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Building homes, communities and hope in Bryan/College Station
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Build your team. Build your community.
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Jim Davis honored at
Community Builders Breakfast
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Letter from the Director
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The Honest Answer
"Hi, how are you?"
"Doing well, how about you?"
"Things are going pretty good."
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What would happen if everyone answered these questions honestly all the time? Sometimes, not everything is "well" or "going pretty good," but there are plenty of times where those answers are true, and thank God for those times.
A common question I get asked is "How are things going over at Habitat?" I often say "Great!" and mention a recent highlight. There are many to choose from. We had an awesome program at our annual breakfast fundraiser. We heard from Karen Smith, whose company, Smith Dairy Queens will be sponsoring its fourth home with a wall raising on March 25th, in partnership with Faith in Action, a group of local churches. We also heard the story of the Juarez family, and the unbelievable struggles they've faced and overcome.
I've been talking about our recent land purchase in College Station that was only made possible through funds from City of College Station's Community Development department. Not only are they funding the land purchase, they are also going to sponsor a significant portion of the building expenses as well. Because of this partnership, there will be three new affordable homes in College Station, occupied by hardworking people building a better future for themselves and our community.
Last week we received the final commitment to fully fund the first of two 2017 Corporate Challenge Builds. We will actually have two wall raisings on March 25th, as we kick off Corporate Challenge with Vista College as the lead sponsor, and Wells Fargo Foundation, Knife River, and Capsher Technology rounding out the sponsorship. In my four years here, I don't recall us ever completing a Corporate Challenge sponsorship that quickly!
"Great" is rarely a complete answer to how everything is going. It is true, but how do I answer you that we also still face challenges and we still need your help?
We need more applicants. Something that surprises me is that we sometimes face a shortage of applicants who qualify for a home. The need is great, but tough times often result in negative financial consequences that affect an applicant's ability to be offered a loan, even at zero percent interest.
We need donations, and especially home sponsorships. Our goal is to build one dozen homes this year. We're on track, but we don't yet know who all of our sponsorship partners will be.
We need you and your network of influence to tell everyone about the good things we are doing and about what we still need. Tell people about the opportunity to apply to build a home with us. Tell people that although things are indeed going well, we haven't eliminated poverty housing yet. We do incredibly important, impactful work, but it is expensive and we need donations and home sponsorships.
So if you see me around town, and you ask me how things are at Habitat, I will tell you they are great, and I thank God that they are. He blesses our work, and He does it by putting it on people's hearts to partner with us. As you're reading this, I hope that you hear the highlights, recognize the need to continue the work, and choose to be our partner. We are changing the world, one house at a time.
Join us!
In Partnership,
Andy York, Executive Director
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What makes a good community? Good schools? Good roads? Low crime rates? Good job opportunities? At B/CS Habitat, we believe the heart of the community is its residents. When its residents are empowered to invest in their own homes and futures through homeownership, they become the agents of change for a better community.
For more than 25 years, B/CS Habitat has been building homes throughout Bryan/College Station. In 1989, we started out building on single lots as we were able to acquire them. With each home built, a family in our community moved from substandard housing and into a place they can call home.
In 1999, we had an opportunity to build 15 houses in our first subdivision, Miracle Place. Since then, B/CS Habitat has built several more subdivisions including Sharon's Court with 41 houses, Angel's Gate with 105 houses and Faith with 24 houses. What we have witnessed in these subdivisions humbled us. We ventured into building subdivisions because we could build more homes by leveraging our resources. What we did not foresee was how creating a subdivision changed a neighborhood.
B/CS Habitat broke ground on the Sharon's Court, located on the west side of the railroad tracks in Downtown Bryan in 2003, and Angel's Gate in 2006.
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The City of Bryan is investing millions of dollars in a Capital Improvement Project to pave new roads, add new sewer lines and street signage in the streets surrounding Angel's Gate and Sharon's Court. Homeowners around the two subdivisions are rehabilitating their homes. Property values have increased, and people who never considered living west of
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the railroad tracks are starting to purchase homes.
Victor Gonzalez, B/CS Habitat's first homeowner whose house backs into Angel's Gate, testifies to the positive impact the subdivision has had in his neighborhood.
"This used to be a rough neighborhood. The change started in 1990 when the City of Bryan began tearing down government rental housing. After Sharon's Court went up in the early 2000's and Habitat started building Angel's Gate, there was an increase of police presence. The City also built a skate park and put in a pool in the neighborhood. Overall, I see more families walking around. There are a lot more kids and more activity in the parks. It's safe, and people know each other more. Other people in the neighborhood are also keeping their places cleaner, fixing up their homes."
B/CS Habitat is not the sole contributor to the turnaround of the neighborhood west of Downtown Bryan. The City of Bryan's elected officials and staff as well as local residents and businesses have also poured time and money into the neighborhood.
By building these subdivisions, B/CS Habitat empowered 146 homeowners to invest in the
well-being
of their families and community. Angel's Gate and Sharon's Court have made west of Downtown Bryan a more attractive place to live. Our exiting Board member, Martin Walker states it best, "Habitat fills the need for not just the family, but also for a neighborhood, and for the city."
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What's Happening at B/CS Habitat
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Annual Community Builders Breakfast
Every year, people gather at the grand ballroom of the College Station Hilton for B/CS Habitat's Community Builders Breakfast. Our guests generously open their hearts and wallets to partner with B/CS Habitat to build decent and affordable homes for people needing a hand up. This year was no exception. More than 400 individuals joined us for the breakfast.
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Little Free Libraries
Thanks to
Bryan Rotary Club
for installing Little Free Libraries in our B/CS Habitat neighborhoods and in other neighborhoods across Bryan! These super colorful Little Free Libraries will be stocked with books for all ages to share. If you spot one in your neighborhood, feel free to take a book or leave a book.
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Smith Dairy Queens sponsors its 3rd Habitat Home
For three generations, Smith Dairy Queens have served up quick meals and delicious frozen desserts.(Who doesn't love a Blizzard on a hot day?) And for the past three years, they have made homeownership possible for multiple B/CS Habitat families through their generous home sponsorships.
B/CS Habitat is beyond grateful for local partnerships such as this one. These partnerships are central to who we are, members of the community building community.
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Follow us on Facebook for the latest B/CS Habitat news and events
What a busy winter it has been for B/CS Habitat! In just February alone, we've had one wall raising and two home dedications.
This spring, we plan to raise the walls of more homes and hand the keys to more families! Stay up to date on all the happenings by following B/CS Habitat on Facebook!
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Two more homes finished and dedicated in February
The Washington and the Rodriguez-Chavez families moved into their Habitat homes this month!
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Upcoming Events at B/CS Habitat for Humanity
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Thank You to the Generous Sponsors of Our Homes
Currently Under Construction and Our Lunch Sponsors! |
Get Involved
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Partner
We believe in offering families a hand up out of substandard housing. If you or someone you know would like to become a Habitat homeowner,
find out more today.
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Volunteer
Our organization is strengthened by the dedication of our volunteers. Check out the opportunities for you to get involved.
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Give
There are many ways to give, and each way contributes to building homes, communities and hope in Bryan/College Station.
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