Tag Archives: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Habitat Myth #4: Our Houses are Ugly!

28 Mar

Today we tackle the last and most common myth about Habitat: the houses are ugly and they bring property values down.

Bringing Property Values Down: False. Housing studies have shown that affordable housing has no adverse effect on the neighborhood’s property values. In fact, Habitat houses have proven to increase property values and local government income tax. In fact, with our new designs and green building techniques, we are raising the property values in most neighborhoods!

Our Houses Are Ugly: FALSE! I could write a whole page on how beautiful our houses are, thanks to new designs and construction techniques by Dennis Neal and the community, but I’ll just let the pictures do the talking.

As you can see from just these examples, our houses are well built and look amazing.  We have designed these homes to be energy efficient, match the neighborhood architecture, and fit the needs of the family. They are simple, beautiful, and affordable.

That wraps up our March Habitat Myth Busters. In case you missed the other posts they are here, here, and here. And if you want to learn other myths and facts about Habitat for Humanity check out Habitat for Humanity International. Learn more Habitat and spread the word about what we are doing in this community.

For more information on applying for a house, donating to current or future builds, or volunteering (in case you missed last week’s post) check out our website: www.habichatt.org

Big Hearts Commemorate Video Benefits Habitat

21 Feb

To remember the community cooperation and to keep the giving spirit of this past weeks Big Hearts build alive, WRCB and ST Productions will present a commemorative DVD of the project with 100% of net proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

The community rallied in February to build a new home for the Sharrock family in Rossville, GA for the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show to be aired nationally on the ABC network sometime in April.

The commemorative DVD will feature our stories on build week as well as content never seen before and the special show on reveal day.

You can purchase the DVD for $15. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. You have two ways to order.

1. Pay with credit card by using PayPal.

2. Pay by check by printing an order form and sending that with a check.

While Michael, Cindy, and Patrick Sharrock are enjoying their new home Habitat would like to help other families. To date, they have built 225 homes in the greater Chattanooga area. Learn more about Habitat by visiting www.habichatt.org

If you have questions about the DVD, please email bighearts@wrcbtv.com. You can see all of  WRCB’s continuing coverage at WRCBtv.com.

This DVD is not affiliated with the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, ABC, or the Walt Disney Company. It is a product of WRCB-TV and ST Productions.

HOME for Christmas

22 Dec

Christmas is by far one of my favorite holidays! There is the cold weather, the lights, the gift-giving, the parties, the decorating (YAY!), and general cheer. MMhhh… I love it! When I was younger, my family would spend a whole weekend getting our home ready for Christmas. We have 8 Rubbermaid bins of Christmas stuff- and I am not exaggerating!  My dad would do the manly thing and brave the cold northern winter to put up the outside lights, wreaths, and decorations. While my mom, sister, and I would work inside getting the Christmas tree decorated, pictures up, nutcrackers out, and other winter-wonderland making activities.  That might be one of favorite December days!

Now as I look back I am so thankful for my parents and the way they made holidays so special in our home. I am glad I had a place to celebrate and grow up like that.

Just last week I decorated homemade gingerbread homes at a friends house for the first-time ever. It was a great experience, although I must say I decorate like a 5-year old. This was great fun- and I enjoyed making it look crazy and delicious.

The Next day as I was read a blog about Christmas decorating, I came across this article. The first thing I saw was the photos. To me, this was a great reminder about what a home means. I can easily try to picture a home at Christmas and this is the last thing I picture. Yet for many people, even here in Chattanooga, this is the reality; the reality of having no running water, poor insulation, and over crowding.

I wish most children could grow up with happy holiday memories like I did. Memories of decorating their HOME for the Holidays.

Help make that dream a reality in Chattanooga. Donate to Habitat for Humanity!

Merry Christmas!

Largest Habitat Building In Chattanooga Underway

10 Dec

First Multi-Unit Habitat Structure In Chattanooga to Be EarthCraft Certified!

Since 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has built more than 225 single-family homes in Chattanooga, and now a new type of Habitat build is underway – a multi unit townhome development in Brainerd which will house  three families: Telisha McKinley, Ashley Lee and Jean Hitimana & Bahati Magdalene and their families.

Telisha McKinley graduated from Howard High School, despite having a child at the start of her senior year.  She lived with her mom for a time then moved to East Lake, but moved out after a shooting next door.  For the last six years she has rented a home in Battery Heights.  Telisha attended Miller-Mott Technical College, where she completed her associate’s degree, and now works as a Certified Medical Assistant with a local pediatrician.  She is excited about having a safe place for her young daughter and son to live and play

Bahati and Son

Bahati Magdalene and her husband Jean Hitimana, both originally from the Congo met here in Chattanooga.  After war broke out there, they and their immediate families fled to refugee camps.  Bridge Refugee Services help both of them come to Chattanooga.  Their new home is very close to New Covenant Church where they were married!   They are looking forward to having a safe home where they can raise their young son and a second child on the way.

Ashley and Kids

Ashley Lee was originally from Florida, but came to Chattanooga as a young child.  She attended elementary, middle and high school in East Ridge, and has worked at a local Sonic Restaurant for the last five years.  Economic challenges, the condemnation of her rental home and an impending pregnancy led Amy to return to her mother’s home.  She is looking forward to having a place where she will be able to give her children the kind of stable home she remembers from her childhood.

“Our Brainerd town home project is an opportunity to add a different option to the types of homes that we build,” says Dennis Neal, LEED AP, Habitat’s Director of Construction and Land Development.   “While most of our future homes are likely to be infill construction in existing neighborhoods, as land becomes harder to secure, having an understanding of how to build town homes will be useful.  We are excited about offering something different to our partner families, who may not want a traditional home.”

The units, designed by Tightlines Designs, mix a Charleston-inspired two story design with Habitat’s principles of simple, decent, affordable and safe construction.  Like other recent Habitat builds in Chattanooga, these units will be built to EarthCraft House Standards, and third-party certified.  “EarthCraft is a system of building that helps structure use energy efficiently.   Most of the technology involved isn’t noticeable to the untrained observer, but it makes a tremendous difference in our homeowner’s monthly utility bills,” says Neal.

Our First Multi-Unit Building!

Support for construction of the three units was provided by HOME Grant Act funds from the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development under Mayor Ron Littlefield.  Construction of the homes is expected to be complete next spring.  When complete, the units, like other Habitat builds, will be sold to partner families at zero percent interest with 30 year mortgages.   Over time, their mortgage payments, along with additional support from the community, will help Habitat extend home ownership opportunities to more economically disadvantaged families.

Photos and Text by John Lamb

Its Official – Our First LEED Certified Build!

27 Oct

Pete Palmer, Habitat Director, with Baja Dalla, homeowner, Ethan Collier of Collier Construction and Anj McClain of Green|Spaces in front of the first LEED Certified Habitat home in Chattanooga

Southside Habitat Home Receives LEED Certification

Future Builds to Be EarthCraft Certified

Over the past two years, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has been working to improve the energy efficiency of the homes it builds and sells to economically challenged families.  This effort has reached a new milestone with the certification of the homebuilding organization’s first home built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards, and the decision to build future homes to EarthCraft Standards.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies to increase energy and water use efficiency, decreased CO2 emissions, and improved indoor environmental quality.

“We are proud that the home we built for Baja Dalla and his family in partnership with the Southside Community has been LEED certified,” says Dennis Neal, LEED AP, Director of Construction and Land Development with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Collier Construction and Green|Spaces worked with us as we learned about the methods and technologies needed to meet LEED standards.  This knowledge has helped us improve the energy efficiency of all of our homes. As funds become available in the future, we hope to build more homes to LEED standards.”

In the meantime, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga has increased its efforts to build more efficient homes on a regular basis.  For some time, Habitat homes here have been built to Energy Right Standards.  “EarthCraft reflects a higher standard of practice, and having our homes formally certified helps raise awareness of the impact that careful use of materials and technology can have on energy efficiency of a home,” says Neal.

EarthCraft House, a residential green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association in partnership with Southface, follows a systems approach to home building that stresses an understanding of how the different components of a home work together. This approach results in a home that performs better, is more economical for the homeowner and costs little more to build than a comparable home built with standard construction practices.

“Building the most energy efficient home we can within our funding resources benefits our homebuyers,” says Neal.  “When you are on a fixed or very limited income, being able to be comfortable without spending a fortune on utility bills is a tremendous blessing.  Some of our families come out of situations where they are freezing or roasting depending on the season. Having a home that is simple, decent, affordable, and efficient dramatically changes their situation and helps them direct funds to other family needs.”

“Building more energy efficient homes to sell to low income families is not without cost,” says Neal.  “Whether it is donations of skilled services from Green builders, donations of materials or funding, we are always in need of partners to work with us to change lives and help us be better stewards of the environment.”

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