Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette

HFHL Assists 155 Haitian Families move into new homes

alan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 01:34:07 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette’s own Doug Taylor has been instrumental in helping these families in Haiti over the last 16 months. Staff members Jess Vandegraff, Cindy Taylor, and Debbie Belange have also participated with these families.

Haitian families left homeless by the 2010 earthquake move into their new homes at Habitat for Humanity’s community in Léogâne.

	New Habitat homeowner, Nathalie Saint Germanin, and her son, stand in front of their house. More than 150 families moved into their homes in Habitat for Humanity’s Santo community in Léogâne, Haiti. Photo by Nixon Cyprien

Habitat representatives, partner families, local donors, partners, officials and supporters celebrate a new beginning in Habitat’s Santo community.

LÉOGÂNE, Haiti (Feb. 14, 2012) – Today, 155 families left homeless by the 2010 earthquake took possession of their new permanent homes in Habitat for Humanity’s Santo community in Léogâne, 18 miles west of Port-au-Prince and considered to be the epicenter of the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake.

“This is an exciting day for the partner families, Habitat for Humanity, donors, partners, volunteers and supporters who have made this all possible,” said Mark Andrews, vice president of Haiti recovery for Habitat for Humanity International. “Together, we have built a new community that will bring lasting hope, health and well-being to these families for years and generations to come.”

The Léogâne development has the potential to house up to 500 families, or approximately 2,500 individuals. To date, 155 homes have been constructed thanks to Santo project donors, including the Multilateral Investment Fund of the Inter-American Development Bank, donors and volunteers of Habitat’s 28th annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, and volunteers from Haven, an Irish nonprofit. Partner families contributed more than 150 hours of “sweat equity” to help build their homes.

Habitat plans to construct another 100 houses this year when the Carter Work Project returns to Haiti. More houses will be constructed pending additional funding.

In addition to a new home, each family has their own compost latrine and has access to clean water at one of the 14 water points constructed throughout the development. Solar-powered street lighting is also provided. As part of the multi-year project, the plan is to provide needed services, including a community and health center, a school, church and safe play areas.

Speaking at today’s celebration, Claude Jeudy, Habitat’s national director for Haiti, said, “We have looked forward to this day with great anticipation to recognize what faith, perseverance and true partnership can create. This community is a testament to the inspiring work of the many people who have come together to make a difference in Haiti.”

Since the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, Habitat for Humanity’s five-year disaster recovery program to provide 50,000 families with pathways to permanent housing has helped more than 40,000 families, or approximately 200,000 individuals, in Port-au-Prince, Léogâne and Cabaret. In addition to its permanent houses in Santo, Habitat has distributed more than 24,500 emergency shelter kits with partner organizations, constructed more than 5,000 transitional or upgradeable shelters, conducted 12,000 house damage assessments and repaired or rehabilitated more than 350 houses. Habitat’s primary focus over the next three years will be to partner with more Haitian families to build permanent housing.

The earthquake damaged nearly 190,000 houses in Haiti, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed. Of the more than 2 million affected survivors, 550,000 are still displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Land tenure continues to remain the biggest roadblock to reconstruction. The process of identifying land ownership was vague before the earthquake, and now it is even more of a challenge.

To address this problem, Habitat has created and fostered the Haiti Property Law Working Group, a diverse coalition of Haitian government officials, lawyers, academics and business leaders, along with representatives of the World Bank, USAID, the Inter-American Development Bank, the government of France, the Organization of American States, Architecture for Humanity, the Clinton Global Initiative, foundations, development partners and other nongovernmental organizations engaged in reconstruction and development. The goal of the Haiti Property Law Working Group is to support the government of Haiti in the recovery effort through the appropriate development of property for job creation, housing and other purposes by defining each step of the current processes applicable to land transactions and recommending improvements to be incorporated in future policies.

About Habitat for Humanity Haiti
Habitat for Humanity has been at work in Haiti for 27 years and has provided housing solutions through a variety of initiatives including new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements. Habitat also builds capacity in construction skills, disaster risk reduction and financial literacy, and works in coordination with community and government agencies. For more information, visit habitat.org/haiti.

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 www.facebook.com/habitat or atwww.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.

New Media Postings about Habitat

alan — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:41:21 +0000

Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette has been in the news a few times lately.

Joining Forces in Lafayette is announced in a news story by WLFI Channel 18. Joining Forces in Lafayette is a venture to raise the funds to build a home for injured Lafayette Marine, Matthew Bowman as well as at least one other home for a Habitat for Humanity-qualified veteran.

The Purdue Student Chapter of Habitat for Humanity was the featured part of a front-page article in the Purdue Exponent. Each year the Purdue Student Chapter raises the funds and builds a home for a partner family.

These stories and others can be found on the Media page.

Cindy Taylor Appointed Director of Development

debbie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:00:56 +0000

Cindy Taylor has been appointed by the Habitat Board of Directors to assume the Director of Development position.

Christmas to the New Year at HFHL

alan — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:40:16 +0000

The ReStore for Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette will be open ‘Holiday Hours’ for the next week.

Saturday, December 24:

Open 9:00 to noon

Tuesday, December 27 to Friday, December 30:

Open 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

December 31:

Closed

The main office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Several staff members will be in on an irregular basis. Feel free to leave a voice mail message at (765) 423-4590, or send an email message to info@lafayettehabitat.org

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

ReStore ReCyles

alan — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:46:54 +0000

The ReStore for Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette is now accepting surplus electronic equipment for recycling.

The ReStore has partnered with Vintage Tech Recyclers, Inc. to help you dispose of your old electronics and raise money for Habitat at the same time. Simply take your electronic items to the ReStore and the staff will do the rest! There is no charge to you to drop it off at the store.

Now Accepting Electronic Items:

Monitors; Video Game Consoles; UPS Batteries; Laptops; Peripherals; Copiers; TV’s; Mice/Keyboards; Typewriters; Printers; PDA/Cell Phones; Cash Registers; Computers; ALL COMPUTER PARTS; Servers/Networking; Printers/Fax/Scanners; MP3/IPods/Etc.; DVD/Stereos/VCR’s; Phones

3815 Fortune DriveLafayette, IN 47905

Phone: (765) 423-2585

Store Hours

10-6 Tues/Fri ~ 9-3 Sat

Come Shop!

November/December 2011 Newsletter

alan — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:26:50 +0000

This is the November/December 2011 Newsletter for Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette.

Habitat Newsletter201111-P1

Habitat Newsletter201111-P2

Habitat Newsletter201111-P3

Habitat Newsletter201111-P4

Building on Faith Thank You Dessert

alan — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 23:21:12 +0000

December 6, 2011

7:00-8:30 pm

University Plaza Hotel

3001 Northwestern Ave, West Lafayette, IN

Dessert buffet and coffee

Join us in rejoicing with our families, friends, and volunteers as we celebrate the fullness of God’s love through this ministry. Hear the transformational stories of some of our partner families, learn about exciting new things happening, and let us show our appreciation for your support in making all of this possible.

RSVP to info@lafayettehabitat.org or 765 423 4590 or at http://habitatbof.eventbrite.com

Alcoa Supports Habitat

alan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:58:36 +0000

Habitat for Humanity has been blessed with the generous support of workers from Alcoa Aluminum Company here in Lafayette who have helped build many of our homes. The Alcoa Foundation has been an integral part of funding three of the homes built from November of 2010 to October of 2011. Families pay the no-interest mortgage on the home over 20 years, but there are other related costs that must be covered. Having over 100 volunteers from companies like Alcoa assist our skilled craftsmen on each home is the reason that Habitat can keep the cost of these homes to a minimum. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Alcoa for their contributions over the years.

Position of Director of Development

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:58:50 +0000

9/9/2011: Interested and Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest and a current resume to one of the following:

email: alan@lafayettehabitat.org

fax: 765 742 5870

mail: 420 S 1st Street
Lafayette, IN 47905
Job Description:
The Director of Development will be responsible for planning, implementing and directing the development strategy for Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will be responsible for achieving the fundraising goals, engaging sponsors and public relation activities of the organization; including leveraging key relationships and contacts within and outside of the local Habitat service area to ensure meeting revenue goals.

Responsibilities:

Create and implement annual development plan and strategy Lead and manage the overall development efforts to raise the funds for the annual budget
Cultivate and nurture relationships with current and potential corporate and foundation sponsors, organizations and individual donors
o Develop and grow the individual donor base;
o manage annual giving campaign;
o cultivate major gifts;
o oversee the stewardship efforts of the organization;
o Train and lead other staff and volunteers to support fund raising and marketing efforts
o Manage all activities and records in a fiscally responsible, lawful and secure manner;
o create monthly reports of activities and progress
o Develop, train, and manage the Board and key stake holders fundraising capacity
Write grant proposals and reports to corporate, foundation, organization and governmental funders
Manage Habitat’s sponsorship program which includes identifying and securing sponsors and engaging them in ongoing service opportunities
Develop and implement comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy and relations with local media
o Gather statistics for release to the media, the brochures, handouts, grant proposals, etc.
Work in partnership with other staff and volunteers to assure a coordinated, cooperative program

Education: Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in fund development including solicitation of major gifts, grant writing and/or related work experience

Qualifications:

Proven track record of achieving revenue targets
Proven management of programs and leadership capabilities
Experience working with senior level executives in a corporate environment
Positive attitude, high degree of initiative, friendly, flexible, teamwork oriented and attention to detail
Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to articulate ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively in any communication format
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and understand complex, multi-faceted programs
Demonstrated ability to prospect, cultivate and manage new accounts
Strong partnership-building, attention to detail and event planning skills
Thorough understanding of all components of a diversified funding base and marketing program
Above average computer skills and knowledge of current data base programs and communication equipment
Ability to work nights and weekends

Additional Information: Familiarity with the mission of Habitat for Humanity, the local community and surrounding counties a plus.
A background check is required for employment

Doug Taylor Leading Habitat Rebuilding in Central Plateau Region of Haiti

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 02:17:49 +0000

Doug Taylor, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity for 25 years and its founding director, is taking an 18-month leave of absence with the local affiliate in order to take a position with Habitat for Humanity International leading the rebuilding efforts in the Central Plateau Region of Haiti. Doug and the local affiliate have had a long-standing relationship with Haiti, and Doug was there when the earthquake struck in January of 2009. Doug has had a burden for the needs of Haiti since working in Haiti after graduating from Purdue and taking a mission trip to the country where he experienced first-hand the needs and challenges of the people.

The interim leadership team will be co-led by T.J. Jenney, as Director of Development leading fund development, ministry relations, public relations, communications, donor stewardship, ReStore development, volunteer development, media relations, grants, finance & development committees; and Alan Welch, Director of Operations, leading construction, human resources, family services, IT, finance and mortgage services. T.J. Jenney has previously served as CEO of a Habitat affiliate in Connecticut and prior to that as Sr. Pastor/Director of Campus Ministry at University Church at Purdue. TJ Jenney, is completing a PhD in Educational Psychology and Higher Education Administration at Purdue, and has M.Div. and an S.T.M. from Yale University. Alan H. Welch has lived in the Lafayette area for the last 37 years, spending 34 years at Purdue as a student and academic advising administrator in the College of Science. For the last three years he has been directing the long-term recovery efforts for the 2008 and 2009 flooding in an eight-county area through Disaster Assistance for Northwest Indiana (DANI). His wife, Joyce, is a special educator with Greater Lafayette Area Special Services.