ReStore Update – Trees and Gate

10 Jun

Wow! It is crazy to think than in just about a month, we will be opening our new LEED certified ReStore.  The construction crew is doing the last couple of things and really making the ReStore look great. One thing that is making the ReStore look nicer is the new trees. Trees and bushes are planted all around the ReStore and parking lot.

 

Another big addition to the ReStore is the gate. This will help keep the building and all the merchandise safe.

Look back at more of our ReStore updates on the blog.

The new ReStore should be open in July and we are so exited. If you are interested in supporting the Restore Fund campaign contact Tina Shaw Cox at (423)756-0507 ex.20 or at tshaw@habichatt.org. Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!

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A Day at Habitat – Intern

8 Jun

Maria Krug is learning how much work goes into building a Habitat for Humanity house. Maria is a civil engineering student at the University Of Notre Dame. She is doing her internship here in Chattanooga for 8 weeks.

I went to the job site Friday June 3, 2011 to meet Maria. She is originally from Oklahoma, but she decided to go to Notre Dame for their engineering program. The University Of Notre Dame requires their students to do an 8 week job experience program. Maria chose HFHGC because she wanted to do something that was close to her major. “I wanted to make sure to integrate service with learning,” said Maria. “I have always liked Habitat and I always wanted to get involved.”

Maria has been working on our job sites to see everything that goes into building a Habitat house. She even gets down and paints the baseboards. She will also being attending board meetings, helping out with events, and working with families in order to get a well-rounded experience. Maria will be able to have some experience in every part of a nonprofit and the building world.

“I am excited about getting to meet new people, learning about construction, and learning why people are here,” said Maria. When I met with her on the 4th said had only been with Habitat for 4 days, but she said she is already enjoying herself. “Everyone I have met has been great. I am really excited.”

If you would like to help volunteer building a house please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org. Also visit our website to find more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. our projects, and how to donate.

Also learn about Connie O’Neal, Director of Family Services.

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Top Ten Tools Used at the Habitat Job Site

6 Jun

Many of you volunteers and DIY-ers are probably wondering what the top tools that volunteers use on the worksite. Well here are your answers:

1.Hammers
If you visit a worksite, you are sure to hear at LEAST one hammer, if you don’t – something is wrong!
2.Measuring Tape
As my dad always says, measure twice – cut once. Our volunteers work with donated materials – this is very important skill we stress in our orientation.
3.Utility Knife
This little tool comes in handy so many times during the day. We use it to cut siding, sharpen pencils, cut string, open bags, and sometimes even for lunch (just kidding!)
4.Pencil
It is very important to have an accurate mark when cutting– and pencils are always in high demand – yet they keep disappearing, does that ever happen to you?
5.Snips/ Cutters
Cutters come in handing while putting siding on a house!
6.Screw Drivers
I don’t know if you know this, but volunteers have the habit to put nails and screws every inch in house (which means they are strong, of course!) – so we need lots of screws and lots of  screwdrivers!
7. Levels
I know that something may look level, but we all know that your eyes are lying to us – that is why we stress the importance of levels! We want our homes to look professional.
8.Circular Saw
The most used power tool! We love to use these saws at site, and we love teaching people how to use them.
9.Router
Routers are most used in the beginning of the build. They are used for knocking out doors and windows from the house. (Only our most experienced volunteers get the pleasure of using this tool)
10.Tape
No lie, we use tape like it is our business. We use duct tape, electrical tape, and painting tape. As my grandfather always said, “Duct Tape is for everything,” I guess he was right!

Check out our blog next week for another Top Ten Blog!

And if you want to come and use these tools, come volunteer on the Job Site! Contact Dawn Hjelselth at dstoike@habichatt.org

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ReStore Update – New lights and siding

3 Jun

It is HOT outside!!! Yet our ReStore crew is still working hard! Everything is coming along great and it is starting to look like a store. The crew is working on putting new siding on.

They have also installed the new lights and working on putting the bulbs in. You can see already how much it has improved from the old ReStore. Check out our other updates to see how much work as been down already. May 6,May 20, and May 27.

The new ReStore should be open in July and we are so exited. If you are interested in supporting the Restore Fund campaign contact Tina Shaw Cox at (423)756-0507 ex.20 or at tshaw@habichatt.org. Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!

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A Day at Habitat – Employee

1 Jun

Connie O’Neal can brighten anyones day. Connie always has a smile on her face and you can hear her laugh throughout the building.

As Director of Family Services, Connie works with the families from the very beginning all the way through until they become homeowners. During this whole process she mentors and educates the families on how to be a homeowner. Since most of the families that enter into the Habitat program are first generation or single families, they do no know the proper steps to owning and taking care of a house. Connie oversees that process to make sure our families get everything they need.

Connie is the main support system to these homeowners. They rely and trust in her. Connie even goes the extra mile to refer the families to career and educational services. The most important part of Connie’s job is to create sustainable homeowners.

Connie says, “There is no typical day for me, but that’s what makes it fun. It is always unpredictable.” Connie admits to having a lot of paperwork and phone calls, but she never knows who is going to come through her office door.

“People are our business. Families come in here with problems and we help them work through it,” said Connie. She also has to do the dirty work of making sure the families are putting in their sweat hours and show up to the job sites.

Connie said her favorite part about her job is the people. Connie loves people. She loves seeing them come into the Habitat program with the dream of being a homeowner and seeing them overcome with joy when they do. “My favorite part is the dedication days, because the families stand up and say ‘I have arrived. I am a homeowner.’ It is full of hope,” said Connie.

Connie, on right, with a family in our program. Check out their story.

“I have learned many things from our homeowners. I would love to just tell everyone about all of their gifts and talents they have to offer.”

To learn more about Connie or our other staff visit our website. If you would like to volunteer or donate please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org.

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Hiring!

28 May

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is hiring! We are looking for someone to fill our AmeriCorps National Direct position.

The National Direct Member will contribute to the overall goal of increasing home production at HFHGC by assisting in the development of crew leaders. In turn, the trained crew leaders will replace the member as the volunteer trainer after his/her term of service creating a sustainable method to utilize more volunteers on the construction site.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties -

  • to assist the construction manager on the construction site in daily activities related to creating a productive and efficient volunteer experience
  • engage volunteers in the tasks to be performed
  • assist in the recruitment and retention of construction crew leaders
  • participate in any meetings  considered relevant to the work of the member along with trainings or other courses deemed necessary

Qualifications:

To be successful in executing the responsibilities assigned in this job, a person must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. This person must be self-motivated and able to make quality, ethical decisions independent of supervision when necessary.

  • Basic construction knowledge and skills are preferred
  • Must be comfortable and able to work at or above 8 feet and on ladders
  • Must be able to lift 50+ pounds
  • Must have a valid driver’s license
  • Must meet qualifications for AmeriCorps National Direct Program including traveling to national events
  • Must be able to work Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Education and Experience

High School Diploma or GED is minimum education requirement.

For more information on the position please visit http://www.habitat.org/cd/hr/cncsJobsDetail.aspx?pid=40956.

Also, for more information on Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area visit our website.  Don’t know what AmeriCorps is, visit our blog post on it.

Please submit cover letter and resume to Dawn Hjelseth by email at dstoike@habichatt.org or by fax to (423) 756-0509 no later than FRIDAY JUNE 24!!!

If  you would like to help volunteer building a house please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org. Also visit our website http://www.habichatt.org to find more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. our projects, and how to donate.

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Update on the ReStore and our new parking lot!!!

27 May

Thank God its Friday! You know what that means… A RESTORE UPDATE!!!! The crew is out and it is looking great. They are continuing to work on the roof and make sure everything is perfect.

They are making sure that everything is exact and straight. They are doing a fantastic job and we want to thank them for all of their hard work. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

HFHGC also has a NEW PARKING LOT!!! No more gravel! It is paved and it looks beautiful.

I was very excited when I was able to park my car there today.

For more information about HFHGC visit our website. If you would like to volunteer, donate, or have any questions please feel free to contact Dawn Hjelseth @ dstoike@habichatt.org. We would love to hear from you.

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Meet Pat and her Grand baby Autiyana

26 May

                Pat Waters and her granddaughter, Autiyana Hester (12), have struggled to get by in their tiny house. Autiyana was born with cerebral palsy, has seizures and is partially deaf. These disabilities limit her to a wheelchair. Pat takes care of her granddaughter, but it is hard to move around their house with the heavy wheelchair. Pat said, “It is hard to push my grand baby because of the carpet floors.” The house they currently live in is old and in bad shape. Also, it is not handicap accessible, so it is unsafe for Autiyana.

                Pat heard about Habitat for Humanity through Gail Pollack, former director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. Gail came to Pat’s church and taught a class about Habitat, which peaked Pat’s interest. She applied years ago, but was not accepted. Pat decided to reapply in 2010 and was accepted for a new handicap accessible home for her and her granddaughter.

                “I am looking forward to a house that is more accommodating for my grand baby,” said Pat. She is glad that their new house will make it easier and safer to move Autiyana. The house will be designed for Autiyana with wider doorways, ground level entries, a roll in shower, a lift to get her out of her wheelchair into bed, and other special features that will make their lives easier.

                Even though Autiyana does not completely understand what is going on because she is deaf, Pat knows that she will feel the difference in the new home. Pat believes that Autiyana will be excited to feel the smoothness of the floors and how easy it will be to move around in the larger space. Also, Pat is excited about the location of the new home. “It was an answer to prayers that our new home is on a corner lot,” said Pat. She holds meetings at her house for family and friends, so Pat is excited about the accessible parking on the corner lot.

                “I am excited and grateful for such a wonderful, Christian organization,” said Pat. She said she enjoys working with Habitat because of their generous attitudes and love of people. “Like my pastor says, ‘Have better, Live better, Do better,’” said Pat about Habitat’s mission and willingness to help.  

If you would like to help volunteer building a house please contact Dawn Hjelseth at dstoike@habichatt.org. Also visit our website http://www.habichatt.org to find more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area. our projects, and how to donate.

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Build-A-Thon 2011: Birmingham

23 May

This past week I got the privilege of going to the 2011 Build-A-Thon (BAT) Trip to Birmingham. BAT is an annual event that Habitat for Humanity International puts on for its AmeriCorps and National Service Members. (And it’s AmeriCorps Week, celebrating all the work that AmeriCorps is doing; check out here and here!)Build-A-Thon is a week (or three weeks this year) of building and improving houses all over the country.  This year BAT brought life to neighborhoods is seven different locations around the United States. AmeriCorps were doing everything from hurricane recovery in Mississippi, to rehab in Delaware, to LEED building in Seattle, and to tornado relief in Birmingham.

I had the privilege of heading down to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham and help with Tornado relief and  the Brush With Kindness program.  There were 60 AmeriCorps members from Maine to South Carolina! Over the week we helped over 15 families. It was an amazing time of learning about the successes and challenges that other affiliates face, as well as learning new construction techniques. We also got to witness the destruction of the Tornadoes that came through the area on April 27th, 2011. One neighborhood that was hit is a Habitat neighborhood. Over 20 houses were damaged, some beyond repair. We saw this on Monday, and it was crazy. We helped replace siding on some of these homes that were still standing and had minor damage. Thankfully, not one life of a Habitat Partner was lost.

The other four days of the trip were spent doing A Brush With Kindness projects, such as painting, fixing roofs, and planting flowers.

Overall it was a great trip, and it was great to meet people from all over the country dedicating a year of their life to Habitat. It was so rewarding to meet and help out many families that need assistance!

For more information about other Build-A-Thon projects and to hear more stories check out the BAT 2011 website!

*Habitat for Humanity of Chattanooga is currently hiring for an AmeriCorps Construction worker. If you are interested in this opportunity check out the website to apply! This is a great opportunity to learn more about Habitat while serving the community. (You will also have the awesome opportunity to go to BAT 2012!)

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New Roof and Store Front

20 May

ReStore Update May 20, 2011

The ReStore is looking great. The construction crew has been busy all day and what a great day to be working with. Today they have been putting up the new roof.

They have also been working on the new store front. It is incredible how much it has changed from our last update (http://transformchattanooga.org/2011/05/06/restore-update/).

The new ReStore should be open in July and we are so exited. If you are interested in supporting the Restore Fund campaign contact Tina Shaw Cox at (423)756-0507 ex.20 or at tshaw@habichatt.org. Help us Restore the ReStore! And help make the Chattanooga ReStore the first LEED certified ReStore in the country!

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