Hello Habitat followers!
We would like to thank you for following our blog throughout 2011. We hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as we have writing it. However, we have decided to discontinue the blog into the new year. We feel that we can reach more people in a more impactful way by focusing our efforts on social media sites with a larger following. So don’t worry!—there are still many other ways that you can stay up-to-date with all that is going on at Habitat.
Be sure to friend “HabitatforHumanity MetroDenver” on Facebook. Here, you will be able to access organization updates, volunteer opportunities, events, photos and more. You can also become a fan of the Habitat Denver ReStores page to find out about big sales, newly received items and events happening in our stores.
We are also excited to announce that we will be joining Twitter. You will find out what’s going on on the construction sites, learn about exciting volunteer and donation opportunities and get to know the deserving families who are moving into Habitat homes. Be on the lookout on our website and Facebook page for more information on this exciting new venture coming soon.
Thank you again for your support! We are looking forward to another great year at Habitat for Humanity. We hope to see you on Facebook and Twitter!
Sincerely,
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Habitat for Humanity: A Social Entrepreneur
The article discusses the many solutions Habitat is working toward to end poverty housing. These include our focus on the construction of decent and affordable houses, as well as NRI, which aims to help existing homeowners repair and maintain the homes they already own. Habitat plans to roll out this initiative in the Denver neighborhood of Globeville where almost a quarter of the residents are living in poverty. In the article, Habitat Metro Denver CEO, Heather Lafferty, speaks about the organization’s excitement for this new project and the challenges that will accompany it.
“Habitat's entrepreneurial focus on creating capacity to adapt to changing needs is a model many programs should consider as Americans' need for social services continues to grow,” the article says. “Sometimes, it takes a neighborhood to make a community thrive.”
Click here to read the full article and find out what Habitat Metro Denver is doing to better our community.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Like It Because You Can't Love It
What are huge incentives? The Like It Because You Can’t Love It Facebook campaign will give away weekly $50 in-store gift certificates redeemable at any of our three metro Denver ReStore locations for the first three weeks to one randomly selected fan off of our new Facebook ReStores page. For the final week, the Like It Because You Can’t Love It campaign will be giving away one gift certificate to one fan equal in dollar value to the number of fans we have collected, up to $1,000. In other words, if we have 200 fans, someone will get a $200 gift certificate, 333 fans, a $333 gift certificate, up to 1,000 fans/$1,000 dollars.
Well timed with the holidays, this give-away means you could get all of your holiday shopping covered. Likewise, if you encourage friends and family to like our new page and one of them wins, you might find yourself the recipient of a much upgraded holiday gift as well.
The Facebook ReStores page is a great place to find out about events, new inventory, sales and special deals for our followers. We look forward to seeing you there!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Help Habitat "Raise a House" on Colorado Gives Day
Tuesday, December 6th is the second annual Colorado Gives Day! This is the opportunity for Colorado residents to give where they live, and Habitat Metro Denver is trying to raise enough funds to build an entire house. With temperatures dropping into negative degrees, this is the time of year that we’re reminded of all of the families who aren’t living in warm and safe homes. Help us make a difference for another family who’s struggling this year.
It costs Habitat Metro Denver $85,000 in construction materials to build every Habitat home. A generous couple has already pledged $40,000, which means that we’re almost halfway to our fundraising goal! Help us get the rest of the way there and see what your gift can help build this year! Help a family get the home of their dreams by clicking here to pre-schedule your donation, or remembering to donate on December 6th to Habitat Metro Denver.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
New Faces at Habitat
We couldn’t be happier to introduce Sarah Hatfield as the new Human Resources/Risk Management Manager. Sarah has a lot on her plate in her new role, but she is looking forward to all the excitement of working with the Habitat team.
What is your history with Habitat? Sarah first got involved with Habitat when an organization she worked for in Kansas City volunteered on a home build there.
What does the Human Resources/Risk Management Manager do? On the human resources side of her job, Sarah does things like administer benefit programs, produce the payroll, create policies and procedures, oversee compliance with employment laws and help with training, development and recruiting. As the Risk Management Manager, she administers safety and insurance programs and makes sure the organization is in compliance with OSHA regulations.
What is your favorite part about working Habitat? “The people,” Sarah says. “It’s a great staff. Everybody seems to be here for the right reasons.”
What are you looking forward to? Sarah says she is looking forward to “being a good resource for employees” and “helping them develop their potential.”
We here at Habitat are also very excited to welcome Sarah Mansell, the newest Family Selection Specialist, to our staff. Her work here is helping to put deserving families in homes across Metro Denver. Read below to see what she likes most about her new job.
What is your history with Habitat? Sarah’s background is in human services and she says that she has always known about Habitat. “I really admired the mission,” she said.
What does the Family Selection Specialist do? Sarah is involved in everything from holding orientations and recruiting families to researching and marketing properties to selected families. Other parts of her job include writing proposal letters, working with the Selection Committee, talking to families and tracking the reasons they choose to accept or reject a property, doing home interviews and getting started on Habitat’s NRI project.
What is your favorite part about working at Habitat? Sarah is enjoying getting to meet new people and hearing their stories. She recently met with a family at the Globeville open house where she was able to explain Habitat’s homeownership process to them. “Watching it become real for them—like, ‘This is going to be our house’—was really cool,” Sarah said.
What are you looking forward to? Sarah can’t wait to see the family selection process run through a whole cycle, from orientation to dedication, so she can get a better picture of how it all works.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Habitat Staff in Haiti
Here is what one of our staff members, Katie McKenna, has to say about the experience so far:
Léogâne, Haiti—Day 3: Roof Day!
One of the most satisfying days on any Habitat build is roof day. Suddenly, a skeleton of a house becomes a structure that is warm and dry. Today was the third day of the Carter Work Project here in Haiti and it was roof day. Standing on the roof of the house I was working on I could look over a sea of 100 houses and watch them magically begin to look like homes. I could begin to imagine the children that would live there, backyard gardens that might be planted and the meals that would be shared. Down on the ground, there was nothing magical about it—it was the hard work of 400 sweaty Habitat volunteers who had come to Haiti to build homes for 100 families in great need of permanent housing.
Lots of love from Haiti,
Katie
Stay tuned to hear from more of our staff members as they continue on their journey of building homes for the people of Léogâne. If you would like to learn more about the 2011 Carter Work Project, click here.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Home for the Holidays
Denise and her three children are one such family. They have moved every year for the past six years, always in search of a place they can call “home.” At their current apartment, they are constantly exposed to drug users and dealers and are far from any decent schools. Denise’s oldest son is visually impaired and has to walk 20 minutes across busy streets just to get to the bus stop every day. This holiday season, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver has partnered with this special family to give them the gift of homeownership. The family’s new home will be closer to the children’s schools and will provide them with the safety and stability they have always dreamed of. “Being able to purchase a home of our own is the best gift we could've hoped for this Christmas,” Denise said.
Help us provide homeownership opportunities for more families like Denise’s this holiday season. Visit Home for the Holidays to read Denise’s full story, make a gift online, and learn about ways you can help.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Littleton ReStore Grand Opening!
One week from today, Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s newest ReStore opens in Littleton!Join us next weekend, Friday Nov. 4th and Saturday Nov. 5th, for a grand opening celebration at all three of our ReStore locations in Denver, Wheat Ridge and Littleton. We will christen the Littleton ReStore with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Then stick around for a weekend of sales, giveaways and fun as we celebrate this newest addition.
Visit any of the three stores between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to enter for your chance to win new stainless steel refrigerators, a $500 Frontier Airlines gift card and hourly ReStore gift certificate giveaways. Local radio station, 99.5 The Mountain, will be providing live coverage on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Plus, don’t miss out on the free hot dogs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Littleton ReStore.
Come support HFHMD and enjoy a great weekend with your friends and family!
What: Littleton ReStore Grand Opening
When: Opening Celebration on Friday, November 4th at 9:30 a.m., doors open at 10 a.m
Special events on Saturday, November 5th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: All three Metro Denver ReStore locations
Littleton: 7900 W. Quincy Ave, Denver, CO 80123
Denver: 70 Rio Grande Blvd, Denver, CO 80223
Wheat Ridge: 10625 W. I-70 Frontage Rd, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Friday, October 14, 2011
Where are you getting your pumpkins this fall?
In past years, these donations have earned over $35,000 for Habitat homes. Head on down with your family to one of the sponsored patches and help us raise even more money this year. Every pumpkin purchased at one of these locations will help a family in need receive the home of their dreams.
When: October 8 - 31
10am to dusk
Where: Mile Hi Church at Garrison & Alameda, Lakewood
Sponsor: Jeffco Partners for Interfaith Action
When: October 9 - 30
Weekdays 12 - 6pm, weekends 10am - 6pm
Where: St. James Presbyterian Church, 3601 W. Belleview Ave, Littleton
Sponsor: Carpenter's Helpers
When: October 15 - 31
10am to dusk
Where: Arvada Center at 68th & Wadsworth, Arvada
Sponsor: Jeffco Partners for Interfaith Action
When: October 15 - 31
10am to dusk
Where: Central Christian Church between Colorado Blvd & University, Denver
Sponsor: Habitat Interfaith Alliance
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Join us for Habitat's first annual Opening Doors Auction!
Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver’s first annual Opening Doors Auction is fast- approaching. This week, visit the Denver ReStore to preview the talent of thirty-five artists who have turned used doors, windows, and cabinets from the Habitat ReStores into pieces of art. These used home building materials have been reworked, refigured, and repurposed into one-of-a-kind artwork, each defined by its artist’s unique style.
Please join us as these re-creations are auctioned off at a complimentary wine and cheese event on October 9th at the Denver ReStore. The funds raised at this event will help open doors of homeownership for low-income families across metro Denver.
What: Opening Doors Auction
When: October 9th, 2011 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Denver 70 Rio Grande Blvd. , Denver , CO 80223
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| Door by Dean McCready |
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| Door by local artist |
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| Bed headboard by local artist |
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| Window by local artist |
Friday, September 30, 2011
New Faces at Habitat
Meet Laura Allen-Hatcher
We are also happy to welcome the new Grants Administrator, Laura Allen-Hatcher. Her first few weeks here have been a whirlwind, but she says she has a lot to look forward to working here. Read on to hear it in her own words.
What is your history with Habitat? “When I was in college, I took a construction class at Arapahoe Community College
“My other contact with Habitat has been in my previous role with the City of Aurora
What does the Grants Administrator do? “I go after federal grant funds for the purpose of acquiring properties and helping to pay for infrastructure work. So, I fill out the grant applications, work through the approval process once we get approved, and negotiate contracts with the jurisdictions of the cities, counties, and possibly the state for the federal funds that they’re offering. Then, once we’re contracted, it is a matter of making sure that we are complying with the contract. Also, I track the progress of the project, do reports, and, ultimately, do payment requests to the jurisdictions to get reimbursed for the money we’ve expended.”
What is your favorite part about working at Habitat? “I really enjoy the team atmosphere that I’ve been experiencing. I would say that the corporate culture here is much more friendly, open, welcoming, team-oriented. I think the energy that the organization has is very refreshing. Here, there are lots of new and interesting things going on. People are excited about working with you. Even though it’s hard work, they come with a lot of energy and a really great attitude. I’ve really enjoyed that part of it.”
What are you looking forward to? “I’m really looking forward to the day where I feel like I know it, I got it, I’m in some kind of flow. At that point, I can start to be more and more creative about what I do. It’s been a challenge, but everyday it starts to feel a little bit better.”
New Faces at Habitat
Meet Kate Hilberg
We here at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver are excited to bring on Kate Hilberg as our new Real Estate Manager. Here is what she has to say about her experience working at Habitat so far.
What is your history with Habitat? “I volunteered for quite a while on the construction sites, as well as as a member of the Women Build Committee.”
What does the Real Estate Manager do? “I’m responsible for finding and purchasing land for the houses and making sure that we’re being a good neighbor. I do diligence on the properties to make sure that they’re something we can actually use, as well as any zoning or planning approvals that need to be put in place before we can build on the land. I hire or oversee the engineering and design work for the properties. Then I make sure that we get the infrastructure in place on the properties before the construction teams take over.”
What is your favorite part about working at Habitat? “The people. They’re really fun, engaging, nice, really committed to what they’re doing.”
What are you looking forward to? “Sable Ridge. That’s the really large, four-acre site with 51 units. It’ll be a challenge.”
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Habitat Denver is nation's first affordable builder to partner on EPA's New Homes Programs
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| Jim Martin (EPA) presents Heather Lafferty (HFHMD) with the 2011 EPA Partner of the Year Award. |
September 14th, 2011 was a cold and gray day in Golden, CO, but not even the threatening rain clouds could wipe the smile off of Wendy’s face at the groundbreaking for her new Habitat home. Not only did this day mark the beginning of a new life for Wendy, but it was also the first step in a revolutionary partnership between Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver (HFHMD) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Wendy’s home will be the first affordable house in the nation to implement all three of the EPA’s home building standards into a single home. These three measures, ENERGY STAR, WaterSense and Indoor airPLUS, are meant to provide a cleaner home and environment, as well as drastically reduce utility costs for residents.
HFHMD has committed to building all future homes beginning in 2012 to the EPA’s New Homes Programs. We have been building our homes to the ENERGY STAR criterion for over a decade, which has saved residents an average of $200 to $400 in energy costs each year. By combining this with the WaterSense and Indoor airPLUS design, HFHMD hopes to create even more efficient and safe homes for our residents.
Dozens of EPA and HFHMD members joined together with Golden residents to celebrate this momentous occasion at the groundbreaking ceremony. Golden Mayor Pro Tem, Karen Oxman, was there to welcome Wendy to the neighborhood. EPA Regional Administrator, Jim Martin, and HFHMD CEO, Heather Lafferty also spoke about the importance of building energy efficient homes.
Wendy said she is so grateful to be working with HFHMD and becoming the first homeowner involved in this initiative. “I couldn’t ask for anything more!” she said.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Habitat's Women Build Featured in the Denver Business Journal
Women Build’s goal each year is for at least one home to be completely built and funded by women volunteers. Since 1995, the group has completed 20 homes for low-income families in the Metro Denver area. This year, they are taking on a two-story duplex, east of Sloan’s Lake. Such an ambitious project has required twice the normal amount of daily volunteers, but Habitat has seen no shortage in turn-out. “We’ve had an amazing amount of support this year,” said Jill McClure, chair of Women Build, in the article.
Click here to read the full article and to discover the remarkable impact the Women Build program has on families and its women volunteers.
Click here to watch a video featuring activity on the Women Build site and details about this fun program.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Summer Home Dedications
To build a Habitat home, volunteers, staff, partner families and sponsors come together to make a difference for a low-income family who dreams of owning a home. Using hammers, nails, paint brushes and power tools, selfless individuals build doorways to brighter futures. Habitat partner families come together to help build their homes and the homes of others and create a sense of community that may have been absent before. This summer, join Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver as we celebrate each beautiful home and the amazing accomplishments of many hard working individuals.
Habitat will host 7 total home dedications in Denver and Aurora this summer. Partner families will have the opportunity to speak about their work with Habitat, cut the ribbon on their new front doors and receive the keys to their homes. After the ceremony, stay for a tour of the homes and celebrate with Habitat staff, friends and family.
For information on when each home dedication will take place, click here. Also, connect with us on Facebook to hear about more upcoming home dedications, other Habitat events and how you can become involved with our organization.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Extreme Makeover: Habitat Edition
On Saturday, July 30th, thirteen families in the Globeville neighborhood partnered with 100 Habitat volunteers to make a difference in their community. Working in conjunction with Extreme Community Makeover (ECM), Habitat volunteers and Globeville homeowners addressed repair needs by working on painting, yard cleaning, yard maintenance, fence repair and concrete. Stepping forward with positive, can-do attitudes, Habitat volunteers made a tangible difference in the lives of these Globeville families.
“This partnership between Extreme Community Makeover and Habitat for Humanity is a great example of the impact we can collaboratively make by engaging community members – volunteers and homeowners – to improve the neighborhoods in which we live,” said Extreme Community Makeover Executive Director Angela Bomgaars.
Extreme Community Makeover coordinates volunteer teams to partner with underserved people to improve their own homes and neighborhoods. Partnering with ECM on this project has allowed Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to engage our volunteers in a new way, serving additional families and expanding our scope of project work.
Click here to learn more about Extreme Community Makeover. Or, click here to sign up to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and help us continue to build homes and change lives throughout Denver.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Blues & BBQ for Better Housing this Weekend
This weekend, experience some of the best BBQ in Colorado and support Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver at the same time! Head out to Olde Town Arvada to experience great BBQ, shop for arts and crafts and hear blues and rock acts while helping to provide low-income families with a brighter future. On Sunday, July 17th starting at noon, the 14th Annual Blues and BBQ Festival will feature 16 of Colorado’s best blues and rock acts on two stages and over 70 food, jewelry, arts and crafts vendors.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. As our longest running fundraiser, the event has helped raise over $50,000 for our organization. Help us make this year our best yet and come out to enjoy food, music and arts and crafts in the summer sun. Purchase tickets online or at the entrance for only $20.
Monday, July 11, 2011
New Faces at Habitat
Meet Corey Biechele
You may have seen Corey's friendly face around the Denver Outlet or construction sites during his time spent with AmeriCorps, but we are ecstatic to reintroduce him as Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver's new Deconstruction Supervisor!
Habitat History: Originally from Massachusetts, Corey studied Sports Management at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. Corey volunteered in New Orleans about six months after Hurricane Katrina. After observing the hope and perseverance amidst everything else in New Orleans, he knew he wanted to be a part of the rebuilding effort. This led to him becoming involved with Habitat through AmeriCorps after graduating college in 2008.Favorite part about working with Habitat: "I have met some of the most interesting, generous, smart, and engaging people through my work with Habitat for Humanity. I enjoy working with my co-workers, the volunteers, donors, and partner families to address the need for affordable housing in our community. Habitat provides me the opportunity to use my skills to directly impact deserving families and my community as a whole."
The Deconstruction Program (Q&A with Corey):
What are the size and scope of deconstruction projects you are involved with?
Our deconstruction projects range from small to large. We deconstruct kitchens and baths all the way to entire houses that are scheduled for demolition. We have projects that range from quick and simple to elaborate and extensive.
How many volunteers do you have currently? Do you need more?
We have about 40-50 regular volunteers and we are always looking for more. The deconstruction program is rapidly expanding. To meet the growing demand we are consistently looking for volunteers who are interested in assisting Habitat in a unique way. However, we do ask that our volunteers do have some experience using power tools such as drills and saws.
How does the deconstruction program benefit HFHMD and the Outlets?
The deconstruction program not only benefits HFHMD and the Outlets but it also benefits the community and the environment. Our deconstruction program brings quality building materials to the stores that will be sold at a reduced price. The items in our stores allow individuals and families to make repairs, upgrades or remodels to their homes at an affordable price. The proceeds from the Outlet stores offset the overhead and fundraising costs of HFHMD so that all donations go directly to the building of homes. The Outlet stores are vital to being able to build wonderful new homes for families in our community.
In addition, the deconstruction program gives a second life to building materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Rather than throwing away perfectly good building materials, donors have the opportunity to donate to HFHMD in return for a tax donation receipt.
What opportunities do you see in the future for the deconstruction program?
The sky is the limit for this program. There is large opportunity to partner with individual donors, remodeling companies and other organizations to prevent quality building materials from going to the landfill and to provide the public with an affordable option for repairs, remodels or upgrades.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Meet a Partner Family
Heather and her Two Children
Born and raised in Denver, Heather works a full-time job, is pursuing her Bachelor's degree part-time and cares for her two children. After stretching every paycheck as far as it could go, she and her children are very excited to be moving into their new Habitat home.
Their current apartment is badly in disrepair. The family is worried that the bathroom ceiling will collapse from water damage and the kitchen cabinets fall apart when they are opened. Heather's daughter suffers from asthma and is affected when neighbors smoke cigarettes outside their apartment.
Heather and her children know all of this will change when they move into their new Habitat home. Her children are looking forward to playing sports outside and starting school in a new district. Heather is grateful that she has been given the opportunity to learn about construction and repairs during her sweat equity hours and is thankful for the opportunity to meet other Habitat families.
Heather would like to show that through hard work and determination, homeownership is possible. She's excited to be able to ride bikes and do yard work with her children in the future.
To read more about Heather and her children, click here. Also, consider volunteering with us and help to build a brighter future for our partner families.
Their current apartment is badly in disrepair. The family is worried that the bathroom ceiling will collapse from water damage and the kitchen cabinets fall apart when they are opened. Heather's daughter suffers from asthma and is affected when neighbors smoke cigarettes outside their apartment.
Heather and her children know all of this will change when they move into their new Habitat home. Her children are looking forward to playing sports outside and starting school in a new district. Heather is grateful that she has been given the opportunity to learn about construction and repairs during her sweat equity hours and is thankful for the opportunity to meet other Habitat families.
Heather would like to show that through hard work and determination, homeownership is possible. She's excited to be able to ride bikes and do yard work with her children in the future.
To read more about Heather and her children, click here. Also, consider volunteering with us and help to build a brighter future for our partner families.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon
During the week of May 8th, a team of Habitat’s AmeriCorps members traveled to Milwaukee Denver
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs created in 1993 that engages more than 50,000 Americans each year in service in our communities. Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver has 8 AmeriCorps members that help us build safe and affordable homes for low-income families each year. For AmeriCorps member Leanna Powell, one highlight of her experience was working on the porch for a 21-year old single mother named Santana. Santana’s aunt, Licole, was talking about the house and how in one year they could be eating dinner on the porch with Santana’s daughter.
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