Volunteers Needed on October 6: Head of the Housatonic Regatta

We will once again be managing the parking at the Head of the Housatonic Regatta and collecting donations from all attendees to support our home building projects! The event takes place on Saturday, October 6 and there are three, 3-hour volunteer shifts beginning at 6:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed to direct traffic, collect donations, and offer information to attendees. The parking takes place at 2 Corporate Drive in Shelton and the regatta takes place at Indian Well State Park, both in Shelton. Following their shift all volunteers are invited to take the shuttle bus to the regatta to see what all the excitement is about! This volunteer opportunity is appropriate for individuals and groups. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. To sign up now please log into VolunteerUp. For more information please contact Allison Mangles, Volunteer Coordinator, at amangles@habitatgnh.org or (203) 785-0794 ext. 110. We hope to see you at the regatta!

Volunteers collecting parking donations at the 2017 Head of the Housatonic Regatta.

Parking Lot Sales Dates Announced at the ReStore

Our last summer sale has been re-scheduled to Wednesday, August 15!

Through a generous donation from a local furniture chain we are planning to hold three parking lot sales at our ReStore this summer! New and gently used furniture will be unloaded from a tractor trailer right in the parking lot on each day and everything must go! The sales, which are weather dependent, are scheduled on  June 30, July 21, and August 9 (rescheduled to August 15) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The ReStore, located at 286 South Colony Road, will be open for regular business on these days, too, so stop by to shop for everything from furniture, to lighting, to home decor and cabinetry. You never know what you will find but the selection is different every time!

Dedication of 45 and 47 Vernon Street: July 5 at 4:30 p.m.

Join us as we celebrate on Vernon Street with the Rivera and Bracero-Vazquez families! Their new homes will be dedicated at a ceremony on July 5 at 4:30 p.m. Special thanks to Yale New Haven Hospital for sponsoring both of these homes and the all of the volunteers and supporters who made this build possible. In a week filled with festivities we hope to see you on Vernon Street!

Students from Guilford High School helped out at 47 Vernon Street in June. 45 Vernon Street will also be dedicated on July 5!

Vote for us at Blue State Coffee through June 30

Blue State Coffee’s 276 York Street location in New Haven has selected Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven as one of four non-profit organizations they currently support. Between now and June 30, everyone who makes a purchase will receive a wooden coin to drop in the bucket of the non-profit of their choice. If you are in the area please stop by and support us with your vote! It may seem like a wooden coin is not worth much but there is a lot of power behind your vote. Blue State Coffee will divide their donations based on the percentage of total votes each non-profit receives. Thanks to all of you for voting and thanks to Blue State Coffee for this opportunity.

Employees from Blue State Coffee with homeowner Jose on the work site at Vernon Street.

Join us as a ReStore Volunteer!

Do you want to support Habitat’s work in a unique way? Volunteering at our ReStore is a great way to do it!

The Habitat Restore sells gently used and new items for the home including furniture, appliances, lighting, tools, cabinets, vanities, sinks, and much more. An ever changing selection of small decor and entertainment items are also available. All funds raised through sales at the ReStore go toward our organization’s home building and restoration projects.

ReStore volunteers perform a variety of tasks including assisting customers, arranging floor displays, cleaning, and general store upkeep. It is helpful if volunteers are physically able to assist in lifting furniture but it is not mandatory.  Volunteering at the ReStore is a great way to meet new people, see all of the treasures that arrive at the store multiple times per week, and help make home ownership a reality for the families who partner with Habitat. This is also a great opportunity for high school and college students who would like to earn community service hours.

ReStore hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday-Saturday.  We can accommodate two volunteers per shift so feel free to volunteer with a friend or family member or help out on your own. Sign up on VolunteerUp or contact Allison Mangles, Volunteer Coordinator, at amangles@habitatgnh.org or (203) 785-0794 ext. 110 for more information.

The ReStore is located at 286 South Colony Road in Wallingford.

Groundbreaking at 55 Redfield Street, New Haven: June 16, 2018

You are invited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hickman family’s home!
We will gather on Saturday, June 16 at 2:00 p.m. with homeowner Tameca, her children, friends, and family to kick-off this new home building project. This is a current picture of the lot but in a few short months we plan to add a beautiful home to this neighborhood. Special thanks to our community build, Sleeping Giant Build, for sponsoring this house. We hope to see you there!

Celebrate with Dads and Grads on the Work Site: June 23, 2018

June means lots of love for grads, dads, and dad-like mentors and friends. Want to spend some quality time with your favorite dad or grad? Then sign up to volunteer with us! We have special openings for individuals on Saturday, June 23 to build at 45 and 47 Vernon Street in New Haven. If you cannot make it that day then feel free to select any other open spots on the calendar. Our construction team works Tuesday- Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and they would love to see you out there; all volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Any day is a great day to celebrate, even after June ends! You can also honor someone special by making a monetary donation to Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. 

The Great Give: May 1-2, 2018

Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven is once again participating in The Great Give, a 36-hour online giving event to support local non-profits. The Great Give is exactly what it sounds like, a GREAT time to GIVE! Our organization has the opportunity to earn prizes and matching funds based on the number of donors and the amount of money raised. Making a donation is a simple, meaningful way to help us continue partnering with families and building homes in our community.

Donations can be made anytime between 8:00 a.m. on May 1 through 8:00 p.m. on May 2 but we have a special opportunity to earn an additional $3,000 when you give between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on May 2. This prize is sponsored by Liberty Bank and will be awarded to the organization focused on housing and homelessness with the greatest number of unique donors during that one hour period. Set your alarm, mark your calendar, and grab your credit card to make a difference! We appreciate your generosity.

Update: Thank you to everyone who made a donation through The Great Give! Your generosity is appreciated.

National Women Build Week: May 5-12, 2018

For the 11th year, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are engaging women nationwide to work together to build Habitat homes during this year’s National Women Build Week from May 5-12. In preparation for the build week, Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven and Lowe’s are asking women to get involved by signing up to volunteer and build.

During Women Build Week we will be working on home building projects in New Haven. Most volunteer work will be done at 45 and 47 Vernon Street, two homes right next door to each other. Our goal is to complete the construction of both these homes in June so all help will be greatly appreciated.

To sign up as an individual volunteer please go to VolunteerUp to create a profile and select your desired date. If you are part of a club, organization, or business that would like to volunteer as a group please contact Allison Mangles, Volunteer Coordinator, at amangles@habitatgnh.org or (203) 785-0794 ext. 110. No experience is needed and both men and women are welcome to join us on the site. All volunteers must be at least 16 years of age or older.

If you cannot volunteer but you would like to be a part of Women Build Week please consider making a donation in honor of a special woman in your life.

Update: Thank you to all of the volunteers and the Lowe’s Heroes who made the Women Build a success! Lots of sheet rock work was completed in the two homes and everyone enjoyed their time on the work site. Be sure to check out the pictures from this fantastic event!

Dedication of 13 Rock Creek Road, New Haven

Join us as we ‘pass the hammer’ on Saturday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. at the dedication of the Adopo family’s new home! Meet the family and other Habitat supporters who have joined together to continue Habitat for Humanity’s mission. No RSVP necessary, we look forward to seeing you at the celebration.

Update: The dedication was a success and we could not have asked for a more beautiful day! If you missed the event you can check out the pictures in our album on Facebook.