Archive | April, 2010

2nd Annual Sustainable Giving Sustainable Living Dinner Garners $45,000 in Support of Habitat’s Work

28 Apr

More than 300 friends of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga recently gathered last Thursday night at the Mill on the Southside for the 2nd Annual Sustainable Giving Sustainable Living Dinner and raised $ 45,000 in support of Habitat’s homeownership program.

McCallie Guitar Ensemble provided dinner music.

Guests enjoyed music by the McCallie Guitar Ensemble and a dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services.  Long-time volunteer Diane Barnes, who along with her husband Don was honored last year with a life-time achievement award from Habitat for Humanity International set the tone for the evening by sharing her passion for investing in people’s lives through homebuilding.

A scroll representing how many homes Don and Diane Barnes have helped build was unrolled as their service was recognized.

An auction then followed with board members, homeowners and staff sharing different facets of Habitat’s work and its impact.  Erika Pope whose home is currently under construction brought home the emotion of longing for homeownership, when she talked of her son’s life-long dream of having his own room and a family dog.  His dream will soon come true thanks to her Habitat home which is currently under construction.

Habitat homewner (right) Erika Pope, her son and other guests enjoyed dinner catered by Sodexho Dining Services.

As each auction level was reached, details were added to a digital representation of a house on a screen, thanks to graphics generously created by Artech.  DV Communications support through audio and visual equipment greatly enhanced the evening.

“Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Wilkinson Group, all our event expenses were covered, so that 100% of the funds raised at the dinner, go to support Habitat’s work,” said Sumner McCallie, president of Habitat’s board.  “We are so grateful to everyone who came out to support Habitat’s work in this community.  Thanks to them Habitat will be able to change the lives of more families and ultimately our community.”

Diane Barnes spoke eloquently regarding the importance of building relationships when partnering with families in need of homes.

The lead sponsor for the event was the Wilkinson Companies – Pinnacle Condominiums.  Other sponsors included:  A& A Outdoor Maintenance, ABC Supply, Charlie Belcher, Dave and Erin Labelle Photography, DV Communications, Hayward Bolt and Supply, Ramsey Dethero, Sumner McCallie, and Thompson Rogers and Williams, PLLC.   Twenty five other individuals, organizations and businesses hosted tables.


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Chattanooga Families to Get Homes Thanks to Stimulus

28 Apr

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is among area affordable housing organizations who are working on housing projects supported by the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)


From The Chattanooga Times Free Press …

More than $2.3 million in federal stimulus money was funneled through the city Tuesday night [April 27, 2010] as City Council members voted to help alleviate housing woes in Chattanooga’s worst neighborhoods.

“We have projects ready to go,” said Beverly Johnson, administrator for the city’s Department of Public Works and Community Development. “These aren’t pie in the sky.”

The council voted unanimously to approve five resolutions allocating the money. Councilwoman Deborah Scott abstained from one vote because she serves on the board of Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise.

The money is supposed to help stabilize neighborhoods suffering from foreclosures and vacant lots, Ms. Johnson said. She said the city has six projects for which the money will be allocated.

The money will be used to help develop eight new, affordably priced, energy-efficient homes in Bushtown; construct or renovate 10 homes in the Glenwood/Orchard Knob neighborhood; provide a minimum of eight hours of homebuyer education for up to 40 eligible families; develop four affordable houses for homeless persons; build seven homes for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga; and buy foreclosed homes, mostly in Brainerd, records show.

WHERE THE MONEY WENT

The city allocated $2.3 million in federal stimulus money over the last two weeks. The projects include:

* $350,000: Money for Bushtown neighborhood project

* $900,000: Money for Glenwood/Orchard Knob neighborhood project

* $10,000: Funds for homebuyer education

* $142,000: Development of four homes for homeless

* $500,000: Amount of money for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, Inc.

* $652,000: Money allocated for buying foreclosed homes

Source: Department of Neighborhood Service and Community Development

Jesse Wiles, a consultant with APD Urban Planning and Management, said the money also helped raise private dollars.

“The funds will be used in such a way that it will leverage other funds,” he said.

Private investors also threw in $2.9 million, records show. Ms. Johnson said a second round of stimulus money — $600,000 — will be funded in coming weeks.

Councilman Peter Murphy, who represents Bushtown, Glenwood and Orchard Knob, said Tuesday that the money is helping revitalize old, “wonderful” neighborhoods that need some help.

“It’s helping to open further investment by responsible investors,” he said.

Pete Palmer, executive director for Habitat Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, said because of the “sluggish” economy it has been hard to raise money for community needs. He said there are now 12 families on a waiting list for homes.

“It’s perfect timing,” he said of the money.

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Urban League “Green” Students Help Build Habitat Home

28 Apr

From http://www.chattanoogan.com ….

After weeks of studying manuals and taking exams, the men and women of Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Green Construction and Weatherization Program will put their handy skills to work.

The Urban League’s “green” students will join Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to help build a home for a deserving family on Wednesday and Thursday, April 28 and 29, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at 5704 Alabama Ave., Chattanooga.

“Working with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga reinforces one of Urban League’s main goals that every American lives in a safe, decent, affordable and energy efficient housing,” said Warren E. Logan Jr., president and CEO of Urban League. “It will require a constant network of partners and members of the community working together to improve our city’s infrastructure and environmental initiatives.”
The Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Green Construction and Weatherization Program is a ten-week program that teaches the fundamentals of green environment, green construction practices and green building rating systems. Upon completion of the course, students graduate with three nationally recognized certifications: Lane Control & Flagging, OSHA 10 and Green Advantage.

To qualify, individuals must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED and must be bondable.

“As a group this is our second Habitat for Humanity home construction project. The purpose of the collaboration is to apply classroom knowledge and green practices with hands-on training while making a difference in the community,” said Brandon Bacon, construction trainer.

“We are very excited to have the Urban League ‘green’ students join us on our construction site. Without the generosity of volunteers, Habitat for Humanity would not be able to sell the houses to deserving families at such a low cost,” said Dawn Hjelseth, director of volunteers.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that has been building simple, decent and affordable homes in Chattanooga. Since 1986, 224 homes were built by Habitat for Humanity and countless volunteers. Volunteers have an opportunity to learn about substandard housing issues, construction and teamwork.

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Wilkinson Group Supports Habichatt

9 Apr

Since early 2009 The Wilkinson Group, developers of the Pinnacle Condominiums on Stringers Ridge in Chattanooga have generously donated a portion of proceeds from recent unit sales in support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area, Inc.’s home ownership program.

So far they have donated $35,000 in support of Habitat’s work in Chattanooga!

“We are extremely grateful for the Wilkinson Group’s continued support,” says John Lamb, Habitat’s director of development.  “They have been incredibly generous, and their support has meant a great deal in these challenging times.”

They have generously sponsored Habitat’s Sustainable Living Sustainable Giving Dinner on April 22nd, so that 100% of the funds raised will support Habitat’s program in the months ahead.  Individual tickets are $15.  For tickets, please call 756-0507.

Introducing Terrie Freeman

9 Apr

Terrie Freeman partnered with Habitat for Humanity one year ago, after being referred to the program by a co-worker at McCallie School. Terrie currently lives in Greenwood Terrace, a housing project designed for low- income families. However, the area that Terrie and her family now reside in has begun to degenerate, being an environment of loud noise, heavy traffic, and more often than not, crime.

For the majority of her life, Terrie has raised three children, alone, in the very same apartment in Greenwood Terrace. “I always wanted to get out,” Terrie explains. Currently, she cares for two of her eldest grand children, Ta-liyal, who is eight, and Ti-on, who is seven.

Despite her life long difficulties, Terrie has found new hope in Habitat for Humanity partnership. “Now that I see I can do what others can, I am very proud of myself. I am very proud of where I am today.”

With the hope of soon owning her own home, Terrie wishes to create an environment of love for herself and her family. “The main thing my parents gave me was love. That’s what I want for my family.” Through home ownership, Terrie believes she will be able to give this gift fully. “I always made it through rainy days, because I know I have my family. Yeah, its bad when it rains, but when it rains, we all come together.”

Construction of Terrie’s home will begin in the next several weeks thanks to the generous  support of the Clarence E. Harris Foundation.

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Volkswagen Builds Community: The Pallet Project

6 Apr

Hamilton County Highway Department, Habitat ReStore, Volkswagen, Architectural Surfaces,  and Create Here  Collaborate on Pallet Recycling Project.

The Volkswagen Pallet Project is a neighborly Volkswagen initiative to provide the Chattanooga community with ongoing access to large quantities of oversized pallet lumber. As a follow-up to last month’s highly successful launch, the second distribution will take place April 17-18.

The Volkswagen Group of America’s Chattanooga plant—currently under construction at Enterprise South—is in the midst of stocking its buildings with large-scale equipment for building, assembling and painting cars. This equipment is being delivered to the Chattanooga Volkswagen site on huge pallets, made entirely of good quality lumber that has strong potential for reuse.

In most cases, shipping materials such as these would either be scrapped, recycled or simply thrown away. But our new automotive neighbors have opted instead to offer them to Chattanooga artists, non-profits and community projects at no cost.

During the first distribution days, generosity, teamwork, and tremendous community spirit abounded as a group of roughly thirty Chattanoogans gathered the wood they needed to build everything from sheds and planter boxes to furniture and fine art. Throughout both Saturday and Sunday, the wood recipients braved sweat, splinters and sunburns—working together to break down and haul off every one of the 50+ pallets.

For April’s distribution days, Hamilton County Highway Department is donating trucking services, Architectural Surfaces is allowing use of their parking lot, and CreateHere and the Habitat Restore are co-organizing, with the ReStore providing tools, volunteers, and additional give-away items.

“It was inspiring to be a part of the first pick up days—to see the variety of creative approaches that were taken to break down each pallet, and the teamwork that was necessary to do so,” says CreateHere organizer Alison Burke. “It was, without a doubt, one of the most tangible demonstrations of community that I’ve witnessed—and I’m very excited to see it happening again.”

“Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is thrilled to begin a collaboration on waste reduction services since it is one of the core values guiding our ReStore.  We have already been fortunate enough to have some of the Volkswagen team volunteer with us on one of our worksites.  We look forward to partnering with them on future projects!” says Tina Shaw-Cox, director of ReStore operations.

“Our slogan ‘Green City, Green Plant, Green Car’ is more than just words to Volkswagen. We try to incorporate environmentally friendly tactics into all that we do, so that Volkswagen is healthy for Chattanooga’s natural and economic environment,” said Dieter Schleifer, Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations Manager of Plant Infrastructure. “Volkswagen is very grateful for the assistance of all the organizations involved in this project and we look forward to other environmentally-friendly collaborations in the future,” he added.

The second Volkswagen Pallet Project will take place from 10 am – 3 pm on Saturday, April 17 and 12 – 3 pm on Sunday, April 18. Some tools will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own. This event is free and open to anyone willing to work for their lumber.

For more information:

Please contact Alison Burke at vwpallets@gmail.com.

About The Organizations Involved:

  • Architectural Surfaces specializes in custom architectural woodwork, cabinetry, solid surfaces, store fixtures, countertops and more. They are actively involved in construction project across the Southeastern United States with products and services that exceed industry standards. They are dedicated to working closely with architects, general contractors, and all of their clients throughout the construction process to ensure satisfaction.
  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a store that accepts donations of new and gently used items from individuals and businesses in the community, and sells those items to the public at a reduced cost, usually 50-70 percent of the original retail value. All proceeds go toward building Habitat homes with the local Habitat affiliate. Opened in 2004, the Restore seeks to help in the building of more affordable homes, help the environment through the recycle and reuse of saleable building materials, and help other homeowners by providing new and used home improvement materials at affordable prices to people of all income levels.
  • Hamilton County’s Highway Department focuses on maintain 880 miles of Hamilton County surface treatment, hot mix paved roads, and bridges to a level that is safe to the traveling public. County vehicles and equipment maintenance, traffic shop, landscaping and parts from stockroom are also provided as separate activities.
  • Volkswagen Group of America, Chattanooga Operations LLC will invest $1 billion in the local economy for the Chattanooga plant and create 2,000 direct jobs in the region. According to independent studies, the new Volkswagen plant is expected to generate $12 billion in income growth and an additional 9,500 jobs over the life of the project. The Chattanooga plant will build a new midsize sedan specially designed for the North American market. Approximately 30 percent of these cars will be powered by Volkswagen’s TDI Clean Diesel Technology.
  • CreateHere is a non-profit based in Chattanooga, formed in 2007 as an experiment in harnessing the economic potential of creative individuals. Their programs have cultivated and engaged innovators, attracting and retaining some of the city’s brightest minds. Their workspace on Chattanooga’s burgeoning Southside is a meeting place for a diverse community of creative agents.

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