Veterans Groundbreaking
Members of founding sponsor Trumbull Rotary and other sponsors joined U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County board and staff members in breaking ground at the Bridgeport site of what is to be the organization’s first home designated for a veteran and his or her family. Shown are Eileen Bakos of Stratford. Beth Massoud of Westport. George Wright of New Canaan. Lise Leist of Stamford, Trumbull residents Anis Zaman, Jim Malski, Ken Paul and Bill Zeidenberg, Blumenthal, Malena Yrigoyen of Monroe and John McBride of Trumbull.
BANK OF AMERICA PARTNERSHIP BRINGS GRANT FUNDS, VOLUNTEERS TO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF COASTAL FAIRFIELD COUNTY
On Friday, September 21st Bank of America employees, including a number of local executives, volunteered at Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County’s eighth annual Women Build and presented a $25,000 grant to the organization. The funds are part of a recently announced $200,000 in housing-related grants that will impact low and moderate-income communities throughout Connecticut.
Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County are partnering to improve the quality of life in Fairfield County by providing housing and social services to qualified families. The partnership consists of volunteer and financial support, with Bank of America serving as lead sponsor for Habitat’s local Women Build initiative. Habitat CFC’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities.
Donor John DeMattia supports Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County and American Made
John and Connie Demattia are pictured in front of the Waldorf Ave home with Edith and Jorge Maldanado.
The Maldonado’s are completing their sweat equity hours and will purchase the home from Habitat CFC once construction is complete.
John DeMattia bought his first house, a duplex in Bridgeport, at age 22. He had just completed his military service and was able to secure a veteran’s loan with a $500 down payment. Now he and his company, NAPA Auto Parts of Bridgeport and Fairfield, are helping to make it possible for another family to improve their circumstances by supporting Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC). Specifically he is helping to fund a home on Waldorf Avenue, one of 7 Habitat CFC homes currently under construction in Black Rock and on Bridgeport’s East Side. DeMattia grew up directly across the street from where the Waldorf Avenue Habitat CFC home is being built. His family rented one floor of the 3-family home that his maternal grandmother was able to purchase by working hard, cleaning homes and an apartment building.
“It was a steppingstone neighborhood,” DeMattia said. “Families started out there and then transitioned on as their circumstances improved. It’s very nostalgic for me to be able to help another family move ahead through home ownership on Waldorf Avenue.”
One condition of DeMattia’s support is that Habitat CFC increase the amount of American made materials it uses to construct the home. He was motivated by economist turned builder Anders Lewnedal’s concept of increasing the usage of US made materials by at least 5%. Lewendal maintains that if every builder bought just 5% more U.S. – made materials, 220,000 jobs would be created.
“It’s just not the same as it used to be” DeMattia said. The opportunities for people to work in solid blue collar jobs just aren’t here anymore. This seemed like a great way to support an organization that helps families get ahead and also create awareness of the need to restore manufacturing jobs here in the U.S.”
DeMattia hopes that others will be inspired to support Habitat CFC as he has, because of its impact on families, neighborhoods and the City of Bridgeport and because of the American made commitment.
DeMattia and his wife Connie are helping his friend Alan Wallack who is the driving force behind the Cal Ripken field being built nearby to DeMattia’s old neighborhood. “Giving kids a safe place to learn and play baseball also gives them the opportunity to learn life lessons like teamwork and individual responsibility. Growing up we played baseball year round, and I know it kept me out of trouble.”
The DeMattias have been long term supporters of Habitat CFC, particularly its Women Build program. For years, Connie served on Habitat CFC’s Board of Directors and led Women Build, the goal of which is to empower women to help others by teaching them construction skills. Women then apply their newly learned knowledge by building homes for deserving, working low income mothers and their families. Now Connie ensures that every new Habitat home has well outfitted closets that make it easy for homeowners to stay organized.
For more information about Habitat CFC or to make a donation please call 203-333-2642 or visit www.habitatcfc.org.
For more information about the American Made movement visit http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/
The Trumbull Rotary Club Announced as Founding Sponsor of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County’s Habitat For Heroes Program
The Trumbull Rotary Club announced a new multi-year effort to support local veterans and their families last Friday at Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) in Bridgeport, CT.
This fall, efforts will focus on breaking ground for the first Habitat for Heroes build in Connecticut. As the Founding Sponsor for Habitat CFC’s Habitat for Heroes program, the Trumbull Rotary Club is partnering with Habitat CFC to raise the $50,000 required to excavate the site of the new home. The Trumbull Rotary Club will match dollar-for-dollar all donations made up to $21,000 in order to reach the $50,000 goal.
The Habitat for Heroes initiative will be organized and led by Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County. In partnership with the VA, veteran’s and civic organizations throughout the county and local businesses, veterans and other individuals, this house will be built by volunteers and will be home for a military veteran and his or her family.
“As troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan, attention should be focused on ways to honor all veterans and support the transition of returning veterans, especially given the current economic climate,” notes Eileen Bakos volunteer manager of Habitat CFC. “With the support of the Trumbull Rotary Club, we now expect to break ground on this home before the first frost.”
“The Trumbull Rotary Club has made a commitment to those who served our country—and we encourage everyone to support this effort,” adds Rotary Club president Jim Malski. “We see this as the first of many ways we can help ensure that those who fought for our country will never have to fight to put a roof over their heads.”
Donations to support Habitat for Heroes can be made at www.habitatcfc.org
About Trumbull Rotary
Rotarians are committed to service above self. The 75 members of the Trumbull Rotary Club serve others through senior events, scholarships and community events—with an emphasis on programs that support veterans and their families. We are part of a global organization with 1.2 million members in more than 34,000 clubs worldwide. At Rotary, you’ll find members volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health, and eradicate polio. Learn more at www.TrumbullRotary.org.
High-School Musicians Raise More Than $3,300 for Habitat Project in Fairfield
Student musici
ans Ankit Anil, Kim Canzoneri, Bridget Halstead and Bryan Fichera (left to right) recently presented a symbolic check to Lisa Cannella (second from right), chief development officer of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, representing the $3,330 they raised by staging a benefit concert to support a Habitat home repair project in Fairfield. The students were among 21 local teen musicians, many of them from Fairfield Warde High School, who helped organize and performed in the August 28 concert at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church. The funds, which were raised through ticket sales, a raffle and bake sale, will go to help pay for repairs to the Flynn home at 174 Fairfield Woods Road.
Habitat volunteers renovated the house this past May as part the organization’s Critical Home Repair program. The house had fallen into serious disrepair as owner Holly Flynn struggled with the loss of her eyesight and, as a single mom, caring for her two disabled sons on a very small income.
The students decided to stage the benefit concert when they heard that $6,000 was still needed to pay for the repairs. The performers included Nick Anagnost, Ankit Anil, Timmy Boardman, Cara Brundage, Kim Canzoneri, Ryan Cyr, Claire and Jack Feeney, Bryan Fichera, Carly Georgen, Colleen Granburg, Bridget Halstead, Sarah Hassleberger, Zoe Haley-Johnson, Evan Lauterborn, Isaiah Mansour, Kayla Muldoon, Ben Rudolph, Jared Smith, Jesse Spears, and Jack Ullman. The musicians played a wide variety of music – from classical to reggae.
Other students who helped with the concert included Billy Brennan, Jessica Clark, Ryan Crudgington, Sarah Green, Maggie Halstead, Leighann Muldoon, Lindsey Reuter and Michaela Wenger.
Local merchants who supported the event with food and raffle-prize donations included A&S Fine Italian Foods, Billy’s Bakery, Cardsmart, Chili Bomb, Country Cow Deli, David Mac, European Wax Center, Fairfield University Bookstore, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Gyro Grill, J. Albert Johnson Jewelers, Massage Envy, Miller Hallmark, Primo Pizza, Total Look Salon, Tracy Nails, Ralph ‘n’ Rich’s Restaurant, Shop Rite, Westport Music Center, Viale Italian Restaurant, and Waggie’s Dog Salon.
Mayor Finch, Sonya Finch, Mary Himes, Cynthia Blumenthal, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s team up for National Women Build Week
Want to see pictures from National Women Build Week? Click here.
Local volunteers join women across the United States to create affordable housing
Women volunteers, Mayor Bill Finch, Sonya Finch, Mary Himes, Cynthia Blumenthal, Habitat CFC and Lowe’s Heroes, raised their hammers for a Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) home in recognition of National Women Build Week. National Women Build Week, held May 5-13, is a nationwide initiative of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program developed in partnership with Lowe’s.
This year’s theme, “The Build Generation,” reflects the event’s goal to recruit and train women volunteers, as well as welcome the next generation of Habitat Women Builders – young women, ages 18-24 – to help support Habitat’s mission to create affordable housing. Women volunteers from across Fairfield County kicked-off construction on Habitat CFC’s 8th Women Build sponsored home. Lowe’s is providing Habitat CFC a $5,000 Lowe’s store gift card, as well as in-store volunteer training to support of this Habitat for Humanity Women Build home.
Nearly 100 volunteers, including groups from General Electric’s Women’s Corporate Networking Group, RBS, IBM, Lowe’s of Milford, JoZ Events and Her Haven framed and raised walls on the 8th Women Build sponsored home being built on Whittier Street in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. This build represents an expansion of Habitat’s services to a new neighborhood in Bridgeport after the successful execution of 130 homes in the East Side. In their 27 year history, Habitat CFC has served more than 650 individuals through the construction of 165 homes across Fairfield County.
“Whether it’s with donations or elbow grease, the contributions to Women Build has a significant, meaningful impact on families in a way that empowers them to succeed and transforms them into tax-paying contributors to our shared community,” said Mary Petro, who co-chairs Habitat CFC’s Women Build committee with Mary Ellen Gallagher.
Volunteers from GE's Women's Corporate Networking Group pose with Mayor Bill Finch, Sonya Finch, Mary Himes, Cynthia Blumenthal and Habitat homeowners during National Women Build Week 2012 in Bridgeport.
E! News correspondent and long-time Habitat supporter Kristina Guerrero, whose mother built her home in partnership with an affordable-housing organization in 1998, is building with her mother, sister and 25 women volunteers, in Los Angeles.
“My mom, brothers, sisters and I are living proof of the difference affordable housing can make in a family’s life,” said Guerrero. “I encourage all women to find ways to join Habitat this week. Whether it’s building alongside other volunteers or helping to recruit or train new volunteers, every effort helps families realize their dreams of homeownership. Through working together, we can make a difference in the lives of low-income families in need of affordable housing.”
Lowe’s, underwriter of Habitat’s Women Build program, has committed more than $1.3 million to National Women Build Week in support of 275 participating affiliates. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s five-year, $20 million pledge to Habitat. As the underwriter of the Women Build program since 2004, Lowe’s conducts “How-To” clinics at stores to teach women construction skills, enabling them to support Habitat projects across the country. Habitat CFC and Lowe’s of Milford hosted a “How-To” clinic to prepare women volunteers to build in Bridgeport.
“Lowe’s has been the proud sponsor of Habitat’s Women Build program since 2004,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “Women Build encourages women from all ages and walks of life to pick up their hammers and build affordable homes alongside local families. Lowe’s salutes all the women volunteers who take time to build this week and values the difference Lowe’s and Habitat are making in the lives of families across the nation.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reports more than 12 million children—one out of every six—are living in poverty in the United States, where more than 70 percent of Habitat’s U.S. houses are built in partnership with women heads-of-household. According to a report on housing published by the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition, virtually every family rental apartment or condominium developed in Bridgeport since 2005 or currently under construction is not affordable to Bridgeport’s families earning up to 80% of the Bridgeport area median income, which in 2010 is $86,600. Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable houses in their communities. Since the inception of Habitat’s Women Build program in 1998 more than 1,900 Habitat for Humanity Women Build houses have been constructed in partnership with low-income families.
About Lowe’s
Lowe’s supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company’s signature education grant program, Lowe’s Toolbox for Education®, has donated nearly $5 million in grants to K-12 public schools every year since its inception in 2006. Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. In 2011, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $32 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at http://www.facebook.com/habitator at http://www.twitter.com/habitat_orgor join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County is Awarded Challenge Grant
A Fairfield County Community Foundation donor advised fund holder who receives philanthropic advisory services from Fairfield County Community Foundation staff provides $15,000 in challenge funding for an additional Family Services Worker
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) successfully met the requirements of a challenge grant offered by a Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF) donor advised fund holder who receives philanthropic advisory services from Fairfield County Community Foundation staff. The terms of the $15,000 challenge grant required that Habitat CFC raise an additional $15,000 by April 15, 2012. The grant supports the salary of an additional worker in Habitat CFC’s family services department.
- Bridgeport’s Mayor Bill Finch poses with Habitat homeowners at the affiliate’s Annual Meeting
“Our donor is very supportive of the family services program and thought a challenge grant could be an incentive for other private funding. We have seen challenge grants really work well for nonprofits,” said Karen Brown Vice President of Programs at FCCF.
“We are grateful to FCCF and the donor advised fund holder for providing us with this opportunity, which helped us raise funds for this needed additional position and also helped us raise awareness of the importance of our family services department’s work,” Berzin said.
About Fairfield County Community Foundation
The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Foundation also provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded $135 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
Easton Cub Scout Pack #166 support newest Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County homeowner
Easton Cub Scout Pack #166 helped welcome new Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) homeowner Nordia Black and her family into their new home by donating a basket of home goods to the family. The scouts presented their gift on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the family’s home dedication ceremony. Nordia is the single mother of five children, one of whom is reliant on a wheel chair and requires round the clock care. The ADA compliant home, which was sponsored by Wheels in the Woods Foundation, provides the space and facilities required to care for Nordia’s special needs daughter and a back yard in which her other 4 children can play.
Habitat CFC provides safe, decent, affordable housing to low-income families in Fairfield County. Habitat partner families must: currently be living in substandard housing; have income between 35-60% of the Area Median Income; have the ability to repay a 30 year 0% mortgage; and be willing and able to complete 500 hours of sweat equity.
For more information call 203-333-2642 or visit our website www.habitatcfc.org
Easton Cub Scouts Pierce Neunteufel, Aaron Chabannes, William Manusky and Mitchell Manusky present a gift basket of home goods to Habitat CFC’s newest homeowner Nordia Black.
To see pictures of Nordia’s dedication ceremony, click here.
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County and Better Together Take Back Carwin Park in Stamford
Young people from New Canaan and Stamford Team Up for Spring Clean Up
Better Together, a group comprising more than 100 young people from the youth groups of New Canaan’s Christian churches is partnering with the West Side Neighborhood Revitalization Zone’s Take Back Carwin Park Committee, young people from the Yerwood Center and the Boys & Girls Club, the City of Stamford Parks & Recreation Department and Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County which recently completed an 8-unit condo complex on the corner of Spruce St. and West Main St., to clean up one of the neighborhood’s important resources, Carwin Park. During the spring and summer neighborhood children and adults enjoy using the park for recreation and relaxation. As well, Carwin Park hosts a series of concerts over the summer months which the entire neighborhood enjoys. However it had fallen into some disrepair and these community groups joined forces to give the park a face lift. Whole Foods of Darien provided snacks and water for the day.
“We were seeking a project that would engage the young people we work with into a project that would have immediate, tangible results,” said Josh Hill the leader of Better Together. “But we knew that we needed to reach out to the folks who lived in the neighborhood to make sure that they were interested in the project too.”
“This group was so well organized and efficient. It was impressive to see more than 100 young people from all different backgrounds working together on the park clean-up. As the day went on more and more people from the neighborhood joined and made it a true grassroots community effort. Our Habitat families, who recently moved into their new homes on the corner were excited to participate in a community effort to show their commitment to their new neighborhood,” said Lisa Cannella, Habitat for Humanity’s Chief Development Officer.
About Better Together
“The mission of Better Together is to help Christian teens from all the New Canaan churches and other Christian organizations see that, in the end, they’re all on the same team.”
See what the group accomplished by clicking here for photos.
Habitat CFC to Partner with Love Where You Live Homes, LLC In Providing Criticial Home Repair Services to a Fairfield Family
Single mom of 2 disabled sons struggling to make ends meet needs help with repairs to their home.
Click the “Donate Online” button to the right to help us raise the remaining $6,000 needed for Holly’s home.
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (Habitat CFC) announces the launch of its new Critical Home Repair program (CHR) with the renovation of Holly Flynn’s home in Fairfield. The project is sponsored by Love Where You Live Homes, LLC of Trumbull, CT and the Tatangelo Family Charitable Trust. CHR helps low-income homeowners who due to age, disability or family circumstances struggle to maintain the integrity of their homes. CHR will allow Habitat CFC to serve more families and increase opportunities for volunteers. CHR addresses the health and safety of individual residences in a neighborhood, and strengthens connections within the community.
Love Where You Live Homes, LLC will donate nearly $20,000 in materials and labor to the project on items ranging from tree work to installation of new plumbing and electrical systems, repairing masonry, installing new kitchen and bathroom cabinets and fixtures. Habitat CFC will perform demolition work, painting, cleaning and organizing the new space.
Holly’s older son Kevin, age 26, has autism and her younger son Tommy, age 19, has developmental disabilities. Both have cystic fibrosis as well and they live at home with Holly who provides around the clock care for them. Remarkably, Holly spends time every week guiding her sons as they perform volunteer work at several community organizations. Kevin sets up tables and serves lunch three times a week at the Fairfield Senior Center and he also reshelves videos and DVDs at the Fairfield Woods Library. Tommy shelves groceries at the Merton House food pantry twice a week.
Holly with her sons Kevin and Tommy.
Holly’s two daughters Molly and Melissa are both in college on scholarships. Molly is on track to graduate from New York University in May and Melissa is pursuing graduate studies at Trinity College in Ireland.
“We live based on what we need, not we want” said Holly. “To have this opportunity for our home to be renovated inside and out is a true gift. It’s something that I would never be able to do on my own.”
Glenn Tatangelo of Love Where You Live Homes, LLC said, “I have been involved with Habitat CFC since 2005 serving as a Board member and a construction volunteer. My partner Danielle and I believe it is important to give back to the community. I knew that Habitat CFC planned to launch the Critical Home Repair program and when I heard about Holly’s situation I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off the program.”
“We are excited to be kicking off the CHR program with Holly and her family. We hope to help families in similar situations throughout coastal Fairfield County. Sponsoring and volunteering on a CHR project is a great opportunity for faith communities, corporations schools and community groups to partner with us in making a meaningful, tangible impact on a family and a community,” said Keith Cook Habitat CFC’s Co-President and Director of Construction.
The project will take place May 7 – 18, 2012. To learn more about how you can help Holly and her family, please call 203-333-2642 or email Habitat CFC’s Chief Development Officer, Lisa Cannella at lcannella@habitatcfc.org.
Click here to see progress of the home throughout the build.