IVHFH Dedicates 2019 Interfaith Builds Homes
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Article by Gabe Martin, IVHFH Community Outreach Director
In the afternoon of Sunday, October 27,
Hatim and Sayeda
, and
Habtamu and Ebsitu
celebrated their new homes with their friends and family, Habitat staff, and many supporters throughout our community. As part of the 2019 Interfaith Builds project, this dedication ceremony included beautiful prayers and blessings on the home from various faith traditions including Islam, Judaism, Unitarian Universalism, and Christianity. Those in attendance were in return blessed by hearing from the families, who gave thanks for the support of people throughout our community – both friends and strangers. Owning a home has long been a dream for both families, and this day celebrated this dream come true for two of our community’s families. Afterward, attendees were able to tour the homes, mingle, and enjoy delicious food prepared by the two families and their friends.
Like so many, these two families have endured much hardship and pain as they were forced into impossible decisions for their family’s safety and health. And like everyone, these families deserve a comfortable and affordable home in which to grow and thrive.
Congratulations to both families as you begin a new life as homeowners! We are so blessed to have you in our Habitat family.
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2020 Interfaith Builds Needs Your Support!
With the completion of the successful 2019 Interfaith Builds project comes the start of the next. This means we would love to talk with you and your faith community or other group about how to support this important program aimed at (1) putting faith and/or good will into positive action, and (2) bringing people together and improving understanding and acceptance of all backgrounds, including faith.
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The Doris Preucil Women Build committee is gearing up for its final fundraiser, the annual Hammers and Hardhats auction! Join us on November 14 for an evening of fun featuring a silent and live auction, Wine Pull, and live music! Can't attend? Consider making a
donation to support construction of
Nasr and Rasha's home.
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Two Years of Helping Hands
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Article by Scott Hawes, IVHFH Helping Hands Manager
Last month we celebrated the two-year anniversary of IVHFH’s
Helping Hands
repair program by getting our hands dirty with demolition on our next aging in place project. While cruising along Highway 218 from Washington to Iowa City with a truck weighed down by debris and a cast iron tub, I reflected on a few things I have learned during the last 24 months. So, here it is, a not-so-comprehensive list of things that I’ve learned by working in Helping Hands:
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Grouch Builds 100th
Habitat Home
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October’s Interfaith Builds Dedication Ceremony marked the completion of the 100th house that William “D’Grouch” Laubengayer has worked on as an Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Volunteer. William has been a part of the IVHFH family for more than 20 years, over which he has averaged nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer service each year.
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If you didn’t know, we offer FREE broad-based home buyer classes, which are open to the public! This class series is designed to be most useful for individuals and households interested in future homeownership, but many or all of the classes can benefit almost anyone!
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ASK US TO GIVE
A PRESENTATION!
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Many people are unaware of all of the ways we work to improve issues of affordable housing and community development in our 4-county service area. Please contact
gabe@iowavalleyhabitat.org to schedule a time for us to come speak to your business, faith community, organization, or any other group of people! There is much we can share about what we do and our impact on people and communities, the environment, and the economy.
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Iowa Valley Habitat for Huamanity
| www.iowavalleyhabitat.org
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