Habitat CFC E-Newsletter | February 2022 |
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CEO Corner
Carolyn Vermont
Happy February!
This month, we recognize the accomplishments of Blacks in America. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by Blacks and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. On a local level, Dr. Dwayne Smith, Habitat CFC Board Member and CEO of Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport, CT, served as our keynote speaker for our CEO Speaker Series. Next month, Maisa Tisdale, CEO of the Eliza and Mary Freeman Center in Bridgeport, CT will serve as our keynote speaker in recognition of Women’s History Month.
As we continue to move forward with our mission to provide affordable homes for the families that we serve, we closed on a home earlier this month. We are so excited for the Lugo/Pimentel family! It is so rewarding when we hand a family their keys. The keys not only open the door to their new home, but also new opportunities for the entire family such as rooms for their children to grow in and a backyard to play in. At Habitat, we do not just build homes, we also build families and communities. The price of homes in Fairfield County has escalated to a level where it is not affordable for many families. In addition, rental rates often exceed the mortgage amount that Habitat families pay. I am thankful to our donors, supporters and volunteers who help us make homeownership a reality for Habitat CFC families.
Thank you for your ongoing support!
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Fairfield County Gives
Thursday, February 24
Get ready to give where you live!
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Fairfield County's Giving Day is this Thursday, February 24th!
During this 24-hour local giving event, help Habitat CFC kick-off our fundraising for the 17th Women Build home at 282 William Street, Bridgeport, CT!
Women Build is Habitat CFC's program to engage and empower women in our work. Women Build volunteers and supporters have sponsored 16 Habitat CFC homes to date, and have been volunteering on our construction sites for over 20 years!
YOUR generosity will help women and families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through an affordable place to call home.
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Let's have a ROARING good time and celebrate!
Join us for a fun evening with cocktails, dinner, dancing, a silent auction and more. The proceeds from the evening will support our mission to build decent, stable homes and bright futures for hard working, low-income Fairfield County families.
Dress in your favorite garb from the roaring 20s and don't forget your dancing shoes!
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Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Contact Director of Development Kristen Alvanson at kalvanson@habitatcfc.org or
(203) 333-2642 x109
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CEO Speaker Series
A series moderated by Carolyn Vermont,
Chief Executive Officer of Habitat CFC
Join us for the second in a four-part series hosted and moderated by Habitat CFC CEO Carolyn Vermont. These free, one-hour virtual events are a chance for us to hear from community leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
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CEO Speaker Series
Women's History Month
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Wednesday,
March 23, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Maisa Tisdale
CEO of the Eliza and Mary Freeman Center
Maisa L. Tisdale has advocated for the preservation of the Mary & Eliza Freeman Houses since 1994, and founded the Mary & Eliza Freeman Center for History and Community in 2009 after coordinating a successful movement to save the homes from demolition. Ms. Tisdale led the Freeman Center as a volunteer until 2019 when she became the Freeman Center’s first professional staff member. Over the past ten years Ms. Tisdale not only focused on the restoration of the Freeman houses, but has worked to create a safer and healthier “built” environment in Bridgeport’s South End – focusing on historic preservation, community development, and climate change.
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SAVE THE DATE
for more upcoming virtual events in the CEO Speaker Series!
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
National Hispanic Heritage Month
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Thank you to all who attended the first virtual event in our CEO Speaker Series:
Black History Month with Dr. Dwayne Smith, CEO of Housatonic Community College
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March is Women Build Month!
In March, we are celebrating our Women Build Program, which seeks to engage and empower women in Habitat CFC's work. For over 20 years, Women Build volunteers have helped build Habitat CFC homes by fundraising and lending a hand on the construction site. Here's how YOU can join in!
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Help Habitat CFC build Women Build #17, at 282 William Street, Bridgeport, CT.
YOUR generosity will help women and families build strength, stability, and self-reliance through an affordable place to call home.
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Women Build Volunteer Day
Saturday, March 12th
All are welcome to come and volunteer with us. We have several building projects going on currently. Join us in building a safe, quality home for our amazing families.
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Women Build Challenge!
Gather your family, friends, and co-workers to form a team to raise money for the Women Build program and reserve a Build Day for your group!
Group Receives:
• Exclusive Build Day
• Women Build T-Shirt and Tool Belt
• Catered Lunch
For more information on how you can form a team and reserve a volunteer day, email AOrfino@habitatcfc.org
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The Power of Advocacy: Achieving Gender Equality in Land Rights
Thursday, March 10th
12:00-1:00 PM
Register now to attend our free virtual Lunch & Learn presentation!
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Habitat CFC staff and volunteers join advocates from across the country at virtual Habitat on the Hill |
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Staff and volunteers from Habitat CFC joined over 600 Habitat for Humanity advocates from all across the country at the annual Habitat on the Hill legislative conference. This year's event was once again virtual.
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Black History Month: Housing Heroes |
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Senator Edward Brooke was the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate by popular vote in 1966. He represented Massachusetts in the Senate from 1967 to 1979. Brooke was an important champion of civil rights and fair housing policies--sponsoring, with Senator Walter Mondale, the 1968 federal Fair Housing Act. In his testimony supporting the Act, Senator Brooke cited his difficulties finding a home after he returned from service in World War II to illustrate the racial prejudice in the American housing market. Senator Brooke remained a leading advocate for affordable housing during his time in the Senate, supporting key provisions of the 1974 Housing and Community Development Act. In 2004, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, and in 2009 he was awarded the highest honor Congress can bestow, the Congressional Gold Medal, for his contributions to civil rights and fair housing. |
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Patricia Roberts Harris was dedicated to public service, civil rights and the promotion of social justice. A woman of many firsts, she was the first Black woman to serve the nation as Ambassador, the first Black woman to become dean of a law school, and the first Black woman to serve in a Presidential cabinet.
In 1977, Harris was appointed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. At her confirmation hearing, she was queried as to her ability to represent the interests of the poor. Her response was: “I am one of them. You do not seem to understand who I am. I am a Black woman, daughter of a dining-car worker. I am a Black woman who could not buy a house eight years ago in parts of the District of Columbia. I did not start out as a member of a prestigious law firm, but as a woman who needed a scholarship to go to school. If you think that I have forgotten that, you are wrong.” Harris went on to be appointed Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare in 1980.
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Robert C. Weaver (1907-1997) was the first Black person to be appointed to a U.S. government cabinet-level position. In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Weaver to be the first Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As HUD Secretary, he expanded affordable housing programs and advocated for the passage of the Fair Housing Act. |
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Hilyard Robinson (1899-1986) was one of the most successful Black architects in Washington, D.C. during the 20th century. He helped to address the housing needs of Black people—both poor and affluent—and became a renowned designer in public housing. He is widely known for his Langston Terrace Dwelling housing project located in Washington, DC and the airbase for the famed Tuskegee Airmen. |
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Donate to the ReStore!
Do you have furniture, decor, building materials, or appliances that you don't need or are ready to replace? Consider donating to the Habitat ReStore.
We offer a FREE pickup service or you can drop off your items at our Stratford location.
Donations gratefully accepted during store hours. If you are dropping off a donation please arrive 30 minutes prior to closing.
Store Hours:
Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5:30pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
Closed every Sunday and Monday
Schedule A Pick-Up
or call 203-383-4358
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All sales net proceeds benefit the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. |
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Congratulations Suleyka & Ariel on closing on their home! |
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Two informative educational seminars inspire future homebuyers and offer homeowners neighborhood safety guidance. |
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On February 9th, fifteen future homebuyers participated in a virtual homebuyer seminar. The homebuying process is complex and sometimes intimidating if you are a first-time homebuyer. At Habitat, we recognize credit and affordability are the primary barriers to homeownership. Future homeowners learned about the home buying process, how to qualify for an affordable home, and Habitat's partnership, which is the key to the affordable homeownership model. We are thrilled to share 100% of the seminar participants said they will apply for the affordable homeownership program; the seminar was a great success.
The second seminar was held on February 16th; thirteen homeowners participated in the Neighborhood Safety and Security Seminar. Special guest Captain Lonnie Blackwell and Facilitator Officer Carlos Carmo, Jr. of the Bridgeport Police Dept., delivered an informative presentation on neighborhood safety. The presentation emphasized community-based watch programs. "Neighborhood Watch helps build pride and can serve as a springboard for efforts to address such community concerns as recreation for youth, childcare, and affordable housing," said Officer Carmo. Officer Carmo also discussed the benefits, components, and how to start a Neighborhood Watch program. The overall goal is empowering homeowners to prevent crime, forge bonds among residents and law enforcement, and build a base for broader community improvement. CEO Carolyn Vermont encouraged community involvement and reminded homeowners to participate in Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ) meetings.
Both presentations were great seminars to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership.
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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