Our Beginnings - Trinity Habitat for Humanity

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VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2
Summer 2009
th
Anniversary
1989-2009
20 years & building
2
th
Anniversary
1989-2009
20 years & building
How do you begin to commemorate 20 Years of
partnering with families and the community through
Habitat for Humanity’s life-changing ministry?
We’ve chosen to celebrate through an exciting,
downtown Fort Worth Blitz Build with XTO Energy
and Encore Acquisition Company, along with a Habitat
Homecoming and dedication celebration –- all hosted by Sundance Square!
These events will take place September 24- 28, 2009 and we couldn’t be more
energized about it!
Indeed we do have the Power to Build as
exemplified by the 372 Trinity Habitat Homeowner
Families and thousands of sponsors and volunteers
who have joined us in building homes and hope in
Tarrant, Johnson, Parker and Wise Counties over the
past two decades. We are thrilled to partner with
XTO Energy, Encore Acquisition Company and Sundance Square to kickoff
our celebration, starting Thursday, September 24. Two Habitat Homes will be
built side-by-side in the heart of Fort Worth, by XTO and Encore volunteers.
In addition a Habitat Homecoming event will be hosted for our past, present
and future Habitat families and friends on Friday evening, with the build
and celebration culminating on Monday, September 28 during a lunchtime
dedication of the two homes.
We are honored to have many of the founding board
members and long-time Habitat partners, including
Patti Gearhart Turner, Ann Chappell, Judy Clinkscales,
Rik Drummond, Marti and James Lawrence, Ted
Matthews, Bayard Pratt, Greg Russell, Deedee and Lewis
Stephens, and Brenda and Richard Weir, and former
Executive Director, Gail Ryan, as partners in planning
the celebration. We look forward to sharing more details
with you as September approaches.
If you are interested in serving during the event as a Trinity Habitat Volunteer
Ambassador (to help answer questions about Habitat, assist with set up, help
during the dedication, etc.) or if you have any questions, please contact Angela
Bills, Volunteer and Advocacy Director at [email protected] or
817.926.9219 x105. Celebration information will also be available on our website
at www.trinityhabitat.org.
Building on
the Dream
Dreams Realized and Recognized at Dedication
Though it was a rainy day
in Fort Worth on May 16th,
there was nothing but joy
and a sunshiny atmosphere
during Trinity Habitat for
Humanity’s Building on
the Dream Dedication.
Habitat families, volunteers,
sponsors, staff, AmeriCorps
Members and friends joined
together at Stockyards
Station’s Back Forty to
celebrate the 12 homes built
this past build season.
A wonderful lunch was donated and served by Boomer Jack’s Grill and Bar,
while guests enjoyed music performed by the Cowtown Music Club.
Veronica Tovar, one of the numerous families celebrating the culmination of
the construction of their family’s dream, shared these words of reflection and
appreciation:
“First, I want to say thank you to my
God for bringing me to this point in
my life. Thank you, my Jesus. Five
years ago I was a very distressed
woman. But the moment I accepted
Jesus as my Savior and my Lord,
my life started to change. I was able
to see the light. The light of hope.
Thank you Altamesa Church of
Christ (house sponsor), and Habitat
for giving my kids a home of their
own. It is a dream come true. Thank
you to all the volunteers for all the hard work and love that you put into my
house. To my mom and my dad, thank you for all your help. I love you both
with all my heart. Thank you to my brothers, Victor, Jaime and Rigo and my
sister Rosie. Also, thank you to my brothers in Christ, Junior and Victor. Junior
and Victor were there every single day that we worked on the house. Thank
you to my church, Templo Emanuel. Thank you to Mike & Terri (Miller), Phil
(Silvernail), John (Hambek), Tim (Beasley), Racheal (Padron), Lydia (Johnson),
and Michelle (Kennedy). Thank you to everybody with Habitat and everyone
with Altamesa. God is great guys. He sent to me so many good people to help
me build my house. May God continue blessing Altamesa Church and Habitat.
Thank you, my Lord, I love you!”
On behalf of all of the families, partners and staff of Trinity Habitat we are
grateful to everyone who helped us have so much to celebrate this spring.
Many dreams came true during Building on the Dream and we are certain this
fall’s Building on Faith build season will see many more realized. We look
forward to your support and partnership!
Our Beginnings
Looking Back on Our Beginnings
“The summer I spent as a volunteer at
Koinonia Farms in Americus, Georgia
forever changed my life when I was
touched by the many families who
were living in dark, rotting shacks
and who desperately needed decent
affordable housing. I was blessed to
be involved with the Fuller family
and countless others in building new
homes along with excited and
enthusiastic families who would soon
move into their new homes. As the
Habitat program grew and began
creating affiliate programs, I was
eager to bring Habitat to Fort Worth
so that we could link our community
volunteers with new homeowners
and experience the Habitat dream in
Fort Worth.” – Patti Gearhart Turner,
Founding Board Member and Former
Board President
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W W W . T R I N I T Y H A B I T A T . O R G
th
Anniversary
from the desk of
Our first 2009 ABWK project was completed in April
with the incredible sponsorship and volunteerism
of Atmos Energy, Southwest Christian School, The
Home Depot and Best Buy Children’s Foundation.
Trinity Habitat for Humanity would like to thank these
generous sponsors for the time, talent and treasure.
GAGE YAGER
1989-2009
20 years & building
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Years before Habitat for Humanity formed in 1976,
Patti Gearhart Turner traveled to Koinonia Farm in
southern Georgia to volunteer. Clarence Jordan, a
farmer and New Testament Greek scholar, ran the
Christian communal living organization. Millard
Fuller, searching for more meaning in his life, joined
Clarence. Together they developed the initial
concepts of “partnership housing.” A few years
later Habitat for Humanity was formed and officially
launched.
work was completed.
Since 2006, ABWK
has partnered with
existing homeowners,
community residents,
organizations and
sponsors in the
Atmos Energy employees gather to
refurbishment of
work on a rehab project in Como.
homes in the Lake
Como community.
The primary work entails replacing exterior siding, trim, roofing, and/or
painting. We have six projects scheduled for 2009 and invite your company,
church, and/or organization to join us in sponsorship and volunteerism as we
help the elderly and/or the disabled in the Como area. Please contact Lydia
Traina or Samantha Miller at 817-926-9219 to find out how you can be involved
in A Brush with Kindness.
With the experience of Koinonia, Patti came back to
Fort Worth. Many years after that she and a small
group of volunteers came together to start a Habitat
affiliate in Fort Worth. It was 1989 when the paper
Several things strike me about this story of our beginning. First, you don’t
know the impact you may have on someone. It may take years and years from
introduction to action. God has no stopwatch on the seeds He plants.
Second, I am struck with the importance of leadership. Initially, of course,
we have the leadership of Clarence Jordon followed by Millard Fuller. Then
Patti enters the picture. God planted a seed with Patti. In 1989, that seed
successfully broke through the ground and began to grow. In the first 10 years
our Habitat affiliate constructed 67 homes. From 1999 to the end of this year
we will have built an additional 323, for a total of 390!
If you have an adventurous spirit, love helping
build Habitat homes and serving amazing
families…have we got a deal for you!
You can head south of the border with us as we
build homes in Mexico. Our plan is to send multiple
brigades in 2009, working in both Matamoros
and Reynosa. Join us in one of these adventures
in Christian partnership! You will experience
community, the joy of serving and have a meaningful cross-cultural experience.
It takes one motivated person, inspired by God’s love, to have a profound
impact. I think of these individuals like Roman Candles shot high into the
sky, but rather than falling, they defy gravity and stay high for all to see.
Leadership is attractive. Leadership is what we need. This is your call to
action! Visit our website or call us today to see what you can do to help.
Cost: Trips range from $390 to $990 per
person depending on the details. The
cost includes transportation, lodging,
meals, and a contribution to the home
building in Mexico.
Gage
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Hubbard
Richard Craig
Debra Valtman
Mike Turner
Tom Durington
Susan Gaston
Jo Hatchell
Henry Joyner
Mandy Kizer Stephen Litke
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Immed. Past President
Kimberly Madeja
Mike McKee
John Regan
Craig Strehl
Linda Tingle
Rudy Lopez
LEADERSHIP STAFF
Gage Yager
Michelle Kennedy
Becky Graham
Cody Hamilton
Samantha Miller
Executive Director
Sr. Director of Operations
Sr. Director of Accounting
Sr. Director of ReStores
Sr. Director of Development
MISSION STATEMENT
Building homes and hope in
partnership with God’s people.
CORE VALUES
Compassion
Integrity
Respect
Excellence
3345 South Jones Street
Fort Worth, TX 76110-4312
817-926-9219 (phone)
817-926-8575 (fax)
www.trinityhabitat.org
[email protected]
If you are interested in participating,
contact Marie Hoffman at
817-881-2119. To receive a packet of
information, contact Amy Williams at
[email protected] or 817-926-9219 x101.
ReStore South
3420 S. Grove St.
Fort Worth
West on Ripy from I-35
817-920-9203
Open Tuesday through Saturday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Dates for Summer/Fall Trips
August 6-9
August 23-29
September 10-13
ReStore North
4433 River Oaks Blvd.
1 block west of Jacksboro Hwy.
Fort Worth
817-626-5000
Open Tuesday through Saturday,
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September 20-26
October 8-11
October 18-24
November 12-15
December 10-13
In 2006, Trinity Habitat for
Humanity implemented a
volunteer training opportunity
known as the Cornerstone
Leadership Program. Since its inception, 42 volunteers have successfully
completed the Cornerstone Crew Chief training, with 28 going on to finish
their certification as a Master Crew Chief. Step out on any Habitat work
site during the framing process and you will see the site buzzing with
yellow-shirted Cornerstone graduates leading the construction process.
John Hambek, one of regular site leaders, provided a great description of
the program: “The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of
a foundation and all the other stones are referenced to it. As such, I think
this was a good pick for the name of the Habitat team. This is the core
group that makes it possible to build a quality home. They apply their
skills to guide untrained volunteers in doing some fairly complicated
tasks, such as raising trusses and installing brick freize. This leverages the
site supervisor’s ability to build a high quality
house safely and in minimal time.” Another
site leader, Fred Miler, captured the benefit
of the training program when he said, “It is a
means to help individuals increase their level
of commitment to the community. Volunteers
have the desire and the Cornerstone
Leadership Program provides a channel for
them to fulfill that need to help.”
ReStore Johnson County
1407 N. Brazos Ave.
Cleburne
East of N. Main, north of Henderson
817-556-2613
Open Wednesday through Saturday,
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Go Green When You Remodel
If you have a remodeling
project and have leftover materials,
don’t throw them out! Donations
can be dropped off at any three of
our locations or call 817-626-5000 to
schedule a pick-up.
What to donate: cabinets, water
heaters, doors & windows, lumber,
flooring, heat and a/c units, latex
paint, hardware, lighting, electrical
supplies, appliances newer than eight
years, plumbing supplies
What NOT to donate: damaged
doors or windows, appliances older
than eight years, commercial building
materials, furniture, scrap lumber less
than six feet long, flammable liquids
Visit us at
www.trinityhabitat.org/restore.htm
To that end, we invite you to join the Cornerstone team. Training begins
with a six- class series, and upon completion of the classes participants are
certified as a Cornerstone Crew Chief. After achieving the Cornerstone
Crew Chief certification, participants are eligible to participate in
additional training for certification as a Cornerstone Master Crew Chief.
Keep reusable items out of the landfill
while you remodel your home
and renovate the lives of
hard-working families.
Classes are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month
at the Habitat Construction office, 3420 S. Grove Street, Fort Worth.
For additional information, please call Glenn Bugay at 817-920-9220.
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W W W . T R I N I T Y H A B I T A T . O R G
First Aledo
and Azle Homes
Major Donors
February 2, 2009 through June 8, 2009
($50,001 - $100,000)
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Worth
The Anne T & Robert M. Bass Foundation
Rio Grande Pacific Corporation
Softwood Lumber Grant
Azle Build Team Chairperson Tommy
Standefer said, “I am excited for
the opportunity for our citizens,
organizations, churches and businesses
to work together as a community to
build a home for someone. That is my
definition of community.”
Altamesa Church of Christ
Mr. Craig Strehl
Community Foundation of North Texas
BNSF Railway Co.
($5,000 - $10,000)
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carvey
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
DFW NAHREP, INC
Drs. Kevin and Kathy Doody
Five Star Custom Foods, LTD
Higginbotham & Associates, Inc.
Lucia Group, LLC
The Projects Group
Amon G. Carter Star-Telegram
Employees Fund
Mr. and Mrs. John McClane
The Happy Davis Foundation
XTO Energy
Thomson Reuters
Atmos Energy
Bosworth Steel Erectors, Inc
Mr. and Mrs. Corey Brown
1989-2009
20 years & building
We are excited to have expanded our
opportunities for homeownership to
two new cities this past spring during
Building on the Dream. Friday, May
8th was our first day to build in Azle.
Bank of America
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Alcon Foundation, Inc.
($10,001-$50,000)
Texas Christian University
Live Oak Foundation
The Robert and Dawn Zuilhof Family
Foundation, Inc.
Aledo High School Project Celebration
2
th
Anniversary
Community effort really describes
this home: the city donated the land,
anonymous donors came forward and
everyone has stepped up to volunteer
on the house. The plan for a spring
2010 house has been set and 24% of
the needed funds have already been
donated.
This year in Aledo some students decided that building a house with Trinity
Habitat would be the way to round out their graduation year. Typically they
raise the money for an after-graduation party. This year they decided to raise
an additional $60,000 and build a home. They worked together with some
parents to make the dream of homeownership a reality for Betty Buckley and
her son Kyler.
Student Amanda Hall said, “We’re still kids and we had no idea that we could
raise this much money and make such a difference --- a difference not only for
our community but for someone else’s life. We feel blessed to have been able to
accomplish this goal.”
Honorariums
IN HONOR OF
Blair and Julia Thomas
Mike and Susan Gaston
Bill Gordon
Zara and Peter Bowden
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Brannon, III, Joe and Kiley
Mr. and Mrs. Dick Brannon, Brittany and Richard
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Brannon, Devlin and Kyle
Mr. and Mrs. Andy Singer
Beverly Yager Ross
Trisha Marchesseau
Deanna Dominguez
Vicki Dickerson
GIVEN BY
Isn’t it amazing to see our youth learning to work together to make our world a
better place?
Lisa Thomas
Curtis and Mary Jo Linscott
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Seely
J. Russell Lamber, M.D.
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Brannon
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Brannon
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Brannon
Mr. and Mrs. Mark J. Brannon
Ed and Gail Yager
Lindsey Kus
Lindsey Kus
Linbeck
IN MEMORY OF
Volunteer Highlight
– Ernest Johnson
We are proud to share that Ernest Johnson,
long-time Trinity Habitat for Humanity
volunteer, received the Humana Multiplier
Award during RSVP’s 2009 Annual
Volunteer Recognition Luncheon in April.
The award is given based on countless
hours of volunteer time invested in Tarrant
County and to the volunteer who exhibits
senior leadership as a “neighbor helping
neighbor.” Congratulations, Ernest!
GIVEN BY
Father James DeWolfe
Kenneth John Murphy
Mary Armstrong Brown
William Cabal
Stanley Jackson
Bonnie Stoker
James Maurice Chapman
Sally McCormick
Robert “Bob” Olsen
Robert & Dorothy Gorman
Margaret Hays & Chuck Barnes
Ed and Gail Yager
Lu and Ken Kepple
Ed and Gail Yager
Ruth Cabal
Yvonne Jackson
Mary Collier
Verla Young
Mr. and Mrs. Travis Foster
First Presbyterian Church, Agape Class
Vera Murray Coker
Dan Hays, Jr.
11th Annual Tool Box Bash
Brings Fun and Funds!
In-Kind Donations
Acme Brick Company
Alamo Storage
AtSign
Ben E. Keith Corporation
Boomer Jack’s Grill and Bar
Buford-Thompson Company
Brent Carr
Chipotle
City of Mansfield
CRRG
Evergreen Electric Contracting
Extreme Photography
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc.
Jo Lynn Hatchell
Thank you to all the table sponsors,
committee members, auction donors,
attendees and volunteers who made
our 11th Annual Tool Box Bash
a huge success! With close to 600
people in attendance, we were able
to raise $254,000. The funds raised
from this event will help us continue
our mission of building homes in
partnership with families in need of
decent, affordable housing.
J&S Air, Inc.
Ken-Man Plumbing
KTFW-FM
Lady Bugg
Mr. G’s Carpets
Promo Planet
Resdoor Company, Inc.
Stoney Short
Square D/Schneider Electric
Summit Press
ValSpar
Whirlpool Corporation
Whitworth Engineering
Winston Services, Inc.
Tool Box Bash attendees enjoyed construction-themed games, silent and live
auctions, a Texas-size barbeque dinner and entertainment by country artist
Tracy Lawrence. Jeff and Laura Johnson were the proud winners of the car
raffle drawing for the G37 Infiniti donated by Grubbs Infiniti!
During this economically challenging year, we do not take your contributions
of funds, time and attendance for granted. We deeply appreciate the businesses
and individuals who are continuing their support of our mission. Thank you for
helping us rock the house, yet again!
For full details and more photos of this year’s Bash, please visit
www.toolboxbash.com.
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NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT #681
FORT WORTH, TX
3345 South Jones Street
Fort Worth, TX 76110-4312
Phone: 817-926-9219
2
th
Anniversary
1989-2009
20 years & building
Download this newsletter at
www.trinityhabitat.org/geninfo_habichat.htm
W W W . T R I N I T Y H A B I T A T . O R G
Home Tours will begin September 24
and continue through December 6.
The hours of the Home Tours for each
week include Thursdays – Saturdays,
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 p.m.
– 5 p.m. The home will be closed on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
each week.
Homebuilder helping homebuilder;
homebuilder helping families: That is
the sentiment of Kevin McGinnis and
Trey Laird, co-owners of Fort Worth’s
own Period Homes.
Trinity Habitat for Humanity is
blessed to be the beneficiary charitable
organization, receiving a portion of
the Show House Home Tour ticket
sales. The home will be completed
this fall and tickets are available for
$15 each.
“We ultimately felt like Trinity
Habitat for Humanity is the perfect
fit, as the beneficiary from ticket
sales, for the Southern Accents 2009
Show House, because the Habitat
organization has a direct tie to the
industry that we both represent and
take pride in,” said McGinnis.
If you are interested in purchasing
an Show House Home Tour Ticket,
please visit our website at www.
trinityhabitat.org and click on the
Period Homes icon or call
817-926-9219 x 111 for Jill McPherson
or x117 for Samantha Miller.
Save the Dates in ‘09
August 10
The Collegiate Players Tour College/AM
Tournament, Presented by State Farm Insurance,
benefiting Trinity Habitat for Humanity
Call 972-732-5660 to register to play or for more information.
September 24-28
20th Anniversary Blitz Build and
Celebration at Sundance Square
December 5
2
th
Anniversary
1989-2009
20 years & building
Building on Faith Dedication,
12:30 p.m. @ Stockyards Station
Back Forty
2009-2010 AmeriCorps
and AmeriCorps VISTA
Opportunities
Would you like to
make a tangible
difference in
our community
and gain life
and leadership
experience with Habitat?
Start now by serving with Trinity
Habitat for Humanity
via AmeriCorps!
More than 130,000 individuals
dedicate a year of their lives to
serving the United States through
AmeriCorp annually, and that
number will increase this year.
Trinity Habitat is happy to
partner with AmeriCorps again
during the 2009-2010 service
year, which will begin September
2009. Recruitment is underway,
so contact Angela Bills today at
[email protected]
if you are interested in joining
our team. For more details visit:
www.trinityhabitat.org.
DONATE your VEHICLE
to help build homes.
Call 1-877-277-4344
or visit
www.carsforhomes.org
525177
Period Homes Supporting
Habitat through Building a
Southern Accents Show House
Wish List
Car: A fuel-efficient automobile in good condition for our work in Johnson, Parker and
Wise Counties
Land: Property suitable for building a single house or an entire subdivision
Houses: Homes in any condition that we can demolish and use the land to build on or
sell and use the proceeds to build new Habitat houses
Truck: Late model ¾-ton pickup in good condition for use by our ReStores or
construction staff
Sponsorships:
Landscape — $2,500 provides the landscaping for a Habitat house
Family — $5,000 provides a family with all of the services they need to help them
become Habitat homeowners
House — $5,000 to $70,000 funds the construction costs of building a new, singlefamily Habitat house with a hard-working, low-income family
Lot — $7,500 funds the acquisition and development of the lot on which a Habitat
family’s home will be built