September, 2018 Newsletter This month's themes: Building on Faith Waco Habitat's Minor Repair Program World Habitat Day

Executive Director's Message Building on Faith

What is your Habitat story? Many people pose that question to me and countless others as we serve through Habitat for Humanity. Why do you give of you time, talents, skills, abilities and means to further the mission of Habitat for Humanity? For me, one word fits the bill: faith. My first introduction to Habitat for Humanity came through an invitation from church members to join them at a fundraising breakfast. A couple of things didn’t make my list of favorite things to do: fundraising and early morning meeting! However, I sucked it up and joined my friends. At that event, my eyes opened to the global Christian ministry which is Habitat for Humanity. What compelled my commitment to serve as a volunteer and advocate for Habitat for Humanity was people. The homeowner told her story of hard work, dedication, coming together, serving shoulder-to-shoulder and offering a hand-up to folks needing a break. Habitat for Humanity offers that hope.  Since that time, I have put the Theology of the Hammer into practice. That spiritual practice allows people to see and hear the love of God as we serve side-by-side helping build and repair homes in partnership with people in need.

September marks the opportunity for Habitat for Humanity to focus on faith. Building On Faith kicks off with Waco Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday, September 18 th , at 10:00 am at our administrative offices (220 N. 11 th Street) with an informational brunch. Come learn how you and your faith group can join us as we plan to put of faith in action and build a home with a Habitat partner family in early 2019. Let me ask you, “What is your story?” We develop our stories through experience. If you don’t have a story, plug in and serve with us. I leave you with this question, “What will you build?” Everyone can do something. For me, whatever I do I look at it as working for God and not for man. Join the journey! Brenda Shuttlesworth, Executive Director

Waco Habitat's Minor Repair Program In partnership with the City of Waco, Waco Habitat for Humanity offers a minor repair program to homeowners in the city of Waco. This program is funded through a Community Development Block Grant administered by the City of Waco. WacoHabitat for Humanity aims to help at least 10 homeowners make minor repairs to their dwellings. The unique partnership allows no out-of-pocket expense for homeowners taking advantage of the minor repair program. Eligibility Criteria for the Home Repairs Program are as follows: You must own the home where the repairs are to be made. You must occupy the home as your primary residence. Property taxes must be current. The home must be within the city limits of City of Waco. You (or a member of your household) must have a need that makes the requested repairs necessary. Your household income must fall between 20%-80% of Area Median Family Income. (Details are provided in the application package.) Those receiving Minor Home Repair services must be present during the duration of the repair work. Any able-bodied household members must help during the project (where applicable). Other friends and family (not in the household) are also encouraged to participate. The repair must fall under the guidelines of the Minor Home Repair Program. The application period runs from September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. The application package is available at WHFH administrative office, 220 N. 11th Street (Corner N 11th & Columbus), at the ReStore (1224 Franklin), and can be downloaded from the WHFH website, www.wacohabitat.org .

World Habitat Day - - October 1, 2018 More than 30 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly took an important step in promoting the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live by declaring that the first Monday in October would be World Habitat Day. On Monday, October 1, 2018, Waco Habitat for Humanity joins with our partners around the world to rededicate ourselves to recognizing the basic right of everyone to adequate shelter. Habitat for Humanity International asks all U.S. affiliates, national organizations, partners and supporters to come together as one global network in communicating that: • Every one of us deserves the opportunity for a better future. • A decent place to live can remove barriers to opportunity, health and success that might have been part of a family’s life for years, and in many cases--for generations.

The purpose of World Habitat Day is to reflect on the state of our towns and cities, and on the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It is also intended to remind the world that we all have the power and the responsibility to shape the future of our cities and towns. World Habitat Day was established in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution 40/202, and was first celebrated in 1986. Each year, World Habitat Day takes on a new theme to bring attention to UN-Habitat’s mandate to promote sustainable development policies that ensure adequate shelter for all. This World Habitat Day will focus on promoting all levels of government and all relevant stakeholders to reflect on how to implement concrete initiatives to ensure adequate and affordable housing in the context of the implementation of the New Urban Agenda at all levels, as well as the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Additional information for World Habitat Day 

World Habitat Day

World Habitat Day - - Solid Ground

September Events September 12 - 15 - - Doors on sale at ReStore, 30% off all doors, 1224 Franklin Avenue September 18 Building on Faith informational brunch, 10:00 a.m., Administrative Office, 220 N 11th Street September 19 - - Voter Registration Event Administrative Office, 220 N 11th Street September 22 - - Voter Registration Event ReStore, 1224 Franklin Avenue

Looking Ahead October 9--Last day to register to vote in November 6 General Election October 20--ReStore Half-off Sale, 9:00 - 3:00, 1224 Franklin Avenue December 7--Elf on a ReStore Shelf 6:00 - 8:00 Party and sale! 1224 Franklin Avenue December 11--Homeowners' Christmas Party 5:00 - 7:00. WHFH Administrative Offices, 220 N 11th Street

SAVE THE DATE!!! Habitat Harvest, November 15, 2018 Individual tickets go on sale September 17. Sponsorships, including table for 8, are still available. 5:00 - 8:00 pm. -- Phoenix Ballroom, 401 S. 3rd

Reminder!!! Register to vote at the Habitat office, 220 N. 11th Street, Waco, TX

Director of Operations Megan Hochstatter is now a Deputy Voter Registrar! If you have not registered to vote, stop by the Waco Habitat for Humanity Office and ask for Megan. Bring one of the following photo ID cards: Driver's license U.S. passport State ID card Military identification card Tribal ID card Voter registration in Texas

To register to vote in Texas, You must be a citizen of the United States. You must reside in the county where you are registering. You must NOT be a convicted felon who is currently incarcerated, on parole, or probation. You must NOT have been declared mentally incompetent in a court of law. The last day to register to vote before the upcoming General Election on November 6, 2018, is October 9, 2018.

Mission Moment-- Director of Programs The September Mission Moment features Michael Schumacher, Director of Programs for Waco Habitat for Humanity (WHFH). Michael has been with WHFH for just over five years. He first came to Habitat because of positive experiences volunteering with Habitat in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Michael sought out Habitat "because it provides the opportunity to exercise both my passion, and my education in construction management and in Christian theology." In Michaels words, "I believe that every person is created in the image of God, and is therefore, deserving of dignity and respect. I believe that having a safe, stable, and affordable place to live is a part of that dignity. I also believe that I am called to serve others in this world, and working at Habitat gives me the chance to utilize my time and abilities to serve the families we work with and our community in providing access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. That's why I come to work every day."

Michael Schumacher, Director of Programs "I grew up helping my dad with basic maintenance and home improvement projects, using power tools, and learning about construction. Then I went to college and earned a bachelor's degree in construction management and on to a graduate degree in divinity. So, Habitat work (construction with a theological impetus) may actually be the best fit for me that anyone could dream up."

Waco Habitat for Humanity Administrative Office -- 220 N. 11th St., Waco, TX 76701 Phone: 254-756-7575 ReStore -- 1224 Franklin, Waco, TX Phone 254-756-0131

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