Summer 2013

Loveland Habitat Volunteers Help Rebuild After Hurricane Sandy

Loveland Habitat for Humanity:

ibuild Loveland … will you?

A group from the Loveland Habitat for Humanity based in Loveland, Colorado spent time in the southern

portion of Little Ferry in June helping repair homes that sustained damage in the storm. "A lot of people from

Colorado love the east coast," said Gwen Stephenson, executive director of Loveland Habitat for Humanity.

"There’s a real connection here."

Stephenson said that the group takes a mission trip every year and they normally go outside of the country to

help people, but after all of the recent disasters that have occurred here, they decided to stay close to home. "We

decided we’d like to come to New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy hit," Stephenson said. "We had heard there was a

lot of need here and Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County was well-organized and could accommodate a lot of

volunteers, so we decided to come to Little Ferry."

The group stayed at the Little Moon Volunteer Hostel on Lafayette Street and

spent the week in the basement and garages of homes on Velock Drive and

Gertz Avenue in the borough. Their main task was fixing and solidifying the

walls of homes that suffered water damage. They also particularly focused on

the homes of the older population in Little Ferry who might have a harder time

fixing the damage done by the storm.

"This is something that we could never do on our own," said Velock Drive

resident Jim Coyle. "These people are amazing."

"We believe that the people of Loveland truly reflect the name," said

Stephenson. "We live in such a great place, we want to give back and help make

our country great. I believe very strongly in the people of the United States

helping one another. We’re always looking outside the country, but I think we

should stay here and help take care of one another. That’s the biggest reason we’re here in Little Ferry."

On their final day in the borough, the group from Loveland presented Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County

with an additional donation to help with the recovery effort. "We are truly appreciative to have a fellow

Colorado affiliate reach out and assist us in our efforts of restoring Hurricane Sandy victims' homes in Little Fer-

ry," said Jaicey Raimondo, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County. "Loveland Habitat for

Humanity’s group of volunteers made a substantial impact in and contributed to the progress during their week

in New Jersey. We are thankful for their support!"

Education Sets Tone of Success for Loveland Habitat Homeowners

Loveland Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Shari received a number of “tools”

while helping to build her Habitat home. In addition to using hammers, saws and

tape measures, she received the tools that education provides; tools that have

helped her become a successful homeowner.

Shari and all other Loveland Habitat Homeowners are required to participate in a

number of free classes as part of their partnership and sweat equity with the

affiliate. These classes provide information about finances, home maintenance,

landscaping and much more. And even after the required classes are complete,

many homeowners enroll in optional classes, furthering their knowledge and

bonding even more with their other Habitat neighbors.

“The best one for me was Financial Peace University, a 12-week class. That class really makes you want to hold your money

tight and save. It empowers you to think more about what you want and what you really need. It gives you tools to eventually

have quite a nice future. The rest is up to you, of course,” said Shari.

For more than 10 years, Susan Briggs, Loveland Habitat for Humanity Program Director, has been coordinating a multitude of

how-to classes that set Loveland Habitat homeowners up for success. “The classes help to prepare people for the realities and

responsibilities of homeownership,” said Briggs. “A home does not fix things and it is only good if people are prepared for

what come with it.”

Briggs started the program with just the financial class after seeing families struggling with budget issues. Reaching out to

Consumer Credit Counseling – now Green Path – she brought in experts that would help support families prior to being

approved for a Loveland Habitat home. Families were, and still are, given the expertise to understand their credit scores, learn

how to handle bad debt and how to move forward on the path to potential homeownership.

The classes take place every month and are open to current and future Habitat homeowners,

those who have inquired about the homeowner program and if appropriate, others working

with social agencies like House of Neighborly Service (HNS). Loveland Habitat also opens

classes to Berthoud Habitat for Humanity and its homeowners. Classes include Financial

Peace University, Wills Workshop, Landscaping 101, Healthy Cooking, Parenting, Credit

Classes, Energy Smart Living, Home Maintenance and many more. Area experts donate their

time to teach the classes, which are all free.

“As a home builder and mortgage lender, Loveland Habitat is proud to offer this wonderful

set of tools to ensure people have the necessary information to help make them successful in

their new status as a homeowner,” said Loveland Habitat Executive Director Gwen

Stephenson. “If all lenders did this, I believe we would see less foreclosures and more

productive families in all communities.”

Save the Date for

Loveland Habitat for Humanity’s Family Holiday Extravaganza, December 7, 1-4 pm at

the Embassy Suites Loveland. Children of all ages will enjoy a day of Old Fashioned Holiday Fun, including Gingerbread,

Santa Claus and his Top Elf, Face Painting, Caricatures, Live Entertainment and Much More! Call 970-669-9769 for more

information! Or visit www.lovelandhabitat.org.

Loveland Habitat for Humanity partners with

area churches to help build affordable

housing

One way Foundations Church member

Michael Melancon puts his faith in

action is by building houses. Melancon

and other members of the Loveland

church volunteer the third Saturday of

the month on the different construction

phases involved in building Loveland Habitat for Humanity

affordable homes.

"We believe we are doing God's work," Melancon said, adding

that the volunteers give of their time while living out the Christian

tenet of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.

"Habitat is a Christian organization, and we believe there's a

natural merge there between faith and Habitat."

The Foundations Church in Loveland is one of 20 churches

actively engaged in Habitat building projects, along with another

10 to 20 churches that provide volunteers on an irregular basis.

"We're trying to re-engage the faith community," said Michelle

Lehr, resource development director and faith relations liaison for

Loveland Habitat for Humanity.

Faith engagement refers to the partnerships formed between

Habitat and area churches, as well as the support the faith

community gives to Habitat and its mission, Lehr said.

Loveland Habitat's mission to serve others is similar to a faith

mission, said Gwen Stephenson, executive director of the

Loveland Habitat.

"We're a faith-based organization, and we just feel churches and

their missions align with our foundation and purpose,"

Stephenson said. "We are looking at: What are ways we can better

partner with churches?"

The organization is distributing information with a dozen ways to

engage faith partners with Habitat, including sponsoring a whole

house, engaging congregations in different Habitat projects, such

as A Brush With Kindness home preservation program, and

creating a Habitat-themed Vacation Bible School curriculum.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans provides a model of such a

partnership with Habitat organizations by

providing grants, volunteers and other resources

to help build homes through annual Thrivent

Builds events.

"We want to take the Thrivent model and use that

with other churches," Stephenson said.

Joey Parsons, pastor of Fields of Grace

Presbyterian Church, researched organizations

serving the community when he started the Loveland church

more than six years ago, he said. He liked what Habitat does and

wanted to encourage church members to volunteer, he said.

Loveland Habitat for Humanity Awards Annual

Education Scholarship

Loveland Habitat for Humanity recently awarded two higher

education scholarships through its Susan McGraw Scholarship

Program. Loveland Habitat homeowners and their families are

eligible for the program. The most recent winners, Rachel and

Ashley, will utilize their awards toward their college education.

Established in 2007, the fund was founded by volunteers to assist

Loveland Habitat families and their children planning to attend

school, from obtaining their GED, to going to college or attending a

tech school. The fund is named in memory of the wife of a Loveland

Habitat volunteer, McGraw, who had a passion for people finding a

better way through education.

“The fund was established with the thought that additional

education for a Habitat family will result in a higher income

potential,” said Susan Briggs, Loveland Habitat Program Director.

“The award of scholarships is done through committee based on

established guidelines which review all applications and

recommend the awards. The fund is managed by the Community

Foundation of Northern Colorado.”

Briggs added that the annual award is dependent on available

funds, with applicants allowed to apply up to 4 times or a

maximum of $10,000. To date, $23.025 has been awarded. Loveland

Habitat applicants are encouraged to apply for additional

scholarships and the Loveland Habitat process assists the

individuals in becoming more exposed to other financial

opportunities. Applicants must be active homeowners – paying a

mortgage – and they must be original family members.

“There are so many direct benefits from this program. People are

able to acquire additional education, increase earning potential, all

while limiting the amount of debt incurred,” added Briggs.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES - SUMMER/FALL 2013

For more information or to sign up for any of these opportunities, contact

Kristy, 669-9769 kristy@lovelandhabitat.org

CONSTRUCTION ONGOING

Multiple homes in different build stages at 3 different construction sites. Build days

every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and some Fridays. All skill levels welcome. Age

restrictions apply. Contact us to schedule! Regular Thursday volunteers are our

greatest current need, but there’s always work!

A BRUSH WITH KINDNESS JULY - SEPTEMBER

Help preserve homeownership in Loveland by partnering with low income

homeowners to renovate and maintain their homes. Projects in 2013 involve minor

exterior repairs, painting, yard clean-up, etc. Age restrictions apply. 200+ Volunteers

needed!

ReSTORE ONGOING

Proceeds from our thrift store cover 100% of our overhead and build one entire home

each year. Support us by donating, shopping or volunteering at our ReStore!

Volunteer opportunities for age 17+ or 15+ with accompanying parent.

Be a part of the 2013 Jimmy & Rosalynn

Carter Work Project by supporting the

Loveland Habitat for Humanity

Board of Directors Team!

The Loveland Habitat for Humanity Board Team will be participating in a special build

event right here in Loveland! Board members will be building in conjunction with the

2013 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which will be hosted in Denver by

Habitat of Metro Denver.

Each year since 1984, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, give a

week of their time to help Habitat build homes. The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work

Project helps to raise awareness for the critical need for simple, decent and affordable

housing. Since it first began in 1984, the Carter Work Project has provided housing

solutions for families in 14 countries around the world, 18 states in the U.S. and the

District of Columbia. In 2011 and 2012, the Carter Work Project has built in Léogâne,

Haiti. In 2012 alone, over 600 volunteers from around the world helped complete 100

Habitat for Humanity homes in partnership with families affected by the 7.0-magnitude

earthquake that struck the region nearly three years ago.

2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, and

Habitat Metro Denver is honored to be a host for this milestone event. The 2013 Carter

Work Project will be travelling across the U.S., visiting cities including Oakland, San

Jose, Denver and New York City. Help support this amazing October 10 through 12

event right in your own backyard through your donation toward affordable homes here

in Loveland. Visit our website to donate: www.lovelandhabitat.org.

Habi Hour Gets

BIGGER!!!!

Don’t miss the action the first

and third Friday of EVERY

month at the Loveland

Habitat ReStore as we

celebrate HABI HOUR! For

90 minutes only—4:30 to 6

pm—all items in the store are

on sale (excluding cars)! All

you have to do is spin the

wheel as you check out to

learn your discount, anywhere

from 20 to 50 percent off!

And .refreshments are served

( juice and popcorn.)

So mark your calendar today

for the monthly Loveland

ReStore HABI HOUR!

SPECIAL HABI HOUR

JULY 19TH ALL DAY TO

RAISE FUNDS FOR

GRANBURY TEXAS

HABITAT TORNADO

VICTIMS! CALL

970-669-7343

FOR INFO.