Archive | November, 2009

Community Foundation Grant Provides Forklift

23 Nov

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 http://www.cfgc.org.

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NCAA House Complete!

20 Nov

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!

19 Nov

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

9 Nov

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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