Newsletter
February/March 2020
A Women Build Tradition Continues
It's National Women in Construction Week and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by recognizing a local woman who has played an integral role in the success of our Women Build while encouraging and empowering local women working in the construction trades; that woman is Jane Hagedorn. Jane has been named the honoree for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's 12th annual Women Build. Former University of Iowa softball coach, turned master plumber and business owner, Jane has always committed to carving out time to give back to many local organizations and causes. Jane Hagedorn has supported each of our Women Build annual projects, so we could not think of anyone more deserving to be the honoree of our 12th annual build.  Read more  about Jane.

Each year, IVHFH seeks an influential woman in the community to honor with the Women Build. The honoree works with a committee of women to raise $55,000 in local donations and recruit volunteers to help a local family build an affordable home and to help an existing homeowner make affordable repairs or accessibility modifications to their home. Read more about Women Build.

"Jane is one of those women who breaks down barriers” says Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager, Christy Shipley. “She never allows any kind of glass ceiling, gender wall, or other barrier to stop her when it comes to being her best or giving her best to our community. The greatest thing about Jane, though, is how she always made sure there was a path for those of us who followed after her. That she always had her hand outstretched to us, that we might not lose our way."
Meet the Women Build Family
Mogahid and Rahma have been approved to build and purchase the Jane Hagedorn Women Build home. The couple has six children and their daughter Nadeen says, " My main hope is this new house means we will get to stay in one place and will not have to move again."

Originally from Sudan, Mogahid and Rahma moved to Iowa in 2014 through the Diversity Visa Program. They say they were happy in Sudan and miss their family, but wanted their children to have educational opportunities unavailable in their home country.
Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity believes safe, decent, and affordable is transformational, so a sense of melancholy fell over the entire organization when, amid pleas for help from residents of manufactured housing parks, a bill that would offer basic protections to our fellow community members  failed in sub-committee last month . The protections in the bill were reasonable as they would require owners of manufactured home parks to provide 180 days notice prior to raising lot rents, justify lot rent increases greater than inflation, and protect tenants from arbitrary evictions. Its aim, to give residents of manufactured housing the same protections as tenants in more traditional housing, was modest. More tangibly, it would prevent scenes like  this .

Help advocate for affordable housing in our community! IVHFH is a proud member of the Johnson County Affordable Housing Coalition. Join us by contacting jcaffordablehousing@gmail.com .
UPCOMING EVENTS
Habitat Friends Night
Let us celebrate YOU! IVHFH will host its annual appreciati on event honoring all Habitat supporters. Join us for a delicious meal and fellowship as we say thank you to our volunteers and donors.

When: Wednesday, April 15,
5:30-7:30pm
Where: Unitarian Universalist Society
2355 Oakdale Road, Coralville

For more information, contact Leda at leda@iowavalleyhabitat.org or 319-519-6121.
Other Events
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