Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven

2012 Habitat/Lowe’s Women Build–Day 2

gnhadmin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:11:07 +0000

Day Two of the 2012 Habitat/Lowe’s Women Build was another great day. Volunteers spent the day working at 390 Gilbert Avenue, Hamden where Habitat is restoring a 19^th century farmhouse. Volunteers from Bank of America worked alongside Abi Colon, one of the future homeowners. They were joined by a half dozen of Habitat’s regular volunteers. Bank of America is helping to sponsor the project.

For photos of the 2012 Women Build, click here.

2012 Habitat/Lowe’s Women Build–Day 1

gnhadmin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:47:28 +0000

Day One of the 2012 Habitat/Lowe’s Women Build was a great success! Volunteers worked at Habitat’s newest construction location on Congress Avenue, New Haven. Four new construction homes are being built on the site. Employees from Carmody & Torrance law firm worked side by side with half a dozen future Habitat homeowners, as well as volunteers from William Pitt/Sotheby’s. William Pitt/Sotheby’s is a member of Madison Cares, the house sponsor of 880 Congress Avenue.

Volunteers spent the day constructing frames for the walls of two of the houses.

Habitat gratefully acknowledges Carmody & Torrance for contributing financially, as well as volunteering (and for providing a pizza lunch for the entire build crew!). Thanks also to Starbucks New Haven (Church & Chapel location) for donating coffee.

For more photos of the 2012 Women Build, click here.

Habitat GNH Ranked #3 on List of 10 Charities Worth Watching!

gnhadmin — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:30:29 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven has earned the distinction of being ranked #3 on Charity Navigator’s list of 10 Charities Worth Watching. This list encompasses charities that operate on less than $12 million per year and have been honored with “Four Star” ranking.

We are immensely grateful to all our donors who have given so generously through our annual appeals, special events, Carpenters Club, Cars for Homes, matched giving programs, and other ways. Your support is vital to our ability to serve Habitat families. Thank you!

Madison Cares Build #8 Groundbreaking!

gnhadmin — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:54:15 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven and Madison Cares will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, March 3, 10:00am at 880 Congress Avenue, New Haven. The house is the future home of Edmarie Vendrell and Alejandro Rodriguez (pictured above) and their daughter. It is the eighth Habitat building project undertaken by Madison Cares, Habitat’s oldest sponsor group. All are invited to attend.

880 Congress Avenue is the first of four new homes that Habitat plans to build on Congress Avenue this year. Construction on the other three is scheduled to begin in late spring.

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)

Call for Construction Volunteers!

gnhadmin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:50:16 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven invites you to join us in our mission to build and rehabilitate safe and affordable homes for qualified, working low-income families. We are in particular need of volunteers experienced in construction, who are willing to serve as crew leaders on a regular or semi-regular basis. We also welcome volunteers who are willing to learn.

Volunteering for Habitat is a uniquely rewarding experience. You will be helping a family in a very direct way, making it possible for them move from substandard, often overly expensive housing to a home of their own.

We have opportunities Tuesday through Saturday for individuals and groups. Please contact Ellen McNally, Habitat Volunteer Coordinator, at emcnally@habitatgnh.org or (203) 785-0794 for more information or visit the Habitat website at www.habitatgnh.org.

Be the change you want to see in the world!

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.–Dr. Seuss

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!