Habitat in the News

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County’s (CFC) Women Build program recently received a $10,000 grant from Near & Far Aid, a philanthropic organization dedicated to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty in Fairfield County. The award will assist in funding the current project, called “Women Build 7”, which consists of one unit in a two-building condominium complex located in Stamford’s West Main Street Commons.

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County’s Co-President and Chief Operator Officer Bruce Berzin said that this expansion into Stamford represents the Women Build program’s largest project to date. In addition, it’s the first time that Habitat CFC is constructing projects in three different communities — Bridgeport, Stratford and Stamford — simultaneously.

Berzin stated, “We are pleased to partner with Near & Far Aid as we continue to grow and support the construction of safe and affordable housing for low-income families in more communities throughout Fairfield County. This is the third year that Near & Far Aid has funded Women Build projects. We appreciate their continuous generosity.”

Since 2000, Near & Far Aid has donated $10 million to support programs that address families at risk, adults in crisis, homelessness, elder care, hunger, education and job training, health services and academic and cultural activities for disadvantaged youth.

“Near & Far Aid is delighted to continue to support The Women Build program as they expand into Stamford,” said Jeanne Burris, Vice President, Projects Review. “We share a commitment to serving as many communities as possible in Fairfield County, and applaud their continued effort to expand affordable housing opportunities for our area’s neediest individuals.”

Habitat CFC’s $2.5 million West Main Street construction project is comprised of eight Energy Star-rated, condominiums. There are three two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units. One of the three-bedroom units is wheelchair-accessible. Eileen Bakos, Habitat CFC’s Volunteer Manager and Women Build’s Co-Chairman, along with Ellen Quinn, pointed out that there is a critical need for affordable housing in all of coastal Fairfield County. They’re excited to be at the helm of Women Build’s first venture in Stamford.

Bakos said, “We provide sustainable homeownership solutions which not only improve the lives of Habitat families, but also stabilize neighborhoods and create community. This result would not be achieved without strong partners like Near & Far Aid.”

Caitlin Scanlan, Habitat for Humanity CFC’s Director of Development, explained that plans for the Stamford construction project have been underway since 2006. By collaborating with the City of Stamford, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), corporations, private donors and non-profit organizations, such as Near & Far Aid, construction started more than a year ago.

Based in Bridgeport, Habitat for Humanity CFC has completed 152 homes that have served more than 700 children and adults in Bridgeport, Stratford and Stamford. For 25 years, low income families have been able to purchase homes by contributing 500 hours of “sweat equity,” or volunteer hours, financed by a Habitat-provided 0 percent, 30-year mortgage. In keeping with Habitat’s mission, eligibility requirements are based upon a total family income that is 35 to 60 % of the median income for that specific community. In past years, single mothers with children have been offered priority placement for Women Build projects.

Women Build encourages and empowers women to learn construction skills and to use those skills to help move families out of poverty by building simple, safe and affordable homes. Launched in 2001, Habitat CFC’s Women Build has funded and constructed six homes.

Bridgeport, CT (Dec. 3, 2010) – Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County (HFHCFC) announced today that they will break ground on their second Habitat home fully sponsored by students at 554 Jane Street in Bridgeport, CT. The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1:00pm.

Youth United, a Habitat for Humanity program initiative to engage local youth from ages 5-25 in raising awareness and support for affordable housing, began fundraising for the Jane Street home in 2007. A diverse group of students from over 15 schools and 12 towns, many of whom are the children of Habitat homeowners, have worked together to raise funds by building and selling step stools, collecting returnable bottles and cans, and holding various other fundraisers.

The house will be co-sponsored by the Sacred Heart University (SHU) Habitat Campus Chapter. Sacred Heart’s fundraising projects have included sleep outs, leaf raking, and bagging groceries. The SHU students have been mentors for the younger members of Youth United in many of their activities.

Together, these two groups have raised over $46,000 to date. In November, Bridgeport’s Youth United was one of 5 groups in the nation to receive a $10,000 matching grant from State Farm Insurance, the national underwriter of Habitat’s Youth United Program. They were previously awarded a State Farm matching grant of $4,000 in 2009. Together, Youth United and SHU Habitat will raise $75,000. Additional funding for the home comes from the City of Bridgeport’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) grant under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To kick off the partnership, representatives from Youth United and the Sacred Heart University Habitat Campus Chapter will join HFHCFC staff, volunteers and Habitat partner families from the neighborhood at the build site on Bridgeport’s East Side to celebrate with a Ground Breaking Ceremony on December 11. The Ceremony will mark the beginning of construction and commemorate this new journey. This will be the fourth Habitat home on this block; helping to improve the over-all community, a key mission goal of HFHCFC.

“Members of the Sacred Heart University Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, along with the hundreds of other students participating in the local Youth United initiative, have worked tremendously hard to see their dream turn into a reality,” said Keith Cook, Co-President of HFHCFC. “We are thrilled to be a part of these young people’s leadership effort in helping their peers’ family find their own healthy, affordable home. We are very excited to help them celebrate the success of their accomplishments.”

Community members are invited to attend the Ground Breaking Ceremony on Dec. 11at 1 p.m. at 554 Jane Street, Bridgeport. For directions or further information please call the HFHCFC office at 203-333-2642 or visit our website at www.habitatcfc.org.

About Youth United
Youth United is a Habitat for Humanity program run by youth and for youth ages 5 to 25. It brings young people together from all walks of life to play active roles in transforming their communities. Youth United mobilizes young people to sponsor and build a house with their local Habitat affiliate. Through Youth United, students gain a better understanding of their communities and poverty housing. All students are engaged in fund-raising, education and advocacy activities and those over 16 help with actual house construction.
The four goals of Youth United are to Involve youth in their communities, Engage youth in Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing, Foster teamwork among diverse groups of youth and Develop youth leaders.

About Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County is an independently run, local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, nonprofit ecumenical housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing wherever it exists. Habitat CFC seeks to build community and improve lives by partnering with low-income families in need of a place to live and with community volunteers and donors to build simple, safe, and affordable neighborhoods. Volunteers, donors, homeowners and staff are people of all faiths. For more information or to make a donation, visit the Habitat CFC website at www.habitatcfc.org or call 203.333.2642. To donate new or used furniture, appliances and building materials, visit Habitat CFC’s ReStore website at www.fairfieldcountyrestore.org or call 203.383.4358.