 |
Habichat: A Newsletter from
Growing Communities for 20 Years...
September, 2009 | |
|
|
|
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, October 3, 2 - 4PM: Applicant Orientation Session, Norristown Public Library, 1001 Powell Street, Norristown, Call Beth at 610-278-7710 for information.
Saturday, October 3, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour for new volunteers, 848 Cherry Street, Norristown.
Saturday, October 10, 10:00AM: Home Dedication, 447 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA
Saturday, October 17, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour, Glenside, PA
Saturday, November 14, 9:30AM: Love in Action Tour, First Baptist Church, 301 King Street, Pottstown.
| |
No matter how many facts and figures we can gather, it is not what keeps me going...
For me, it is the moments when a homeowner shares something amazing that has happened as a result of owning a Habitat home.
Last Saturday, after an intense three hour Board meeting where we struggled with the lowering level of donations and hard decisions about slowing down, I was trying to prioritize the remainder of my day when in walked one of our homeowners, Michelle.
Michelle had been abused by her father, and was a habitual drug user by her graduation from high school. She had two children but, continued on a self-destructive path, ending up in a California jail by the tender age of 27.
Michelle often tells the story of a little old lady named Lillian who came to the prison and taught a Bible Study. Lillian had a safe haven called "His Shelter and Arms" that would meet women prisoners at the gate when they were released and offer them a safe place to go so they didn't end up back on the streets. Lillian gave Michelle shelter and friendship so she could stay away from her negative friends and get control of her life.
Because of that kindness, she moved home to Norristown, made peace with her mother, and eventually applied to Habitat to become a homeowner. Michelle finally moved into her Habitat home in 2003.
Since then, she has started her own non-profit called "Why Not Prosper?" Her non-profit goes to prisons and picks up women prisoners when they are released, giving them them safe shelter and counsel, much like her friend, Lillian. Their facility has sheltered 76 women for 6 months to a year (40 of whom have graduated her program). She told me on Saturday that more than 450 women have used this resource center. Michelle travels to women's prisons in Philadelphia and around the State to meet with women and tell them about her program. Michelle hasn't stopped there. She is also an active presence on Norristown's Town Watch and Weed and Seed programs. I learned that she has gone to Haiti and volunteered at a medical clinic as well. In fact, her newest project is to put together a package full of shoes each month to send to a clinic in Haiti because she noticed so many of the children don't have any. No matter how many homes we end up building in Montgomery County, how many difficulties we face with families because life is messy and how many donations we do or do not get, I will always have moments like this to remember and to keep me going.... That is what I value. If you want to know more about Michelle's work go to her website at www.whynotprosper.org
Brenda Egolf-FoxExecutive Director |
An Uneventful Event!
As many of you know, we recently cancelled our 20th anniversary celebration due to circumstances beyond our control. However, on the evening of October 3, 2009, while you enjoy your evening at home, we ask that you think about those who might not have the warmth and stability of a permanent shelter.
We also ask that you consider supporting Habitat that day with what might have been your contribution to Habitat that evening.
Look for our "invitation" in the mail later this week and help us provide the warmth that a home brings to a family in need, or click below to give.
|
|
Thanks for a Great Youth Day!
 Children, families, Habitat homeowners and volunteers came together on a beautiful afternoon in North Hills for our annual Youth Day on September 13, 2009. While enjoying hot dogs and lemonade, youth learned about the mission and basic principles of Habitat through a short presentation by Linley Kirkwood and a skit performed by student volunteers from Villanova University's Habitat for  Humanity campus chapter. The FaithBuilders project, Habitat's newest build in the community, could be seen just across the street and Marianne Lynch brought the group over to tour the site, learn about the building process, see the volunteers' blessings written on the studs, and talk about Sherry and Chuck Rivers - the family who will be moving in. The neighborhood tour continued down the street to the twin homes owned by Kim Hill-Milewski and Kelly Coleman and then to the home of Melissa Monser, Habitat's first ADA-approved house in the county.
 The last activity of the day was building wooden toy boxes and painting them, and this was a huge hit! The volunteers and kids worked together to construct and decorate four toy boxes which will be given to future Habitat homeowner's children at the home dedication ceremonies. Not only did everyone, kids and adults alike, have a great time, the youth left with a true understanding of the work of Habitat and an excitement about how they could help. As one youth was leaving, he was heard saying "When I'm older, I definitely want to volunteer with Habitat!" |
Our Wish List
For those of you who have been to our office, you might know that we are indeed a grassroots operation that relies heavily on volunteer help. One way we keep costs down and serve more families is by taking donated items to help our office continue to function and to support our many volunteers. Some of these items are running in short supply lately, so if you have extras, we would greatly appreciate you thinking of us (and getting a tax-deduction at the same time!)
Items currently needed:
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Paper plates
Plastic forks, knives, spoons
Coffee
Coffee Filters
Creamer
Sugar
Sodas
Bottled Water
Bathroom Cleaner
Hand soap
Trash bags (regular and contractor)
Snacks for volunteers (cookies, chips, etc)
Copier paper
Pens
Staples
Stamps
6 3/4 x 4 3/4 Envelopes
Other office supplies
|
Thanks for Stuffing!
Last week, we posted a special request for volunteers to help prepare a mailing that needed to go out this week. Wow, did we get an amazing response! 20 people came in force on Saturday morning armed with a great attitude and extra band-aids (for paper cuts) and were able to stuff this mailing in record time. Thanks to each of you who were able to join us that day and thank you to everyone who wanted to help. Some of our staffers suggested that it was because we were serving hot dogs, but we know it's because we have an awesome group of dedicated individuals who want to help us end poverty housing in Montgomery County.
|
|
447 Dedication!
You are cordially invited to join us
Saturday, October 10
For the dedication of 447 Beech Street, Pottstown.
10:00AM
Join us in welcoming Marlene into her new home and into the community!
Before After
 
|
|
Welcome Aboard!
Habitat's fiscal year began July 1 and with it, we welcomed new members to our Board of Directors.
 This month, we will spotlight Gloria Echols: Gloria Echols has been working on behalf of families striving to live in safe, decent homes for years. As the founder of Montgomery County Partners for Homeownership and the Founding Executive Director of Community Housing Services in Lansdale, Gloria has a vast understanding of the complex issues facing our families and this county. She has worked tirelessly developing and implementing a county-wide Lease Purchase program and a national demonstration program on Self-Sufficiency. In addition, Gloria has been part of numerous organizations that promote housing and justice issues including the North Penn United Way, the Montgomery County Housing Coalition, the Pennsylvania Low Income Housing Coalition and many others.
Gloria has also been honored for her dedication with accolades from the Hardworking Women of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Leaders, the Prudential Foundation Leadership Award, Women of Vision Award, the Women Who Make a Difference Award for Community Leaders and several others.
Habitat is honored to have Gloria as a member of our board and as a member of the Family Selection Committee. Her leadership and vision will help Habitat serve more families in the years to come. | |
|
|
|
|
"The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."
- Mitch Albom
With that final thought, thank you for devoting yourselves to the community around you.
Sincerely,
|
|
we are now part of RecycleBank!
| |
|
| |
|
 |
