In these uncertain times gratitude can be hard to find. Yet, it is exactly the thing that can bring tranquility to this moment. I regularly practice bringing gratitude to difficult situations, challenging moments, and times when it doesn’t seem possible to find something to be grateful for. It’s not always easy, but when I keep at it, I have found the same fullness of life that Melody Beattie talks about.

Bringing a perspective of gratitude doesn’t shift the reality of the pandemic, or the economic crisis, or the cost of home. Nor does it change the reality of difficult conversations or differing viewpoints. What it does do is elevate these moments so that we can see value in them and how we can grow from them. It gives us an opportunity to approach anything with our best selves. And I know for certain that it feels better than the alternative of ruminating in the negativity.

I recently conducted two focus groups with our future homeowners for our '2020 Vision for the Future' strategic planning process. I anticipated hearing a lot of ways that we could improve our homeownership program. Instead I got an abundant dose of gratitude for the opportunity to become a homeowner. Instantly, I was reminded of what is important. We won’t stop trying to improve and enhance our work, yet maybe we’ll stop more often to acknowledge the power of the work that we get to do. I am grateful to our future homeowners for reminding me of that.

I am thankful for the volunteers who are waiting patiently to re-engage with us. I am thankful for the donors who believe more than ever in the power of homeownership to change lives. I am thankful for a Board of Directors that is thoughtfully undertaking a strategic plan during these strange times. I am thankful for a staff team that has traversed this stretch of constant change with creativity and perseverance. I am thankful to have the honor of leading this organization.

May gratitude visit you often during this season. Happy Thanksgiving.

Yours in partnership,

Dr. Cathy Collins

CEO

Make sure to use your voice and VOTE in this election for candidates who are committed to making the #costofhome affordable for local families! Voting is one more way that you can support families who are building their dream of a safe and stable place to call home.

Your vote can help ensure that the housing stability and affordability needs exacerbated by the pandemic are addressed. Join Habitat in making housing affordability a priority in this year’s elections.

Thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of participants, teams, runners, and walkers, as well as the generosity of donors, our very first Virtual 5K was a success! You blew away the event's original fundraising goal of $5,000 with a grand total of $8,028 raised (and counting!) You can make a donation at bit.ly/stepup4habitat

It was so fun to see the photos and videos shared by participants. Check out some of the runners and walkers:

Join in the joy! Attend a virtual home dedication and see what Habitat is all about-- helping families achieve their dreams. Take a virtual house tour led by the family, listen to speakers who helped make it happen, offer your congratulations, and hear from the future homeowners in their own words!

To get the zoom link, please contact Suzanne Francis, Events Coordinator, at sfrancis@habitatcfc.org or 203-520-7690.

Did you know car donations are just one more way you can support Habitat CFC's work? The proceeds from your car donation come directly back to build homes for local families in Fairfield County. Donating your car may also be tax deductible!

Get started at https://www.habitatcfc.org/cars-for-homes/

Ruben, and Shellyann & Scott closed on their homes. This moment is the culmination of so much hard work and commitment, and also represents the love demonstrated by all of the donors and volunteers who walked beside these families on their journey to homeownership.

Below is a list of dates and times for upcoming listening sessions. To join in, click the link to join via Zoom, dial in by phone, or contact Chanttal Cabral for assistance.

Meeting ID: 876 8816 7899 Passcode: 481209

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 876 8816 7899 Passcode: 481209

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Community Listening Sessions                 

Meeting ID: 824 5888 0666 Passcode: 421730

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Saturday 11/07 | 3:30PM | SPANISH 

Meeting ID: 832 9657 2724 Passcode: 824734

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 858 0725 2869 Passcode: 474495

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Meeting ID: 823 4942 3082 Passcode: 145516

Dial In: +1 646 558 8656

Can't make any of these times? We can speak over the phone or via email so you have a chance to share your thoughts. Contact Chanttal Cabral at ccabral@habitatcfc.org.

This was a very special dedication day AND move-in day for Shellyann, Scott & family. This moment wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of donors, the hard work of volunteers, and most importantly, the partnership of homeowner families.

Watch the recording of the dedication, complete with house tour led by the children, here.

Congratulations to Janella, Jose, and their children on the dedication of their beautiful new home! We are so excited for you to fill this home with a lifetime of joyful memories.

A very special thank you to the AVANGRID Foundation for their gift as our Energy Efficiency Sponsor for this home and to Wells Fargo for their sponsorship of this home! Janella has said that this home is a dream come true for her family. That dream would never have been realized without the support of the many hands and hearts and donations that built this home.

Watch the recording of the virtual dedication here.

A Habitat homeowner, Sebastian (Esteban) Diaz has passed away. He had spent the past two months in the hospital fighting COVID-19,

His family wrote, "Good evening. It’s with a heavy heart that I text to inform you and the whole Habitat team that our beloved Sebastian Diaz has passed away to be with the Lord.”

Sebastian & family have been Habitat homeowners since 2006. (The home was originally built in 2002, as our '911 Memorial Home.')

Rest in peace and love Sebastian. ❤

If you love the Stratford ReStore, make sure you are following us on social media. Be the first to know when something special hits the floor, keep up with the latest sales, and stay in the loop on Habitat happenings!

1785 Stratford Ave, Stratford, CT | (203) 383-4358 | donate@restorecfc.org

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Donation Drop-off Hours: Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM