You have heard IVHFH talking about collaboration in the South District of Iowa City and there is a lot of exciting work we cannot wait to share with you in the coming year! Through our work in the South District, we have had the privilege of getting to know South District resident, Angie Jordan. So many community organizations and groups operate successfully under the leadership of passionate and driven individuals and Angie is that leader for the South District. For the past two and a half years, Angie Jordan has started up and led efforts through the South District Neighborhood Association (SDNA) which includes the Pepperwood, South Pointe, Weatherby, and Grant Wood neighborhoods, and currently serves as the association's president. The SDNA recently became a 501(c) nonprofit in 2020 and continues connecting and engaging fellow residents in the neighborhood she proudly calls home.

We recently asked Angie Jordan, "2020 has been a year that presents even more challenges for households to simply survive, and for communities to provide necessary resources. What is a major concern you have when it comes to keeping residents safe and healthy?"

Angie: "[South District Neighborhood Association] strives to focus on building and maintaining neighborhood identity through traditions while ensuring connection to each other and to the greater Iowa City area through individual connections and advocacy. It is so important that our voices in the South District can be heard and engaged to inform decisions that surround us in local government, our schools, and in other parts of the greater community. I believe the major concern and goals of SDNA have not changed but have been amplified by 2020 and that, in short, is lifting our voices to be heard and keeping our residents informed to ensure long-lasting safety and health within our neighborhood."

Even with the pandemic slowing new construction, our commitment to affordable housing and to the the Iowa Valley community in 2020 never weakened. We launched a new program this fall to offer affordable emergency home repairs (ERMAR) in addition to the critical home repairs and accessibility modifications we have been doing throughout the past several years. This work through Helping Hands will assist 26 households in 2020 with critical home repairs, emergency home repairs, and aging in pace modifications!

That is why we have been working to raise additional year-end funds. IVHFH is determined to make housing affordable for even more households in 2021 and we need your help to do just that. Every gift, whether you make a one time or monthly donation to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity, helps ensure that more of our neighbors will safely celebrate the holidays at home this year. Thank you very much for your compassion for the people who urgently need secure housing — this season and every day of the year. 

Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity's ReStore was voted Best Appliance Store through Little Village Magazine's Best of CRANDIC competition!

Both the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids stores received top votes in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area and Little Village Magazine featured us in a recent article. Here is a quick snip of the article: Little Village Mag: "What’s the most interesting appliance you’ve seen come through your doors?"

IVHFH: "A gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. It was also the heaviest thing we’ve moved."

Tim Dwight and Integrated Power Corporation have been working toward a long-term goal to equip all Habitat homes in the Iowa Valley community with solar panels! Tim has been a long-term supporter of Habitat for Humanity, and we are grateful for his commitment. Solar energy is a fantastic addition to our green building initiatives and will help make housing truly affordable.

With the holidays approaching, we wanted to remind you that when you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. Support us every time you shop! Follow this link to set IVHFH up as your designated charity!