Building Homes...Building Hope!

2012-02-03T14:26:00.004-06:00

Thank you to all our guests that attended the 6th annual Building the Future with Habitat Winter Dinner and Silent Auction. This year we celebrate 50 Habitat homes in North St. Louis County and we owe it all to your continued support.

We hope you enjoyed the Caribbean style meal prepared by chefs Dennis Purkat and Keith Haasl along with the music, fellowship, silent auction, and our guest speaker, Habitat homeowner Jennifer Baker.

We would also like to thank all the individuals and businesses that donated items for the silent auction and raffles. With their contributions, we are in our sixth successful year of this event and will be able to continue our mission of building homes, communities and hope in North St. Louis County.

We look forward to building another 50 homes with you in the future.

Chinn home dedication!

2012-01-09T09:38:00.002-06:00

Many Hands Build a Home!

On Sunday, October 30th, volunteers, and representatives from Habitat for Humanity, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Wells Fargo Foundation and, of course, the excited partner family gathered at 1208 1st Street West in West Eveleth to honor the hard work, the generous financial backing and the community support that made this home possible. The homebuyer—Jennifer Chinn and her four daughters—are more than a little eager to move into their new home in early November! They have completed over 300 hours of “sweat equity” helping to build the home, a basic tenet of Habitat for Humanity. They will repay the 0% mortgage over a period of thirty years, illustrating Habitat for Humanity’s objective to give families a “hand up” into affordable housing.

“We appreciate having this opportunity to work with so many wonderful people,” said Jennifer Chinn, Habitat partner family, “It has been so unbelievable to me how so many people from the community came together to help us make our dream a reality. On behalf of myself and my children, we would like to express our gratitude for all the help received during the construction of our house.”

“This is truly a home built by the community to address the issue of simple, decent and affordable housing in Eveleth,” said Nathan Thompson, North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity’s Executive Director. “Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, the Wells Fargo Foundation and the City of Eveleth joined hands with 175 volunteers to work over 2000 hours in building this home with the Chinn Family.”

The new home, located at 1208 1st Street West in West Eveleth, is a result of several partners coming together. The Wells Fargo Foundation contributed $15,000 and volunteers towards the project. Members of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas raised an additional $10,000 for the project through their annual Gumi Bear sale. Local Catholic Daughters members worked on the home and provided many meals for volunteers. The City of Eveleth supported the project by donating the land on which the affordable home was built.

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsored the home through its program called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity; this partnership has resulted in more than 2,500 decent, affordable homes across the country and around the world since 2005. The total six-year commitment from Thrivent Financial now surpasses $150 million. Thanks to its 2.6 million members who own financial products with the organization, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is able to contribute to the improvement of communities like Eveleth. Thrivent Financial contributed 55 percent of the house costs—a total of $55,000—and also engaged local members of Thrivent Financial, members of area Lutheran churches and members of the community at large, to donate additional funds and volunteer their time to work alongside the Chinn family to build the home.

“Thrivent Financial members have worked right beside the Chinn family to make this home a reality,” states Greg Krog, Thrivent Financial representative. “Volunteering is just one of the ways they help make our community a better place to live and grow.”To learn more, visit http://www.thriventbuilds.com/

2011-12-29T09:37:00.006-06:00

All December long in a countdown to Christmas, we gave you all 25 Reasons to Give to Habitat this Holiday Season on Facebook and Twitter. Here is a recap:

25.You can give to Habitat in more ways that one. Volunteering your time or providing a meal are great ways to be involved with Habitat.
24. You can make space in your garage and donate those tools you know you’ll never use again.
23. Donations are tax deductable.
22. We build local. Since 1995 a total of 46 Habitat homes have been built in North St. Louis County in Aurora, Babbitt, Biwabik, Buhl, Chisholm, Cook, Embarrass, Ely, Eveleth, Hibbing, Mt. Iron, Soudan, Tower and Virginia.
21. You can save yourself a stamp and donate online today.
20. Volunteer and you can get a really cool T-Shirt.
19. Studies show that giving can make you feel good about yourself. And who doesn’t want that?
18. It was found that 84 % of partner families felt safer at their new Habitat home in a recent pilot study Habitat Minnesota conducted.
17. You can be a part of a worldwide mission. Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.
16. Each partner family invests over 300 hours of “sweat equity” in building their home.
15. North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity is in the top 25 tithers for medium sized affiliates in the US.
14. You’ll be giving a HAND UP not a hand out to families looking to own their own home.
13. 69% of homeowners said they spend more time with their family in the pilot study from Habitat Minnesota.
12. You can help support sustainable green building. All NSLCHFH homes in 2011 were built according to Minnesota Green Communities Guidelines.
11. You can make a donation in memory or in honor of a loved one.
10. 93 cents of every dollar raised goes towards building homes.
9. 73% of homeowners said they feel more connected to their community (from the Habitat Minnesota pilot study).
8. It is a simple act that shows your love for your community
7. 88% of respondents from the Habitat Minnesota study said they felt better about their children’s future since getting a Habitat home.
6. 75% of respondents from the study have said that someone in the family has started, completed or plans to attend higher education.
5. You can meet a lot of nice people on a build site.
4. Christmas time is about giving. Take a minute and give the Gift of Shelter.
3. Habitat moves families out of substandard housing into simple, decent, affordable homes making home ownership a reality that would otherwise be unattainable.
2. 93 children in North St. Louis County are in safe and affordable homes this Christmas thanks to donor and volunteer support.
1. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity selected as HUD grant recipient

2011-12-05T12:38:00.003-06:00

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity has been selected by Habitat for Humanity International to receive a portion of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Habitat for Humanity International is distributing the grant nationwide to 30 affiliates to support affordable housing and community development. The funding will be awarded under HUD’s Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing Program.“It is a great privilege to be one of the 30 recipients of this nationwide capacity building effort,” said Nathan Thompson, North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “We will be strengthening our infrastructure to better serve families in need of affordable homes at our current rate of five homes per year over the next two years before growing to serve six families by 2013.”Habitat affiliates selected to receive a portion of the grant will help rebuild and revitalize neighborhoods and improve the lives of residents by creating affordable housing opportunities through community development. Each affiliate is expected to increase their house production by at least 15 percent over three years and to match their grant funds by a ratio of 4:1. The selected affiliates will also have access to continuing education to enhance their technical and administrative capabilities.“We are grateful to HUD for supporting our efforts in local communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. “Funding from this grant will leverage private funds to help Habitat affiliates revitalize communities and provide opportunities for families to live in healthy, safe and affordable homes.”Habitat for Humanity International began receiving HUD grants in 1998. Habitat affiliates have received $58 million in Section 4 HUD funding since 2003. Nearly 380 affiliates nationwide have benefited from the grants.The grant provides funding for North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity to hire a high impact staff person to increase its capacity over the next three years. Tom Long joined the local Habitat staff as the organization’s first Resource Development Manager on October 10th. Tom has a broad background in administration of non-for-Profit and for-profit organizations; he has a B.S. in Christian Ministries Administration from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN and a Business Administration degree from Walsh University in N. Canton, Ohio. Tom’s responsibilities will include community relations, developing partnerships with area businesses, churches and non-profit organizations as well as volunteer recruitment and coordination. Tom and his wife Lois (Tamminen) enjoy their lake home on Long Lake just south of Eveleth. Photo: Tom Long (left) Nathan Thompson (right)

Our Habitat Story

2011-11-01T16:06:00.005-05:00

When I was filling out the application for the Habitat house, I never imagined it would become a reality. I received the first phone call to set up an interview at our apartment with my children; I couldn’t believe we were being considered for a house and I was afraid to say anything to anyone for fear of jinxing it. It seemed like forever until I heard back, but I got the call saying we were going to be a partner family! I couldn’t believe it, we were all so excited.

The building process was confusion to all the girls…not really understanding what was really happening.

Morgan was old enough to understand, [and] was all about wanting to help. She loved when [our] family brought food to the volunteers because she got to peek at the work in progress. As the rooms became more finished, she started picturing where things would go. She brought me to her room and told me where everything would go.

Makayla loves to show people where her bunk bed is going and that she gets the top bunk. While we were packing things at our apartment, she kept asking if she could take different things to the new house. After a while I realized she thought we weren’t taking anything from the apartment. She know understands and it happy to hear we are talking all of our things to the new house.

Mariska hasn’t said much, she likes to walk around [the house] and giggle. She is so excited that her eyes light up every time we walk through the door. When we are checking out at the grocery store, she talks to everyone telling them we are getting a new house soon.

Meredith loves to run up and down the hallway laughing and always end up in the bathroom wanting to get into the tub.

The home building process has been an emotional rollercoaster…We appreciate having this opportunity, working with so many wonderful people. It has been so unbelievable to me how so many people from the community came together to help us make our dream a reality.

~Jenny Chinn

Jennifer Chinn and her family dedicated their 3 bedroom home in West Eveleth on October 30th, 2011 and will move in early November. Their home was completed in partnership with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Wells Fargo Foundation and Catholic Daughters of America.

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity selected as HUD grant recipient

2011-10-17T10:01:00.006-05:00

“It is a great privilege to be one of the 30 recipients of this nationwide capacity building effort,” said Nathan Thompson, North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “We will be strengthening our infrastructure to better serve families in need of affordable homes at our current rate of five homes per year over the next two years before growing to serve six families by 2013.”
Habitat affiliates selected to receive a portion of the grant will help rebuild and revitalize neighborhoods and improve the lives of residents by creating affordable housing opportunities through community development. Each affiliate is expected to increase their house production by at least 15 percent over three years and to match their grant funds by a ratio of 4:1. The selected affiliates will also have access to continuing education to enhance their technical and administrative capabilities.

“We are grateful to HUD for supporting our efforts in local communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International. “Funding from this grant will leverage private funds to help Habitat affiliates revitalize communities and provide opportunities for families to live in healthy, safe and affordable homes.”

Habitat for Humanity International began receiving HUD grants in 1998. Habitat affiliates have received $58 million in Section 4 HUD funding since 2003. Nearly 380 affiliates nationwide have benefited from the grants.

The grant provides funding for North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity to hire a high impact staff person to increase its capacity over the next three years. Tom Long joined the local Habitat staff as the organization’s first Resource Development Manager on October 10th. Tom has a broad background in administration of non-for-Profit and for-profit organizations; he has a B.S. in Christian Ministries Administration from Crown College in St. Bonifacius, MN and a Business Administration degree from Walsh University in N. Canton, Ohio. Tom’s responsibilities will include community relations, developing partnerships with area businesses, churches and non-profit organizations as well as volunteer recruitment and coordination. Tom and his wife Lois (Tamminen) enjoy their lake home on Long Lake just south of Eveleth.

Photo: Tom Long (left) Nathan Thompson (right)

Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide celebrates 500,000th/500,001st milestone houses as part of World Habitat Day events on Oct. 3

2011-09-30T10:29:00.013-05:00

Habitat for Humanity will mark a major milestone Oct. 3 when it dedicates its 500,000th house in Maai Mahiu, Kenya, and begins construction on its 500,001st house in Paterson, N.J.

North St. Loius County Habitat for Humanity is among the more than 2,300 Habitat affiliates worldwide that have made this milestone possible, having built 41 houses since its founding in 1995.

The milestone houses represent the steady increase in Habitat for Humanity’s scale and scope to help more families in need of decent, affordable housing. In 2005, Habitat celebrated its 200,000th house. Six years later, Habitat for Humanity has more than doubled that number through new, rehabilitated, repaired and improved homes.

“It is a testament to the power of what God can do when people come together to build homes, communities and hope,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “I am so grateful to all of the volunteers, donors and advocates who share our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

In Kenya, Habitat for Humanity will complete the 500,000th house on Oct. 3 in partnership with families who were displaced after post-election violence erupted in the country in late 2007. That same day, volunteers will raise the walls on Habitat’s 500,001st house in Paterson, N.J. The house will be built in one of the inner-city neighborhoods where Paterson Habitat for Humanity has been continuously building since 1984.

Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide organization that operates in nearly 80 countries, including all 50 states in the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity’s help, a family somewhere in the world improves its housing situation every 7 minutes of every hour of every day of the year. In 2010, Habitat for Humanity served a record 74,960 families in need.

What Can Kids Do?

2011-08-05T11:01:00.001-05:00

At Habitat we like to include everyone in the process of building a home with a partner family but unfortunately there are some thing that kids can't participate in due to safety laws. So I decided to post some ideas for kids to participate in the building process while following our safety guidlines. So get out your tools and roll up your sleeves kids and make sure mom or dad is there to help!

1. Make a bird house or bird feeder!

Homeowners love to see birds in their yards. A bird house or a bird feeder is a great way to attract birds. You can make a simple bird house or feeder using some simple tools and a minimal amount of materials. There may even be some scrap wood on site to use. Just make sure to get permission from the building supervisor before you take it for your project.

Here's a simple plan that you can follow from aokorral.com for making a bird house-and-feeder-in-one :

Materials Needed:

Wood Pieces: (Beginning with a board measuring, 5 1/2" wide, 3/4" thick, and at least 4 1/2' long)

One 9" piece
One 6 1/2" piece
Two 8" pieces
Two 10" pieces

1/4" Doweling

One 7" piece

Tools

Drill (1/4" bit)
Hammer
Saw
Ruler
Protractor

Small, 1 1/2" long, galvanized nails
Screw in hanging hook
Paint
Small and Large Paint Brushes
Outdoor Varnish
Design supplies (optional)

Carbon Paper
Pencil
Seed Packet Design Pattern

Cut the wood pieces:

Have the wood cut into pieces at the hardware store where you purchase it or cut it yourself into the measurements given above.
Next, cut 3/4" off the long side of one of the 10" pieces.
Also, to form the top of the birdhouse, find the top and center of each of the 8" pieces. (The top and center would be the center of the 5 1/2" side)
For each 8" piece, using the protractor, lightly draw two 45 degree angles, starting from the top and center point.
Cut along the angle lines. These are now the front and back of the birdfeeder.
Take the front piece and make a small mark on the lower right corner, 1" from the bottom and 1" from the side.
Take the back piece and make a small mark on the lower left corner, 1" from the bottom and 1" from the side.
Using the 1/4" drill bit, drill a hole about 1/2" deep into the wood at each of the marks.

Paint or Stain the Wood:

Paint all the wood. (10" pieces are for the roof. Our birdhouse was done in Satin Creme with a Navy roof.)

Assemble the Bird Feeder:

Nail the front piece to the side (6 1/2" piece) as shown in Step #1. (the side wall goes inside the front)
Place the 7" dowel into the hole.

As you align the back piece to the side, carefully slip the other end of the dowel into the hole.
Nail the back piece to the side piece as shown in Step#2.
Arrange the wall assembly onto the bottom (9") so that the back is even with the bottom edge and there is an extra 1" in the front. Step #3.
Nail in place.

Nail the small roof piece onto the backside of the birdfeeder. Step #4 (Make sure that the edge at the top is flush with the angle for the front side.)
Nail the large roof piece onto the front side of the birdfeeder. Step #5 (There should be a point formed at the top of the birdhouse as shown.)
Paint over the nails.

Paint on a design. (optional):

To use our design, click on the link in the materials list above.
Using carbon paper and a pencil, transfer the design onto the front, side, and back of the bird feeder.
Colors used are as follows:

Sunflower Seed Packet

Packet - Hunter Green
Flower Center - Brown
Flower Petals - Yellow/Satin Creme
Name - Satin Creme

Forget-Me-Not Seed Packet

Packet - Light Beige
Leaves & Stems - Medium Green w/Dark Green Lines
Flower Petals - Baltic Blue
Flower Centers - Satin Creme
Name - Satin Creme

Pumpkin Seed Packet

Packet - Brandy Wine
Pumpkin - Georgia Clay/Satin Creme (Ribs Highlighted with a lighter mixture)
Stem - Brown
Vine - Medium Green
Name - Satin Creme

Bumble Bee

Black
Yellow
Wings - White

Screw a hanging hook into the top, hang the birdfeeder outside, place a birdseed block in it, and enjoy!

2. Plant Some Flowers!

Everyone loves to see and smell beautiful flowers and some flowers in a pretty pot or a small garden bed is a nice gift for a new home owner. All you need is some flower seeds or seedlings, some potting soil, Miracle Grow or another plant fertilizer, water and some trowels for digging in the dirt.

Look for a seed packet of wildflowers or a variety pack if you can't decide or try these varieties below. They are safe for children and grow very easily. (Provided by mainstreetmom.com)

Nasturtium:These are fun to grow from seed for children! You can plant the large seeds outside as soon as the heavy frosts are past. If you plant them in the ground leave 12 inches of space between each seed. Plant the seed in a small hole about 1 inch deep, and cover it with soil. Plant a row as long or short as you have room for. If you want to, you may also plant them in a container, but put them closer together. One package usually has about 20 or 25 seeds. They will pop out of the ground in about a week. They are slow to start but will fill out and grow quickly once they get started. Keep the Nasturtiums well watered at all times; especially if you are not getting a lot of rain. The blooms have a peppery taste and can be used in salads.

Calendula: This flower is also known as a Pot Marigold. They are pretty yellow-orange, daisy like flowers, and are VERY easy to grow. You can plant them as soon as you can work the soil; even if it is still cold! Space the seeds about 8 inches apart, and plant one inch deep. They will take about 10 days to start growing. Calendulas will keep blooming all summer long if you keep cutting off the old ones. In the early fall you can stop cutting them and they will form seeds that you can put away in envelopes for next year! They are also known as a self seeder, which means if you leave some of the seeds on the plant they will fall to the ground and pop up next year. You simply thin the ones you don't want and leave the rest to grow. Once you grow these, you won't have to buy seeds again, and you will also have plenty to give away to friends.

Thumbelina Zinnia: Zinnias come in all sizes and colors, and they are all planted the same way. We like the Thumbelinas because they are a shorter and smaller variety. You must wait until it is warm outside before you plant the Zinnia seeds. They do not tolerate even a light frost. Plant the seeds 8 to 10 inches apart. You may have to thin the seedlings later if they are too close. Zinnia's like to have space so the air can flow around their leaves. They need lots of sun too, so plant in an area with full sun. If you give them what they need they will grow and bloom until the first frost in the fall. Be sure to cut them for small bouquets as they bloom, and this will help the plant to continue blooming.

Other Easy Flowers
Bachelor's Button: This is also known as a Cornflower. They are easy to grow, but also need lots of sun. Plant them about 6 to 8 inches apart, and one inch deep. When they start blooming make sure you pick off the dead ones so they will bloom until fall. They can be cut and hung to dry to be used in dried flower arrangements.

Borage: This is really an herb, and it needs lots of room, but I wanted to list it in case you had a big pot or a larger sunny spot. One plant needs about 12 inches all the way around. It's leaves are large and it has dainty blue flowers which come up from the center of the leaves. It is edible too! The young leaves can be used in salads and herbal recipes. The flowers can be used as cake decorations.

Moss Roses: These are known as Portulacas. The colors are brilliant, and the plant sets on the ground with the flowers trailing. They do not need care once started; just occasional watering. They work well for containers or window boxes too. After your last frost, prepare your soil by working it so it is loose and sprinkle the seeds on the area you want them to grow. Lightly cover with some extra soil, and water well, but gently. Be sure to mark the area, so you will remember they are planted. They are slow to start, but really take off later! These are great for areas that are rather dry.

All of these varieties are simple to plant and grow, plus they are safe for children. Whether you use pots, window boxes, or small plots of soil, your children will love being involved in the gardening process. The younger you start teaching your children to appreciate the simple beauty of flowers, the more they will learn to care and nurture the earth around them.
For more kid's gardening and activities visit Brenda at The Treehouse.
http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/treehouse.htm where she helps families preserve and create traditions and memories through features, crafts, recipes and projects.

3. Make a welcome sign for the partner family!

(from gardenguides.com, written by Margaret Telsch-Williams- a freelance, fiction, and poetry writer from the Blue Ridge mountains. When not writing articles for Demand Studios, she works for WidescreenWarrior.com as a contributor and podcast co-host.)

Overview

A handmade sign can welcome visitors to your garden with quaint lettering and chic designs of flowers, birds or butterflies. To make a wooden welcome sign you only need a few tools and a plan in mind for how you want your sign to look. Once your sign is complete you can mount it to a garden fence, attach it to its own post or hang it from a tree branch or shepherd’s hook.

Step 1

Sketch out a few design ideas on a sheet of paper for how you want your welcome sign to look. You can use all capitals for your lettering or just have a more exaggerated “W” for the beginning of the word “welcome.” Also plan if you want to include whimsical designs around the word “welcome” on your sign.

Step 2

Sand over the entire surface of your board to remove rough surfaces and round the edges of the wood. Dust the sanded board with a clean wide paintbrush or cloth to remove any stray sanding dust.

Step 3

Apply a coat of primer to the entire board to prepare it for painting. Allow the primer to dry for up to an hour until it no longer feels tacky.

Step 4

Lightly draw the outline of your “welcome” letters as well as any other design items you have planned. Paint your sign along your drawn lines starting with the word “welcome” and add in other items in the colors you prefer. Allow all of the paint to dry for two hours.

Step 5

Spray your sign with clear coat sealant in a well ventilated area or outdoors. Use long, sweeping motions to get a consistent coating over the paint. Let the sealant dry overnight before mounting or hanging your sign.

So now you can pick a project and get started! Make sure you call our office first, 218.749.8910, to ask about a family to make the project for. We would be happy to suggest a family for you. This is also a great way to get to know some of wonderful partner families!

Enjoy!

Parents: All of these projects should be done under constant supervision of a responsible adult.

Habitat for Humanity ranks No. 6 among largest homebuilders in the U.S.

2011-05-11T08:37:00.002-05:00

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity has partnered with 41 families to build as many homes in 13 communities across North St. Louis County. Add this performance to the nearly 1500 other Habitat affiliates across the country and it is no wonder that Habitat for Humanity International is ranked as the sixth largest homebuilder in the United States with 6,032 closings in 2010, according to Builder magazine’s annual survey. This is the second consecutive year Habitat has ranked in the top 10 on the list.
“Our placement on the Builder 100 list is a testament to what can be accomplished when people work together,” said Larry Gluth, senior vice president of U.S. and Canada for Habitat for Humanity International. “So many families in the United States and around the world face an incredible need for affordable housing, and this need only increases during challenging economic times. Habitat works every day to help these families, and we are grateful for the generosity of our donors, volunteers and advocates who have joined our efforts to help families obtain safe, decent and affordable homes and to strengthen communities.”
The Builder 100 list is an annual compilation of the largest homebuilders in the country. In 2009, Habitat ranked No. 8 on the list with 5,294 closings, which marked the first time the organization made it into the top 10.
Habitat’s 2010 increased number of home closings was due in part to the organization’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). Through NRI, Habitat affiliates seek to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties to turn them into affordable housing in partnership with low-income families and to strengthen neighborhoods affected by the current housing market. Habitat helped an additional 2,327 families with repairs to their homes in the United States.

Countdown to Summer. April. May. June...

2011-04-18T16:24:00.000-05:00

It's now April in Northern Minnesota and, of course, that means we just had a fresh blanket of snow fall over the weekend. Yes, that's spring here in the frozen north. I woke up on Saturday to find six inches of snow on the ground and my car. It worried me as I had a Women Build workday scheduled for that day. Would anyone show up? Would I even be able to show up?! Well, thank goodness for my Dad's four wheel drive Jeep! I got there with almost no problem and so did everyone else!

Sarah Hopkins is ready to get workin'!
Women Build Day in Aurora
Saturday, April 19, 2011

What a day! It was more of a success than I could have dreamed up myself. We painted like madwomen! And the potluck lunch was divine! Thank you to everyone who made it a success! Habitat for Humanity is volunteers and Saturday would have been a flop without you all.

Which brings me to this Summer. New projects are coming up! Projects that need people! Summer builds are always lots of fun and the momentum is great, especially at the beginning. So be thinking about the whole summer. How might you be involved? With your Church or a group from work? You and a close group of pals? Or show up when you can to give a hand? Do you want to work on site or perhaps prepare a lunch for the construction volunteers instead? Maybe you want to help in the office with newsletter or ride in the Habitat 500 in July. Or maybe you want to do it all! However you want to help, we'll be here, ready to plug you in and get you started.

On June 11th we begin framing in West Eveleth and on July 18th we start framing in Hibbing. Both of these builds will need a steady stream of volunteers all summer. Consider joining us for a day or 10 or 20! There will be plenty of activity all summer long. Keep your eye open for Women Build as well-June 15th and 16th in West Eveleth and July 20th and 23rd in Hibbing. Call the office, 218-749-8910, or send me an email, vista@nslchfh.org for more information on this summer's events and projects. There's a place for everyone at Habitat, no matter your age or skill level! So come on over to our house! Habitat always has room in it's family for one more!

Keep up the good work! We'll see you on the build site!

~Katie, Volunteer Coordinator

Beyond Power and Wealth

2011-03-15T10:09:00.001-05:00

Submitted to energizeinc.org by Rob Jackson, Officer (Regional Fundraising) Royal National Institute for the Blind, England

I recently came across this from a speech given by Dr. Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the UK, and I thought others might find it interesting and inspiring.

“Imagine that you have total power, and you decide to share it with nine other people. How much do you have left? One tenth of what you began with.”

“Imagine you have a sum of money, and you decide to share it with nine other people. How much do you have left? One tenth of what you began with.”

“Now suppose you have a certain amount of love or friendship or influence or ideals and you decide to share those with nine other people, and you do share them, do you have more or less than you began with? You probably have ten times as much.”

Jennifer Baker and her children pass the hammer

“It follows immediately from this little exercise in arithmetic that power and wealth will always generate conflict. The more of them I have, the less of them you have, and the more I give you, the less I have. Therefore governments and markets are mediated arenas of conflict: the one mediated by democratic elections, the other mediated by market and exchange. But those other covenantal areas of love, friendship, trust, marriage, loyalty, faithfulness, they are not arenas of conflict. And now we can say what is created and distributed in our houses of worship, and in communities, neighbourhoods, voluntary organisations, above all in the family: namely, spiritual goods.”

“And now we can also say precisely what has gone wrong in our social ecology in the past 50 years. We made a simple, well-intentioned assumption. But a wrong one. Namely, that there are only two institutions that can deal with social problems, either the state or the market. Some on the left prefer the state, some on the
right prefer the market, but on the most fundamental point they both agree, and they are both wrong, namely that the state and market are all there is.”

“So what else is there? To which the answer is, there are families, congregations, faith communities, fellowships, neighbourhoods, voluntary organisations - all of which are bigger than the individual, but smaller than the state. They operate on a different logic.”

“Families and communities are held together not by the coercive use of power, not by the contractual mechanisms of exchange, but by love, loyalty, faithfulness and mutuality: being there for one another when we need one another. I call them "third-sector" institutions. And without that third sector, there will be problems that neither
governments nor markets can solve.”

New Year, New Beginnings!

2011-01-06T10:15:00.001-06:00

As I'm sitting here writing this blog entry, snow is falling lightly and blanketing the two feet of white stuff that's already accumulated. It's as if the whole world is hibernating, peaceful and dormant, just waiting for leaves and rain and blossoms to arrive. So I can't help thinking of all that awaits us at Habitat in the coming weeks and months and all that has already been accomplished this past year.
In 2010, North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity partnered with and helped three families move into newly built and newly rehabbed homes. These families spent their first Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's in a home that they own. What an amazing story to be a part of! Each of these families has a brighter future ahead of them!
Other significant events took place in 2010. In July our affilate participated in the Habitat 500 bike ride. The Montgomery home in Hibbing was named by Habitat MN to be the 1,800th home to be built by Habitat in MN and so became the home that was framed by bike riding volunteers during the halfway point of the ride.
We had other successful events in 2010 such as the Women Build which had an extra day added because of it's success in previous years as well as the build with the Bishop day which brought volunteers from all over our area and beyond. Some smaller events included newsletter folding and direct mailing days along with general outpouring of generosity by our volunteers to work on the homes day after day and provide meals for the hungry workers. 2010 was a truely blessed year for Habitat and it's partner families. Without our volunteers, none of this would have been accomplished.
Now that 2011 is here we have inumerable opportunities to make a difference in our community. Our partner families for this year have been selected and some have already begun building. Even though there is still snow on the ground and in the sky, we're already gearing up for what this spring and summer has in store for us at Habitat.
So as you are dreaming of warmer days to come, why not add a few more dreams to the list? Picture the Iron Range as a community where more people have the opportunity to own their home, where children have a safe, warm and inviting place to live and grow, where neighbors care about neighbors and actually do something about it. Every new year brings a fresh perspective. Start seeing the world around you as it should be and then work to make it so.

~Katie, Volunteer Coordinator

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ~Margaret Meade

Top Ten Christmas Record Breakers

2010-12-22T08:43:00.000-06:00

Christmas is loved by millions of people all over the world. Why not try to break a record while you are baking Christmas cookies or folding paper angels? Here is a list of some amazing Christmas records.

1. Biggest selling christmas song is Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" The song was written by Sir Bob Geldof, and sold fifty million copies and continues to be a holiday favorite today!

2. The world's largest gift was the Statue of Liberty. The people of France gave it to the US in 1886. It's 151 feet, 1 inch high and weighs 225 tonnes.

3. The most valuable Christmas card was sold at an auction in Devizes, Wiltshire, UK in 2001 for £20,000 (approx. $40.000). The card was originally sent by Sir Henry Cole of Bath to his grandmother in 1843!

4. The largest Christmas angel ornament is over 18 feet (5.57 meters) high and over 8 feet wide at the bottom. It's made out of 2946 beer bottles. The angel was displayed on Alfonso Reyes Avenue, Nuevo Leon, Mexico in January 2000.

5. World's largest working Christmas cracker is 181 foot, 11 inch long and 11 foot, 9 inch high. It was made in Australia. It was pulled at a shopping center in Sydney, Australia on December 16, 1998.

6. With 3,000 Christmas lights, a towering Eucalyptus regnans, 80 meters (262 ft) tall, became the tallest-ever Christmas tree in the world. This record was set in Tasmania in 1999. Later The Guinness Book of Records has rejected The Wilderness Society's claim for the world's tallest Christmas Tree on the grounds that the tree was a eucalypt and not a spruce. "This is a mean-spirited, pedantic snub," said the Wilderness Society's Tasmanian Campaign Coordinator, Geoff Law.

7. Every year, the citizens of Gävle Sweden build the world's largest christmas goat out of straw. This is their Christmas tradition. Unfortunatley for them, almost every year the poor goat gets burned down. Its an 13-metre tall, 7-metre long, 3 tonne goat.

World's biggest Christmas Goat from Sweden.

8. Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is a retail store in Frankenmuth, Michigan that bills itself as the "World's Largest Christmas Store". The store has grown to the size of five-and-a-half football fields and is home to over 50000 gifts.

9. Five-hundred-and-nineteen Christmas carollers have braved the New York cold to sing themselves into the Guinness World Records Book. The group has become the largest carol service, breaking the previous record of 517. The singers gathered on the steps of Manhattan's General Post Office across the street from Madison Square Garden.

10.Forget modern novelists and TV tie-ins, the Bible is the best-selling book every year. The Bible was the first book and is the all-time best selling book with 1 billion copies having been sold.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*We will be starting up work days again after the new Year. Check our Website for more details or send us an email at vista@nslchfh.org with the email update in the subject line to sign up for our weekly email updates on volunteer opportunities.*

SEE YOU AT THE BUILD SITE!

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity celebrates continued support for affordable housing efforts in 2011 with $10.4 million in funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

2010-12-06T15:53:00.003-06:00

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity celebrates continued support for affordable housing efforts in 2011 with $10.4 million in funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans announces $10.4 commitment to build Habitat for Humanity homes in 33 states across the country

Virginia, Minn. (Dec. 6, 2010) – North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity received $55,000 in funding to help build 1 house in Virginia as part of Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity in 2011.

Nationally, Thrivent Financial announced a commitment of $10.4 million to Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity and its homebuilding program, continuing its support of Habitat’s mission for a sixth year. This funding will make the construction of 164 additional homes in 33 states possible.

In 2011, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, through its unique partnership with Habitat for Humanity International called Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity, will surpass more than $150 million in its total commitment over six years to create affordable housing. North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity built 4 homes homes as part of that effort.

“The Thrivent Builds partnership has helped North St. Louis County Habitat increase the number of families served in our community,” said Nathan Thompson, Executive Director. “We are so grateful for Thrivent Financial’s support of our efforts to provide decent, affordable homes in partnership with families in need.”

While Thrivent Financial provides at least 55 percent of the funding for each Thrivent Builds home, local volunteers—many of them Thrivent Financial members and members of area Lutheran congregations—assist with construction and help raise additional funds.
Since its inception in 2005, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity has helped more than 2,500 families in the U.S. and around the world achieve the dream of homeownership. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to be one of the largest non-government supporters of Habitat for Humanity International.
About North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity
Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. Thrivent Builds is designed to involve Thrivent members and Lutherans in helping provide a “hand up” to people who lack decent shelter, offering them a path to greater economic independence. Excluding government funding, Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity is Habitat's largest single source of funding, constructing nearly 2,500 homes in the U.S. and around the world since 2005. For more information, visit ThriventBuilds.com.

About Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a not-for-profit, Fortune 500 financial services membership organization helping approximately 2.6 million members achieve financial security and give back to their communities. Thrivent Financial and its affiliates offer a broad range of financial products and services including life insurance, annuities, mutual funds, disability income insurance, bank products and more. As a not-for-profit organization, Thrivent Financial creates and supports national outreach programs and activities that help congregations, schools, charitable organizations and individuals in need. For more information, visit Thrivent.com. Also, you can find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Insurance products issued or offered by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. Not all products are available in all states. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through Thrivent Investment Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415, 800-847-4836, a FINRA and SIPC member and a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thrivent Financial representatives are registered representatives of Thrivent Investment Management Inc. They are also licensed insurance agents of Thrivent Financial.

Bank products and trust services are offered through Thrivent Financial Bank, (Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender), a wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Insurance, securities, investment advisory services, and trust and investment management accounts are not deposits, are not guaranteed by Thrivent Financial Bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, and may go down in value.
For additional important disclosure information, please visit Thrivent.com/disclosures.

Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit Habitat.org.

*Check out the Thrivent Builds 2011 You Tube Video

Hospitality in Abundance

2010-11-12T15:31:00.000-06:00

Over the summer and through this fall construction volunteers at the work site for Shannon Hendricks’ home have been blessed with lunches served by the ladies of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. They provide meals three and sometimes four times a week for our hungry volunteers! The ladies at St Paul’s ask for nothing in return except for the joy of serving. In fact, they probably wouldn’t want me writing this article but we all feel they deserve recognition.

The story begins a few years ago when a neighboring parishioner of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wanted to donate her house to the church. Through a series of events the house along with another house next to it were donated to the City of Virginia with the understanding that the homes, which were in severe disrepair, would be demolished and then the land given to Habitat for Humanity.

Meanwhile, during a newsletter folding event, Joie Swenson, a St Paul’s Episcopal congregation member, began chatting with a prospective homeowner, Shannon Hendricks. Shannon began telling Joie where her house was going to be built, right next to the Episcopal Church. This got Joie thinking about how the church could help the Hendricks family. She decided to talk to her friends at church about providing meals for the workers during the building process. Little did she know how much of an impact and a blessing she and her friends at the church would be to Shannon and the Habitat volunteers.

To date, the ladies of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church have served almost 800 meals to hungry volunteers working on Shannon Hendricks home. They are a quiet and humble army, serving up not only a hot lunch but cheerful smiles and energy to keep the workers going through the day. We are all truly blessed to have been served so faithfully by these ladies. Please thank them next time you see them.

It is always a blessing to feed hungry volunteers. Something about giving new energy to hard working hands and feet seems to warm the giver as much as those receiving. A lunch for a Habitat volunteer group can be as simple as ham sandwiches, sloppy Joes, or some hot dogs and chips. When prepared with love and care just about any lunch will keep volunteers on the build site and energized to go on! Please call us at the Habitat office if you would like to join in this hospitality ministry, 218.749.8910 or toll free, 866.749.8910.

GETTING ENERGY READY FOR WINTER

2010-10-20T16:01:00.041-05:00

Energy prices are on the rise across the nation. As a result, heating costs will consume an increasingly larger portion of a household's energy budget. That's why it's important to check your home to insure that your heating dollars aren't being wasted.

When cold weather approaches, use this checklist of simple ways to make your home more comfortable and keep those escalating energy bills at bay.

Check for Leaks
Weatherstripping and caulking is probably the least expensive, simplest, most effective way to cut down on energy waste in the winter. Improperly sealed homes can waste 10 to 15 percent of the homeowner's heating dollars. Take these steps:

Check around doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Add weather-stripping and caulk any holes you see that allow heat to escape. Make sure doors seal properly.

If your windows leak really badly, consider replacing them with newer, more efficient ones. Keep in mind, however, that replacing windows can be expensive - it could take you quite awhile to recover your costs from the energy savings alone. But new windows also provide other benefits, such as improved appearance and comfort.

Every duct, wire or pipe that penetrates the wall or ceiling or floor has the potential to waste energy. Plumbing vents can be especially bad, since they begin below the floor and go all the way through the roof. Seal them all with caulking or weather-stripping.

Electric wall plugs and switches can allow cold air in. Purchase simple-to-install, pre-cut foam gaskets that fit behind the switch plate and effectively prevent leaks.

Don't forget to close the damper on your fireplace. Of course the damper needs to be open if a fire is burning; but if the damper is open when you're not using the fireplace, your chimney functions as a large open window that draws warm air out of the room and creates a draft. Close that damper - it's an effective energy-saving tip that costs you nothing!

Examine your house's heating ducts for leaks. Think of your ductwork as huge hoses, bringing hot air instead of water into your house. Mostly out of sight, ducts can leak for years without you knowing it. They can become torn or crushed and flattened. Old duct tape - the worse thing to use to seal ductwork, by the way - will dry up and fall away over time, allowing junctions and splices to open, spilling heated air into your attic or under the house. It's wasteful. According to field research performed by the California Energy Commission, you can save roughly 10 percent of your heating bill by preventing leaky ducts.

Check Your Insulation

Insulate your attic. In an older home, that can be the most cost-efficient way to cut home heating costs. Before energy efficiency standards, homes were often built with little or no insulation. As a result, large amounts of heat can be lost through walls, floors and - since heat rises - especially ceilings.

How much insulation should you install? Typical framed homes now being built in California's Central Valley must meet insulation requirements of R-38 insulation in ceilings and R-19 for walls and floors.

Weather-strip and insulate your attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from escaping out the top of your house.

Seal holes in the attic that lead down into the house, such as open wall tops and duct, plumbing, or electrical runs. Any hole that leads from a basement or crawlspace to an attic is a big energy waster. Cover and seal them with spray foam and rigid foam board if necessary.

Check Your Heating System

Get a routine maintenance and inspection of your heating system each autumn to make sure it is in good working order.

Replace your heater's air filter monthly. Your heating system will work less hard, use less energy and last longer as a result. Most homeowners can replace filters and do such simple tasks as cleaning and removing dust from vents or along baseboard heaters.

If your heating system is old, you might consider updating it. A pre-1977 gas furnace is probably 50 percent to 60 percent efficient today. That means only half of the fuel used by the furnace actually reaches your home as heat. Modern gas furnaces, on the other hand, achieve efficiency ratings as high as 97 percent. By replacing an old heating system with one of the most efficient models, you can cut your natural gas use nearly in half!

Use your set-back thermostat. California houses built today must have them. If you have an older home, consider installing one. A set-back thermostat allows you to automatically turn down the heat when you're away at work or when you're sleeping at night, and then boost the temperature to a comfortable level when you need it. Remember - it takes less energy to warm a cool home than to maintain a warm temperature all day long. Properly using your set-back thermostat could cut your heating costs from 20 to 75 percent.

Reverse the switch on your ceiling fans so they blow upward, toward the ceiling. Ceiling fans are a great idea in the summer, when air blowing downward can improve circulation and make a room feel four degrees cooler. A cooling draft is a poor idea when it's cold, however. By reversing the fan's direction, the blades move air upward in winter. This is especially valuable in high ceiling rooms, where heat that naturally rises is forced back down into the room.

Make sure all hearing vents are opened and unblocked by furniture or other items. This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed through the home.

Change a Light Bulb

Lighting our homes can represent 20 percent of home electricity bills and is one of the easiest places to start saving energy. If every household changed a light to an ENERGY STAR® one, together we'd save enough energy to light 7 million homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 1 million cars.

Article Provided By: www.consumerenergycenter.org

Autumn is officially here! And so, we break more ground!

2010-09-15T09:54:00.002-05:00

Here we are, in the third week of September. The air has a slight bite to it and the leaves are beginning to change. There's no denying it now. Summer is over. Yes, I know, it is a bit sad to have to put those flip flops and shorts away but there is a silver lining...

John and Nikke Hedin and their son breaking
ground on Monday morning.

Fall building is underway! That's right folks! We have broken ground for two homes in the last week. These homes will be built by area youth from local high schools and the Hibbing Community College.

In Midway/Virginia, the Hedin family will be building alongside construction students from Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert High Schools. The work on the home will be part renovation and part new construction. The Hedin's are very exited to start the work on their home. Their younger children played inside the house during the ceremony and Nikki said to me as we waited for it to begin, "It's finally happening and I just can't wait to get started!"

Michelle Twardowski and her
grandmother chat while they
wait for the ceremony
to begin.

In Hibbing, Michelle Twardowski and her family are building alongside students from Hibbing and Chisholm High Schools and students from the electrical and HVAC programs at Hibbing Community College. This home will be entirely new construction. The Twardowski's have been warmly welcomed by the city of Hibbing along with their new neighbors who are also Habitat homeowners. Michelle was brought to tears at Friday's groundbreaking as she thanked everyone for supporting her, especially Joy Rolandson, a Habitat homeowner from Chisholm, who biked in the Habitat 500 this summer and gave the funds she raised towards the Twardowski's home.

We have one more home to break ground for this fall in Aurora. Jennifer Baker and her family are eagerly awaiting the start of their build and so are we! If you would like to volunteer with the Baker home or in any other capacity please call us at the office or send us and email and we would be happy to get you started!

Call our office toll free at 866.749.8910 or email me, Katie, at vista@nslchfh.org

Let's get building!!!

Summer is Winding Down, Building is Progressing

2010-08-17T16:14:00.005-05:00

Hello there internet community! It is I, Katie! The new VISTA! I'm now in my second week as the volunteer coordinator and I'm enjoying every second of it. Thank you to Megan Betters, the previous VISTA, for all her hard work this past year and for all her help to get me settled in here. Good Luck at school!

Now on to the nitty gritty!

Both of our current builds are coming along on schedule and we have had a steady flow of volunteers at both sites. Thank you to all the area churches who have participated this summer! What a blessing to our Partner Families and the Habitat family as well. Shout out to the ladies of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Virginia for providing lunch for all our Virginia site build days! The food is always amazing and is true iron range cuisine! "Das ist gut!"

In Hibbing we are currently focusing on interior insulation and the beginnings of landscaping. Tomorrow the 1st Assemblies of God Church will be at the site working hard. Thanks guys and gals! Remember to hydrate! :)

In Virginia were at about the same pace with interior insulation going in on Thursday along with some work on the garage. We still need lots of Lutherans to volunteer at the Virginia build, as we are a Thrivent house, so come on out, remember those closed toed shoes and work up a good sweat!

Last but not least, we are having our quarterly Newsletter Folding Day on Tuesday August 31st. We will be in the basement of the United Methodist Church in Virginia from 9am-1pm. Come for the folding, stay for the pizza and fellowship!

THANK YOU again to all our volunteers, partner families and staff for keeping up the momentum on and off the build site. You're all an inspiration!!

Until next time...
"Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Home Maintenance Tasks: April

2010-04-01T07:18:00.002-05:00

Inspect screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent frames.
Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a pair of sawhorses and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry thoroughly.
Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration --especially signs of rot. Use a small awl to probe posts, railings and window sills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or repair them when the weather turns fair.
Prepare for the outdoor cooking season by inspecting gas grills. Remove cooking grills and thoroughly clean them with soapy water and a brush with brass bristles. Remove accumulated grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them over and igniting the burners. Allow 10 minutes on high heat to clean the briquettes.
Inspect garden hoses for leaks. Make temporary repairs with electrical tape. Pry out old washers and replace them. Don't leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots until the danger of frost is completely over.
Caulk open joints, particularly around windows and doors.
Inspect the crawl space or basement after rains for water accumulation or excessive moisture.
Look for signs of water damage on the subfloor and joists beneath bathrooms, the kitchen and laundry. Find and fix leaks now or pay the price later.
Shut off the water to the washing machine, remove the water supply hoses and examine them and the washers. Replace worn and damaged ones.
Check fire extinguishers to make sure they are not outdated, have lost pressure or are damaged.
Check all weatherstripping around doors and windows for wear, damage or loss of flexibility. Replace material that is no longer blocking air.
Clean your garbage disposal. Grind two trays of ice cubes made from a mixture of one cup white vinegar to one gallon of water.

Provided by move.com

The Sun Shines Brightly on North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity!

2010-03-30T08:34:00.000-05:00

Make your plans to partner
with NSLCHFH this SUMMER!

*Volunteer on a build site individually or gather
family, friends and fellow churchgoers

* Provide a meal for volunteers on the build site

* Volunteer in the office and help prepare mailings and fold newsletters

* Volunteer to support our partner families on the family support committee or as a family mentor

To schedule one of these activities please call Megan at the Habitat office at 866-749-8910!

Virginia High School Build Update

2010-03-29T08:26:00.000-05:00

The Virginia High School Construction Class is well on their way to completing its first remodel project with NSLCHFH. This combined effort is an example of Career and Technical Education and Service Learning at its finest. Students are solving real-life problems with “hands on learning” while remodeling the home, They are applying their math skills on a daily basis in figuring square footage, linear feet, angles, and engineering structures. Reading skills continue to develop as students are required to read highly technical material such as user manuals for machines and equipment needed for the project.

Service learning is also a component as they connect classroom learning with identified need in their community. Service learning is a teaching method that enriches learning by engaging students in meaningful service to their schools and communities. Students apply academic skills to solving real issues, linking established learning objectives with genuine needs. They lead the process, with adults as partners, applying critical thinking and problem-solving skills to concerns such as affordable housing.

-Shannon Malovrh
East Range School to Work and Tech Prep Partnership
Career and Technical Education and Service Learning Coordinator

Hibbing High School Build Update

2010-03-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

The partnership between North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity and local high schools and Hibbing Community College is well on its way to another successful year. Here are updates from both projects.

Hibbing home update:

Spring is near and the high school and college students working on the VanAnda home in Hibbing are well on their way to finishing up the project. The partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Nashwauk High School, Chisholm High School, Hibbing High School and Hibbing Community College is in its second year, and has progressed well.

The students are finishing the flooring, the homeowners are starting to stain the trim, and Steve Murphy’s electrical students from HCC are beginning to put the finishing touches on the electrical system. As the weather turns warmer, we look forward to getting outside and beginning the siding. As the year comes to a close in May we are already looking forward to working with a new family and new students next year.

-Thad Johannessohn
Nashwauk High School-Instructor

1800TH Habitat Home in Minnesota to be Built in Hibbing

2010-03-25T08:48:00.000-05:00

The Montgomery home to be built in Hibbing this year has received the distinguished title of being the 1800th Habitat home to be built in Minnesota. This privilege is a direct result of a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota and their Habitat 500 bike ride fundraising event.

The Habitat 500 bike ride with its 130 cyclists and 40 support staff will be traveling through the Iron Range July 14th through the 16th. On July 15th cyclists will have the option of working on the 1800th Habitat home which bike riders affectionately call the “bike home.” Cyclists from all over the country will be raising funds and awareness for their local affiliates. Many of them will also designate a portion of their funds raised to the bike home, adding to the much needed funds that our affiliate is raising for this project.

The North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity team of riders is looking for those who might wish to join them on this 500 mile, seven day fundraising event that is held from July 11th through the 18th. If you or someone you know would like more information on this event call the Habitat office at 866-749-8910 or check out www.habitat500.org.

A Note From Nathan ~ A New Face at Habitat!

2010-03-24T08:39:00.000-05:00

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity was affiliated in 1995 and built its first home, a rehab project in the city of Eveleth, in 1996. A total of 11 homes were completed with an all volunteer organization. The board of directors had a desire to further expand the organization’s capacity to help more families. They applied for a capacity building grant through Habitat International and were awarded funds to hire an executive director in 2003. From 2003 to 2009 the affiliate has built an additional 25 homes bringing the total number of families who have been helped through Habitat’s mission to 36 in 13 communities across North St. Louis County.

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity is now building steadily at the rate of five homes per year. Sustainability and stabilization of this growth has been a major topic at Habitat’s annual strategic planning meetings over the last couple of years. With this thought in mind, along with a desire for future growth, the board of directors has authorized North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity’s second full time staff position: a construction manager. Habitat has many goals in bringing on this new position including:

Increasing the capacity of the affiliate to build homes.

Optimizing the use of the executive director’s time

Ensuring a first rate volunteer experience on the jobsite

Developing construction schedules for projects to better utilize volunteers on construction sites

There were many applicants for this position including some of our wonderful Habitat construction volunteers! After careful consideration, Dave Alaspa was hired as North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity’s first Construction Manager on March 15th.

Dave has volunteered with Habitat in many capacities over the last two years. Dave brings a diverse background of construction knowledge and leadership along with customer service and managements skills to the Habitat team.

This will be an exciting building season as he works with the building committee to streamline the building process and increase volunteer participation on construction sites. His skills will also assist the affiliate in it’s efforts to build green homes that maximize energy efficient techniques. With Dave’s expertise and assistance, Habitat will be taking on the challenge of building the affiliate’s first LEED for Homes (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified project.

Sign up to volunteer on a construction site and be sure to say, “hello” to Dave as we build homes and hope in North St. Louis County this year!

-Nathan Thompson
North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity

Executive Director

The Arrival of Spring… Brings the 2010 Habitat Build Season

2010-03-23T08:27:00.000-05:00

The arrival of spring means the beginning of another building season for North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity. This is an exciting time. Over the winter Habitat families and volunteers worked behind the scenes, doing the ground work necessary to take on five Habitat projects during the 2010 building season. Partner families have carefully studied the family partner agreement, selected plans for their new home, enlisted family members and friends to help build their home, and have already begun earning “sweat equity” hours. Habitat has raised money to purchase building materials, lots, and houses for rehabilitation. Habitat also has been recruiting and planning the coordination of the volunteers who will construct and rehabilitate the homes. In the spring, “ground breaking” follows the “ground laying” work of winter, and homes begin to take shape.

Here are some highlights of the five NSLCHFH 2010 building season projects:

As a result of Habitat’s partnership with the Hendricks family, construction on a new home in Virginia will begin in June. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is a major donor for this project, as well as an essential partner.

Hibbing is the location of a second new construction project, which begins in July. Riders in the Minnesota Habitat 500 bike ride, a fundraising event, will spend one day working on this house. The Montgomery family will work in partnership with Habitat to own this home.

A relationship with Hibbing Community College and three area high schools offers a unique opportunity for students to learn the construction trade by actually building a house. Habitat is partnering with the Twardowski family and local schools to build a home in Hibbing, with construction beginning in September.

Habitat has a similar relationship with Virginia High School, and rehabilitation of an existing house will begin in September. The Hedin family will be the new owners of this home as a result of their partnership with Habitat.

A second rehabilitation project on the East Range will begin in the fall with the Warren family.

Habitat needs your help! Although North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity is well served by a small staff, it is essentially a volunteer organization, dependent on generous donors and committed volunteers. As I look at the ambitious plans for the months ahead, I ask that you continue your support by:

Being an advocate for the Habitat mission

Keeping the work of Habitat in your prayers

Donating money for building materials, houses for rehab, and lots

Volunteering to help build a home

Volunteering to serve on a Habitat committee

Spring is an exciting time of year at North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity. I am energized by the knowledge that, by this time next year, five more families will own homes, which provide safe, decent and affordable shelter.

Thank you for your support.
Caroline Owens

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity

Board President

Building Homes...Building Hope!

Chinn home dedication!

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity selected as HUD grant recipient

Our Habitat Story

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity selected as HUD grant recipient

Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide celebrates 500,000th/500,001st milestone houses as part of World Habitat Day events on Oct. 3

What Can Kids Do?

(from gardenguides.com, written by Margaret Telsch-Williams- a freelance, fiction, and poetry writer from the Blue Ridge mountains. When not writing articles for Demand Studios, she works for WidescreenWarrior.com as a contributor and podcast co-host.) Overview

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Habitat for Humanity ranks No. 6 among largest homebuilders in the U.S.

Countdown to Summer. April. May. June...

Beyond Power and Wealth

New Year, New Beginnings!

Top Ten Christmas Record Breakers

North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity celebrates continued support for affordable housing efforts in 2011 with $10.4 million in funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Hospitality in Abundance

GETTING ENERGY READY FOR WINTER

Autumn is officially here! And so, we break more ground!

Summer is Winding Down, Building is Progressing

Home Maintenance Tasks: April

The Sun Shines Brightly on North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity!

Virginia High School Build Update

Hibbing High School Build Update

1800TH Habitat Home in Minnesota to be Built in Hibbing

A Note From Nathan ~ A New Face at Habitat!

The Arrival of Spring… Brings the 2010 Habitat Build Season

(from gardenguides.com, written by Margaret Telsch-Williams- a freelance, fiction, and poetry writer from the Blue Ridge mountains. When not writing articles for Demand Studios, she works for WidescreenWarrior.com as a contributor and podcast co-host.)

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