August/ September 2016

In this issue:
Support Habitat for Humanity California
Homeowner Update: Trenisha Dorsey 2016 LA Builders Ball
Volunteer CornerCarter Work ProjectUpcoming Events
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New Leaders Join the Habitat LA Team

We are excited to announce that Jim Bizzelle, Senior Vice President of Community Development, and Dawkins Hodges, Vice President of Programs, have joined our Habitat LA team. 

Jim's extensive experience in community development includes a 23 year tenure at Pardee Homes, where he progressed through many roles and ultimately into his last position as Vice President of Community Development for their Los Angeles/Ventura division. He went on to serve five years as Senior Vice President of Community Development at Newhall Land. Most recently, he held the role of interim President and CEO of Santa Clarita Valley's Chamber of Commerce. In his new role, Jim will oversee all of our construction and real estate activities with a goal of increasing production by 2020 as part of our Building a Greater Los Angeles campaign. 

Dawkins has over 30 years of experience in community development and more than 25 years of experience with community and housing organizations. He has held roles as the Executive Director for Neighborworks in San Bernardino and as the Executive Director of Chatham Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina. In his last position, he worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Senior Technical Assistance Expert. His career in housing and community development has produced 1,650 first-time low and moderate income homeowners, 900 rehabilitated houses and 125 YouthBuild graduates resulting in more than $350 million in community and economic impact. As Habitat LA's Vice President of Programs, Dawkins will focus on driving the overall strategy for our homeownership, home preservation and community engagement programs in support of our mission to bring people together to build homes, community and hope.

We are fortunate to have Jim and Dawkins join us at a time of continued growth for Habitat LA!

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Homeowner Update: Trenisha Dorsey

Trenisha Dorsey has been a proud Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) homeowner since November 2014. The home, which was rehabbed by Habitat LA staff and volunteers, was donated by Bank of America. Trenisha currently pays an affordable monthly mortgage for her home in Compton, CA, which is less than half of what she used to pay for a cramped apartment in an area threatened by gang activity.

When she talks about her life now, she is quick to point out that homeownership has empowered her to be a better provider for her children. Trenisha works full-time as a social worker and is also earning her associate's degree. Prior to partnering with Habitat LA, she was only able to take care of the family's most basic needs, but is now able to give her kids the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. 

Every home gives children a better chance for a stronger future and Trenisha's kids are excelling. Her daughter, Ariya, is an honor roll student in her senior year of high school with plans to attend college and eventually become an anesthesiologist. She plays volleyball, does cheer and was named to the National Society of High School Scholars. Her niece, Cordei, graduated from high school in June and has already begun a two-year program to become a licensed vocational nurse. Trenisha's son, who is in the fourth grade, has blossomed into quite the gardener. Alaunn and Trenisha enjoy caring for their peach, plum, avocado, lime, persimmon and pomegranate trees together, which has awakened an interest in learning more about healthy food and nutrition.

Trenisha  says,"This experience is something that I will never forget. Habitat for Humanity is a dream come true and without this organization families like mine would not have the opportunity to become homeowners. I thank God for the people and hands who rehabilitated my home, which is allowing me to provide my children with a strong foundation in life."

To support mothers, like Trenisha, in building a decent place to call home. Click HERE to make a gift to Habitat LA! 
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Volunteer Corner

We recently completed another round of crew leader training with three amazing new recruits. Habitat crew leaders are skilled volunteers who participate on our build sites several times each month.

Habitat LA homes are built almost entirely by volunteers and our crew leaders play an important role in ensuring that everyone who comes out to volunteer is able to complete their construction tasks safely and efficiently, while also having fun! Marquel, Michael and Tom are now ready to lead the many volunteers who lend a hand to build and rehabilitate homes with us each year. Crew leaders are critical in our construction work and have many opportunities to volunteer on our construction sites.

If you are outgoing, have a construction or special trade background and are interested in becoming a crew leader, please contact Caitlin Rose, Habitat LA Volunteer Manager, at 424-246-3184 or crose@habitatla.org.
Los Angeles Sparks Build Day
The Los Angeles Sparks shine on and off the court! Players and coaches from the team recently spent the day building with us in Montebello. The LA Sparks have made it an annual tradition to volunteer with us one day during each season and looked like true pros framing and sheathing a duplex that will be sold to two local families in need of decent and affordable housing. Stacey Mitch, Director of Communications for the LA Sparks, said,"The players believe in what Habitat for Humanity does and ask to come back year after year." LA Sparks Forward, Nneka Ogwumike, added,"It is always fun to build with Habitat and have a real helping hand in improving the community. I feel the love going into these homes and it is a great way to spend the day with my team."
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Habitat LA ReStores - Now Selling Kitchen Cabinets

Habitat LA ReStores in Bellflower and Torrance are filled with deals on gently used items such as furniture, lighting fixtures, appliances and more. But, did you know that our ReStores also carry brand new Visions Recycled Paint, area rugs and now kitchen cabinetry?!

If you are remodeling a kitchen or building a new home, check out the ReStore's inventory of complete kitchen cabinet sets! The shaker style cabinets are available in white or espresso, to match your personal design aesthetic. Shaker style cabinets are also very versatile, making them a popular choice for contemporary, craftsman and classic homes. 

An added benefit is that the purchase of your new kitchen will help a local, low-income family purchase their first home through our homeownership program! These new kitchen cabinets come unassembled and most orders can be fulfilled within three days. Stop by our ReStores daily between 8:30am-7:30pm to check out our complete kitchen display!

A5
2016 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project

The 33rd annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project took place last week in Memphis, TN. Nearly 1,000 volunteers from around the world, including Habitat LA's President and CEO Erin Rank and VP of Entertainment Industry Partnerships Jo-An Turman, joined President and Mrs. Carter in building and making repairs to 32 homes.

The build week got underway with an opening ceremony featuring a morning devotional by President Carter. Country music power couple, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, also joined by strapping on their tool belts. Other recognizable faces on-site were: Kris Allen (American Idol Season 8 winner), Willard Pugh (Harpo from the Color Purple) and CCH Pounder (NCIS New Orleans).

The week ended with a celebratory Gala featuring music by two children of Memphis Habitat Partner Homewoners, who are now recording artists. The closing ceremony took place at AutoZone Park where Memphis Habitat Executive Director, Dwayne Spencer, threw out the first pitch at a Redbirds game. Despite the heat, it was a very successful week building in Memphis!


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Support Habitat for Humanity California

You can help build a better California by supporting Habitat for Humanity California with your state tax return. This year's tax season is almost over with an October 15th deadline for taxpayers who requested a six-month extension. If you are filing between now and October 15th, please consider designating a contribution to the "Habitat for Humanity Fund" in box #428. A voluntary contribution is an election made by the taxpayer to designate a portion or all of their tax return to charitable funds. Click HERE to learn more. Thank you for your support!


A7
Save the Date - 2016 Los Angeles Builders Ball


The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles Builders Ball is an annual event honoring our counterparts in the building and real estate industries for their commitment to building a greater Los Angeles. Sponsorships, tickets and program book ads are available for purchase HERE. 
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  Upcoming Events

  • September 10: Rain barrel pickup and event at the Torrance ReStore from 3pm-5pm. Pre-order rain barrels HERE.
  • September 11: Interfaith Build Day. 
  • September 14: Delta Air Lines kick off from 10:30am-11:30am
  • September 22: Kabbalah Centre Kickoff
  • September 22: Kendra Scott Gives Back Party. Enjoy sips, sweets and jewels from 6pm-8pm. Click HERE for more information.
Board of Directors

Chairman:  
Bill Blake 
Zurich North America

Past Chairman:
Daniel Burgner
Burgner Experiential

Vice-Chair:
John Manganiello
Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Secretary:
Greg Ferree
Southern California Edison

Treasurer:
Alan Wright
California Bank & Trust

Francesc Cartanya
Grifols

Tom Clarke
PricewaterhouseCoopers
 
Ranjan Goswami
Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Terri Haack
Terranea Resort

Carl Jordan 
U.S. Bank

Eva Kalawski  
Platinum Equity, LLC 

Kim McManus
Mosaic LA

Michelle Meghrouni
Southern California Gas Company

Matt Petersen  
City of Los Angeles
  
Lori Raya
Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions
 
Eric Remensperger
Proskauer 
 
Craig Russell   
Walt Disney Imagineering

Raul Salinas
AlvaradoSmith

Heidi Snyder
Union Bank

Troy Thrower  
The Woodward Group

Ken Walker
EY
Thank you to our donors!
July 2016 Gifts

Silver Hammer ($25,000+)
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation


Bronze Hammer ($15,000+)
Carrier at Home*


Architects Circle ($10,000+)
City National Bank

    
Bronze Nail ($1,000+)
Bernards

Dal-Tile Corporation

Johnson Fain Partners

Los Angeles Business Council

Morley Construction Company

Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church

Stanley Black & Decker*

Warner Brothers Entertainment, Inc.

Sirens Project 1303, LLC

Terry Schale

The Albertsons Companies Foundation & The Vons Foundation*

Ford & Harrison LLP

* Denotes GIK donor
Thank you to our major donors!

The Albertsons Companies Foundation & The Vons Foundation

Annenberg Foundation

Bank of America Charitable Foundation

Bellflower Ministerial Association

Catholic Coalition

Delta Air Lines

The Dow Chemical Company

Downey Congregation Coalition

Ford & Harrison LLP

General Motors Foundation

Grifols Shared Services North America Inc.

The Home Depot Foundation

Kabbalah Centre Los Angeles

Lowe's Companies, Inc.

Magic Johnson Enterprises

Nissan North America, Inc.

Revco Industries, Inc.

Sit 'N Sleep Mattress

Thrivent Financial

The Valspar Corporation and Subsidiaries

The Weingart Foundation

Wells Fargo Foundation

Whirlpool Corporation

City of Bellflower

City of Culver City

City of Downey

City of Long Beach / Long Beach Community Investment Company

City of Lynwood

City of Montebello

Restore Neighborhoods Los Angeles


 






OUR VISION

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
OUR MISSION

Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
STAY CONNECTED
8739 Artesia Blvd, Bellflower, CA 90706 · (310) 323-4663 · www.habitatla.org