Tag Archives: Habichatt

ReStore Update – Grand Opening

29 Jul

The entire Habitat for Humanity of the Great Chattanooga Area team would like to thank everyone who has supported us with our “Restore the ReStore” Campaign. We had a very successful Grand Opening yesterday (7/28/11). The celebration started with the Ribbon Cutting at 10am. We then had our Grand Opening party at 5:30pm.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We had a great turn out. It was inspiring to see that so many people care about their community, and show that through their support of HFHGCA. Pete Palmer, HFHGCA’s Executive Director, started the event with the welcome and thank you. Then Linda Mines, HFHGCA’s Board President, gave the prayer and remarks.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We were then honored by the Capital Campaign Board Chair, Barrett Taylor, who recognized all the donors and explained the elements of being a LEED certified ReStore. Drew Myer, Senior Director ReStore at Habitat for Humanity International, gave his support from Habitat for Humanity International.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

To wrap it all up Tina Shaw Cox, Director of ReStore Operations, acknowledged and thanked everyone who helped the ReStore renovation. We would like to say a special thank you to Scott & Lisa Maclellan, the “Restore the ReStore” campaign committee, The Strauss Company, Thomas Palmer, Electric Power Board, Tennessee Valley Authority, Electric Power Research Institute, and Green Spaces.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

We would also like to say thank you to the band, Fletcher Bright and the Dismembered Tennesseans. Everyone enjoyed the entertainment and food. The ReStore team is happy to be working in the new building and we hope you come out and see it. To find more updates about the ReStore check out their website.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

If you would like to donate to the ReStore or have any questions please contact Tina Shaw Cox. Once again we appreciate all the support and are looking forward to the future. To find out more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area and find out what else we are doing check out our website. To see more photos like us on Facebook.

Photo by: Brandan Roberts

A Day at Habitat – Partner Family

6 Jul

Aisha Morgan has become an inspiration to her family and friends. When Aisha was two years old, her father passed away leaving her mother to take care of Aisha, her sister, and her great-grandmother. Aisha’s mother worked very hard to provide for the family and gave them the best she could. It was hard, but Aisha said they did fine with what they had.

Aisha is now trying to do the same thing for her two girls, Jaenaria (8) and Kiyla (3). Aisha works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at LifeCare Centers of America of Hixson. By working hard and giving her children the best she can, she is setting an example for them. Aisha wants to show her children that anything is possible and to follow their dreams.

As an active member of Sharon Pentecostal Church of God, Aisha works with the youth to encourage them to stay in the church. Aisha organizing a praise dance team and sings in the choir at to connect with the youth and promote their involvement in the church. Aisha is motivating her church family to do better though the work that she does inside and outside the church.

Crew from State Farm working on Aisha's home.

The neighborhood that Aisha and her girls were living in was an unsafe environment, so she decided to apply for a Habitat for Humanity house. Aisha wants to give her children better opportunities and their new Habitat house will provide those for them. Their house is in a safe neighborhood so the children are able to play outside without having to be nervous, and it is bigger than their old place so there will be more room for their family to grow.

What Aisha is most excited about with her new home is the better environment for her and her family. She is glad that her girls will be safe. Aisha is also looking forward to the new opportunities that her children will have. “When I get older and am not able to do for the kids, they will have something to hold on to, a house,” said Aisha. Jaenaria and Kiyla are thrilled to have a place that they can call home with their own rooms, more space, and a better playing area.

Aisha said, “I am blessed to have this opportunity to get this new house.” She is glad for the Habitat for Humanity program, which provides homes for unprivileged families. “I am pleased with how they [Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area] help families have a better place to live and more opportunities,” said Aisha.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to families like Aisha’s please contact Dawn Hjelseth or go to our website. Also read about family Pat.

New Volunteer Positions Available at HFHGC

24 Jun

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga is proud to announce the opening of several new volunteer positions!  Most people think of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity as swinging a hammer or raising a wall. While Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has a continual need for those volunteers, these new positions offer professionals the ability to contribute their knowledge and expertise.

Some of the new positions include Events Planning, Partner Family Advocate and Youth United Coordinator.  “These positions will have a tremendous impact on our organization,” says Director of Volunteers, Dawn Hjelseth.  “These types of positions not only allow us to provide a higher level of service to our partner families, but also allow us to increase our capacity to serve more families in the community.” The time commitment for most of these positions is minimal as well, with most requiring less than one hour per week.

For more information on all the new volunteer positions, please visit www.habichatt.org or contact Dawn Hjelseth at 423-756-0507 or email dstoike@habichatt.org .

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.


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.

From A Freezing Apartment to a New Home In St. Elmo

19 Mar

This winter was a tough one for Carey Glass.  She faced a hard choice when school was out– go to work and worry about the danger of the space heater running full blast to warm the one room where she and her three children could stay barely warm, or stay home with them, but not get paid.

Sumner McCallie, McCallie Habitat Chapter advisor(left) passes the house key to Carey Glass (right), as Pete Palmer, Habitat's Executive Director (rear) looks on.

For the last twelve years Carey and her children James, Kandida, and Sebastian have lived in turmoil, never being totally sure from one day to the next if they would have a place to call home.  It was during this tumultuous time in Carey’s life that her husband, while under the influence of alcohol, would verbally and physically abuse Carey and her children, oftentimes kicking them out of ‘his house.’ “I knew I had to take the next step and move out for good.  I wanted my children to have a sense of security.  I wanted to provide a good home for them.”

The family found a place to stay, but makeshift heat and air conditioning have made winters very cold and summers very hot.  Moreover, Carey’s neighbors do not appreciate her musically talented and expressive children.  Their creativity is regularly stifled by the neighbors’ banging on the walls of their duplex.

But winter has passed!  On March 21, 2010, Carey and her children, along with the McCallie School, GPS and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga celebrated completion of the Glass family’s new home in St. Elmo. (A neighborhood in Chattanooga, TN at the foot of Lookout Mountain).

Carey Class and Family

Spring couldn’t be a better time for this home to be dedicated,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “After 12 years of challenges, Carey and her children will have a home of their own where they can live and grow without fear.  Their strength through adversity bodes well for the future.  We are proud to have been a part of their journey to homeownership, and wish them all the best as they begin a new chapter in their life, thanks to the financial and volunteer support of McCallie and GPS.”

The Caldwell Family Foundation provided significant funding to make this house possible as did the national offices of State Farm, Inc. Metro Services, Inc, and Coca Cola also supported the build as well.

“Carey Glass and her family provided such an education for us in how to approach life. Their positive spirit, their courage, their obvious strong sense of familial love spoke volumes in how to be resilient in the face of challenging odds,” said Sumner McCallie, McCallie Campus Chapter advisor and president of Habitat’s board.  “It is funny.  We volunteers go into the program thinking we are making a real difference for someone else and we end up getting back far more than we give. “

The Habitat staff could not have been more patient, supportive, and engaging for our guys and girls. Not only did they teach how to erect a stable wall or how to install plank siding, but they showed how to live lives of service and to do so with every ounce of one’s heart and soul.  That is invaluable teaching,” McCallie said.

“

2009 McCallie GPS House Under Construction

We are extremely proud of the home we have built for this family,” says Dennis Neal, LEED AP, Director of Construction for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “This home is the first Habitat home to be located in the St. Elmo Historic District.  “We appreciate Jenny Shugart and all others who worked with us in regard to helping this home fit the design standards for the neighborhood,” says Neal.  “Besides fitting well with the neighborhood, this home will keep the family comfortable, and help them enjoy lower energy bills.”

Her Habitat house means much so more to Carey than just a place to call home.  “No one will be kicking us out ever again,” she says. “With a Habitat home my kids will be able to enjoy the carefree life of just being kids!”  They will also be able to pursue their musical talents and studies free from the stress and worries they once knew.

The Glass Family's new home is the first Habitat home in Chattanooga in a Historic District.

“Over the years Carey helped care for my children through her work in day care,” says John Lamb, Director of Development with Habitat.  “I had no idea of her challenges.  It has been a blessing to see students and staff from McCallie and GPS, community volunteers, and Habitat staff rally around a person whose compassion and care touched my children and family daily for several years.  Her story is great example of what can happen when we come together as partners to make a difference in the life of a family, and in our community!”

From War, to Exile, to Safe Harbor in Chattanooga

17 Mar

It has been a long journey for Santo and Mary Majok Takfiny from Sudan to Egypt, and then to Chattanooga. Thanks to Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Mary and Santo’s dream of a new home for their family will start to come to life today as construction started on their new Habitat for Humanity home.   This is the 15th home funded  by Rivermont  Presbyterian, and one of hundreds that church volunteers have helped build here through weekly service on the jobsite.

Mary (left) with Connie O'Neal, Habitat's Director of Family Services at the site for Mary's home.

Mary met Santo Takfiny under frightening circumstances. They had both fled violence in the Sudan, losing family and friends. “When I was twenty-two,” explains Mary, “they bombed the city and my father was killed.” Disheveled and lost, it took 20 days on foot for her and her four children, Aleza, Cicilia, Samuel and Patros to reach Egypt.

Mary had no relations or contacts in Egypt, and found the area to be hostile; Sudanese people were not welcomed in Egyptian culture.  Mary yearned to reunite with her family and return to her home, but did not know where they were, and it was not safe to return.  Grateful to be alive, she resigned herself to make the most of God’s blessings.  It was then she met Santo – soon the two were married.

Mary and Santo

“We spent the next five years in Egypt,” says Mary.  They struggled in the country filled with refugees.   Finally, their prayers were answered by an opportunity to start a new life in America.  In March of 2005, Mary and her four children arrived in Chattanooga.   Because of paperwork issues, Santo could not accompany them. Mary was pregnant and ill prepared to provide for her family alone.

Bob Reid and other Rivermont Presbyterian volunteers begin work on the Takfiny family's new home.

Once again, Mary found herself in a predicament where she feared for the well-being of her children – their first home in America was in a housing project.

She was not prepared for her new environment. There was disrespect from neighbors, fights, drug selling and even shootings.  “I didn’t know English,” explains Mary. “It was difficult to communicate; it led to several problems with some of the residents. We were very worried.”  Mary missed her husband and felt she needed his protection, but realized she was the only person her children had in this country.  Mary decided that her family’s plight in Sudan was much worse than anything she could experience or imagine in America, and set about to make a good life for all of her children, which now included Makur, born in June 2005.

Mary studied hard to learn English and get a job.  Being loquacious and friendly she soon made friends.  She soaked up all of the information she could and soon learned about the Housing Choice Voucher Program.  She applied to participate in the program and was able to move her family to a better environment.

Mary never forgot the husband she left behind.  She yearned for him to join his family and meet the son he had never seen.  She worked with Bridge Refugee Services and faithfully followed their instructions until Santo arrived in October, 2006.

Santo, a very quiet and easy-going person, the opposite of his outgoing and talkative wife, eased into his new surroundings and found work.  Shortly after his arrival Mary became pregnant with the couple’s youngest child, Marwell.

The Takfiny Family

Santo met several people while working at American Plastics, but one stood out because of his broad smile and kind manner. The fact he was a fellow Sudanese made things even better.  Santo and Baja Dalla became fast friends.  It is through Baja (Habitat partner family for the 2008 Southside Community House) that Santo learned about Habitat for Humanity and the possibility of owning a home.

Mary and Santo freely admit life continues to be a struggle with five children, (Aleza, the oldest has moved away and started her on family), cultural differences, tough economic times, a language barrier and a blended family.  “We try to make the most of the blessings we have every day; I thank God,” Mary says. “He has saved the lives of all my children, my husband and me and now he is going to bless us with a home of our own.”

“Rivermont Presbyterian Church has faithfully supported Habitat’s work here for many years,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “This is the 15th house funded by their congregation, not to mention all the homes that their volunteers have helped build through weekly service.  We are truly grateful for their partnership in support of Mary and Santo and their children, and for their willingness to commit their time and resources to bless others!”

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 670 other followers