Habitat CFC E-Newsletter | March 2020
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“There is no heavier burden than an unfulfilled potential.”
Charles Schulz
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In February, I attended Habitat on the Hill, Habitat for Humanity International’s annual legislative advocacy conference.
Sitting on the tables were cards asking us to complete the following sentence:
"I think everyone should have access to communities of opportunity because…"
My answer is…”We deserve to have everyone’s gifts to be given and experienced by our community, humanity.” That simple statement pretty much sums up why I believe in Habitat for Humanity and why I think advocacy is an important part of our work.
The meaningful success stories that we share about our work express the potential of Habitat family members coming to fruition. A young girl falling asleep in school before her family moves into their Habitat home becomes a star student and can talk confidently and competently about micro-technology. Another young girl’s dream of playing the violin is deferred until her family, now living in their Habitat home, can budget for violin lessons. A mother who, after moving into her Habitat home, can think about going back to college for her nursing degree. Every Habitat family has some story that expresses what happens once they are in their Habitat home.
A Habitat home does not make these individuals capable of fulfilling their dreams; a Habitat home provides the peace and stability that allows their dreams to be fulfilled. Housing plays a foundational role in achieving health and educational outcomes. It is why advocating for making the cost of home something we can all afford is so critical to our work. We can’t afford to lose anyone’s potential because their living situation renders it impossible to fulfill.
Keep sharing your stories of Habitat families.They are some of the most powerful tools to advocate for housing affordability and bring awareness to the difference a safe, decent and affordable home makes in the lives of families.
Cathy Collins, PhD
Chief Executive Officer, Habitat CFC
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Expanding Our Impact Through Advocacy:
Habitat's commitment to making the Cost of Home something we can all afford.
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Why Advocacy?
Each and every house built by Habitat for Humanity here in our community and worldwide means that one more family has a safe, stable, affordable place to call home. But we know that we can't build fast enough to meet our vision of
a world where everyone has a decent place to live. That is why we also engage in legislative advocacy—speaking up about the policies and programs that can expand our impact and allow more people to access the stability of a safe and affordable home.
A Housing Affordability Crisis
Everywhere you look—cities, suburbs, rural areas—the stability that home should bring remains out of reach for far too many families. Rent and homeownership costs are skyrocketing, while wages are not keeping pace. Far too often, families struggle to make ends meet.
Today nearly 19 million U.S. households pay half or more of their income on a place to live. That is unacceptable. That means that 1 in 6 families are forced to make impossible choices— a safe home or nutritious food on the table, home or healthcare, home or education. Which would you choose? It shouldn't be a choice.
Your home shouldn’t cost you anywhere near half your paycheck. Home shouldn’t cost you your health. Home shouldn’t cost you your kids’ education. When the cost of home is your family’s future, the cost is too high. When the cost of home is any family’s future, that’s something none of us can afford.
How Can We Help?
Habitat for Humanity has a powerful voice and a strong network of volunteers, homeowners, and supporters. If we come together and make our voices heard, we can help make housing affordability a priority at a local, state, national, and international level.
If you'd like to learn more about Habitat CFC's advocacy efforts or get action alerts about advocacy activities, email Caitlin Dalton, Director of Communications & Outreach, at
cdalton@habitatcfc.org.
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Volunteer Spotlight: Mize Johnson
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Mize Johnson has been involved with Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County for six years as both a Core Volunteer and an essential figure in our Youth United program. A culture of giving has been ingrained in Mize from an early age. As the son of a man in the United States Special Forces, Mize saw since he was young how important and gratifying it was to help others. Mize would accompany his father on mission trips in Panama where he could see the impact giving back has on a community in need. From that day forward, Mize was called to serve those in his community and abroad.
After attending Georgia Tech and studying electrical engineering and computer science, Mize went on a journey all over the United States working for several different companies and holding various positions. His journey to Habitat for Humanity started when he arrived in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta, Mize was a part of a church that was very active in serving its local community. They were heavily involved in the Appalachian Service Project, as well as Habitat for Humanity. Learning more about Habitat inspired Mize to start volunteering with the organization.
Upon moving to Connecticut for a job opportunity, Mize attended the Golden Hill United Methodist Church in Bridgeport. Golden Hill has been one of the pillars of the Habitat CFC community and through their regular volunteering Mize was able to learn more about Habitat CFC as well as volunteer with us frequently.
After officially retiring from work, Mize wanted to do more with Habitat CFC and went from two days a week to almost four days a week. Mize took over the fencing and landscaping work on all of our Habitat CFC build sites and after being recruited by our Youth United group Mize began to supervise various projects from bookshelf building for future homes to tool-use seminars.
When asked what inspires him to keep volunteering after all of these years of service Mize said,
“It is personally rewarding to help others and to the see the journey the homeowners are on is inspiring.
The homes give people a leg up and a chance to create a better life for them and their family. Unlike other ways to give back, the Habitat for Humanity mission is more tangible in its results—you can see the impact you are making every day.”
From all of us at Habitat CFC, we thank Mize for his continued support and tireless effort to expand our mission and to further create a community of giving in this area!
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Congratulations Amarilys!
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This month we passed the keys to a beautiful Habitat home to Amarylis and her children. We wish them peace, comfort, and a lifetime of happy memories in their new home.
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TIME TO PLAN YOUR 2020 TEAM BUILD DAY!
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Does your Corporate or Community group build with us each year?
Then it’s time to start planning when you will join us in 2020! Each year hundreds of groups volunteer their time and contribute to Habitat CFC which allows us to partner with families in our area. These families will have the opportunity to purchase an affordable home that provides the type of stability needed for their family to flourish.
Haven’t joined us before?
Through a Team Build Day, participants will enjoy a fun-filled, inspirational day of volunteering on a Habitat CFC worksite. No experience is necessary; our construction staff is trained to teach your employees everything they need to know. We promise it will be an experience your group will never forget!
We are scheduling dates on our calendar now, so if you are looking for a particular date or month, please contact our Director of Development, Kristen Alvanson, by email at
kalvanson@habitatcfc.org
or call (203) 333-2642 ext.109 for or more information or to schedule your Team Build Day.
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Volunteer with Habitat CFC Women Build!
Build With Us for National Women Build Week—March 4 & 7
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Women of all ages (18+) and skill levels are invited to join us for a Women Build Volunteer Day! Join a community of women who believe in offering local families the chance to build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Whether you're a house-building pro or you've never touched a hammer, we need your help!
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER BUILD DAYS
with complimentary Women Build Week Lunch
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Join in the Joy!
A home dedication is the culmination of all that Habitat for Humanity is about. Join us as we celebrate Tynesia and her family as we pass the keys and break bread together for the first time in their new home. All are welcome to attend, witness the heart of our work, and congratulate the soon-to-be homeowner!
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It's Time to Buy Your Tickets!
to Habitat CFC's 2020 Annual Benefit
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On April 25, 2020 we’re throwing it back to pay it forward—going Back to the Future to the year we were founded—1985! In 2020, we are excited to be celebrating 35 years of partnering with families to create strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership.
For more information about sponsorship opportunities and attending the event, contact Events Coordinator Suzanne Francis at 203-333-2642 x104 or
sfrancis@habitatcfc.org or visit
here.
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SAVE THE DATE
Habitat CFC Women Build's
She Nailed It! Fundraising Competition
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Tuesday, May 12, 2020
5:30 – 8:30 PM
Eastern Greenwich Civic Center
Registration Coming Soon!
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SAVE THE DATE
Mark your calendars! The 27th Annual Habitat CFC Golf Outing will be
Monday, September 21, 2020. Join us at The Country Club of Fairfield for a day of golf at one of the premier golf courses in the country, and help local families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
Schedule
10:30 am Registration, Driving Range Opens
11:00 am Barbeque Lunch
12:00 pm Shotgun Start - Best Ball
5:00 pm Reception Guests Arrive, Cocktails, Dinner Buffet, & Silent Auction
5:30 pm Golf Awards, Brief Program
Registration Coming Soon!
For more information, contact Events Coordinator
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1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford
Just off exit 31 I-95
(store entrance is on Honeyspot Road)
203-383-4358
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ReStore Hours
Tuesday - Friday 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday - 9 am to 4 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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