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!"

Today's JCWP Media Highlights

Reuters:
Push to build "green" homes picks up steam
Thu Nov 1, 2007 7:11pm GMT
By Karen Jacobs

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Soaring energy costs and increased concern about the environment are spurring builders to step up building homes that use less energy and water.

More than 30 affordable homes being built this week during a Habitat for Humanity project in Los Angeles include materials designed to reduce energy costs and save the new homeowners money.

"Green building certainly is becoming more mainstream within the affordable housing community," said Ted Bardacke, senior program associate with Global Green USA, an environmental group that works with housing developers.

Read the entire story:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN0147473220071101


Pasadena Weekly:
Helping Humanity
By Carl Kozlowski

Former President Jimmy Carter has long focused his considerable energies on alleviating poverty and promoting electoral justice around the globe in addition to building homes for the poor through Habitat for Humanity.
Carter is currently leading thousands of volunteers in a massive effort to build 30 affordable houses in south Los Angeles and San Pedro.
The Pasadena-based San Gabriel Valley chapter of Habitat for Humanity has donated $5,000 to help make that goal a reality.
“In conjunction with this special week in Los Angeles with the Jimmy Carter Work Project, we’re launching our construction of 11 homes on Kenwood Street in Glendale and we’re very excited to [be part of] these projects,” said Sonja Yates, San Gabriel Valley Habitat’s executive director.
“Jimmy Carter has been a leader physically on projects, but he’s also a symbolic leader in drawing attention to the 2,250 affiliates around the world that are making a dent in the need for affordable housing,” Yates said.

http://www.pasadenaweekly.com/article.php?id=5299&IssueNum=96


The Acorn:
Habitat for Humanity supports work project


Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is an official affiliate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity International's 24th annual Jimmy Carter Work Project, which includes a $5,000 commitment to the project. In addition, several of the local affiliates' volunteers will donate their time to the project next week.

Habitat for Humanity's Jimmy Carter Work Project is an annual event in which the former U.S. president and his wife, Rosalynn, join Habitat volunteers for one week to build affordable homes in partnership with people in need of housing.

This year's project is taking place from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 in South Los Angeles and San Pedro, where volunteers will gather to build 30 new homes and work on the rehabilitation of houses near both sites.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has rehabilitated hundreds of homes and built 44 new homes since its inception in 1983.

For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

http://www.theacorn.com/news/2007/1101/Community/043.html

Safety First

Pat Shea is on our Safety Crew here at Vermont Village and he says this week we've earned a good B+. Not bad.

"Any time you have as many people walk off the job site as you had walk on, it's a good day!"

So far, he says there have just been a few scratches and abrasions to report and everyone is in good spirits.

"Everyone here is so eager to do a good job and they are very concerned about safety. The Block Captains are working very hard to keep our volunteers safe."

Pat has been working with Habitat for 6 months and he's been on site all week for JCWP. He says he's definitely be back!

"One of the things that impresses me most is talking to people who've traveled from all over the country like Dallas and Vermont and the poeple from other countries as well. I feel like the new kid on the block because so many people have been at this for years and years."

Not Just a Pretty Face

Karl Champley is familiar face to anyone who watches DIY Network, but to all of us he's an enthusiastic volunteer who's changing the life of Donna Russell (read her story posted 10/31.)

"I've done a number of Habitat projects over the last five years and the best thing about it is the feeling you get. You take away so much more than you put in."

Karl's first Habitat build included a 1000 home blitz in North Carolina, after that experience, Donna's home has to be a piece of cake!

"This A Brush With Kindness program is such a great thing! I live here in L.A. and this is my first Habitat buid here. Donna working full time and she has very little money for the upkeep of her home, she's faced city fines and needs all the help she can get to keep this house safe. I truly believe that smaller projects can have the largest impact."

Karl is leading a team of volunteers who have been primering and painting, replacing broken and non-existant windows, installed a back door that had been missing for years, and they are even attempting to get a furnace working that's been broken for 15 years! We have no doubt they'll be successful.

"Time is the most expensive thing we have and if you can donate that time to be part of a Habitat build you will walk away with so much more. If it's the only thing you do in your life, you'll grow old with a smile on your face."

A Kid at Heart

Rosemary Le is an active volunteer from Home Depot, one of our wonderful JCWP sponsors, who is having a very productive day. She was working so hard that it took several attempts to approach her.

"I'm having so much fun! Today I am installing siding, I learned how to use the power scissors, a nail gun and the saw!"

As excited Rosemary is about power tools, she's way more excited about the playground she's been coordinating for the children of this neighborhood with Home Depot partner Kaboom.




"Oh I can't wait for it! On December 6 we'll be out here for a six-hour event to construct their playground! People from our stores will be volunteering as well as the kids in this neighborhood who are over 13. The coolest part is that a month ago we had a 'design day' where all the kids helped us design their playground. We are trying our best to incorporate their suggestions into the final design."

Rosemary was building on this day with the Gonzalez family who happen to have 6 kids - which we're positive will love the playground!

After a Bumpy Beginning He's a Habitat Believer!

We had the pleasure of meeting Journeyman/Electrian Walter Berten at the Vermont Village site on Halloween who was out working with IBEW. IBEW is a sponsor of the 2007 JCWP and they are giving us power (well with the help of the DWP.)

"It's my first JCWP and my first Habitat build and it's awesome!"

Walter admits that on his first visit to the job site about a few months ago, he had his concerns. There were some logistics issues but he's happy to say they were all worked out before this week's event.

"It's an honor and a privelidge to be here. I love the feeling of community and the giving spirit.And the families, what can I say, we are one big world family."

Walter lives in Panorama City, CA and he tells us he'll be back..."God willing, I'll be here!"

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.