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

Amy Borton, the Ecumenical Outreach Coordinator from San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, joined more than 500 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps*State and National, AmeriCorps*NCCC, and AmeriCorps*VISTA members and alumni as they helped build 20 Habitat for Humanity houses in Cedar Rapids, Iowa as part of the annual Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Build-A-Thon during June 13 - June 20, 2009. These homes are being built in partnership with families affected by the floods that devastated much of Iowa in 2008.

“This Build-A-Thon is a powerful way to highlight the need for affordable housing for victims of the Iowa flooding while also celebrating the many contributions AmeriCorps members make to Habitat and other organizations in thousands of communities throughout the country every day,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International. “We are so grateful to these hard-working AmeriCorps members for their commitment to eliminating poverty housing and we applaud them for their service.”

As an AmeriCorps*VISTA member, Amy represented San Gabriel Valley Habitat at the event, which included AmeriCorps members and alumni from across the country working in partnership with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity and 20 low-income families. The 2009 Build-A-Thon celebrated 14 years of AmeriCorps members helping Habitat for Humanity affiliates and partner organizations build affordable houses and eliminate substandard housing. Amy was sent to work on the house for the McFadden family in the Wilderness Estates site; she spent her time hammering, working on the scaffolding, lifting materials to the roof, and cutting various roof and siding boards.

The first day of the Build-A-Thon marked the first anniversary of the day water from the Cedar River crested, leaving nearly ten square miles of Cedar Rapids under water. The need for affordable housing is especially great in the Cedar Rapids area, where nearly 4,000 homes were damaged by fast-rising water during last year’s devastating floods. While 90 counties were declared federal disaster areas, Cedar Rapids was the most significantly affected region. Most of these homeowners did not have flood insurance.

NFL quarterback Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda, also joined the Build-A-Thon through the Kurt Warner First Things First Foundation. “As Iowans, Brenda and I have seen firsthand the devastation of last year’s floods, but there is still so much work to do,” Warner said. “We believe that a safe home is so important to the long-term success of a family and we look forward to working alongside the Habitat AmeriCorps members to join the effort to rebuild in Cedar Rapids.”

To see pictures and learn more about the Build-A-Thon, visit Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity.
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congratulations sonja!

2009-06-09T09:10:00.000-07:00

Our Executive Director, Dr. Sonja Yates, was recently named one of the "50 Fabulous Women Over 50" by Pasadena's The Magazine!

The Magazine chose its 50 fabulous women by sending out 2,000 emails to people throughout the San Gabriel Valley for community nominations. Their criteria was based on four aspects of a woman: spirit, heart, mind, and persona. We at SGV Habitat could not be more proud that the final list, which honored politicians, actresses, and even a former police chief, included Sonja as well! Not only is this recognition great for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, but it is also a well-deserved title for Sonja, as anyone who knows her can attest to. She truly is an inspiration, and we ask that you join in our congratulations to her!!

If you would like to read the article, pick up the April 2009 issue of The Magazine, or turn to page 56 here.
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cars for homes

2009-05-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

Cars for Homes is a program through Habitat for Humanity that allows you to donate a car, truck, RV, boat, airplane, and farm & construction equipment to benefit the San Gabriel Valley affiliate. Most whole vehicles with proper title information are accepted, unless the costs of processing and towing fees exceed the auction value of the vehicle, and the donation is tax-deductible!

Our affiliate received over $5,000 from the vehicles donated during January, February, and March!! We would like to extend our deep gratitude to those of you who participated in Cars for Homes, and please know that it could not have been at a better time. We are still fundraising the last $83,000 for our Sherman build in Monrovia, and we are also installing wheelchair elevators at our Kenwood build in Glendale to accommodate two of our families with wheelchair-confined children, which cost about $62,000.

If you are interested in the Cars for Homes program, contact Sayaka at 626-387-6899 x14 or accounting@sgvhabitat.org or visit HFHI's Cars for Homes donation page -- and be sure to designate our San Gabriel Valley affiliate!

Thank you for all your support!
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poverty housing and habitat's response

2009-05-22T12:12:00.000-07:00

The following is a summary of a chapter from Creating a Habitat for Humanity* by Jonathan Reckford (the CEO of Habitat for Humanity) regarding the root causes of poverty housing -- both domestic and abroad -- and how Habitat for Humanity addresses each of these causes in whatever limited way that it can. I think that it is essential to the eradication of substandard housing to understand the causes and cycle of poverty and the appropriate action needed to be taken.

Reckford found five main causes of poverty:

1. Family history: When a person grows up in poverty, the attitudes are passed down just as heavily as some of the habits that perpetuate a cycle of poverty. Reckford calls this the "internal restraint -- what people believe about themselves," as opposed to the external restraints in the next four causes.

2. Unequal access to assets: "Assets include land, credit, information, education, resources, transportation, technology, and health care. ...If an economic system does not make opportunities for creating assets and capital, people cannot participate in economic growth." The effort one has to exert in order to attain property, assets, etc., and advance beyond the cycle of poverty require a long-term commitment and immense sacrifice, however, "such investments are hardly worth the effort if one is constantly living under the threat of eviction." Additionally, Reckford identifies education as "a key issue concerning poverty." Not only does each person deserve access to an education, but that needs to be in a stable setting with a quality support system.

3. Social capital: "A third broad category that explains the perpetuation of poverty is that the poor often have limited social capital. They have little power and influence on decision-making groups." Governments and special interest groups often choose not to invest in the interest and improvement of the lower classes. They also receive inadequate medical assistance and nutritional care, if they receive any at all. "If every bit of energy is spend on survival, people have nothing left to give to communities and to investing in their future. To make matters worse, the struggle to get by can make them victims of corruption and usurious moneylenders." Reckford emphasizes an aspect of social capital that mainstream America tends to forget: social status and basic rights. Throughout history and in current societies around the world, women are prevented from any form of property ownership [including their own self, but that's an entirely other issue...], with widows, single mothers, and females with HIV/AIDS being impacted the most severe. Without social capital, how can anyone advance beyond their current living situation?

4. Natural disasters and unexpected events: "As we saw in the devastating tsunami, hurricanes, and earthquakes of recent years, entire communities can be displaced. ...Floods, crop failures, plant closings, illnesses, and diseases are other unanticipated events that can change the lives of individuals and whole populations without warning." Once a natural disaster or unforeseen setback occurs, families and communities have to start their lives over with the added burden of losing their security, property, and oftentimes their income, along with the mental trauma, physical and medical difficulties, and additional debt.

5. Subjugation and oppression: "A final explanation of why people become trapped in poverty is perhaps the most difficult to to accept. Poverty occurs in some societies when one group that is in power chooses to dominate and exploit another. It is easy to condemn blatant mistreatment of a people group when it involves violence or depriving them of their human rights, but what about the exploitation of the poor for greed?"

Habitat for Humanity's response:

--Belief that "housing can be the collateral necessary for credit and the development of local and national financial institutions.
--Belief that "housing can be a catalyst for economic development by providing access to an array of construction jobs ... It also provides a stimulus to the production of construction materials, construction services, and housing related to enterprise development."
--Belief that "housing can be a stabilizing factor for individuals, families, and communities. It can also be the catalyst for social and democratic development."
--Working with governments to "secure affordable urban land in appropriate settings ... [to] build desperately needed, low-income housing that allows people to become healthy, contributing members of society."
--Collaboration with people from all walks of life
--Allocation of resources to build homes as well as "to partnering with others to find innovative solutions."
--Relationships with organizations such as the ONE Campaign "to generate financial support for the world's poorest communities."
--Following the biblical model of "[s]erving Christ by serving others... [which] creates a willingness to put others first, to share sacrificially, and to celebrate at the success of another."
--Seeking justice by "leveling the playing field -- of giving everyone an equal opportunity" through "providing more people with a reasonable chance to escape the cycle of poverty in the United States [and] a revolutionary system to claim assets and develop capital in a developing country..."

Reckford also points out that "if poverty issues are not going to rectify themselves, then those of us who feel called to action must work diligently. ...Followers of Jesus realize that God intended for us to live in relationship with one another and for us to care for one another, particularly the poor. First John 4:19 says that we are to love others because God first loved us. If we fight any temptation to look for minmum standards or maximum accomplishments, we can focus on a way of life that is directed by God's unconditional and immeasurable love."

Though the ability of Habitat for Humanity to rectify the issues of poverty and substandard housing is limited, I encourage you to work with us to maximize the impact we can have. I also encourage you to read more of this book, which is available on Amazon.com or by going to Habitat for Humanity International's Store and searching for it (item #HA432-H).

*Jonathan T. M. Reckford, Creating a Habitat for Humanity: No Hands But Yours (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007), 52-69.
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support us on ebay!

2009-05-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

e Bay Giving Works is an easy, effective way to show your support for San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity.

How it Works
Use eBay Giving Works to list items on eBay and donate 10-100% of your listing's final sale price to us. It's an easy way to sell your unwanted items while helping us raise funds for our builds.

You can also help us when you buy on eBay by shopping for items that have been listed by SGV Habitat supporters. You can get a great deal and advance our cause at the same time!

Enjoy the Benefits!
Your listing will benefit from several unique features that have been proven to attract more buyers and raise awareness of our cause, such as the eBay Giving Works ribbon and enhanced searchability. Additionally, did you know that charity listings often get more bids and higher prices than regular eBay listings? eBay gives back to you, too: your listing will automatically qualify for the eBay Giving Works Fee Credit Benefit and you'll receive a tax-receipt for your donation.

To Sell
1. Click "Customize your listing"
2. Look for the "eBay Giving Works" field (Click "Add or Remove Options" if you don't see it) in the Sell Your Item form in the "Choose how you'd like to sell your item" area
3. Choose "Select a new nonprofit"
4. In the pop-up window that appears, type "San Gabriel Valley Habitat" in the "Nonprofit Name or Keyword" field
5. Select San Gabriel Valley Habitat and a percentage (10-100%)you wish to donate to us. Please note that there is a $5 minimum donation if your item sells.

To Buy
Shop for items that support our cause by visiting our MissionFish page. Check it out on a regular basis to see all the great listings benefiting us!
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volunteer recognition reception

2009-05-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, May 3, SGV Habitat held its Volunteer Recognition Reception to celebrate the work of our major volunteers and donors. It was a huge success, with over 150 attendees, perfect weather, and amazing food!

We have a group of men we call our "Regulars," who have consistently worked on our sites for years: Wally Anderson, Bill Boyd, Jim Davis, Virgil Graf, Wayne Kruse, Tom Lynn, Victor Sumann, Bill Weber, Bill Wofford, and Chuck Wolski. We honored them with gift certificates donated by Black Cow Cafe, Carmine's, Dish, Il Fornaio, Minx, P. F. Chang's, Panda Inn, Roy's, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and Spitfire Saloon Restaurant, all in the San Gabriel Valley region. We also had a group of singers from the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and the California-Pacific United Methodist Foundation, led by Jesse L. Martin, serenade our Regulars with their beautiful rendition of "Bless This House." We can't thank these restaurants and singers enough!

We also honored 22 individuals who have procured gifts-in-kind and pro-bono services for Habitat and have donated countless hours of work behind-the-scenes, on our construction sites, and in our offices with the Loyal Order of the Bent Nail, Loyal Order of Helping Hands, Golden Heart, and Ace Cain Humanitarian awards. The recipients of the Bent Nail are Jesus Diaz, Jim Lamdagan, Al Silliman, and Bill Sjogren. The recipients of the Helping Hands are Essy & Connie Alamdari (who also opened up their beautiful home to host our event), Jan Berentsen, Joan Bouchard, Susan Clarke, Don Goodman, Tony Haynes, Sr., John Ingle, Jamie Keyser, Linda Magarian, Karen Norton, Monique Poon, and Howard Woo. The recipients of the Golden Heart are Roger & Elizabeth Booth, Ruth Brager, Tom Doud, George Garfield, Cindy Heydt, and Janelle Williams. Finally, the recipient of our esteemed Ace Cain Humanitarian Award is Vince Quinones, who went above and beyond to help SGV Habitat grow exponentially in services in the last few years.

We humbly recognize these people for their selflessness, generosity, and hearts.

The nameplates on our awards were donated by David Lazier of Nelson Nameplates, and the wooden plaques were hand-crafted by our very own ReStore manager, Bill Anderson.

The food at our event was to die for -- and all of it was donated by Ernie Jr.'s Taco House in Eagle Rock. There were enough chicken taquitos, rice and beans, and enchiladas to feed a small city, and we cannot thank Ernie Cruz enough for his huge donation! Just when we thought it couldn't get better, we had dessert provided by members of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church in La Canada, which was the perfect send off to a lovely afternoon.

SGV Habitat truly depends and thrives on individuals, businesses, and churches such as these. Please join us in thanking them for an all-around successful event!

sherman build updates

2009-04-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here are the most recent pictures of our Sherman Avenue build in Monrovia. Thank you to Chris Bertrand for passing these along!

... And a special thank you to the Sierra Madre volunteers who graciously provided lunch the past two Saturdays!

connect

2009-04-10T16:56:00.000-07:00

In addition to our snazzy new blog, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity has greatly expanded into the online community. We now have Facebook, MySpace, and even Twitter (...although we're still trying to figure out exactly what Twitter does...)!! Click on the links or search for us under the username SGV Habitat to ensure that you are staying connected to your favorite Habitat!

...and, last but not least, while you're out there surfing the net (or whatever you kids are calling it these days!), check out www.sgvhabitat.org for the full scoop on volunteer opportunities in the San Gabriel Valley.

We hope you have a very blessed and happy Easter weekend!

st. joseph's day

2009-03-30T12:34:00.001-07:00

This past month, St. James Catholic Church in La Crescenta invited us to host a table on two different Saturdays to celebrate St. Joseph's Day. St. Joseph is the patron saint of carpenters and against doubt & hesitation, so this certainly aligns with the work of Habitat! This small church, nestled up in the hills of Los Angeles, showed me how our economy's current mess does not always translate to our community's generosity. The parishioners were incredibly supportive of Habitat's work through verbal encouragement and financial donations. I was absolutely unprepared for over $300 that individuals (and oftentimes little kids!) handed to us.

Once again, thank you to St. James Catholic Church -- and especially Celeste Liberto -- for your support and prayers! People like you are one of the main reasons why I absolutely love working with SGV Habitat!

TGIF!

2009-03-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Its been a long and busy week here in the office. Thursday we had our ribbon cutting ceremony. It went extremely well and both the City of Irwindale and Azusa presented us with certifications of appreciation.

Today has been spent preparing for our sending of invitations for our Volunteer Recognition Reception. This will be in May, but we want to give people plenty of time to get back to us.

Tomorrow Kenwood will be shut down. We are transitioning from siding to dry wall, so if you planned on going... head over to Monrovia!

At Monrovia Kathleen will be providing lunches. It will be her first time, so that is pretty exciting. Also Desiree and Francine will be doing Hospitality. If you do go to the site make sure to say hi!

Hope everyone has a good weekend, and keep on building!

build, build, build

2009-03-12T11:48:00.000-07:00

^ Lunch providers...we love them & so do our workers!

This weekend is supposed to be sunny and warm, which is perfect for building!

At our Monrovia site we have a Monrovia UMC group coming to build and a group from the Hindu Swayamsevak Saugh providing lunch. We are so grateful for both of these groups! We are still trying to find hospitality...keep your fingers crossed and keep praying!

At Kenwood a group of Financial Executives will be building and a Kawanis group will be providing lunches! We have a brand new Hospitality worker named Destiny. She will be on site getting everyone ready for a great day of building.

I really do not know what we would do without the help and support of all these people. They really do make such a large difference in the lives of so many people.

orientation and ribbon cutting

2009-03-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

March orientation is tonight! I am excited about getting everyone plugged in and ready to volunteer.

We are still having a hard time finding Wednesday lunches, but keep on praying and hopefully something will fall into place!

We are having a ribbon cutting ceremony on March 19th for our new Azusa office and ReStore. The new location is such a blessing to all of us. Thank you to all who have helped support us during this process!

Day One

2009-03-09T11:22:00.001-07:00

We just set up our blog and are excited to keep everyone informed about all the work that we are doing!

Our volunteer and hospitality orientations are tomorrow night at 7 and 6:15 p.m. and it will be Brittany's first time hosting these.

Also we are still looking for Wednesday lunch providers....