Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven » Habitat News Archive

Thanks to the MLK Day of Service Volunteers

gnhadmin — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:11:43 +0000

More than two dozen volunteers came out to work for Habitat on Saturday, January 14 in honor of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The day’s work crew included employees from Yale-New Haven Hospital, members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (New Haven Alumnae Chapter), several Habitat homebuyer families doing sweat equity, regular Habitat volunteers, and Antoine Claiborne, Habitat’s AmeriCorps VISTA worker. Volunteers put up siding, installed porches, applied fire stop caulking, and much more. Coffee was provided by Starbucks, and lunch was generously donated by Olive Garden, Orange.

Song “Decent Shelter” Benefits Habitat

gnhadmin — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:33:52 +0000

One of the best ways to help get Habitat’s message out into the world is through music, since it engages the heart strings in a way that nothing else can. At Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven’s recent 25th Anniversary Gala, a group of musicians debuted a new song written for just that purpose – to inspire volunteers and donors and to provide a beautiful way to support our mission. “Decent Shelter”, written by Debra Alt, Jeff Fuller, and Steve Lazrove, captures the Habitat experience for both families and volunteers. Debra got the idea when she saw the work her daughter was doing on Habitat builds. Debra started volunteering at the Habitat Restore in Salem, Connecticut and wanted to add Habitat to the list of other causes she’s written songs for. “Decent Shelter” was written to in spire, to encourage fundraising and volunteerism, and to enhance dedications and other Habitat gatherings. The song is available via CD or download from the songwriter’s website debrasong.com. Proceeds will support Habitat’s mission of building safe, decent, affordable homes for working low income families.

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Habitat & YNHH Groundbreaking at 34 & 38 Vernon Street, New Haven

gnhadmin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:53:17 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven and Yale-New Haven Hospital held a groundbreaking on Tuesday, October 11 for two new homes to be built on Vernon Street. YNHH is sponsoring both houses. YNHH has previously partnered with Habitat by sponsoring three other homes in the Hill North community. In addition to financial support, YNHH will send teams of volunteers to help build the houses.

Family selection is underway.

(Left to right: Jacqueline James-Evans, Alderwoman, Ward 3; Bill Casey, Habitat Executive Director; Richard D’Aquila, Executive VP & COO, YNHH; Michael Bennick, MD, Associate Chief of Internal Medicine, YNHH; and Barbara Katz, President, Habitat Board of Directors)

Another Great West Rock Challenge!

gnhadmin — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:19:49 +0000

Sleeping Giant Build’s 3rd Annual West Rock Challenge drew an enthusiastic crowd of runners and supporters on Sunday, August 21. Sixty-three runners participated in the 9 mile and 5 kilometer races at West Rock Ridge State Park in Hamden. The main sponsors of the event again this year were D’Aniello’s Amity Bicycles and Woodbridge Running Co.

Proceeds from the event will support Sleeping Giant Build’s fourth home building project for Habitat, which will be the rehab of 390 Gilbert Avenue, Hamden.

Click here to see race results.

Click here for the photo album of the event.

Click here for a great blog posting by The Bimbler’s Sound, a running group that participated.

Dedication Day at 12 Elliot Street

gnhadmin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 14:57:56 +0000

Any day is a good day when there’s a dedication of a new Habitat home, but August 17 was exceptionally beautiful for the dedication of 12 Elliot Street, New Haven. Homebuyer Shanna Green and her children–daughter Aida, 13 and son Rahim, 12–were joined by Habitat staff, volunteers, donors, friends and supporters to celebrate this landmark achievement. The dedication ceremony included Habitat’s traditional “passing of the hammer” by Habitat construction manager Adam Blasavage, which symbolizes the owner’s assuming responsibility for the house, as well as the presentation of a Bible and a house blessing that was done by The Rev. Steven Domienik, pastor of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Madison. Speakers included Habitat executive director Bill Casey, Board president Barbara Katz, family liaison Debra Watson and Madison Cares president Maureen Lopes. (Madison Cares, a Habitat house sponsor group, has raised funds for and helped build seven Habitat homes.) All commented on Shanna’s extraordinary commitment to accomplishing her sweat equity hours in addition to working full time and going to school.

Members of Madison Cares donated numerous housewarming gifts, including a handmade lap quilt, a complete set of new pots and pans, a tool box and a basket full of housewares that were presented to Shanna by Maureen Lopes. Mike Bruno and Nuno Dos Santos, representing Bank of America which donated $10,000 to the project, offered their congratulations. Bank of America employees came out twice to volunteer on the house.

Read the New Haven Independent article about the dedication here.

Shanna inspects her new quilt

Bank of America employees Nuno Dos Santos and Mike Bruno with Shanna, son Rahim and daughter Aida

Congratulations, Shanna, Aida and Rahim!

Our 25th Anniversary Gala!

gnhadmin — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 21:50:44 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven celebrated its 25th anniversary in style with a gala on Friday, June 10 at the beautiful waterfront grounds of the Owenego Inn in Branford. More than 250 guests attended the celebration. Habitat honored four longstanding supporters with induction into our Master Builder Hall of Fame. The honorees were Tom DiBlasi, Duo Dickinson, Lorraine Martin and Debra Watson.

Habitat supporters enjoyed an evening of great music by Jeff Fuller and Friends; luscious heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and desserts; and a fabulous silent auction.

Since our founding in 1986, Habitat has built or rehabbed 78 homes! Click here for the retrospective booklet that was designed and produced for the occasion.

(all photos by Amy Etra)

The honorees (left to right): Tom DiBlasi, Debra Watson, Duo Dickinson & Lorraine Martin

Some of the silent auction items

Jeff Fuller & Friends

A beautiful evening at the Owenego Inn