Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley is currently looking for individuals who are willing to join our Family Selection Committee.  This committee works with families that desire a Habitat home and apply to the Habitat program.  Committee members review and recommend qualified applicants to the Board of Directors. 

The responsibilities would include but are not limited to:

-Attending monthly meeting (first Wednesday evening of every month).

-Assisting with publicity to attract applicants

-Reviewing applicant files.

-Participating in interviews and home visits with potential partner families

We ask that interested individuals please make a minimum one year commitment to the committee.  If you are interested or would like more information please call 734.677.1558 ext. 104.

After a very long fall/winter build, the day of dedication for the House of Abraham was upon us. It was very special with clergy from all sponsoring faiths present to bless the home of Taju Ali and Zabiba Mussa.

Taju and Zabiba have nearly completed their sweat equity hours and are incredibly grateful for the many individuals and groups of faith and corporations that turned out to help build their home. There is a small list of inside tasks plus concrete and landscaping work remaining on the outside of the house. We are still looking for some volunteers to help finish this house. Scheduled workdays are Saturday May 17 and May 31 from 8-4pm. If interested, please sign up on our volunteer website. Taju and Zabiba appreciate it.

Pictured: (left to right) Hajj Eide Alawan, Outreach Interfaith Director of the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn; partner family members Zabiba Mussa and Taju Ali; Carol Finerman, President of Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor; Rev. James Rodenheiser, Rector at St. Clare's Episcopal Church in Ann Arbor; House Leader, Steve Polgar;
and Habitat Family Support Partner, Judy Neeb.

In March, we hosted the annual meeting of the board of directors for HHHV.  We had six outgoing board members this year - a great loss of leadership.  We will be looking to fill those positions over the next six months, more on this later. Each of the six outgoing members brought their own unique set of skills and talents to the organization, and will be greatly missed.

Dick Dyer --Dick served on our board for 4 years. Dick participated in our development committee, our ReStore committee and our nominating committee. Dick always brings a fresh set of eyes to each subject and often infuses humor to lighten the mood and raise our spirits.

George Johnston -- George was the secretary of the board for three years and has served on the finance committee for six years. George has brought great insight into our financial history. George often provided the historical perspective regarding our finances that enabled us to understand where our finances had been and how to move forward in an ever-changing environment. We hope to coax George into staying on the finance committee to provide the continuity that we so desperately need.

Jim Lannen -- Jim has been a wonderful part of our leadership team throughout his tenure. Jim has served as vice president and secretary on the board and has chaired our personnel committee, and most recently joined our site selection committee as well. Jim has been the person we always look to regarding our official board policies and bylaws. Jim's patient, thoughtful demeanor and careful attention to detail has helped us a tremendous amount.

Kathy Pustell --Kathy joined the board after having volunteered for many years on the family selection committee as well as one of our office volunteers. Kathy, like George, has seen us through a lot of changes in finance directors and helped to train our changing staff. Most recently, Kathy has been the Treasurer of the Board of Directors.

David Teare --David also joined the board after volunteering for many years with Habitat, both here in Washtenaw County, and also in St. Louis. In 2005, David and Paul Dannels were co-chairs of the Jimmy Carter Work Project. Nearly all of our home designs have been created and revised by David. Most recently, David has chaired our ReStore committee. Providing the critical leadership necessary to drive that new business forward and recruit the additional volunteers and expertise needed to enable it to be successful.

Marge Venema --Marge is another member of our finance committee that we are losing. Marge has served on the finance committee and chaired the committee for the last 4 years. Marge, like George and Kathy has lived through the turnover and re-education of Habitat staff with kindness and support.

Thanks to each of these wonderful volunteers. We look forward to a continued relationship with these leaders as they leave the board but continue as partners with Habitat.