Newsletter
August 2019
WHY WE BUILD
Last February, a social worker from the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics called IVHFH to inform us that one of its patients needed a wheelchair ramp. He could no longer manage the steps on his porch and consequently missed several medical appointments. As a result, he was hospitalized with a life threatening condition and prevented from returning home until he could safely enter and exit his house.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Hammers and Hardhats
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!


For more information, contact Tami tami@iowavalleyhabitat.org or 319-519-6121.
Other Events
SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT
Thank you First Christian Church!
First Christian members are on our Interfaith Committee, spend hours and hours on our build site, donate money, and have helped us spread awareness of housing issues and solutions through a housing-focused bible study series and a Habitat vacation bible school. We at Habitat are humbled to call First Christian a member and want to express sincere thanks for your support of Habitat and housing!
VOLUNTEER UPDATES
August was a great month for volunteerism at Iowa Valley Habitat! Volunteers from many local businesses and organizations joined us on site including Backpocket Brewing and University of Iowa's Colleges of Public Health and Law.

Heading into September, we need plenty of volunteers on our construction sites as we push to finish up our Interfaith Builds and get Hatim and Sayeda, and Habtamu and Ebsitu into their new homes. Volunteer opportunities are available every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. To register click here  or contact Leda leda@iowavalleyhabitat.org.
WOMEN CONSTRUCTION CONFIDENCE CLASS
We are working with Sandy Steil of MMS Consultants to put together a class for women interested in hands-on learning of maintenance, repair, and construction topics. After recognizing that many women desire these skills and knowledge, but often feel uneasy attending male-centric classes, Sandy has worked tirelessly to put this class together. All instructors and participants will be women!
INTERFAITH BUILDS
We need the support of you and your faith community so we can sustain an Interfaith Build every year. What better way to put your faith into action than building a home alongside the future homeowners? How else do we gain and spread understanding, love, and respect for all of God’s children than by coming together for a common purpose?

Please contact  gabe@iowavalleyhabitat.org to discuss how you and/or your faith community can support this project and help it continue for years to come!
COST OF HOME
ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN
Many US affiliates and housing coalitions are joining Habitat for Humanity International’s first national housing advocacy campaign: Cost of Home. This campaign exists because our country, like many others, is in the midst of a national housing affordability crisis. With Iowa City being the most expensive place to live in Iowa, our affiliate has a particular interest in housing advocacy.

in Johnson County, 1 in 6 households spend more than half of their income on housing.
IVHFH is a proud member of the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition. Join us by contacting jcaffordablehousing@gmail.com .
HORIZONS: A FAMILY SERVICE ALLIANCE
Horizons: A Family Service Alliance is a strong partner of our affiliate and Eastern Iowa. Horizons’s Financial Wellness Center provides HUD-accredited financial educators and counselors, who:

1. Teach our home buyer classes as well as
2. Provide 1-on-1 financial counseling with income-based payment options.
ASK US TO GIVE
A PRESENTATION!
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.
Iowa Valley Habitat for Huamanity | www.iowavalleyhabitat.org