A Simple Thank You from our President & CEO, Erin Rank
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On behalf of Habitat LA and the families we serve, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all that have helped support our COVID-19 Emergency Relief efforts over the last eleven months.
This pandemic has created immense hardships for those living in the greater Los Angeles area. Thousands of low-income families already struggling to make ends meet have lost family members, been furloughed, laid off, or have had to stop working because of COVID-19. And so many of the families we serve, especially those who work in the service or health care industries, manufacturing or childcare, have been hardest hit by the physical and economic effects of this virus.
In April 2020, we launched a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, with the intention of providing support to those we knew would need our help the most. We enlisted staff from all departments to make calls, send postcards, and check in with families to see how we could best serve them during this time. The conversations we had were difficult, and the stories laid heavy on my heart.
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Thrivent January 2021 Video Update
from Budlong Avenue
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Exciting progress continues to be made on our Budlong site in Los Angeles. We invite you to watch our latest video from this beautiful two home site and meet the Aguilar family who surprised our crew with lunch on Monday!
Our sincerest thank you to Thrivent and other faith partners for sponsoring these homes this year. Their generosity will bring strength, stability and independence to two new Habitat LA partner families.
Check out our progress and don’t forget to click subscribe to receive notifications on our latest video updates! To learn more about Thrivent Builds program, upcoming Thrivent Financial Webinars or virtual volunteer opportunities, visit here.
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Congratulations to Raul Salinas, Habitat LA’s Board Chairman |
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) is proud to share that our Board Chairman, Raul F. Salinas has been recognized by The Los Angeles Business Journal as one of Los Angeles’ “Minority Leaders of Influence.” This recognition honors the most influential minority attorneys who have made particularly impactful contributions to the Los Angeles business and legal communities at large.
Raul was recognized for his 30-year career handling high-profile commercial litigation and his work outside of the courtroom. In addition to being an integral member of the Habitat LA Board of Directors, he sits on the boards of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center, and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
Habitat LA is grateful for Raul’s incredible leadership and commitment to Habitat LA’s mission and for his continued dedication to fostering a culture of service that inspires the delivery of creativity, quality, and lasting value to the companies, Fortune 100 corporations, and public agencies he represents. We congratulate him on this well-deserved honor for his continued dedication to the LA-region’s success.
Click here to read the article in the Los Angeles Business Journal
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Habitat LA Homebuyer Betty Monroy Casts One of CA's 55 Electoral College Votes |
Habitat LA homeowner Betty Monroy was selected as one of California’s 55 voters to cast a ballot for President and Vice President in the Electoral College. The ceremonial vote took place in Sacramento on December 16th.
“I was honored to have been part of this important process for our democracy,” Betty said. “I am thankful to (Rep.) Lucille Roybal-Allard for considering me. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity. God Bless America!” Betty and her three children moved into their Habitat LA home in Downey in December 2009. The home was built in partnership with the City of Downey, Thrivent, and area Lutheran Congregations. Betty and her children continue to volunteer and advocate for Habitat LA 11 years later and her oldest son just reenlisted for another term in the U.S. Navy. Thank you so much Betty for representing us in the Electoral College! You are an inspiration to us all.
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We have exciting news! In late December 2020, non-profit evaluator Charity Navigator awarded Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles its tenth consecutive four-star rating. This is Charity Navigator’s highest possible rating and indicates that Habitat LA adheres to sector best practices and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.
Attaining a 4-star rating verifies that “Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 3% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 10 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles outperforms most other charities in America” wrote Michael Thatcher, Charity Navigator President and CEO, in his recent letter to us. This exceptional designation from Charity Navigator sets Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness.
We couldn’t have received this top rating without you! Thank you for trusting us with your donations, your volunteer time, and your good will. Your trust and support mean so much to all of us at Habitat LA and the individuals and families we serve.
You can find our rating on Charity Navigator here and visit our website for more information about us.
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Understanding Planned Gifts and Their Benefits Webinar |
Please join us on Wednesday, February 17 for an upcoming webinar entitled “Understanding Planned Gifts and Their Benefits” hosted by Habitat LA Board member, Geoff Delahanty – Thrivent Wealth Advisor.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. PST or
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. PST
RSVP to Sandy Moreno via email: smoreno@habitatla.org or via phone at (310) 701-6244. Please indicate your time preference.
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You are Invited: 2021 Power Women, Power Tools® |
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We invite you to join our upcoming virtual Power Women, Power Tools® event on March 13, 2021! Habitat LA’s power women have helped us build dozens of homes through this annual event. They have helped transform the lives of hundreds of low-income Angelenos and we hope you’ll join us for this empowering event!
For the safety and health of our communities, this year’s event will be virtual.
During this year’s event, we will:
- Celebrate the efforts of the power women who are working to help us revitalize Long Beach’s Washington Neighborhood
- Showcase a panel of diverse power women who are working to build strength, stability and self-reliance in our local communities
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Highlight local, women-owned businesses supporting Habitat LA through our Women’s Empowerment Marketplace, which goes live on February 13, 2021
We all have the power to make a difference!
Proceeds from the 17th Annual Power Women, Power Tools® will support Habitat LA’s mission to revitalize neighborhoods and create more access to affordable housing.
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Women’s Empowerment Marketplace! |
Calling all local, female-owned, small businesses! We would love to feature you in the upcoming virtual Women's Empowerment Marketplace February 13 - March 13, 2021. This virtual fundraiser will be a great opportunity to highlight local, women-owned, small businesses and help Habitat LA further our mission of building homes, communities, and hope. If you'd like to learn more about how to participate, please reach out to Thelma Valenzuela, Manager of Individual Giving via email at tvalenzuela@habitatla.org
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Come Run with Us! 2021 Habi-Dash |
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Run to build better futures as a part of the first ever virtual Habi-Dash! Set your distance goal (5k or 10k), map out your personal course and virtually run with other members of the Habi-Dash team.
Join the Habi-Dash to further our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Did you know that Los Angeles ranks as one of the least affordable housing areas in the U.S.? Yet Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) is one of the few – if not only – affordable homeownership programs that serve low-income families. The overwhelming need for housing in our communities has provided Habitat LA with a unique opportunity to change lives in our neighborhoods.
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Highlights from the Washington Neighborhood |
This week, the Long Beach Post wrote a great piece on Habitat LA’s Place it Workshop series. Under the expert direction of nationally renowned urban planner James Rojas, residents in the Washington Neighborhood are learning how childhood memories and their personal experience should influence the Anaheim Corridor Zoning Improvement Project.
Click here to read the article from January 29, 2021.
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Additional Ways to Support |
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Habitat LA needs your help to provide essential cleaning supplies to low-income families in greater Los Angeles to help keep their homes healthy and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider contributing towards our “Healthy Homes” campaign.
Our goal is to provide baskets of supplies to 100 low-income families during the month of February. With your generous heart, together we can make that happen.
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Donating your vehicle to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) is a great way to support our work! Proceeds from the sale of your donated vehicle will help local, hard-working families build strength, stability, and self-reliance. Plus, it’s fast and easy to do, and you may qualify for a tax deduction.
We are so grateful for the generosity of our donors through the Cars for Homes program. Click here for more information on how YOU can make a difference through our Cars for Homes program and read the kind words from our long-time supporter, and partner homeowner, Noel Wu, on his recent vehicle donation experience.
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We want you to share your Habitat LA experience, expertise or excitement |
Share your story by submitting a blog on any Habitat LA program, uplifting community stories, information on affordable housing in Greater Los Angeles, or your experience with Habitat LA. We will feature your content with our Habitat LA community. Selected blogs will be featured on our website, social media and Habitat Happenings newsletter. To get started, learn more about our Habitat LA blog guidelines here!
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ReStore to Change Hours for February |
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In our continuing efforts to keep our Habitat LA ReStores a safe place for your shopping needs, we will be temporarily adjusting our hours during the month of February so that we may ensure we are able to follow safety and health measures for our staff and customers. The Habitat LA ReStores will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM daily and will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday. Our truck teams will however continue to run seven days a week to pick up your donations of new or gently used items to support sales in the ReStores.
As a thank you for being such ardent supporters of the Habitat LA ReStores, we would like to offer you this 25% off one item coupon.
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OUR MISSION
Seeking to put God's love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
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OUR VISION
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.
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