In the Running for “Be More” Award …

Posted on January 25, 2010 by transformchattanooga

Habitat for Humanity of  Greater Chattanooga is in the running for the People’s Choice award in WTCI’s inaugural Be More Awards!

Through online voting, local citizens  will decide which organization, from a pool of nominees chosen by a panel of community judges, they feel most exemplifies the spirit of the community.

Online voting will continue through February 15 .   Point your web browser to http://wtcitv.org/events/be-more/vote to cast your vote in support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

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Chattanooga Habitat Connected to Haiti Through International Partnership

Posted on January 14, 2010 by transformchattanooga

While Chattanooga is far from Haiti, the thoughts of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s staff turn to those impacted by the devastation – across Haiti 120 families live in homes built thanks to a partnership between Habitat affiliates here and there.

“Each year, every Habitat affiliate in the world shares a portion of its resources with a sister affiliate in another country.   This approach is a tremendous blessing to those working in poverty stricken areas where no local funds are available to fuel  the cycle of building homes with donated funds, and with mortgage repayments to drive future construction,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.   We have chosen Habitat for Humanity of Haiti as our partner, and have supported their efforts for many years.”

“We have no way to know at this point how Habitat’s homeowners in Haiti have fared in this tragedy, but it is already clear that an already difficult housing situation has now become a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions,” Palmer says.  “In any situation of this nature, rebuilding follows rescue and recovery operations and continues for many years.”

There are several ways that Tennessee Valley residents can support rebuilding efforts in Haiti according to Palmer:

  • Habitat for Humanity International is gathering funds for rebuilding efforts – area residents can give through www.habitat.org to support those efforts.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga will collect funds and forward to the international effort for those who prefer to give locally – donations may be sent to HFH of Greater Chattanooga, 1201 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408 – please note that they are for Haiti.
  • Continued support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s work will also support Haiti as well.   “We share a percentage of the unrestricted funding we receive each year with the Haiti affiliate extending the impact of our community’s generosity beyond our immediate area,” says Palmer.

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Don and Diane Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award!

Posted on December 18, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Don and Diane Barnes have received Habitat for Humanity International’s 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award for their outstanding efforts to make simple, decent, affordable housing a reality for everyone.

After participating in several mission trips with their church, Hixson First Baptist, Don and Diane participated  in a Habitat build with area Baptist congregations.  Soon after  Diane began working with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to encourage women to build through its first  Women Build house.  After Don retired from Dupont, they served as full-time site leaders, working daily alongside Habitat’s construction staff, and those first two homes turned into many more.

Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga (left) with Don Barnes (2nd from left) Diane Barnes (3rd from left), Erika Pope, (right) whose home is being built in the Barnes’ honor, and Sumner McCallie, Habitat’s board president (2nd from right).

“Over the years Don and Diane have put in countless hours in helping community volunteers build Habitat homes,” said Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Their attention to quality and excellence have set an example for staff and for volunteers – over their many years of service they have lived out their faith in a practical way, by building homes for our partner families with the attention to quality that all of us desire in our own homes.”

“Don and Diane have been a major part of the work of the Chattanooga Habitat family,” Palmer said.  “We are grateful for their contributions, and are excited to see them receive recognition for their dedicated service.  As a token of our gratitude, our next building coming up in January will be dedicated in their honor!”

Habitat for Humanity International recognized four volunteers with the 2009 national Lifetime Achievement Award. Every year thousands of volunteers serve as builders, fundraisers, advocates and more to further Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing from the face of the earth.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

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Community Foundation Grant Provides Forklift

Posted on November 23, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Thanks to a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, accepting donations at Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a breeze.  Prior to having the forklift large donations had to be unloaded by the hands of staff and volunteers.  The Habitat ReStore is a discount community store specializing in building materials and home furnishings.

Jason Hjelseth moves materials using the forklift secured through a Community Foundation Grant

Recently, the ReStore received 12 pallets of stain weighing more than 20,000 pounds. “With the new forklift, unloading the stain took less than a half hour,” said Tina Shaw-Cox, Director of ReStore Operations at Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. “Being able to handle larger donations quickly and safely helps us be more effective at generating funds to support the construction of more Habitat homes for families in need of affordable housing.”

The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga gives individuals and businesses the chance to come together, combining their giving, creating a large and powerful pool of assets that work to improve all aspects of our community.  More information is available at www.cfgc.org.

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NCAA House Complete!

Posted on November 20, 2009 by transformchattanooga

A tree donated by Take Root Chattanooga stands in front of the newly completed NCAA Home Team House

Construction of a Habitat for Humanity home that began in the parking lot at Finley stadium in Chattanooga at last year’s NCAA Division I Football Championship is now complete.  The walls to the home were built by local volunteers and members of the teams in last year’s championship, then assembled on site when construction of the home began.

“Chattanooga has the honor of being home to both the first and last homes built under the Home Team partnership between Habitat for Humanity International and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA)” said Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “From 2005 to 2008, 5,000 NCAA student-athletes, coaches, staff and other volunteers have helped build nearly 60 homes throughout the nation.  We are grateful to the NCAA, its staff and student athletes who helped make a difference for Crystal and her family.”

Having a new place to call home will mean a new start for Crystal and her children.  Fear was a constant companion during Crystal Johnson’s childhood in Avondale.   Her home was broken into on a regular basis and her parents feared for the safety of their children.  Crystal remembers going home to a house that had been broken into yet again, and her father doing his walk-through of her house to make sure it was safe enough for his family to come in.  Her house was riddled with roaches and gophers – the roach problem only exacerbated Crystal’s asthma, another reason she couldn’t stay in her own home.

The fear and poverty of her childhood drove her to become a social worker.  “I really wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives,” Crystal says. After graduating from Brainerd, Crystal pursued a degree in social work at UTC.  Her first job was working with the children at Chambliss Children’s Shelter.   She now works as a case worker at Fortwood Mental Health Center.

Crystal is determined to give her two children a home free of fear and to use homeownership to break the cycle of poverty she has endured.   Crystal’s determination led her to Habitat as a resource to reach that goal. “I’m so independent and I am ready to own a home of my own., ” Crystal says.

Construction of Crystal’s home was accomplished with countless hours of volunteer labor from individuals and groups around Chattanooga.

The NCAA is a membership-led nonprofit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Divisions I, II and III sports. Visit  www.ncaa.org and  www.ncaa.com for more details about the Association, its goals and members and corporate partnerships that help support programs for student-athletes.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

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Chris Horne Memorial House Build Underway!

Posted on November 19, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Michelle Moore, future owner of the Chris Horne Memorial was on-hand for the kick-off. With Michelle are her brother and her daughter.

Making a difference in the world, enjoying the outdoors and teaching children about nature were important to Chris Horne.   This  morning, his family and friends came together to kickoff construction of a Habitat for Humanity home in his memory for Michelle Moore and her children.

Chris was born in Durham, N.C., but moved around a lot, growing up mostly in northern Virginia. He graduated from William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va., with a degree in biology. He taught in Alexandria, Va., from 1995-1997, before moving to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to enroll in a one-year master’s program teaching field-based education methods.

He met Mandy Hullander, only daughter of Bill and Linda Hullander, of Chattanooga, TN, while at Jackson Hole.  Chris stayed in Jackson Hole for seven years, before briefly returning to graduate school at Antioch New England Graduate School in New Hampshire, where he earned his master’s degree in conservation biology.

In 2007 Chris accepted a position as principal of the Summit Charter School in Cashiers, North Carolina.  Mandy and Chris were married in June 2007.  While on a trip to Baja in November 2007, Chris and Mandy were involved in a car crash, which claimed his life.

“I approached Habitat with this idea to not only honor my late brother-in-law but to help a family in need and give our employees a chance to participate and give back as well.,” says Matt Hullander.  “Chris would be proud and is for sure missed. “

Thanks to the support of Alside Incorporated , Associated Roofing & Insulation, C.B. Electric, Drain Right Guttering, Elegant Accents, Excel Contracting, Howard Outdoors, Hullco Exteriors, J.B. Millworks, James Wilson Crane Company, Key’s Carpet Center, Lansing Building Products, Mike Bible Carpet, Shane Foley, Scott Orr, Sun Windows, Sunrise Windows , Ted Fugunt Heat & Air , Wally’s Restaurant and many others,  construct is poised to begin on a simple , decent, and affordable home for Michelle Moore and her two children over the next several months.

Bill Hullander, right, workers from Hullco Exteriors, and Hafitat constrution staff lay out walls for the home.

“It amazes me to think that people are going to take time out of their busy lives to help build my house,” say Michelle.  “I never knew people like that before Habitat.”  Michelle has struggled with insect infestations and landlords who would not fix problems in the unit she could barely afford.  Her children lacked a safe and decent place to play.  “After my car was broken into for the second time, I knew I had to find a better home for my family.”

Habitat has provided Michelle with much more than just an opportunity to receive a home-the required homeowner

Workers from Hullco Exteriors steady the first wall of the Chris Horne Memorial house about one hour after the start of construction this morning.

education classes have taught her valuable life lessons.  “Like most people, I was spending money unwisely.  The money management classes have taught me so much.”

Michelle is working hard to complete the 300 sweat equity hours that are required before she can close and move into her new home.   “Working full time and being a single mom makes putting in hours difficult, but I know it is well worth the hard work.  My daughters constantly talk about their new home.  They want everything to be pink.”

More than providing a home for her daughters, Michelle will also be able to help her mom care for three of her nieces for whom she has custody.  “My mom is a recent survivor of lung cancer.  I can’t wait to have a place where they can all come relax and be happy.”

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Southside Build Film Screened at National Conference

Posted on November 9, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Chattanooga-keys

Baja Dalla receives the keys to his new home earlier this year. His story, and the details of the effort to build his home are detailed in a film to be shown at a national revitalization conference

Though construction of the Habitat for Humanity home built in Chattanooga’s Southside last year has been completed for several months, its impact continues through a locally produced film that will be shown at the National Brownfields Conference in New Orleans on November 17.

Main Street: More than a Home, by Dave Porfiri and Linda Duvoisin of Chattanooga based film and television production company Mindflow Media , documents the construction of the first Habitat for Humanity home in Chattanooga to be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.  It also touches on the inspiring story of Baja Dalla who lost his family in the genocide in the Sudan, grew to adulthood in a refugee camp, fell in love, was married, and now has found a new home in Chattanooga, thanks to the generosity of the Southside Community.

“This event is the most comprehensive conference on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment in the nation,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “The Southside build was a special experience for everyone involved.  I am confident that the film will touch many hearts, and will encourage others to initiate change in their communities.  It is a real honor for our community, and particularly for Dave and Linda to have this film shown at such an important conference.”

More information about the conference is available at www.brownfieldsconference.org.  Information about the  filmmakers is available at www.mindflowmedia.com.  Film details are available at www.greeninghabitat.org.  Baja Dalla’s story is available at www.transformchattanooga.org.  More information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is available at www.habichatt.org.

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First Baptist Build Honors Carroll and Mildred Fox

Posted on October 16, 2009 by transformchattanooga
Mildred and Carroll Fox

Mildred and Carroll Fox

As members of First Baptist Church gather on Bill Reed Road in Ooltewah to start a Habitat build this weekend, Carroll and Mildred Fox will be in their thoughts.

During the formative years of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, Carroll was actively involved building homes alongside fellow members of First Baptist Church, and in providing leadership for Habitat’s efforts through serving on the board of directors, and for a term as president of the organization.  Carroll continued to volunteer despite health challenges and the death of his wife, Mildred.  Though illness put him on the sidelines several years ago, he kept in touch with Habitat’s progress through friends and fellow volunteers until his death earlier this year.

“Carroll was a dedicated supporter of Habitat’s work,” says Pete Palmer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area.   “His work on the jobsite and in building the organization laid a strong foundation for Habitat’s continued work in Chattanooga.   I’m sure that both he and Mildred would be delighted to have their name associated with the construction of a home for a young couple who have struggled with housing.”

Construction of the home for Zachary and Christy Hullender and their two children will start October 17, and continue for the next 16 weeks, not counting the upcoming holidays.  The project will make a tremendous difference in this young family’s life.

Prior to the start of their new Habitat home, the Hullenders lived in a rundown trailer with serious mold problems, and unsafe aluminum wiring that would catch fire.  Their daughter was often burned by the space heaters the family had to use in the winter time.   All four of them were forced to sleep in one room because of a hole in the ceiling of the only other bedroom, and the only toilet in the trailer was falling through the floor.

The Hullenders have always wanted to have something better for their children, but felt like they had no hope being so young and with the economy in turmoil.   After hearing about Habitat for Humanity from Zachary’s mother, they applied to be a partner family and found hope that they would soon have a home of their own.

“My children are still very small, but I know they are going to love having a new home, to have a room all their own, a place big enough for them to play,” Christy says.  The family is excited to have their dream coming true, and wants others to also feel the joy of their own dreams being fulfilled. Christy plans to volunteer to help build another family’s home, so that she can make a difference in someone else’s life in the same way Habitat has done for her and her family.

“We are grateful for the support of First Baptist church in building this home in memory of the Foxes,” says Palmer.  “It is a privilege to work with them to bless the Hullander family, and honor the memory of two people who have  made a tremendous difference in our community through their service.”

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Habitat Welcomes New VISTAs to Team

Posted on October 16, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Habitat for Humanity would like you to help us welcome our 2009-2010 AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers in Service to America)  Van Patton and David Pemberton have taken a vow of poverty and service for the next 12 months to assist Habitat in the ReStore and Family Services.  They will build new programs and methods to increase productivity.
Van and David
Van Patton, ReStore VISTA, attended college at University of Tennessee studying Political Science.  David Pemberton, Family Services VISTA attended Lee University and has a background in Creative Writing.

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Film on Local Build to be Shown in Festival

Posted on October 16, 2009 by transformchattanooga

Main Street: More than a Home, a local film by Mindflow Media, will be featured at the Brownfields Film Festival onHabitat LEED Home Tuesday, November 17th.  The film follows the story of the construction of one of Habitat for Humanity’s first LEED Certified Homes in Tennessee.

For more about the Brownfield Film Festival visit http://www.brownfieldsconference.org/en/Page.Filmseries2009.aspx
For more about Mindflow Media and the project visit http://greeninghabitat.org/page/the-filmmakers

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