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Habitat Headlines A Monthly E-Newsletter
June 2012
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From a Homeowner
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New homeowner Asha Rouse had planned to share a bit about her family story at the recent Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict with her work and classes, she was only able to pop by for a moment. In her own quiet way, she pulled staff member Kara Stambach aside and handed her a gift bag, whispering, "Please tell everyone here that I am so sorry I couldn't stay longer, but that this is for them, and thank you."
Kara figured maybe she'd brought food to share at the dinner. She said, "Imagine my surprise when I opened the bag and saw this"...
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Wintergreen Award
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The Maryland Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council presented Habitat for Humanity of the Chespeake with the Wintergreen Award for non-profit of the year for our work with TerraLogos.
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Habitat's Impact as of June 2012
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Families in homes: 328
New applicants accepted into the program: 107
Families in the Homebuyer Academy: 118
Homes under construction: 67
Homes in planning: 42
Communities under construction: 7
Community Revitalization Initiatives in pipeline: 1
Construction-related volunteer hours: 22,176 hours
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AmeriCorps Recruitment
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Join Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake in our fight to end poverty housing in the Baltimore-Annapolis region! Rise to the challenge, and put your time and energy into revitalizing communities, ending the blight of vacancy, and building simple, decent, affordable homes for families in need.
We are now recruiting for the following positions:
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Veterans Working With Habitat for Humanity Rebuild Baltimore's Pen Lucy Neighborhood
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 By Ron Cassie
"On a recent and warm Thursday morning, Kevin Blanchard stood next to an abandoned home in the working class neighborhood of Baltimore City's Pen Lucy neighborhood, breaking up a damaged concrete slab with a jackhammer.
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as part of a two-day "Veterans Build," the 29-year-old American Legion field service representative -- ear plugs in, hard hat on -- quickly broke a sweat. Although Blanchard didn't have a lot of construction-type experience, he did have some, and certainly no one watching him work would've guessed that beneath his long pants he was missing his one of his legs from the knee down."
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Piece by Peace Book Now Available for Sale!
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This book is the culmination of work by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's Peace by Piece initiative. The contributors to the book are Jewish, Christian and Muslim children, aged 5 to 17, who are connected to Habitat's Interfaith work.
Youth drew pictures to describe what they think about certain elements of their own religion, and about its teachings on shelter, helping the poor, caring for the earth, being a family, and connecting to people different from oneself.
This book may serve to introduce children of all ages to religions different from their own, highlighting both the familiar and unfamiliar through images and descriptions about teachings in the Abrahamic traditions. In the images compiled in this book, we see faith through the unique lens of each child, each picture. We see that youth have an uncanny ability to relate to others with different beliefs, and to relay a vision of faith focused on helping those in need.
Each book is $20. Shipping and handling is included for delivery to the Continental US.
Thank you for your support!
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Builder Magazine Names Habitat for Humanity the Sixth-Largest U.S. Homebuilder
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 Habitat for Humanity is the sixth-largest homebuilder in the U.S. based on house closings in 2011, according to the annual survey completed by BUILDER magazine. Habitat built or rehabilitated 4,970 homes across the United States and is the only non-publicly traded company in the top 10 ranking. "I'm very proud of the work of our more than 1,500 affiliates in the U.S.," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. "The fact that they are continuing to build and rehab homes in these difficult economic times is a testament to their resourcefulness and their commitment to families, affordable housing and the communities they serve. We are grateful to our donors and volunteers, whose generosity makes this work possible."
BUILDER, a publication for the residential construction industry, annually compiles data from U.S. builders and ranks them by the number of closings. Habitat placed sixth on the list last year and first made the top 10 in 2010 as the eighth-largest builder.
Habitat made an additional 2,795 house repairs to existing homes, which were not accounted for in the survey. Habitat also provides a wide range of services for its homebuyers, including financial education workshops.
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A Note from the CEO
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Every day, lives are changed because of the compassion, commitment and support of kind and generous people like you. Together, we have witnessed the impact of safe and decent housing on children, families, neighborhoods and our entire community. Thank you for all you have helped us accomplish.
Children of Habitat homeowners are doing better in school. Habitat partner families are building their futures on a solid and permanent foundation. Neighborhoods are being revitalized. And Habitat homebuyers are offering a new base of taxpayers to help strengthen our community. Yet, there is still so much to be done.
Thank you,
Mike Posko, CEO
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National Women Build Week
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 On Saturday, May 5, a group of enthusiastic women from the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, energetic Central Maryland Volunteers, Red Hat volunteers and Habitat staff kicked off National Women Build Week in the Pen Lucy neighborhood. Wearing their purple Women Build shirts and bandannas, volunteers helped to frame ceilings on two homes and removed yard debris and concrete.  | |
Members of Delta Sigma Theta and other Women Build volunteers break for a quick photo op during National Women Build Week activities.
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National Women Build Week, sponsored by Lowe's, is a celebration of women builders all over the world coming together in support of safe, decent housing. "It's so exciting for us to focus on women this week," said Eleanor P. Matthews, president of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta. "Our women volunteers are very passionate about this effort, and they've volunteered a lot of hours already, learning the skills necessary to help eliminate poverty housing in the Baltimore metropolitan region."
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Ronette Owens and her children are excited about moving to Orchard Ridge.
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Ronnette Owens (left) is the 2012 Women Build homeowner for our Habitat affiliate, dropped by with her three children at lunchtime to chat and meet the participating Women Build volunteers. Ronette and her family will soon be moving from Annapolis to Baltimore's Orchard Ridge community. She is excited about starting a new life with her family in Baltimore, and enjoyed chatting with the Women Build volunteers.
By the end of the day, volunteers were tired and "glistening," but smiling and laughing as they drove away with promises to come back.
Thank you, Women Build volunteers, for a terrific start to an
empowering week!
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Women Build Membership Drive Underway
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 | | Events Committee volunteers (l-r): Sandra Wood, Committee Chair Valerie Yingling, Staci Summers and Nedesha Coleman |
Women Build membership drive and committee organization is actively underway!
Please join us for the fun and meaningful work of Women Build. Participate in one of the following Women Build committees:
- Membership
- Events
- PR & Marketing
- Fundraising
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Baltimore Builds: Vacant House Rehab and Renovation Expo
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On Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. - 2 p-.m., in honor of National Homeownership Month, Baltimore Housing Land Resources Division will host the 2nd Annual "Baltimore Builds: Vacant House Rehab and Renovation Expo." The Expo will be held at the Westside Skills Center, 501 N. Athol Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21229.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake launched the Vacants to Value initiative in November 2010 to reduce vacant housing and blight in Baltimore. After a successful Vacant House Rehab and Renovation Expo last year (attended by more than 200 participants), developers, investors, homeowners / buyers, renters, businesses and communities are invited to participate in a setting that promotes the rehabilitation of City-owned properties and the revitalization of Baltimore's neighborhoods.
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Youth and Student Programs
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Youth Service Saturday is a creative and interactive approach to sparking your child's interest in philanthropy. 
This fun and unique Habitat program helps youth, ages 5-15, understand the meaning of philanthropy and the value of service to others through an enthusiastically-led session of games, art and entertainment.
Youth Service Saturdays take place at the Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake office (3741 Commerce Drive, Baltimore) on the third Saturday of every month. The program is free of charge, with a suggested donation of supplies. The list of needed supplies for our homebuilding projects includes new paintbrushes, paint rollers, painter's tape, permanent markers, tape measures and Home Depot or Lowe's gift cards.
Learn more about our Habitat youth programs.
Youth Service Saturday's next date: June 16, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Please contact Bobby Kirby to sign up:
rkirby@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x105
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Build-A-Block Community Garden
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Build-A-Block, a coalition of high schools from the Greater Baltimore area, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and the Living Classrooms Foundation, held a dedication of the new community garden at 2424 Jefferson Street on Saturday, June 2. This garden now serves as a teaching resource and outdoor classroom for students at Tench Tilghman Elementary School, and for all of the community to enjoy!
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Featured Volunteer Opportunities
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Join our ReStore Volunteer Corps today!
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Budget Builders: Family Partners
Budget Builder coaches are volunteers who work one-on-one with future homeowners to reinforce and support new Habitat families as they set their financial goals, learn wise budgeting habits and practice goal-oriented spending habits.
Budget Builders is a three- to four-hour commitment per month for participating
 volunteers. The program lasts approximately four months and hours are flexible. If you are interested in empowering families and building a relationship with a future Habitat homeowner through this highly effective financial literacy program, please contact Deborah Conklin at 410-366-1250 x150 or
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ReStore Earth Day Sale
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Above left: ReStore's Earth Day Sale included food, fun and festivities! Above right: Pasadena ReStore Manager Heather Cumminngs with winner of the rain barrel raffle.
The ReStores' annual Earth Day Sale broke records on Saturday, April 21! All three locations -- Dundalk, Pasadena and Halethorpe -- offered 10-20% off merchandise while serving free hot dogs, soda, chips and cake. Customers not only enjoyed food and discounts, but also furniture refinishing workshops and three rain barrel raffles. More than 30 volunteers from Target, NovaSom, Inc. -- plus a robust group of individuals -- donated their time during the festivities to help customers and keep the stores running smoothly.
Earth Day celebration sales for the combined ReStore locations totaled $32,000 in one day -- a new record. Thanks to all our customers and volunteers for their support!
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Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for Most-Frequent Volunteers
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More than 60 guests joined us in the warehouse for dinner and games!
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On May 10, the faces were the same, but the scene was very different. With no running generators to talk over, no nails to be hammered, no wood to be cut, nor broken rubble to clear out, volunteers, partner families, AmeriCorps and staff gathered together to break bread. What was intended as a celebration of volunteers became a shining example of the "the Habitat family." We shared words of thanks, tales of broken ribs, commitments to neighbors, enriched spirits, and grateful hearts -- all among daily heroes. Every person there, in some way, has bettered lives of those around them.
 | | The woodshop volunteers enjoy a barbeque dinner in their honor. |
I walked away that night uplifted and in awe of our volunteers. The hours they have invested, the houses they have built, the lives they have blessed. Since Millard Fuller started Habitat for Humanity in 1976, the organization has constantly changed: from grassroots stick builds, to affiliates taking on staff members, to new initiatives like weatherization and neighborhood revitalization in our country's cities.
Poverty housing has many faces, but the one face that has remained the same is the volunteers who are ready and willing to fight poverty every day: people who have responded to a call to take care of one another. And this care makes every board hammered that much more secure. It makes every cabinet hung already filled with love. It makes every painted wall a treasured piece of a new home.
 | | The Red Hats gather for a group picture. |
This care makes every meal a blessing, whether lunch on site, or dinner for our most-frequent volunteers in the warehouse.
Thank you!
- Article by Matt Herzberg, Community Engagement staff member
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June and July Homeownership Orientations
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Pictured above, Habitat Homeowner Ronald Moulden proudly lives near the street where he grew up on Clay Street in Annapolis.
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Interested in homeownership or know someone who might qualify?
We are looking for individuals and families willing to partner with our
Habitat affiliate to make their dreams of homeownership a reality.
The first step toward becoming a Habitat homeowner
is to attend an orientation session:
Saturday, June 23 at 10 am
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
Saturday, July 21 at 10 am
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church
2424 McElderry Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
Orientations last approximately one hour. Attendees do not need to bring anything but a smile -- and perhaps an interested friend or two.
Please share this information with someone you know!
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IABC- DC Metro Chapter: CEO panel discussion
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(L-R) Mike Posko and Rikard Lundqvist respond to moderator Don Neal of 360 Live Media.
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Also on the panel was Rikard Lundqvist, CEO of Ascom Network Testing Inc., a global telecommunications company that specializes in mission-critical communications. Don Neal, President of 360 Live Media, moderated the event, which was held at Pepco's Edison Place Art Gallery.
Some key advice from both Posko and Lundqvist included knowing when and how to have a conversation with a CEO, leveraging influencers around the organization and understanding a CEO's expectations and learning styles.
More takeaways from the panel can be found on IABC's website, www.iabcdcmetro.org.
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Mike Posko Delivers Commencement Speech for The Baltimore Civitas School
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Habitat CEO Mike Posko was honored to deliver the commencement address at Baltimore Civitas School to their first graduating class on June 1 at Johns Hopkins University, Shriver Hall. The talk focused on the Class of 2012's accomplishments and the links between happiness and success.
Among the graduates was Valedictorian Trivonne Wallace, daughter of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Family Services AmeriCorps VISTA member Trivia Payne.
That is the challenge I charge you with now and from this day forward. Go out and be happy. If you are happy, you will succeed. - Mike Posko
Read the entire commencement address in our blog.
Congratulations to The Baltimore Civitas School's Class of 2012!
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Anne Arundel County Land Donation
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Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake has a solid presence in Anne Arundel County -- and we're looking to grow.
However, the cost of land in the county is very expensive. Won't you please consider donating property to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake?
By donating land, you could save Habitat valuable dollars per lot and help provide housing for deserving families in the region.
Acquiring land in Anne Arundel County is a critical priority for our nonprofit organization, so we hope to hear from interested donors. A gift of real estate -- now or through your estate plans -- may be used to provide affordable housing to qualified families who are waiting to begin their dream of homeownership. By donating property, you can avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax charitable deduction equal to the fair market value of the house.
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Homeowner Spotlight: Edward Fisher
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 Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake's Baltimore Business Journal ad, May 18-24 edition, featured Habitat homeowner Edward Fisher.
Edward has been a homeowner on Ward Street in Pigtown since February of this year. We were proud to feature him as one of our family partners who worked hard to achieve his dream of homeownership.
Edward was born and raised in Baltimore City, the youngest of five children. He graduated from Northwestern High School and went to work with young people in several of the City's after school programs. He said, "It was wonderful to work with young people. And I think it was good for them to have a man working with them, a role model."
These days, Edward works in the healthcare field, first at Johns Hopkins Hospital and more recently at Mercy Hospital. "It keeps me humble, and I count my blessings every day as I see people who can't even move around."
Now Edward is looking forward to being a blessing himself. "I did my sweat equity hours at Paul's Place and I'm looking forward to helping out in my new community." Edwards speaks fondly of the parents who gave him a foundation for living and believing. 'My mom always said it's important to have something with your name on it, something permanent. It makes me feel good to know that she would be proud of me and happy to see me moving forward." With his passion for helping others and his enthusiasm for his own home, we know Edward will be a wonderful addition to his new community. "I am looking forward to fellowship in my home with family and friends"
- Edward Fisher profile by Director of Family Services Anne Rouse
Look for our submission in the Baltimore Business Journal's 2012 Giving Guide in June, featuring homeowner Mia McDonald and our generous corporate sponsor Transamerica!
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| Cars for Homes | 
Shift your giving into a different gear this year!
Donate your car, truck, RV, boat or motorcycle to our Cars for Homes program. Your generous vehicle donation helps us provide more families in Central Maryland with safe, decent and affordable housing. Revenue from the vehicle sale goes directly back into our affiliate to help us build more homes. 
A BIG thank you to this year's Cars for Homes donors!
Since July 2011, $10,146.58 has been raised for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.
If you have questions or would like to donate your vehicle, please email Aleah Rawls at
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Jack & Jill Joins Youth Service Saturday
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"Our purpose was to bring together children of our friends, giving them the opportunity to form friendship, to learn together through cultural activities and to grow and develop into good citizens." - Elinor McGuire, first president of Jack and Jill, Baltimore Chapter 
Over 30 members of the Baltimore City chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. joined Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake staff for a special Youth Service Saturday on May 5. Together, the group of mothers, sons and daughters worked to further the Habitat for Humanity mission of ending poverty housing through advocacy projects. They participated in ReStore volunteering, service learning and building planters to be sold in the ReStore. Through fundraising efforts spearheaded by high school student Corey Gholston, and with a generous matching contribution by RMF Engineering, the club provided Habitat a donation of over $2,200 to continue providing safe, decent and affordable housing opportunities in our community! Thank you, Jack and Jill Inc. Baltimore Chapter! |
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Want to become a Red Hat volunteer?
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is currently growing our base of Red Hat volunteers. Red Hats are a team of skilled and semi-skilled volunteers with construction experience, personality and leadership skills. They are capable of leading both small and large groups of volunteer teams to construct healthy, stable and energy-efficient homes for our partner families.Prior construction experience is not required. We will be delighted to train you!
Red Hats are asked to commit to a regular volunteer schedule of at least two days per month. Volunteers are often assigned to specific projects so that they can enjoy continuous progress together with their team.
Regular training sessions are now underway for new Red Hat volunteers. Please get involved today by contacting Eric Bernhardt at ebernhardt@habitatchesapeake.org or 410-366-1250 x118. You'll be glad you did!
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Thank you for your continued support of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake!
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