Still riding the momentum

Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles is still riding the wave of momentum that the JCWP 2007 gave us, Even though the 2008 JCWP (Now called the Jimmy AND Rosalyn Carter Work Project) in the gulf is right around the corner! The San Pedro and Vermont Village homes should be completed by the end of February, when a block party is planned for the new residents and their neighbors! Stay tuned for more information about that! Also, if you want to be part of the next JRCWP, check out their site for more info.

We also found a great blog by one of the Jimmy Carter Work Project volunteers from Singapore! Check out her awesome blog and pictures here!

Veteran JCWP builder Tom, shares his wisdom with newbies!

Tom Dickinson was the 6A house leader at the San Pedro site whose advice to people wanting to get involved with JCWP is: "just come, get involved. You don’t need the know-how!" Tom is a Habitat For Humanity veteran who started volunteering for the Jimmy Carter Work Project in 1992 in DC; this years project was his sixteenth. Tom currently lives in Springfield, Virginia and volunteers with the Habitat affiliate there.
Tom’s favorite part of each Jimmy Carter Work Project is taking a quiet moment on a roof when all of the work is completed to survey the area. He said that being a small part of the end result and seeing a big sea of houses and knowing that he is helping towards changing people’s lives is what makes the biggest impact on him.

Jennika picks up her first HFH paint brush

Jennika volunteered during the last day of the JCWP, but she believes that it was an experience that she will never forget. It introduced her into the world of volunteering, and she got to understand why so many people love to volunteer! People love the feeling they get when they help others, and Jennika was no exception.

"I didn't really understand the full intensity of "habititus" before i volunteered for the JCWP. Its an indescribable feeling; a high that one gets from helping others. I wasn't sure that i was going to have a chance to volunteer because i was working as an intern for Starfish PR (who does PR for Habitat). But, when i found myself with some time, i decided to jump in and help because I didn't want to leave the site that day without at least picking up a paint brush. I worked up on the roof (of San Pedro house 6A), painting the front exterior siding; around me were big strong men. I was surprised how nice everyone was; they were all interested in getting to know me. Even though i only put in about 3 hours of volunteer time, that was long enough to catch "habititus." I will never forget my experience at JCWP 2007, and i look forward to volunteering in future projects!"

L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn shares personal story with Carter Family

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has been instrumental in bringing the Jimmy Carter Work Project here. "When I heard that they were looking for a site for this year's JCWP, I wrote a letter reminding the Carters of their long history with the Hahn family, and how honored we would be to have them in Los Angeles," Hahn Said.

Hahn has spent the week building side by side with people from all over the world as well as with new members of her council district. She spent Monday building with new homeowner Cassandra Torres, and shared how she was inspired by all of the women she met that day. Hahn has been a Habitat for Humanity volunteer since 1983, and this is her first Jimmy Carter Work Project. When the JCWP came to Los Angeles the first time, her father held her council seat and he was there.

"My father was the LA county campaign chair when he [Carter] ran for office. My dad and he became good friends after he was elected. When he was running, my Dad showed him around Watts." Hahn Shared a very personal family story that brought tears to our eyes when we heard it.

"After they became friends, he invited my dad to come onto AirForceOne. It's every politicians dream to be fly on AirForceOne. He asked my dad, 'Why don't you fly with me from Kansas City to D.C.' and my dad looked at the date and it was my parents 31st wedding anniversary. My dad had his secretary call back and politely decline with the information that it was his anniversary. Jimmy Carter's office immediately called back and said 'Bring your wife.' And when they boarded AirForceOne President Carter gave my mom Roses."

"Tuesday Night we had dinner in San Pedro and sat at a table beside the Carters, and we went over to take a quick picture with them, and he said on one condition that I get to have a picture alone with your mother. And he said to my mom I want you to know how much your family has meant to ours throughout the years. It was really nice for him to say that to my mom, he is a wonderful man."

Hahn's amazing stories of the relationship her family has with the Carter's only makes her involvement with the JCWP 2007 more special for her. She is constantly telling everybody how grateful she is for their hard work, and her final note was, "This is not a burden or a chore, this is going to change your life!"

“I wish I could say something clever, but I’m too tired!”

While walking by our friend and long-time volunteer, Cindy Hoag of Beach Cities Friends (pictured 3rd from left), she looked at us and said exhaustedly, “I’d rather be painting.”

Cindy is very active with Habitat of Greater L.A. and a familiar face on the build sites. Cindy and her friends started Beach Cities Friends in the South Bay area of Los Angeles as a way to raise money and awareness in the community. BCF began with simple get-togethers with friends and now boasts several annual events that raise tens of thousands. Since 2000 they have organized incredible fundraiser throughout the area and during this year’s JCWP they are proud to be sponsoring the homes the Torres and Suarez families.

Today Cindy is installing siding to a home, which she says can be very intimidating, adding that yesterday they had to redo a certain area 3 times. As proud as she is to have learned how to load and operate a nail gun, she says she’s most proud of the former BCF members who’ve gone on to become board members for Habitat GLA, including current board chairman David E. Lin and new board member John Smet.

“This is my first JCWP and I am meeting the neatest people from all over the world. I am working with some great guys from Georgia, who keep calling ma’am, which makes me feel kind of old, but they’re sweet. I can definitely have a second career as a painter, drywaller or sliding installer, that’s for sure!”

Do-it-yourselfer; Turned Volunteer

Rosalie Gap is a local from Lakewood, California and she has been volunteering since 2000. Rosalie first volunteered for Habitat during a Global Village in New Zealand. She’s always been a do-it-herselfer so she decided to look into opportunities to help build with Habitat and the first one she found was New Zealand. As a volunteer, Rosalie has installed drywall, insulation, countertops and painted.

She says her reason for volunteering is simply boredom. She had skills and a lot of time on her hands! One thing we have heard throughout the week is ‘lasting friendships’ – Rosalie is no exception. She says her fondest memory is of two young people who met on the New Zealand build – they were from Maine and Fresno – they dated and when they decided to marry, the entire New Zealand team of volunteers received an invitation to the wedding!

The biggest highlight for Rosalie this year was running into an old friend named Danny whom she met on a build in Northern Ireland in 2004.

This year, Rosalie is proud to have been selected as a mentor for a partner family.

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 A Local Favorite: Pedro Pat!

Pedro Pat, as she is affectionately known to us all, is one of the most enthusiastic volunteers in San Pedro (and maybe in all of L.A.)

She began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity during a trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2000. It was to be like any of her annual trips abroad, but she was looking for something different and heard about a Global Village build. She never thought for a minute she'd get in, but when she contacted the orgnaizers a cancellation had just occured so she leaped at the chance to go! It was literally a month or two out.

Pat had always supported HFH as a donor, but this was her first build. It changed her and what was scheduled for her 'retirement' was now a passion she had to embrace locally. Once she returned home, she saw a notice in the local paper for a blitz build in nearby Wilmington and signed up. She became registration Chairman, and she kept going from there. Since then Pedro Pat can be found at most our build events and she participates in all areas for HFH including Building, Administration, Special Events, Family Services, Community Relations and even P.R!

This week is Pat's first JCWP and we are so glad to have her!!! San Pedro is lucky to have such a shining example of humanity right in their own back yard.

Pat Kaiser's second JCWP

Pat Kaiser has traveled across the country from Chicago, with her son, to participate in this years JCWP. This is Pat’s second time participating in the international event, but she has participated with her local affiliate in many Habitat for Humanity events. Pat loves participating in the JCWP builds for many reasons. She said that she loves how well-organized the events are and she loves the amount of diversity each JCWP seems to have.

Pat can be found conversing with those around her, making what she knows will be long-lasting friendships. Pat finds the JCWP most unique for this very reason, “There’s nothing like working elbow to elbow with people you don’t know, and making friends.”

Peter Anderson Can Really Build!

Peter Anderson has a special attachment to the JCWP, he met his wife there! In 1996, Peter traveled from his home in Belfast ,Northern Ireland to Hungary for a week blitz-build. That week changed his life. He and his wife who met more than ten years ago while volunteering are expecting their first child in about 6 weeks. He and his wife take turns participating in JCWP's around the world. Last year his wife traveled to India, this year it was his turn to join us in Los Angeles.

Peter joined the staff of Habitat for Humanity last year and is proud to be on a team of 4 from Belfast. Two are house leaders and all participate on Global Village teams. This year, Northern Ireland will send out 45 teams to different parts of the world to participate in Habitat builds. 1 in 1000 people in Ireland has participated in a Habitat for Humanity event, a number Peter is extremely proud of. Check out His Northern Ireland affiliate at http://www.habitat.org/cd/frame/frameset.aspx?r=3&url=www.habitatni.co.uk

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