Tag Archives: Pete Palmer

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!”

Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

9 Mar

Friends, Habitat homeowners, board members and staff gathered recently at the McCallie School to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Don and Diane Barnes to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s home building program.  The Barnes have worked as full-time volunteer construction site supervisors for more than 14 years!

Don Barnes (left) and Diane Barnes (middle) receive the 2009 HFHI Life Time Achievement Award Plaque from Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

After heavy hors d’œuvres Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga introduced several people who spoke about how Don and Diane’s service has impacted their lives.    A plaque from Habitat for Humanity International was presented to the couple in recognition of their selection as winners of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their work in making affordable housing available for those who need it.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a scroll containing the names of the 144 partner families and the funding partners the Barnes have worked with.  As the scroll was unrolled, it eventually encircled the entire room, dramatically capturing the impact that two individuals can have through service.

Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga begins unrolling a scroll with the names of the 218 families whose homes Don Barnes (center) and Diane Barnes (right) have helped build over the years.

“The Barnes have invested their time in building homes for families, and in helping thousands of volunteers see Habitat’s work, not just as an exercise in building a house, but in creating a home and a future for a family,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Don and Diane are people of strong faith and conviction – they build as if they are building unto God – they set a high standard – we are truly blessed to have them as partners in our work.”

Habitat board members, staff, homeowners and friends of Diane and Don Barnes help hold up a scroll with the names of the 144 families whose homes they have helped build.

Chattanooga Habitat Connected to Haiti Through International Partnership

14 Jan

While Chattanooga is far from Haiti, the thoughts of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s staff turn to those impacted by the devastation – across Haiti 120 families live in homes built thanks to a partnership between Habitat affiliates here and there.

“Each year, every Habitat affiliate in the world shares a portion of its resources with a sister affiliate in another country.   This approach is a tremendous blessing to those working in poverty stricken areas where no local funds are available to fuel  the cycle of building homes with donated funds, and with mortgage repayments to drive future construction,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.   We have chosen Habitat for Humanity of Haiti as our partner, and have supported their efforts for many years.”

“We have no way to know at this point how Habitat’s homeowners in Haiti have fared in this tragedy, but it is already clear that an already difficult housing situation has now become a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions,” Palmer says.  “In any situation of this nature, rebuilding follows rescue and recovery operations and continues for many years.”

There are several ways that Tennessee Valley residents can support rebuilding efforts in Haiti according to Palmer:

  • Habitat for Humanity International is gathering funds for rebuilding efforts – area residents can give through www.habitat.org to support those efforts.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga will collect funds and forward to the international effort for those who prefer to give locally – donations may be sent to HFH of Greater Chattanooga, 1201 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408 – please note that they are for Haiti.
  • Continued support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s work will also support Haiti as well.   “We share a percentage of the unrestricted funding we receive each year with the Haiti affiliate extending the impact of our community’s generosity beyond our immediate area,” says Palmer.

Wilkinson Group Supports Habitat

29 Sep

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

Phil Deguire, right, presents a check to Pete Palmer, Habitat's director

Phil Deguire, right, presents a check to Pete Palmer, Habitat's director

“We are tremendously grateful for the $20,000 in operating support that the Wilkinson Group has given to our program,” says Pete Palmer, Habitat’s Executive Director.  “While Habitat focuses on building homes for families, there are many behind the scenes aspects beyond the costs of simply building the house.  Educating families for home ownership, shepherding them through build process, and working with them over the 30 year life of their zero interest mortgage, are as crucial as the actual construction of their home.”

“To have such a supportive partnership with a local business as we do with Wilkinson Group provides significant encouragement to the work we are doing at Habitat. Obviously, the funding support certainly makes a difference. But also of importance, their support offers evidence of the resonance of Habitat for Humanity’s work in the Chattanooga community. It is one more outlet for our message of the need for our city to focus on developing affordable housing, especially in this down economy.”

“The Wilkinson Group is very pleased to be a contributor to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  Pete Palmer, Sumner McCallie and the rest of the Habitat team are doing great things in Chattanooga.  We look forward to expanding our relationship with this fantastic organization in the future,”  says Phil Deguire, Chief Executive Officer of The Wilkinson Companies.

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