Issue 28 - Habitat for Humanity

“Transforming lives through simple, decent and affordable housing”
A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF SAN ANTONIO PUBLICATION • ISSUE 28 • MAY 2006
Augustine and Delilah Orta, and Bill Lytle
On a quiet cool morning in late
March, under a clear blue sky, 30
Presbyterian volunteers met to begin
construction on the Faith Lytle House.
With hammers swinging, saws buzzing,
the smell of sawdust permeating the
air and the sound of laughter ringing in
the background, volunteers from the
San Antonio Presbyterian Cluster
raised the walls for the future home of
Augustin and Delilah Orta.
This spring, to honor and recognize
Faith Lytle, Founder, Habitat for
Humanity of San Antonio, the
Presbyterian Cluster has joined
together to build a house in Faith’s
With (Faith’s) great persistence
and devotion to the families,
houses were built with families
in need year after year.
honor. Faith, who passed away last
spring, put Habitat for Humanity of
San Antonio on the map. She and her
Cluster volunteers, Augustin and
Delilah are brimming with excitement
to be living in a special home
remembering Faith. The Ortas have
two little girls, Amber, a bright faced
4 year-old, and Desiree, an energetic
3-year old who both love to sing
along with Barney at the tops of their
lungs. The Ortas, who currently live
with Delilah’s mother, are ready to
move into their own home and reap
the benefits of homeownership.
Both Ortas are native San Antonians
and graduates of Brackenridge and
Kennedy high schools. Augustin
works for the City of San Antonio at
the Alamodome and Delilah is now a
stay at home mom.
The Ortas have enjoyed getting to
know Bill and hearing first hand
about Habitat’s beginnings. They
have been overwhelmed by the
kindness of all the Presbyterian
volunteers who have partnered to
build their home and are inspired by
husband Bill brought the idea of
partnership housing from its origins at
Koinonia Farms, in rural southwest
Georgia, to the inner city of San
Antonio before Habitat for
Humanity was even born. In
1976, Faith Lytle founded Habitat
for Humanity of San Antonio in
her kitchen along with a group of
committed friends. With guidance
from Millard Fuller, Founder of
Habitat
for
Humanity
International, Faith followed the
Habitat principals of building L to R: Suzy Gray, Desiree Orta, Bill Lytle, Delilah
Orta, Amber Orta, Augustine Orta
simple and decent houses, selling
and Jim Breuer
at zero percent interest and
charging no profit to families in need
willing to contribute a minimum of their willingness to help others. The
300 hours of their own sweat equity. Faith Lytle House will be dedicated
With her great persistence and on June 3rd at 10 am in our Palo
A plaque
devotion to the families, houses were Alto Community.
recognizing
Faith’s
pioneering
efforts
built with families in need year after
will
be
permanently
displayed
on
the
year.
Working alongside of Bill Lytle Orta’s home.
and the rest of the Presbyterian
VISION
PAGE 2
2005
MAYMAY
2006
Our Present Development:
The Palo Alto Community
We are happy to announce that 29
homes have been completed and 10
more are underway!
Delicious lunches
informative programs,
fellowship and prayer…
Help support our house building effort!
We still need funding for homes in 2006. Without dedicated support
from the San Antonio community we cannot serve families in need. All
are welcome! Here are some of the opportunities for your organization
to get involved:
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Day of Purpose (interactive day/tour of site) - $12,000
One organization commits to fund a minimum of $12,000 to have the
opportunity for 30-45 of their participants to take part in this great interactive
tour. Tour bus will pick up (and drop off) participants at their assigned
location. Participants will learn about HFHSA on the bus then put their hands
to work on the Habitat site. Box lunches will be served on site.
Sponsor-A-Day on the 30th Anniversary House ($8,000)
Be a partner in this very special anniversary house to be built this fall!
For more information contact Stephanie Wiese, VP of Development
at 210/223-5203.
Highlight of Volunteer Week
April 23-29 was the annual Volunteer Appreciation
week. This week is the time to thank everyone for your
involvement with Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio.
Each day volunteers support our mission, and this month
we would like to thank everyone for his or her hard
work and support. With the collaboration of our local
community it has been possible to fulfill our goal of
building 50 houses in 2005.
Sound interesting? Join us at our
next Faith in Action Team meeting
on Tuesday, August 15 at 12 noon,
at San Pedro Presbyterian Church,
14900 San Pedro Ave. Meet
fellow Habitat supporters and learn
something new about HFHSA.
Special Thanks…
to the following restaurants and stores
for providing donations during the
Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio
winter and spring builds:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Woodhouse Day Spa
Macaroni Grill
Amy’s Ice Cream
Picante Grill
Fire Bowl Café
The County Line BBQ
Williams-Sonoma
Borders Books
L’Occtaine
PF Changs
FAITH BUILDER’S LUNCHEON
If you are a clergy member, mission/outreach chair
or church leader, be our guest
at this complimentary one-hour event.
Wednesday, May 31st • Noon to 1 pm
First Presbyterian Church • 404 N. Alamo
Discover how your congregation can build faith
working together with Habitat for Humanity of
San Antonio.
For more information,
call Jennifer Gonzalez, Faith Relations Associate at
(210) 223-5203 ext. 148. Last Chance to R.S.V.P.
MAY 2006
VISION
PAGE3 3
PAGE
JOIN US for Our June Dedication
VOLUNTEERS, FAMILIES AND SPONSORS, working
together in partnership to complete
10 more homes!
Join us at the next House Dedication
on June 3, 2006 at 10 AM.
All Are Welcome!
Don’t miss this blessed event. Call
210-223-5203 for directions.
VOLUNTEER
Total Lives
Changed
40 4
FACTS
• During 2005, HFHSA played host to at least 10,500 construction volunteers.
• Did you know that we served over 2180 slices of pizza to our volunteers this year!
• Do you know how much sunblock should be used on a daily basis? One ounce according to The American Academy of Dermatology,
is the considered amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly, and sunscreen should be re-applied every 2 hours.
• Keeping that in mind, the average volunteer should use 4 ounces each day, which equates to half of an average bottle of sun block.
This means our voluteers consume approximately 5,250 bottles a year.
• Did you know that 1 aluminum can creates enough energy to run a television for 3 hours? If you took all of the cans consumed on
a HFHSA site, we could run a television for 3000 hours.
• We used approximately 3,500 nails per house, and used 175,000 nails last year.
• Did you know that HFHSA uses volunteers for various component of our organization other than construction? Did you know that
volunteers provide their banking, legal, and finance skills as well as general horticultural expertise?
• 200 pieces of siding are used per house, which equals 10,000 pieces of siding used in 2005.
Recruiting for New AmeriCorps!!!
If you would like to become an AmeriCorps member - Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio wants you!
AmeriCorps is the national service program that provides thousands of Americans of all ages and
backgrounds with educational awards in exchange for one or two years of community service. AmeriCorps
members provide service to the nation’s critical needs in the areas of public safety, education, human needs,
and the environment.
This year Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio will be recruiting for the following AmeriCorps Positions:
• Volunteer Services Assistant makes presentations about Habitat for Humanity, coordinate and host
individual and group volunteers at the construction site and work with community groups to form
collaborative relationships.
• Faith Relations Assistant facilitates the daily activities of the Faith and Community Relations Department through the organization
of volunteer and community information, development of educational and meeting materials, and coordination of faith-based
volunteers and activities.
• Construction Crew Leaders perform residential house construction and lead and train volunteer crews. There are opportunities to
be house leaders. No prior construction experience is required but is helpful.
Benefits include: a living stipend of $10,600 per service year; $4,725 educational award, and payment of interest accrued on student
loans in National Service forbearance; and in some cases housing, and child care reimbursement is available.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for one of these AmeriCorps positions, please apply through
the AmeriCorps website at www.americorps.org. For additional information, please call Sandy Redmond at (210) 223-5203.
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
We’re on the web...
www.habitatsa.org
PAID
San Antonio
Texas
Permit No. 795
311 Probandt San Antonio, TX 78204
Want to join Habitat
and go to a
MISSIONS
GAME?
For more information…
see insert in this issue.
VISION
PAGE 4
Come See Our Sites
Are you a group, civic club, organization,
business or individual who would like to
learn more about HFHSA? If so, plan on
attending a Hab-i-tour. Hab-i-tours are
informational, guided bus tours that
provide insight into the work of Habitat
in the local community. Monthly tours are
on the third Friday and leave promptly at
1 pm from the Habitat office at 311
Probandt. For more information or to
RSVP for your seat, please call (210)
223-5203.
HFHSA
Table Captains
Needed
If you would like more information
about the Legacy Builder’s Luncheon
and how you can get involved and
introduce some friends, relatives
and/or co-workers to HFHSA, please
contact Ashley Barth, Development
Associate, at (210) 223-5203.
MAY 2006
Upcoming Events...
Friday, May 19, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Hab-i-tour,
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
RSVP Required,
(210) 223-5203
Wednesday, May 31, 12:00-1:00 pm
Faith Builders Luncheon,
First Presbyterian Church
404 N. Alamo
RSVP to Jennifer Gonzalez,
(210) 223-5203
Saturday, June 3, 10:00 am
House Dedication,
Palo Alto Community
No RSVP Required
All are welcome!
Tuesday, June 6, 6:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
No RSVP Required
Friday, June 16, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Hab-i-tour,
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
RSVP Required,
(210) 223-5203
Tuesday, July 11, 6:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
No RSVP Required
Tuesday, July 18, 7:05 pm
Pack the Park
San Antonio Missions Baseball
(see attached flyer for information)
Friday, July 21, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Hab-i-tour,
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
RSVP Required,
(210) 223-5203
Tuesday, August 1, 6:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation
Habitat Office
311 Probandt
No RSVP Required
Tuesday, August 15, 12:00 pm
FIAT
San Pedro Presbyterian
14900 San Pedro Ave.
RSVP to Jennifer Gonzalez,
(210) 223-5203
VISION
Issue 28
May 2006
Graphic Design: Barker Graphic Design
Writers: Habitat Staff
Coordinator: Maricela Hernandez
Published Quarterly by
Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio
311 Probandt, San Antonio, TX 78204
210/223-5203 • 210/223-5536 (fax)
www.habitatsa.org
Habitat for Humanity San Antonio is an ecumenical, Christian organization
working in partnership with God’s people in need to build simple, decent and affordable homes
without interest or profit, thereby witnessing God’s love in action.