February has been an exciting month for Habitat CFC. I represented Connecticut at Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C. It was a great opportunity to meet with policymakers and their staff about providing more funding for affordable housing. Across the nation, more families lack access to affordable housing due to the high housing costs. We need Congress to help alleviate the low supply of available affordable homes. Two legislative asks were presented. The first ask was for Congress to support vital housing and community development programs in the fiscal year 2025 budget and finalize it in a timely manner. The second ask was for Congress to enact legislation to dramatically increase the supply of entry-level, affordable homes for homeownership.
February also begins the season of Lent. This 40-day period began on Ash Wednesday, February 14th and ends on the Saturday of Holy Week, March 30th."The heart of the Gospel is sacrificial love, and it is that love that led Jesus to the cross." - Rev. Jonathan T.M. Reckford, Habitat International CEO
We celebrated Black History with our Annual CEO Series featuring Mrs. Shivonne McKay Annan, CEO of the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. She shared about her humble beginnings and her family's journey from Jamaica, West Indies to America. In addition, she presented about the housing crisis that we are facing in America. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
At Habitat CFC, we continue to build affordable homes for low-income working families. Nationally, we are at a historic low when it comes to the availability of affordable housing. We will continue to work with policymakers to build bridges to find equitable and affordable housing solutions. Adequate housing results in better educational and health outcomes. We are thankful for you and all that you do to assist us with transforming the lives of the families that we serve. Thank you!!!
At Habitat CFC, we put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope.
Blessings!
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Carolyn Vermont
Chief Executive Officer
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Tickets Still Available! Set Sail to Habitat Island! | |
You are cordially invited to Habitat CFC’s Annual Gala! Celebrate in style with a Tropical Extravaganza at the Woodway Country Club in Darien, CT on Saturday, April 6, 2024! A special evening with cocktails, dinner, dancing, auction and more! Honorees at the event will include:
Second Mile Award: Harlan Stone and HTMX Industries
Corporate Citizenship Award: M&T Bank
Volunteer of the Year Award: Victor Ryan Forbes (in memoriam)
To purchase tickets or a sponsorship online, click the “Click To Purchase” button below. For a PDF version of the form: Click here.
If you're interested in becoming a sponsor for this event, please contact Jay Helmer, Development Manager, at jhelmer@habitatcfc.org or 203-333-2642 ext. 126.
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Shop and Donate ReStore. It's a win-win-win! | |
DONATE your gently used items such as kitchen cabinetry, home furniture, home & holiday decor, kitchenware, lighting, windows, doors, gardening supplies, tools, and appliances to our thrift store. Your donations are crucial to keeping our store stocked and funding our mission. | |
Join Women Build in Celebration of
Women's History Month on March 8th and 9th!
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Join Women Build for two Build Days in the month of March in celebration of Women's History Month!
- Friday, March 8th from 8 am - 3:30 pm
- Saturday, March 9th from 8 am - 3:30 pm
Signing up is easy! Click the link below to reserve your spot!
Thank you for supporting our mission to build new affordable homes for low-income, working families in Fairfield County.
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Looking for ways to give back? Have time on your hands? Become a Core volunteer!
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We are looking for committed volunteers who can volunteer regularly with us on our Build Sites!
For more information, please email Layla Cerverizzo, Volunteer Services and Communications Coordinator at volunteer@habitatcfc.org.
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Thank you to everyone that joined our 2024 Annual Meeting!
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Every Board member, donor, volunteer, staff member, Habitat family, and supporter fuels our mission and we are incredibly thankful to everyone that joined our 2024 Annual Meeting! Great to celebrate our successes and excited to continue making a difference together by working towards our mission every day! Watch the meeting below! | |
The first walls were installed at our
Build Site with Town of Fairfield officials!
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We raised the first walls at our build site on Greenfield Street in the Town of Fairfield!!
Thank you to Town officials for joining us at our Habitat build site for this #MilestoneMoment. Your collaboration adds strength to our mission, and we're thrilled you stopped by to lend a helping hand and words of encouragement to our dedicated staff and volunteers. Together, we're building a brighter future for our community! 🏡
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Thank You to Director Tom McMillian and the Entire Board of the Minority Business Association-CJV for Hosting Us! | |
We recently conducted a housing needs assessment within the community. Spearheaded by Attorney Donald Smart, a member of the ABH Advisory Committee, the event was held in collaboration with the Minority Business Association and held at Newfield Public Library. With over 65 individuals in attendance, the event comprised a focus group discussion and survey completion session aimed at gathering comprehensive insights into the community's housing needs. | |
Notes from the Panel Shop |
Here at Habitat CFC, our mission is to provide simple, decent, affordable housing for hard-working families. As a new feature to our monthly newsletter, our Director of Construction, Matt Slattery, will be explaining some of the different methods, materials, and technologies Habitat CFC uses to build decent and affordable homes in our service area!
An important aspect of building decent and affordable homes is building homes that are sustainable and energy efficient. A sustainable home is designed and built to have affordable energy costs and a healthy indoor living environment. Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County has been building homes to the ENERGY STAR standard since 2010.
ENERGY STAR is a national certification program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, which recognizes homes built to a higher standard of efficiency than required by the building code. In order to obtain the ENERGY STAR certification, Habitat CFC has every home independently tested and verified by a third-party Home Energy Rater.
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There are four main areas of focus in the ENERGY STAR program:
- Airtightness
- Enhances insulation levels.
- High efficiency heating/cooling equipment, and efficient duct systems
- Mechanical ventilation systems to ensure proper indoor air quality.
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Welcoming Jackie Ortiz to our Homeownership Program! | |
It's official! Jackie Ortiz was recently accepted into our Homeownership program here at Habitat CFC! Since entering the program this February, Jackie and her children have already joined our affinity group, Youth United and Jackie has begun working with us on our Build Sites!
We are so excited to work with Jackie and her family to offer them a safe, affordable home!
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Volunteer Spotlight: Oliver Dizon | |
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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