Habitat CFC E-Newsletter | June 2020
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"I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
”
- Nelson Mandela
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I thought closing down our ReStore and construction sites, cancelling events and fundraisers, and moving to remote working was hard, and at the time was the hardest thing I’d done as a nonprofit leader. Over the past few weeks, I’ve discovered that there is something that replaces that distinction—opening everything back up.
I now know more than I care to about hygiene, PPE, cleaning products, high touch areas, what 6ft really is, and balancing people’s individual freedom with the safety of all. Closing down struck at the chord of the viability of the organization and the livelihoods of staff members; opening back up adds the dimension of holding people’s health and possibly life in your decisions.
The Board of Directors and I are confident in the health and safety protocols that we have put into place. We are ready to begin to open back up. And we will be ready to climb that next hill that awaits us. We must be. There are too many families that need a safe, decent, affordable place to call home.
Yours in partnership,
Dr. Cathy Collins
CEO
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Addendum:
I had written my article prior to the incidents, including the death of George Floyd, that once again visibly opened up the unhealed wounds of our country’s long history with racial inequities. Having written my dissertation on how Little Rock remembers the desegregation of Central High School, I know intimately this landscape of systemic racism. Even still, my heart breaks with what I’ve witnessed over these last few days. And I’m ever more grateful that I work for Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity’s roots lie in the radical inclusivity of Koininia Farms, a racially integrated Georgia farm in the 1950s. I am proud that I do work that contributes to transforming systemic racism in a sustainable way. Our homeownership program gives opportunities that have been taken away through redlining, restrictive covenants and general practices of de facto segregation. The process of how we build together brings us together in ways we normally don’t get to experience. We discover our shared humanity as we allow the barriers that so often separate us to fall away.
Being part of Habitat doesn’t diminish the sadness, anger, and quietude that I, and so many others, feel in this moment. It doesn’t change the terrain of disregard felt in big and small ways by people of color on a daily basis. It does though give me the outlet for helping to create something different, to close the gap on the inequities, and to do it in a spirit of love and dignity for all involved. It is not perfect by any means; but it is a start. I hope that you too can find your answer to wanting to make things different in the work of Habitat.
All are welcome.
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Habitat CFC is grateful for the community of support from our volunteers, donors, homeowners, and ReStore customers! We know that many of you are eager to return, while many are also cautious about continued safety as we slowly reopen. Our phased reopening plan strives to balance our desire to continue serving the families in our program in need of a place to call home with our commitment to do everything in our power to keep everyone safe. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to our staff at (203) 333-2642.
REOPENING TIMELINE
Tuesday, June 2
RESTORE
- The Stratford ReStore will be gratefully accepting donation drop-offs at the store Tuesday- Saturday 10 AM – 4PM.
- We will be observing social distancing protocol and require that donors wear a face-covering while dropping off donations.
- We will not be offering donation pick-up services at this time. The store is closed to customers until June 10.
CONSTRUCTION
- Construction Staff will return to building onsite, with no volunteers at this time.
OFFICE
- Administrative staff will be working on a partially-remote rotating schedule. Office is closed to visitors at this time.
Wednesday, June 10
RESTORE
- The Stratford ReStore will be open to shoppers! Beginning June 10, the store will be open to shoppers Wednesday – Saturday 10 AM – 4PM.
- Shoppers will be required to wear a face-covering at all times.
- With everyone’s safety in mind the ReStore will be limiting the number of customers in the building, executing additional cleaning and sanitizing protocols, and asking that customers ‘shop with their eyes, not with their hands.’
CONSTRUCTION
- Construction Staff will continue building onsite, with no volunteers at this time.
OFFICE
- Administrative staff will be working on a partially-remote rotating schedule. Office is closed to visitors at this time.
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Alternative Sweat Equity - Future Homeowners Give Back to the Community
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With construction sites temporarily closed, our Future Homeowners are earning sweat equity hours with other acts of service to the community. Check out the 80 GORGEOUS homemade cupcakes that future homeowner Cindy made for the nurses working on the front lines at Yale New Haven Hospital! Way to go, Cindy!
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Working from Home Reinforces the Importance of Safe, Decent Housing
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Like so many during the COVID19 pandemic, I have exchanged an office environment replete with water cooler talk and free coffee, for a makeshift home office located in a seldom used room with more cobwebs than I had previously cared to notice. While the setting has changed the deliverables remain. Indeed financials, forecasts, and technological infrastructure have only increased in importance over the past few months.
What has been most illuminating in my time spent working remotely is just how important having a safe, decent house to call “home” truly is. Living in such an unprecedented time has underscored our innate desire to seek safety and comfort where we shelter. As the world was changing by the minute, my home provided my family and I a sense of normalcy.
Somewhere between reacquainting myself with the world of VPNs, remote desktops and improvised offices, I have gained an even higher level of appreciation for what Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County provides families. When the walls go up and the keys are exchanged, the houses we build give our homeowners a refuge that many would be incomplete without. Knowing there are so many families, so close by, that are missing the sense of comfort a home provides, underscores the vital role our organization, volunteers and donors play in achieving a greater good.
As the world continues to normalize, I will continue to work from home. With each successive Zoom meeting and conference call, I realize just how fortunate I am. I know with your continued support we will be able to help more families feel this way by furthering our mission of providing affordable homeownership possibilities in Fairfield County.
In Partnership,
Dan Flynn
Director of Finance & Operations
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Our Emergency Fund to provide Habitat CFC Homeowners and Future Homeowner families with relief raised over $20,000—more than quadruple the original goal!
Funds have now been distributed to 42 families in their choice of direct cash assistance or escrow assistance.
We were blown away by your generosity and compassion and are so grateful to everyone who gave from the heart to help families through this unprecedented time.
Many Habitat homeowners that we checked in with told us how important their Habitat home has been for their family's financial stability as well as their mental and physical health. This is proof positive that our work is more crucial than ever.
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What does home mean to YOU?
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What does HOME mean to you? Show us your answers! Take a picture, post on social media with the hashtag #HabitatCFC, then nominate 3 friends!
Here are a few ideas…
Security | Warmth | Gardening | Independence | Peace & Quiet | Home Cooked Meals | Freedom | Family | Stability
DONATE NOW and help a local family build a place to call home!
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ReOpening the ReStore- Help us ReStock!
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Habitat CFC relies on the revenue our ReStore raises to keep building. The store closing has had a deep impact on funding Habitat CFC's crucial work at a time when a safe and stable home is more important than ever.
The Stratford ReStore will begin accepting donation drop-offs on Tuesday, June 2, and will open to shoppers on Wednesday, June 10 (more info:
fairfieldcountyrestore.org
)
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Here are two ways YOU can help!
1.)
Donate gently-used furniture, building materials, and home goods to our ReStore. (
donation criteria
). Every donated item helps build homes!
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As we proceed in this ever-changing environment during the COVID-19 pandemic, we remain optimistic while keeping our Habitat CFC community safe as our first priority. At this time, our annual golf fundraising tournament is still scheduled for September 21, 2020 at the renowned Country Club of Fairfield.
Although, our game play may be modified and our celebration may be slightly different this year, we hope to join together as a community and support Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. We will remain strong in helping local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Please stay tuned for future updates.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Suzanne Francis, Events Coordinator at
sfrancis@habitatcfc.org
or 203-520-7690.
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Anna Pereira, sister-in-law of Women Build Committee member Kristin Pereira, was a supporter of Habitat CFC. Over the past several years Anna, her sister Gerie, and mom baked traditional Portuguese desserts and were one of the annual favorite Culinary Hosts for Aitoro. Anna’s smile and warmth were only comparable to her yummy desserts. They became so sought after that people would come early and hit the dessert table before it was all gone!
We wish the family peace and extend our deepest sympathies for their loss.
Harris "Hank" Greenberg was a longtime core volunteer and supporter of Habitat CFC. We are so grateful for the gifts that he gave to the work and mission of Habitat.
If you would like us to include a remembrance of a loved one who has left a legacy of involvement in the mission of Habitat CFC, please contact our staff at
ekemp@habitatcfc.org.
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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