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TWO NSP HOMES DEDICATED ON CESTMORE RD. IN RUBIDOUX

JUNE 17, 2010
Habitat for Humanity Riverside welcomed the Green and Gonzalez/Johnson families into their new homes on Crestmore Rd. at a lively and emotional ceremony on June 17th, 2010. About 100 people gathered under the sunny skies in the driveway of the Green family home for the “full” program then walked a block to the Gonzalez/Johnson family home for a shorter ceremony as both houses were blessed by Pastor Elder Dewayne Butler from the Higher Ground Church of God in Christ, Rubidoux.
With the families occupying the first few rows, the crowd listened as several community and county leaders spoke about the positive impact on the neighborhood that this partnership between HFHR, Riverside County Economic Development, the Community Action Partnership and the Fair Housing Council would have both now and in the future.
Among the speakers were: Donna Johnson representing Supervisor John Tavalione’s office; Rose Mayes, Executive Director of the Fair Housing Council; Mervin Manalo from the Riverside County Economic Development Agency and Maria Juarez, Deputy Director for the Community Action Partnership.
The crowd was absolutely thrilled when Robert Brown, representing the numerous volunteers from Sam’s Clubs throughout the Inland Empire, came to the podium to announce that each family would receive a lifetime membership to Sam’s Club as well as a $750 gift card.
Through the Wal-Mart Foundation, Sam’s Club sponsored the addition of a 5th bedroom and 3rd bathroom for the Green’s home. The Green’s are a family of 11 so the 3rd bathroom was definitely not a luxury item! Sam’s Club volunteers completed much of the interior painting and decoration and Sam’s Club came through with complete furnishings for the house.
The emotional highlight of the day had to be Scott Andrews’s presentation of the keys to the two families. Scott could barely hold back the tears and his voice cracked with emotion as he talked about working side by side with these special families to rehabilitate these two houses into homes for two deserving families.
Most of the crowd took the opportunity to get the full tour of both homes, proudly led by family members.
These two homes were possible because of HFHR’s participation in the Neighborhood Stabilization Program which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The funding enabled HFHR to purchase nine bank-owned properties, rehabilitate them and sell them to qualified, very low income families with a zero interest 30 year loan.

Graham Street Breaks Ground

February 27, 2010

On Saturday, February 27th, 2010 Habitat for Humanity Riverside (HFHR) broke ground on two lots on Graham Street in Moreno Valley that will become new homes for our most recent Habitat families. Despite the torrential downpour that residents of Western Riverside County woke up to, the ceremony proceeded as planned, the initial invocation being given by Pastor Shane Freiburg from the Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Moreno Valley and the Presentation of Colors being performed by Girl Scout Troop #119. As a Christian faith-based organization the land was blessed by Pastor Bob Mink from Discovery Christian Church of Moreno Valley.

 

On hand were the Mayer Pro Tem of Moreno Valley Robin Hastings; City Councilman William H. Batey II ; and Dannette Cooper from Union Bank, who presented a $5,000 check to HFHR to the Graham Street Build. Calvary Presbyterian Church also generously donated $5,000, and Julie Reyes from Habitat International partner Waste Management spoke.

UC Riverside’s Campus Chapter braved the rain to help construct and tear down the tent.The rain stopped momentarilyand for just long enough to allow the two Habitat families, who will soon be neighbors on the Graham Street lots, to make the symbolic gesture of breaking the ground with their gilded shovels. The two homes will take less than six months to build, by which time each family will have donated 500 hours of sweat equity and enjoy the gratification of helping to build their own homes and helping with Habitat’s ongoing fundraising retail operation, the ReStore (http://riversiderestore.org)

.Habitat will bring to fruition the American dream of homeownership for the Gaston and Garcia families in a beautiful collaboration of the City of Moreno Valley, who donated the land; numerous volunteer groups who will help construct the homes from the community’s Churches and corporations; hardworking contractors who will work tirelessly and donate many materials in-kind; corporate and individual donors; and the many Riverside County residents who support our builds indirectly through purchases at the ReStore. To the entire community, Habitat for Humanity Riverside extends its most sincere thanks and invites you to help us welcome the two newest families to Moreno Valley.

For more pictures click here

Our Home transforms a neighborhood

We invite you to read this inspiring letter...

November 2, 2009

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to take a minute and share something with you that I had the privilege to see this past Saturday. Normally on the weekends I will not budge from my bed at an early hour, but my husband asked me to attend this event and I said I would go.

I would not normally share what I am about to share with you, I am turning over a new leaf in life. So here it is. Saturday, October 31, 2009, I attended a house dedication with Habitat for Humanity. I am about to show you the before pictures of this property. They are not pretty, so be prepared. This is no 3rd world nation, this is right here out in our own backyards in Riverside. So many people say they want to help, and here you can help your own community.

This was previously a drug house on 37th Street. It was a blight in the neighborhood. With this build, other neighbors are coming together and fixing up their homes. It look weeks to haul all the trash away.

This beautiful home will house a married couple and their 3 children under age 6. They were living in a one bedroom apartment.This home touts many “Green” features, from the roof to the yard. Looking at these pictures, it is hard to believe a beautiful home came from rubble.

There are Americans living like this. Some by choice, some because there is nowhere else to go. But the great things that make America the best country in the world, is human spirit and humanity. People came together, companies volunteered tools, material and most important their time. People volunteered their time, even if it was to photo document the build, or prepare lunches for all of the volunteers. It makes me proud I live here, and I will be joining the Habitat family because I believe in the cause. As with all things in this world, Habitat for Humanity cannot survive without donations. Donations do not have to be monetary. They can be your time or supplies. It could be helping make 100 sandwiches and drinks to feed the volunteers.

We are nearing the end of 2009, and there are still a few of you out there who want or need to give to a charity. I feel a charity that gives a family a home is one of the best ways to spend your money.

You can also help by shopping at Habitat Re-store.

The one in Riverside is located at

HFH Riverside
2121 Atlanta Ave. Suite B3
Riverside, CA 92507

The Re-Store carries tools, parts, and every Handyman's dreams at a lower cost than major stores. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. If you would like to make a donation by check, please mail to:

HFH Riverside
P.O. Box 2216
Riverside, CA 92516-2216

If you would like to make a donation by cash, PayPal or credit card, or set up a monthly stipend please go to the HFH web site and they can assist you.

http://www.habitatriverside.org/

Your gifts are tax deductible if you itemize on your tax return. Even if you can't deduct your donation, know that you have helped put one more family closer to having a home.

The families are not just given these home. They put in sweat equity, they volunteer at the Re-Store, and they help other families on their builds. There are families that without Habitat would most likely never have a place of their own to call home. They also pay a mortgage, so you are not paying a hand out, you are giving a hand up.

For those of you outside the Riverside area, please check the website for you nearest location. I hope all of you will consider this a worthy charity, because the smiles I saw on the family members Saturday were brighter than any Broadway show lights I've ever seen

Thank you for your time, and here's to better living and loving in 2010!!

Sincerely yours.

Wendy M.