The book is the culmination of work by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake’s Peace by Piece initiative. The contributors to this book are Jewish, Christian, and Muslim children aged 5 to 17 who are connected to Habitat’s Interfaith work. Youth drew pictures to describe what they think about certain elements of their own religion, and about its teachings on shelter, helping the poor, caring for the earth, being a family, and connecting to people different from oneself. This book may serve to introduce children of all ages to religions different from their own, highlighting both the familiar and unfamiliar through images and descriptions about teachings in the Abrahamic traditions. In the images compiled in this book, we see faith through the unique lens of each child, each picture. We see that youth have an uncanny ability to relate to those who are different from themselves and to relay a vision of faith that is concerned with helping those in need.

Each book is $20. Shipping and handling is included for delivery to the Continental US.

Thank you for your support!

It was her children’s great grandmother who first encouraged Ronnette to approach Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake about owning a home. She filled out an application and was accepted into the program. “In the [homebuyer education] classes I learned about budgets and credit repair. These are things everyone should know.” Ronnette traveled to Baltimore to be part of the classes and she did most of her “sweat equity” volunteering in Brooklyn. “My mother and my brother helped me work on houses in Brooklyn. My whole family is really proud of me.”

Ronnette’s children have been part of the Habitat experience as well. Her daughters Malaya and Makia and son Malik have participated in Youth Service Saturdays at Habitat and Ronnette has taken them to all of the various neighborhoods where Habitat is building houses. “You have to put in the effort. We drove to the different communities, and their excitement grew more and more as they saw how houses move from one stage to another.”

At present, Ronnette and her children share a three-bedroom apartment in the Robinwood public housing community in Annapolis. “The girls are doubled up and there is no air conditioning.” Two of Ronnette’s children have asthma and close quarters without air conditioning can make summers difficult. Last summer, Ronnette was able to put air conditioning in the living room and her bedroom, where the family would camp out on very hot summer nights. “We prayed every night that we would have our own home. The children are very excited to know that they will have their own rooms.”

Now that Ronnette knows that she and her children will be moving to a new home in Orchard Ridge through the Women Build project, the family has started talking about what life will be like. “It’s a little scary and different to be in a new city, but my oldest daughter has already told me that she is good at making new friends.” Ronnette wonders aloud whether her children will really notice the difference between renting and owning. “Will they understand the idea that ‘this is mine. I worked for this.’ Will they recognize that a goal has been achieved?”

Ronnette sees this house as a new start, a fresh start for herself and for her children. Her sense of accomplishment is clear and it inspires her to look to new opportunities. “I want my girls, and my son, but especially my girls, to know that there is a way to have what you want if you are willing to work for it.” She explains that she is very appreciative of the Habitat experience, which has given her the chance to show her children that it is important to respect people and to help people. “Habitat is about helping people.” Hard work, patience, and the willingness to be an active partner — Ronnette exemplifies these traits of the ideal family partner. And she has secured the dream of homeownership for herself and her children. Now the sky is the limit. “I look forward to showing my daughters and my son that everything you want to do – just try and do it!”

Habitat for Humanity linking national service with a day of service in Baltimore as part of
‘America Serving America’

Baltimore—Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake are teaming up with more than 200 of America’s servicemen and women – veterans and active military – as well as AmeriCorps VISTA and Veteran Corps VISTA members April 19-20 to build or rehabilitate homes in partnership with low-income families.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake CEO Mike Posko and Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) CEO Wendy Spencer will address the audience, including representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the American Legion, Student Veterans of America and a host of other service-related organizations also are scheduled to help build.

“With more than 46 million Americans living in poverty, AmeriCorps VISTA members are making a significant difference in communities across the nation—and right here in Baltimore,” said Habitat of the Chesapeake CEO Mike Posko. “With passion, commitment, and hard work, these remarkable workers create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty, supporting our Habitat mission.”

AmeriCorps VISTA members fight poverty with passion at more than 1,200 projects across the country. The Veteran Corps is a Habitat team of ten VISTA members placed at Habitat affiliates nationwide to build the organization’s capacity to offer volunteer, homeownership and employment opportunities for military members, veterans and their families. The Veteran Corps is organizing a day of service called America Serving America: Connecting National Service.

“The gratitude that we have for these active members of the military, veterans and CNCS service members cannot be measured. We are honored that they are building homes, and improving communities with Habitat for Humanity,” said Liz Blake, senior vice president, Habitat for Humanity International. “And as part of Habitat’s national Veterans Initiative we will continue to work with this country’s service men and women by providing veteran and military families housing solutions, and volunteer and employment opportunities.”

The Veteran Corps’ Habitat build event will be held in Baltimore’s “Pen Lucy” neighborhood in the vicinity of 609 Dumbarton Avenue. For information on the build event and how you can become a volunteer in Baltimore, contact Leila Kohler-Frueh, 410.366.1250 x128 or lfrueh@habitatcheapeake.org. To learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program, please contact Jeannie Anderson, 410.366.1250 x112 or janderson@habitatchesapeake.org.

About Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake

Putting faith into action, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake brings people together to build decent, affordable homes that change lives, empower families and strengthen communities. The Maryland non-profit serves Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County. Call 410.366.1250 or visit www.habitatchesapeake.org for information. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and check out our You Tube videos.

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

March 20, 2012 at 10am

Orchard Ridge Community
4424 Green Rose Lane
Baltimore, MD

The board, staff and partner families of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake invite you to join us and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for a very special celebration.

On March 20, we will break ground on a construction project filled with new volunteer opportunities in Baltimore. Thirty new Habitat homes will be built in the Orchard Ridge community as part of our nonprofit’s continuing efforts to eliminate poverty housing.

Directions: From 1-95 N
Left onto Moravia Road (exit 60);
Left on Sinclair Lane;
Left on Erdman Avenue;
Left on Federal Street (at the McDonald’s);
Left on Green Rose Lane.

Tickets will be  available at the door for $60

Think spring!

Take a break from winter’s blast and enjoy beautiful gardens, live music,
hors d’oeuvres and great company at our 2^nd Annual Preview Party
at the Maryland Home and Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on Friday, March 2^nd, from 6-9 p.m.

Be the first to enjoy an exclusive look at fantastic garden displays before the show officially opens to the public.

For the first time this year, we will have the Home and Garden Show award
ceremony at the preview party, featuring the below awards:

• Best of Show with silver bowl presented by Maryland Nurserymen’s Association (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place in each division);
• Landscaper Award presented by Chesapeake Home magazine;
• Pinnacle award - landscapers vote for their favorite garden
• American Horticulture Society Award;
• Horticulture Society of MD Award;
• MarylandAgriculture Education Foundation (MAEF) Educational Garden Award

This year’s Garden Preview Party also features live music from world renowned recording artists, Jimmy Gaudreau & Moondi Klein.

Together Jimmy and Moondi made international waves with their first CD release “2:10 Train.” Join us in celebrating their February 2012 release, “Home From The Mills” which has been getting rave reviews.

“These two gifted artists, armed only with their instruments, voices, and a good bunch of songs, have produced a record that is a joy to listen to. Thanks, Moondi and Jimmy, for reminding us that less truly can be more.” — Emmylou Harris

$60 at the door. Tickets will be available at “will call” the day of the event.

Great news! Your ticket includes admission to the Preview Party and admission for one full day at the Maryland Home and Garden Show on the day of your choice.

More information about the Maryland Home and Garden Show

GET INVOLVED to help build Habitat homes! Sponsorships are available at a variety of levels. Please contact Madeline Manlove at mmanlove@habitatchesapeake.org or 443-297-5219 for information.

Thank you to this year’s sponsors!

Transamerica
Richardson LaGrant Group with Re/Max Advantage Realty
Cotton Duck Title Company
WBCM
Arris, a Design Studio, Inc.
Gorfine, Schiller & Gardyn, P.A.
COPT
WCBM Talk Radio AM680

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” –Aesop

If getting your hands dirty isn’t the right fit for you, there are a number of different “non-construction” ways you can get involved while helping families and volunteers in Maryland, as well as helping to build Habitat for Humanity as a successful charitable organization.

One volunteer option is to become a ReStore assistant, coordinating donations and providing general assistance throughout the Chesapeake’s three ReStore locations in Dundalk, Halethorpe or Pasadena. The ReStores accept donated building materials, appliances, furniture, cabinets and more, all which are sold to the public at discounted prices.  One hundred percent of the profits from the ReStore support Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, helping the Maryland non-profit to serve more families.

Another volunteer opportunity is to become a Budget Builder. HFHC’s Budget Builders program has quickly proven to be a highly effective workshop series for future Habitat homeowners, helping them improve their spending habits while becoming successful stewards of their assets. Budget Builder volunteers are counselors that engage with homeowners for three to four months while in the process of qualifying for and purchasing their home.

Volunteer office administrators hold another important role, assisting with day-to-day activities in the office, while learning the fundamentals of the Habitat for Humanity organization and the HFHC affiliate.

For those who want to volunteer as crew leaders, Red Hats are the remarkable people that oversee construction sites while ensuring safety, efficiency and quality control of the work carried out by the volunteers. Enrolling in Red Hat 101, a two hour-long evening class and three day-long Saturday sessions, is the first step to becoming a Red Hat. After the orientation, Red Hats commit to at least two days a month on site. Becoming a Red Hat is a wonderful way to make a positive change in our community and to learn and develop skills that can be used in your daily life.

Still looking for other Baltimore volunteer ideas? At Habitat for Humanity, we have a number of committees such as Development, Construction, Special Events, Family Support and Finance. If you are interested in volunteering in any of these areas, we have committee positions available. Share your opinions, expertise and ideas by signing up for the committee of your choice.

Finally, providing construction site hospitality is a very simple yet essential part of our operations here at Habitat for Humanity. Providing lunches and water to our construction site volunteers is immensely appreciated by everyone.

While many of these roles may not get your hands dirty, they all are highly important positions for achieving Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake’s mission of bringing people together to build decent, affordable homes that change lives, empower families and strengthen communities.

“Every day you have the opportunity to learn and experience something and someone new. Seize the opportunity. Learn and experience everything you can, and use it to change the world.”- Rodney Williams

When Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake builds an affordable home for a family, they also build a family’s happiness, self-reliance, health and safety.

Becoming a part of this worthwhile program as a volunteer in Maryland is as simple as signing up at our Volunteer Hub. Upon signing up, you will have access to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake’s calendar of Maryland volunteer opportunities which will allow you to choose a particular volunteer day.

Volunteers will be hosted on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and are welcome to build on all scheduled sites.

If you are interested in signing up as a group, our Group Volunteer Registration Form can be easily filled out and faxed or mailed to us.

“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things that can alter the face of the world.”  – Anonymous

There are still more ways you can get involved with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. Becoming a part of our Faith Programs, Youth Programs, Women Build, AmeriCorps or our advocacy team are all outstanding ways of making a change in the community.

Whether or not volunteering is the right fit for you, please visit our donation page, where you can easily make a contribution online. We are very appreciative of donations in any amount. Since Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a private, non-profit organization in Maryland, we are reliant on the financial support of contributors in our area – Anne Arundel County, Howard County and the Baltimore Metropolitan region.

We hope you make the choice to get involved. We need your support and hope the rewards to you will be equally satisfying.

“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“I’m thankful for my home. It’s the place I look forward to going after work, after vacation, after running errands… in fact, whenever I’m not home, I’m pretty much looking forward to going there. It’s where I spend time with my husband, where I can walk around with or without socks without grimacing about crumbs between my toes. I’m Queen of my castle.

I decorate it to my liking, clean it to my chagrin, and I can even leave dishes in the sink if I’m in a hurry — and then wash, dry and put them away like I’m on FIRE today. Thank you very much. I love my home — I really love having people over for dinner or for the football game. I love making people feel at home in my home and it makes me feel great when my mom comes over and exclaims how tidy my kitchen junk drawer is.

I am also thankful for my neighbors. This Christmas, we came home to multiple boxes of chocolates, dog treats (for the dog) and even a collection of flavored olive oils (although I personally think that last gift was a re-gift!). Our neighbors say hello on sight and I even borrowed two eggs from Judy next door when I made lasagna a few weeks ago (the ultimate in friendly neighboring!).

I say all this because, while I may not be well-versed in all the awesome and encouraging Habitat statistics about children who do better in school when living in a Habitat home, I do know how much my home means to me, how important it is to feel part of a community, to feel safe. And I’m glad to be a part of something that provides an answer to that longing inside us that calls for home. Keep up the good work!”

I recently had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Dave Schultz, financial director for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans in Anne Arundel County. The day consisted of finishing work for the Tanner family’s new Habitat home–a busy day to say the least! Everywhere I looked, Thrivent volunteers, Red Hats and Habitat staff were scurrying this way and that to make sure the tasks were completed. I was lucky to pry Mr. Schultz away from his work just long enough for him to tell me more about Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity.

Dave Schultz- Welcome Home Tanner Family!

“Our main mission,” Dave said, while peeling paint from his exhausted hands “is to help provide somebody that needs a home with a new Habitat home.” Thrivent Builds has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake for over eight years and completed eight different homes. Through the coalition of Anne Arundel County’s Lutheran churches, $12,000+ in fundraising and more than 150 volunteer opportunities have contributed to the redevelopment of 40 Pleasant Street in Annapolis. In addition to their group’s fundraising accomplishments, Dave told me, “Our volunteers gain a lot (from the experience). They get together in fellowship, develop new relationships, and learn new building techniques which can be applied in our own lives.”

Together, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity are working to promote safe, decent and affordable housing in our communities. Our deepest thanks goes out to Dave Shultz, Thrivent Builds volunteers, and all of the Thrivent Builds supporters. Good luck, God bless and Happy New Year to every one of you!

Since 1999, Habitat for Humanity has restored twelve homes in the area and has partnered with local residents and churches to develop a safer and more unified neighborhood. The ceremony celebrated the culmination of a project that brought new homeowners into the community who are dedicated to supporting the revitalization of the Clay Street neighborhood. Some who had even grown up in the area and are making their return. Josh Cohen, the Mayor of Annapolis, was in attendance to provide keys for the new homes and to congratulate the new residents.

Clay Street has impressive historical significance and was once considered the “Harlem” of the mid-Atlantic.  The area was known for jazz and comedy clubs, and was home to many boat builders and business professionals. Urban renewal programs and the construction of public housing projects led to the area’s disintegration and eventual decline of community spirit.

Recognizing the strong need for restoration in the area, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake purchased several properties along Clay Street to be rebuilt or renovated. Habitat for Humanity then offered these properties to qualifying homeowners at a no-interest mortgage rate that is typically lower than what the homebuyers pay for rent in substandard housing.

Habitat for Humanity homeowners dedicate as many as 350 ‘sweat equity’ hours of volunteer construction service on-site, Habitat office work, or other qualifying businesses. They participate in homebuyer education classes aimed at preparing them for successful homeownership and lifelong fiscal responsibility.

All Habitat residents placed in the renovated housing along Clay Street are strongly dedicated to the revitalization of the community and will be a great resource in creating a unified, renovated and safe neighborhood area. This project brings a renewed sense of hope for the community and sets a strong pathway for future development and growth.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake is a Maryland charity and affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International that provides housing for deserving citizens in the Greater Chesapeake region, including Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Anne Arundel County.

Habitat for Humanity offers countless volunteer programs and volunteer opportunities in Maryland. The Clay Street restoration project is just one recent example of the work that Habitat Humanity performs to improve quality of life in the community by revitalizing entire neighborhoods.

To all of our volunteers, donors, homeowner families and supporters everywhere, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake wishes you the happiest of holidays!

Our offices will be closed Friday, December 23 through Monday December 26 and Friday, December 30 through Monday, January 2 in order to celebrate the season with our families and friends.

Please contact us with any needs by close of business, December 21, 2011. Thank you and enjoy the holidays!