Sussex County Habitat Newsletter September 1, 2017

HABITAT HOSTS FINANCIAL WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity and $tand by Me hosted the first Youth Financial Empowerment Workshop for children at the Laurel Public Library on August 19th. Open to the public, the workshop was sponsored by a Lowe's grant as part of Habitat's commitment to Neighborhood Revitalization in Laurel.

Using hands-on games and colorful visual displays, $tand by Me financial coaches Paula Puello and Cory Dunt helped ten eager children understand ways to save, share, and spend money. They discussed the differences between financial needs and wants, and shared financial resources available in their community.

Recycling was introduced as an effective financial strategy. Audrey Miller, Sussex County Habitat Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, read the children's book The

Boy Who Harnessed the Wind . The book tells the true story of William Kamkwamba who built a windmill out of recycled materials to feed his starving African village. The children then made wind chimes from spoons, forks, gears, keys, soda tabs, drill bits, floppy disks, and various other odds and ends found at the Habitat ReStore and construction sites. One middle schooler in attendance said "I learned how to share, save, and spend today and how recycling stuff can make that easier."

Audrey Miller explained, "Using financial coaching to empower families is part of

Habitat's holistic strategy for Neighborhood Revitalization in Laurel and other Sussex County communities." Later this fall, Sussex Habitat and $tand by Me will host two more Financial Empowerment workshops in Laurel for homeowners and families who rent homes in the community.

#Lowes #LowesNR #SussexCountyHabitatNR

The Repair Report

MOUNT JOY COMMUNITY ROCKS THE BLOCK

Volunteers at Rock the Block- Mount Joy

More than 50 volunteers came together on Saturday, August 24 in the Mount Joy community of Millsboro for Sussex County Habitat's third Rock the Block , where neighborhood homeowners, volunteers, Habitat staff, AmeriCorps and other community members work together to spruce up properties and repair homes. Mount Joy residents were joined by volunteers from the Sussex Housing Group, Mount Joy Civic Association, and the University of Delaware Community Engagement Scholars Program .

Together, residents and volunteers worked on 11 homes in the community. Projects included landscaping, trash pick-up, gutter cleaning, power washing, and more. Audrey Miller, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator said "With any neighborhood revitalization project, the key to making things happen in a focus

community is teamwork. Having dedicated groups of people from all over come together for the same goals is a beautiful thing. These partnerships are essential to having a Rock the Block event, and it just makes it all that much more enjoyable!"

At the end of a very productive day, members of St. Johns Church on Mount Joy Road welcomed the volunteers to the community's annual barbeque and picnic, a wonderful time of fellowship for everyone who worked so hard throughout the day.

The next Rock the Block event will be held in Laurel on September 27th. If you would like information about becoming involved in Rock the Block, please contact Audrey at 302-855-1153 ext. 217 or [email protected].

RESTORE MARKETPLACE, TWO VOLUNTEERS' INSPIRATION

On Saturday, August 19th, the lawn in front of Lewes ReStore was filled with vendors and shoppers for the second of four scheduled Marketplaces. The next Marketplace will open on September 23 from 8:30 to 3:00 PM. If you are interested in becoming a vendor contact Mary Rawl at 302.381.6031. Proceeds from the Lewes and Georgetown ReStores support Sussex County Habitat home construction, neighborhood revitalization, and family empowerment programs.


	Mary Rawl, Mark Quigley, and Rosemary Lilly

The ReStore Marketplace was the combined inspiration of ReStore volunteers Mary Rawl and Rosemary Lilly. It happened by chance when Rosemary, a new ReStore volunteer, met Mary then a ReStore customer. Mary, a Washington D.C., native, moved to Delaware and opened Auntie M's Emporium in Lewes 25 years ago. Also, she manages estate sales and frequents outdoor shows as a vendor herself. Rosemary moved to the area three years ago from Philadelphia and began volunteering with the ReStore in March. "I felt a connection with Mary from the start." Rosemary said. Together they saw the possibility to connect the ReStore with Mary's estate sale clients. As a result, many of the clients donate uns old merchandise to the ReStore. With that link, the inspiration for Marketplace became a reality.


ReStore Marketplace on July 8

On July 8th, the first Marketplace opened drawing in 40 recruited vendors whom Mary contacted. She organized the flow of the show, marked off booth areas, and helped ensure a vendor-friendly environment. Rosemary tracked and sorted the vendor information, collected payments, and took attendance. Both volunteers take pride in the work they do for the Marketplace, always making both vendors and customers happy.

"Now that people have either attended or heard about it from others, customers and vendors are revved up for the future," Mary explained. As the Marketplace grows, Mary and Rosemary hope to expand by attracting more vendors. Currently items for sale include antiques, jewelry, Scentsy, LulaRoe, Pampered Chef, rot iron works, pottery, soaps, repurposed furniture, coastal items, wreaths, and seasonal selections. Looking ahead to 2018, Mary and Rosemary are planning Marketplace dates in May and June, adding additional food trucks and music to the festival vibe.

ReStore Manager Mark Quigley complimented Mary and Rosemary by saying, "This is all possible because of these two women. The Marketplace ties into our objective to be a community store-a location where neighbors and friends can come together."

One size does not fit all! B y that we mean, one home design does not meet the needs of every Habitat family or the neighborhood in which the home is built. As a result, Sussex Habitat primarily constructs four functional home designs including 3 or 4 bedroom ranch-style homes and 3 or 4 bedroom two-story homes.

We need your suggestions to name each home style for our house-planning materials.

All affordable Habitat homes are properly constructed and safe. Features include 1,100 to 1,300 square feet of space, an open concept living area, a covered porch, and energy star appliances. Homebuyers may choose their preferences for flooring, cabinets, and siding. Generally, ranch style homes are built in developing communities and rural settings. Two-story models are built on smaller lots in older, established, downtown neighborhoods where they fit nicely with neighboring homes.

All suggested house design names must be emailed by September 20th to Resource Development Director Jay Gundy at [email protected]. Please include the suggested name and the house design for which it is intended. The four winning names will be announced on September 24th. Winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to the ReStore.

PARTNER FAMILY SETTLES IN INGRAM VILLAGE

Congratulations to Heather and her family who purchased their new home in the Ingram Village subdivision of Ellendale. Heather and the four children are ready to move into their new home that is safe and affordable.

AMERICORPS MEMBERS CELEBRATED AS SERVICE TERMS

COME TO END

At Sussex County Habitat for Humanity, the end of August each year coincides with the end of AmeriCorps terms of service and the bittersweet moment when we say thank you for their service, friendship, and inspiration. Collectively, they have energetically supported Sussex Habitat's efforts to provide affordable housing for low and very-low income families in Sussex County. Whether on construction sites, at the ReStores, or in the offices, their service has had a profound impact. On August 17th, the entire Sussex Habitat team gathered for lunch and celebration of service well-done.

Nationally, AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at 21,600 unique sites including nonprofits, schools, public agencies, community and faith-based groups, and Habitat affiliates across the country. Since the program's founding in 1994, more than one million AmeriCorps members have contributed more than 1.4 billion hours in service while tackling pressing problems and mobilizing more than 2.3 million volunteers for the organizations they serve.

We congratulate all the AmeriCorps members who have served with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity this year and wish them great success in their future endeavors. For information about AmeriCorps and opportunities to serve at Sussex County Habitat, contact Nancy Green at 302.855.1153 or [email protected].

Volunteer Voices

COLLEGE FRESHMAN ARRIVE EARLY TO

VOLUNTEER WITH HABITAT

Thirty-four University of Delaware freshmen chose to spend their first weekend of college as Habitat for Humanity volunteers. These freshmen are the newest members of the

University's Community Engagement Scholars Program that draws students from a variety of academic majors during the course of four years to learn first-hand how they can have a personal and professional impact in their home communities. Program advisor Valerie Lane explained the importance of volunteering as orientation to college, "Working in a community before stepping into the classrooms teaches the students to listen to what a community really needs, to learn the processes involved in change, and to make accommodations for that community before entering it."

Organized in four groups with Habitat site supervisors and AmeriCorps members, the students spent the first of two days rehabbing three houses as part of the Neighborhood Revitalization

e ffort in the Old Town area of Laurel . One group worked inside removing old carpeting and breaking up linoleum and tile while a second group worked outside cutting back overgrown shrubbery and cleaning the backyard. The third group cleared dirt from the foundation of another house so that footers can be installed. The fourth group worked inside yet another rehab project removing trim and baseboards while carefully preserving salvageable antique trim that can be sold at Habitat's ReStore.

On the second day, students were bused to the Mount Joy community in Millsboro for a neighborhood Rock the Block where neighborhood homeowners, volunteers, Habitat staff, AmeriCorps and other community members work together to spruce up properties and repair homes.

Before heading back to Newark, college freshman Robyn O'Halloran summarized her experience, "It was rewarding to see the end result, wanting to give up at times but wanting more to give back to the communities."

We thank the University of Delaware Community Engagement Scholars for two highly productive days of work. We wish you great success in your first year of college and look forward to seeing you soon and often at Sussex Habitat work sites. Go Gamecocks!

#Lowes #LowesNR #SussexCountyHabitatNR

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE JOHNNY JANOSIK CHARITY

GOLF TOURNAMENT

Volunteers are needed for the September 19, 2017 Johnny Janosik Charity Golf Tournament benefitting Sussex County Habitat for Humanity. Once again, the tournament will be held at The Peninsula on Indian River Bay in Millsboro, DE. Beginning at 7:45 a.m., volunteer tasks include games, and other tournament related activities. Breakfast will be available in the morning and a buffet luncheon will be served when play is finished. The Peninsula is a beautiful location to spend a day supporting Sussex County Habitat and the Johnny Janosik Charitable Foundation. To volunteer, please contact the Events Coordinator at [email protected] or 302.855.1153 x 214 .

In May, the Johnny Janosik Charitable Foundation presented a $20,000 check to Sussex County Habitat from the proceeds of the 2016 Annual Johnny Janosik Charity Golf Tournament. Johnny Janosik World of Furniture has been a faithful and generous supporter of Sussex Habitat's family empowerment, home construction, and neighborhood revitalization programs. In addition, Johnny Janosik employees volunteer annually to build house frames and work on home construction sites. Their support every year has a profound impact on Sussex Habitat and the families we serve.

AMERICORPS SERVICE POSITIONS

AmeriCorps Member (Full Time): AmeriCorps service is your opportunity to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. Habitat AmeriCorps are paid to serve full or part-time helping families build strong and stable homes, while gaining real-world experience. AmeriCorps serve in leadership roles on active build sites, in our affiliate office assisting families, volunteers and staff, or in one of our two Sussex County ReStore locations.

20+ AmeriCorps positions available for 2017-2018 Service Year beginning September 1, 2017

Positions include: Construction Leader, ReStore Associate, Volunteer Coordinator, Communications/PR Coordinator, Affiliate Relations/Events Coordinator, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, and Family Empowerment Coordinator. Click here for a full position description.

Framing Fragments- Updates on Current Builds

Ellendale

Washington Ave.

Install Flooring, Interior Trim work

Milton

14446 Collins St.

Install Flooring, Install Decking

Lot 12 Collins Street

Install Flooring, Grade Yard

Laurel

211 Oak

Foundation Work, Start some Framing

209 Market St.

Outside Cleanup, Start some Framing of Closets

Inspiration

Questions? Ready to Volunteer?

E-mail Programs Director Barbara Ward at

[email protected]

or call 302-855-1153 x211

We welcome all - individuals and groups - to build with us at anytime: This is what our founder, Millard Fuller , called the Theology of the Hammer .