Hey Bill!

If you did not meet Vermont Village house leader 'Hey Bill' this past week then you totally missed out!

Bill has been volunteering with Habitat since 1984 and was at the very first JCWP in New York in 1984. He drove from DC to cut boilers in the basement and he and his friend Jim became known as the "Boiler Boys." The only JCWPs Bill ever missed was The Phillipines & India.

It's going really well! I think this is the most media attention we've ever had and going from 42 people that first year to volunteers worldwide is just mind-boggling!"

Bill adds that the plus side to this whole thing is that now he has 25 families!

"At Christmas I look up at the sky and thank God for the opportunity to put a roof over their heads."

"Hey Bill" you're awesome!

(He spoke quickly with us and went back to work!)

Bo Knows Habitat

Bo Miller of DOW shares his personal experience...

This is my second Jimmy Carter Work Project, my first being last year at Lonlavala, India. India was an inspiring experience, an extraordinary experience and a motivating experience. While vastly different in many ways there is an underlying similarity to this year's build- "people helping deserving people with a hand up, not a hand out." And I am even more inspired this year, as the Greater LA Habitat build is featuring a number of "green" initiatives into the project, and Dow technology and products, particularly in energy efficient materials such as Weathermate house wrap and Styrofoam brand insulation readily fit into this theme. So in addition to financial support, product donation and the volunteerism of Dow people there will be a lasting contribution to the homeowners of reduced utility bills and an improved environmental footprint of their homes.

On a personal level- we had the opportunity to host our home owner, Barbara Wallace at dinner the other evening with her children, it was a great opportunity to get to know them better and learn of their hopes and aspirations. Seeing her at the job site this week- climbing scaffolding, painting and fully participating with pride in the construction of her home confirmed the fundamental need and benefit of what Habitat for Humanity and all of its volunteers provide individuals and communities worldwide. In the midst of all the activity, while Barbara was taking a much deserved rest break and I asked her how she was doing- she looked at all the people scurrying about and said simply "how could I be better?" Exchanges like these make habitat for humanity real for me.

17 years ago, The Berry's caught Habititis

Cindy and Don Berry are members of the largest church in San Diego, which organized support for the JCWP in 1990 to provide food and volunteers for the 2 build sites – Tijuana, Mexico and Encanto (East San Diego.)

Well, they caught the bug! They thought they’d wait till retirement to work with Habitat but they were not willing to wait and jumped at the next opportunity to volunteer. They speak about the 2 person tents and dusty bus rides from Tijuana to Encanto with smiles and laughter. Again we hear all about the lasting friendships of JCWP. One such

friendship is with the Schultz’s standing nearby today. The Berry’s are hear assisting with logistics, but they have served so many roles in years past including crew leaders and house leaders.

The Berry’s don’t wait to volunteer once a year with the Carters, they support their local affiliate in San Diego where Cindy helps with family selection.

“We love the friendship,” says Cindy, “we came here this week and are seeing old friends whom we haven’t seen since a build five years ago. It’s also about the diversity. I love to meet people from all walks of life.

“The homeowners are the best,” adds Don. “You can be the toughest guy on the job site and you’ll still cry when they hand them the keys.” (Side note: Don choked up while giving us this quote – go Don!)

Meet Cassandra Torres, Single Mom, Proud builder and now Homeowner

Cassandra Torres working on her new Habitat home.


“I’m waiting for somebody to say ‘Cassandra, wake up!’, I keep thinking it’s farther down the road and I don’t want to get so antsy,” said Cassandra Torres on the build site of her new home in San Pedro during the first day of the JCWP. Her four kids are eager to move in and her two youngest girls have already decided on their room décor: one Dora the Explorer, the other Barbie. Her kids have also started begging their mom to get a puppy for their new home, each has their own idea of what kind of dog to get. Cassandra home, which is being built entirely by women at the JCWP, is scheduled to be done by Friday. Torres is proud of the team building her home because she says, “women are perfectionists."


(Photo: L.A. Councilwoman Janice Hahn, volunteering at the All-Women build site.)

Cassandra is a huge inspiration to others, who might be interested in applying for a Habitat for Humanity Home. She works full-time, goes to school and drives more than 30 miles to the job site to put in her sweat-equity build hours. Her advice to others interested in home ownership is “just keep trying, even if you get discouraged, keep trying!”

When asked what Cassandra is going to do in her new home first, she simply replied, “Sleep.”

To read more about the Torres family check out her famlies bio at http://www.jcwpla.org/jcwpla/jcwp_family_torres.asp