E-Newsletter | March 2023
CEO Corner
Happy Spring!
 
March has been a month of excitement! We celebrated Women's History Month with Lorena Barreto, Assistant Vice President of Mortgage Banking at Newtown Savings Bank, serving as keynote speaker for our CEO Speaker Series. Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture, and society and has been observed annually in the month of March in the United States since 1987. This year’s theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." A part of President Biden’s Women's History Month 2023 Proclamation states that, “This month, as we continue our work to advance gender equity and equality, let us celebrate the contributions of women throughout our history and honor the stories that have too often gone untold. Let us recognize that fundamental freedoms are interconnected: when opportunities for women are withheld, we all suffer; and when women’s lives are improved, we all gain. Let us strive to create a Nation where every woman and girl knows that her possibilities know no bounds in America.”
 
We were joined by Senator Dick Blumenthal and Mayor Joseph Ganim for a press conference to celebrate a $2 million Omnibus Spending Bill grant to assist with the development of 14 new homeownership units on Chopsey Hill Road in Bridgeport, CT. The 14 new single-family homes will be sold to low-income families earning between 45-70% of the area median income.
 
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!


In partnership,
Carolyn Vermont
CEO, Habitat CFC
Habitat CFC signs first-ever lease to create four new affordable homes in Fairfield, CT!
Big news! Habitat CFC's CEO, Carolyn Vermont, joined Town of Fairfield's First Selectwoman, Brenda Kupchick, and Director Barnhart from the Office of Community & Economic Development to finalize an exciting lease for Habitat CFC to build four new affordable homes on Greenfield Street! We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our work to make the dream of buying a home a reality for four low income, hardworking families in Fairfield, CT!
Raising the roof...literally!
Special thanks to volunteers from DiGiorgi Roofing & Siding for donating their time and talent to help Habitat CFC install a beautiful GAF roof at 100-106 Clifford Street in Bridgeport, CT and thank you to GAF Roofing for donating the materials! Partnerships like this make the #CostofHome affordable and achievable for low-income, hardworking families in our community!
Our ReStore wants to help you with your spring cleaning!
Consider donating to our ReStore in Stratford! Donations of new and gently used items from individuals and businesses in our community are then sold to the public at a reduced cost, usually 50-70 percent of the original retail value! All sales net proceeds benefit the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County.
Volunteer Spotlight: Richard Lawrence
Richard is a volunteer at our ReStore where he primarily helps to unload donations and he is happy to assist wherever else staff may need help. When talking about how he got started as a volunteer, he says, "When I started coming here, I wasn't volunteering -- I was a shopper. But I got used to coming here and doing stuff to help, I enjoy working, and now I've been volunteering here for over 5 years! My favorite part of volunteering are the people. I enjoy talking to people and helping the community. "
Meet Candice: Future Habitat homeowner!
Candice is working hard to build a better life for her daughter. She is very eager to complete her sweat equity hours to purchase and move into her new Habitat home. "Having my daughter in a home that is OURS would just give us the stability I never had, that she never had." Watch the video to hear more from Candice!
Time to Book Your Team Build!
Are you considering an employee volunteer activity for your staff or searching for a way to boost morale and create a sense of teamwork among your employees? If so, it’s time to schedule a Habitat CFC Team Build Day! If you have joined us in the past, you already know the benefits.
 
Through a Team Build Day, your employees will enjoy a fun-filled, inspirational day of volunteering on a Habitat worksite. This unique, hands-on opportunity will also help make a family’s dream of homeownership possible. No experience is necessary; our construction staff is trained to teach your employees everything they need to know.

Habitat CFC builds communities and improves lives by eliminating substandard housing and creating affordable homeownership possibilities for families in Coastal Fairfield County. We build approximately 10-12 homes each year, providing year-round volunteer opportunities. Volunteering as a group is a great team-building activity as well as a unique opportunity to partner with a highly reputable non-profit organization. It will be an experience you and your employees will never forget!
 
For more information, or to schedule your 2023 Team Build Day, please contact Kristen at kalvanson@habitatcfc.org or call (203) 333-2642 ext. 109.
Register today for our next homeownership informational session!
Join us for an informational session at the Newfield Library (755 Central Avenue) on April 29th from 10:30am to 12pm to learn about the process of becoming a Habitat CFC homeowner! Some of the topics that will be covered at this event include:

  • The Homebuying Process
  • How to Get Qualified
  • The Application Process
  • Sweat Equity & More

Attending one of our informational sessions is required to begin your Habitat CFC homeowner application process. Joining an informational session is free.

Interested in joining? Please register below. 
Questions? Please call us 203-333-2642 ext. 101.
Habitat CFC's homebuying program offers solace to some experiencing the financial squeeze from rising rental costs and inflation. Providing the possibility of homeownership is a win. We offer zero percent interest and no downpayment to qualified families willing to partner with us—habitat partners with low-income working families to build decent, affordable homes in stable, welcoming neighborhoods.

In February, 82 individuals attended Habitat's Homebuyer Informational Sessions at the Bridgeport Public Library in Downtown. We offered English and Spanish language sessions for the community.
Click the link below to check out the auction items and bid online! Bidding will remain open until 8:00 PM on Saturday, April 1st. Bid in person at the Gala or bid online. You don't have to be present at the gala to bid and win items!

The proceeds will support our mission to build decent, stable homes and bright futures for hardworking, low-income Fairfield County families.

Below are some of the great items available in the silent auction.

Click the link below to view the full list now!
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642