March 2017
Humans of Habitat Mahoning Valley
Meet Kim Harris!
 
Similar to the Humans of New York project, Humans of Habitat Mahoning Valley
will feature stories of the homeowners, families, volunteers and staff that make the Habitat mission possible in the Valley. The first Humans of Habitat Mahoning Valley story features Homeowner Kim Harris:

"My greatest achievement, other than my beautiful children?... I paid my house off." 

Kim Harris described the Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley staff and volunteers "like a family, steadfast and determined" to  whom she is "forever thankful". It was "a good experience with the people I met... some are passed now; they were senior citizens who put their hearts into the program. It was a wonderful thing to see [them work so hard to help me]." It was almost "too good to be true, but I found [it] to be true. It is a beautiful program... and homes well built. My little baby doll house... was God's gift and something I could afford and paid off."

Kim's advice? "See it through to the end and do what [you] need to do to finish the program."

To read more stories like Kim's, please visit and follow the Humans of Habitat Mahoning Valley facebook page!
HFHMV Women Build 2017    
Be a Wonder Woman with Habitat!

Did you know that those who are most likely to be living in unaffordable, unsafe housing conditions are women?
 
Did you know that each year Lowe's sponsors Women Build with Habitat for Humanity to create a community of women - and men - that build the foundation and create the support needed for families living in unaffordable, unsafe housing?
 
Did you know that HFHMV needs you to give a hand-up to the women in your community?

This year on May 6, 10 and 13th you can join HFHMV for national Women Build week! You can help in the construction of a
 home for a family in your community as well as work alongside and uplift the women in your community. You may also want to join us for a tiling workshop at Lowe's in Boardman on April 18th.
 
We are also seeking local businesses, churches and organizations that are willing to volunteer and/or to donate lunches to our construction crews during the week. If you would like to donate a lunch, please call 330-743-7244 x 304.
 
To register to volunteer, please visit our website and follow the instructions to register online for Women Build.  If you have any questions, or would like more information about how you can be involved, please email the Volunteer Services Coordinator at americorps1@habitatmahoning.org or call 330-743-7244 x 304.
 
                               


   
Scrapbooking Event
Do you know how to scrapbook? We need you!

Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley (HFHMV) has pictures from Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Some new, some old, some we don't know which county they belong! And they are sitting in boxes waiting to be sorted and put on display.

On Saturday, March 25th, HFHMV asks that anyone who knows how to scrapbook - or has a creative spark - join us for coffee and donuts from 9AM - 12PM at the Salem Office.  If you have some historical knowledge to help us place the older photos, we would greatly appreciate your guidance!

Also, we are seeking the donation of scrapbooks, page protectors, and other materials.

If you would like to make a donation and/or volunteer, please contact the Volunteer Services Coordinator at 330-743-7244 x 304.

Reverse Raffle
YCAR is raising money to build a house with Habitat!

As a fundraiser, YCAR (Youngstown Columbiana Association of Realtors) is having a Reverse Raffle on Thursday, April 27th at The Embassy (5030 Youngstown Poland Rd, Boardman, OH 44512). Cocktails begin at 6PM, dinner is at 7PM with the drawing to follow.

Tickets are $100 (Raffle Ticket & Dinner) and $50 if an additional dinner is needed.

$4,000 GRAND PRIZE (Only 150 tickets will be sold)!

The night will be fun and will include a chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, entertainment, side board and so much more!
 
Please email Kristina at resources@habitatmahoning.org for tickets or for more information about volunteering on the build site. This house will be built in Boardman in late Spring / early Summer 2017.

Please like the event on facebook to keep posted about what to expect! This is the second year for this event, last year YCAR raised almost $14,000!!!  
Willard Avenue Kick-Off
Thank you to Mayor Franklin for his support!

The Willard Avenue NE rehab project is well under way in Warren! During the Kick-Off event on February 1st, Mayor Franklin, Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership (TNP), and Trumbull Land Bank showed their support and praised the progress on the home. HFHMV also owes a huge thank you to our regular volunteers and the TNP community service volunteers who come out each day to make this project possible!
 
Demolition on the house is complete, and HFHMV is beginning to put the pieces back to together. A majority of funds for this rehab were acquired by the Warren-Trumbull HOME Consortium, City of Warren, and the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The house itself and property were donated by Trumbull Neighborhood Partnership and the Trumbull County Land Bank.

If you would like to volunteer, please visit our website or call 330-743-7244 x 304.
 
HFHMV is also looking for a family to move into the home when it is complete. If you, or someone you know, is looking to be a homeowner, please complete and mail in the application.

For more pictures, please visit our  Flickr  page.
Meet Our Staff & Volunteers     
Meg, Struthers ReStore Assistant Manager
 
1.   Name?   Meg Williams
2.   How long have you been with Habitat for Humanity ?  2.5 Months
3.   If you were a superhero or super villain, what powers would you have?  Mind Reading - the ability to make others do what I want.
4.    Do you love or hate roller coasters?   Hate
5.   Do you collect anything?   Debt
6.    What would be in your dream sandwich?   Buffalo Chicken Dip + Green Peppers
7.    If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?   J.K. Rowling
8.    What was your favorite cartoon growing up?   Rocket Power
9.    Are you a dog or cat person?   Both
10.  What is the last movie you saw?   The Princess Bride
11.   Is the glass half empty or half full?   Always Full
12.   Are you a good cook? (if yes what's your specialty?)
      Only if it involves a microwave.
13.   Where did you grow up?   Struthers, OH
14.   What inspires you?   Animal Rescue
15.   What is your favorite ice cream flavor?   Handel's Red Skies
16.   Do you love your job (yes, this is a trick question)?   lol - Yes!
17.   Favorite pizza?   Elmton
18.  What would you sing at Karaoke Night?   Depends on how many adult beverages
      I  have.
19.   Have you ever had a nickname?   Gem (which is Meg backwards)
20.  What are your hobbies?   Painting, refinishing furniture and dog walking.
    
St. Patrick's Day DIY     
Don't rely on luck - stop by a ReStore to find your craft supplies!

If you haven't visited the HFHMV Pinterest page, you are missing out! We have holiday pins of DIY crafts to meet all your St. Patrick's Day needs - and our ReStores have all the materials you'll need! Here is a small preview of what you will find on the HFHMV Pinterest page (click on the image captions to learn what you'll need to DIY):

 
HFHMV ReStore Locations & Hours

Habitat ReStore (Struthers) 
480 Youngstown Poland Rd
Struthers, OH 44471
330-743-7244

Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm

Habitat ReStore (Salem) 
1965 N. Ellsworth Ave.
Salem, OH 44460
330-337-4808
 
Open: Wednesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm
(*Thursdays open 9am-6pm)