E-Newsletter | November 2022 |
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CEO Corner
Carolyn Vermont
Happy November!
This month, we put an extra emphasis on giving thanks! It is a time when we surround ourselves with our loved ones to share the many things that we are thankful for. At Habitat CFC, we are thankful for our families, donors, supporters, volunteers, staff, and many others. Our partnerships help us to continuously live our mission of providing affordable homes for low-income, working families. We appreciate all of you!!!
As we approach the end of year 2022, we reflect on the joyful smiles on the faces of our families when we hand them the keys to their new homes. Their smiles and tears of joy are the culmination of our partnership. We extend our gratitude to all of you for all that you do for Habitat CFC!
At Habitat CFC, we put God's love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Thank you for continuing the journey with us!
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Giving Tuesday - Still accepting donations!
We will be accepting Giving Tuesday donations until midnight tonight, Wednesday, November 30th. Have your donation doubled by The Bauer Foundation by making a donation today!!
Your gift today will help secure 10 homes for 10 hardworking, low-income families.
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Home Dedication Ceremony - December 3, 2022
Join us this Saturday as we dedicate our newest home at 227 Granfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, to Stephanie Torres and her sons.
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SAVE THE DATE!
Habitat CFC Annual Gala - April 1, 2023
On Saturday, April 1, 2023, we will be celebrating an April Fools Masquerade Ball in style at our Annual Gala Fundraiser at the Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT. Since 1985, we have been partnering with families to create strength, stability, and self-reliance through homeownership. We hope you will consider supporting our Annual Gala. Click here for more info.
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Annual Appeal: 10 Homes for 10 Families |
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Tis the season for giving gratitude and gifts! At Habitat CFC, our annual appeal invites you to multiply both — to give a gift that will have a tenfold impact for years and even generations to come. Your contribution will enable Habitat CFC to procure a parcel in the North End of Bridgeport, CT that will support 10 new homes for 10 low-income, working families. Having a stable home can drastically change the trajectory of a family's future. Thanks to a dollar-to-dollar match from the Bauer Foundation, every gift (up to $500,000) will inspire double the gratitude and make double the difference.
Please consider donating to our annual appeal before the end of the year and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Together we will lay the groundwork to transform 10 families’ lives with affordable homes for their families!
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Thanksgiving: A Time for Gratitude and Celebration |
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Habitat CFC is excited to celebrate two families moving into their new homes in November, and both offer a word of gratitude during the Thanksgiving season.
Stephanie and her sons moved into their home located at 227 Granfield Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, two weeks ago, and she says “It’s time to give thanks. I will cook my first turkey ever. I have invited my family and friends over for dinner we will start a new tradition of going around the table and saying what we are thankful for. And we will make time to be together and have a feast.”
Nidia, Trino, and their children (pictured above) moved into their home located at 65 Clifford Street., Bridgeport, CT in early November. Nidia says, “I give thanks to God for every day he gives me. But this Thanksgiving is a special day because this month God gave me the opportunity to have my own home. I give infinite thanks to God because now I enjoy stability for me, my husband, and my children.”
We celebrate all Habitat CFC Homeowners and “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34
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Volunteer Spotlight: Family Build Day |
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On Saturday, October 29th, we welcomed over 50 volunteers to participate in the 2nd Annual Habitat CFC Family Build Day. We had the pleasure of working with Youth United kids and their parents, BuildOn Bridgeport, the City of Bridgeport Mayor’s Conservation Corps, Core Volunteers, staff, and Habitat CFC future homeowners.
Throughout the day, the volunteers engaged in three different projects on three different sites. One group was involved in a neighborhood cleanup activity around one of our newest build sites on William Street in Bridgeport. The volunteers collected garbage around the neighborhood as well as clearing debris from the build site at 280-282 William Street. A second group of volunteers worked to pour concrete for the porch posts at 75-79 Goodwin Place in Stratford. Lastly, the third group helped us build wall panels in our warehouse panel shop for one of the next Habitat CFC homes!!
It is always a wonderful day when families from all over this area work together to help families here in our community. A group of dedicated individuals working towards a positive common good is a core principle of Habitat for Humanity and the Family Build Day exemplifies that principle.
We thank all the volunteers for helping us with these three projects and we look forward to welcoming more families at our next Habitat CFC Family Build Day!
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Ken Essex joined Habitat CFC in October as Director of Finance & Administration. Moving to Connecticut early in his career, Ken joined the Stamford office of Ernst & Young, where he managed audits of both commercial and non-profit organizations. He later moved to corporate finance positions taking on management roles in Stamford and, most recently, Danbury. A lifetime volunteer, Ken currently serves as treasurer for two Connecticut non-profit agencies. He lives with his wife Barbara in the home they built together while raising three children. Ken looks forward to supporting our Board, management team and all staff, volunteers, and families in helping us in serving our mission.
“Ken has proven to be a tremendous asset to our organization in a short period of time. We are blessed to have him as a member of our team.” -Carolyn Vermont, CEO
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Remembering One of Habitat CFC's Founders |
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Rev. John Olson (08/03/31 - 11/13/22)
John, your great legacy will live on through Habitat CFC. You will always be remembered as one of our founders! Thank you for your friendship and all your work to begin and support Habitat CFC’s mission through the years. You also served the City of Bridgeport well, where you proudly served as a councilman.
You will be missed... and remembered always. Godspeed.
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Bank of America Supports Women Build |
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Our Women Build Meet-Up event took place at Brewport in Bridgeport on Thursday, November 10th and it was a huge success! Guests enjoyed great company along with tasty pizza. The meet-up offered guests the opportunity to learn more about Habitat CFC’s Women Build Program and volunteer opportunities available at Habitat CFC. Bank of America was an integral part of our program sponsoring the event for the second year in a row, we are extremely appreciative of their ongoing support! A special thanks also goes out to the wonderful speakers (future homeowners and core volunteers) who took part in our evening program. Thank you to everyone who attended!
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You can keep even more materials out of landfills by donating your gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials to our Stratford Habitat ReStore!
Donations gratefully accepted at the store.
If you are dropping off a donation, please arrive 30 minutes prior to closing.
Store Hours:
Tuesday to Friday 10 AM to 5:30 PM
Saturday 10 AM to 4 PM
Closed every Sunday and Monday
Schedule a Pick-Up
or call 203-383-4358
All sales net proceeds benefit the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County.
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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