Habitat Helpers
Update on our Habitat house:
Great progress is being made on the Habitat for Humanity home that Mountainview is helping sponsor and build. Construction started in July and will continue through September. Our next scheduled build day is this Friday, August 15th. We still have 4 open slots and are encouraging people to volunteer. We need to fill all our volunteer positions in order to keep the home construction on schedule. Our final scheduled build day is Friday, September 19th. We have 3 open slots for that day. As always, all Wednesdays are open for volunteers. If that works better, please pick a Wednesday and sign up. No construction experience is needed, so please use this as an opportunity to share your faith in our community.
Projet Overview:
As part of our continuing outreach within the community, Mountainview has joined a coalition of churches in the Denver area to sponsor a house with Habitat for Humanity. On July 2nd, the Habitat Helpers coalition will break ground on their fifth house. The build schedule runs through the middle of September, when the house will be dedicated. Mountainview has pledged $5,000 and at least 20 volunteer days to help build the house. The first Mountainview volunteer day is Thursday, July 10th. We also have volunteer slots on July 19th, and August 15th, and September 19th. Additionally, every Wednesday is open for all coalition members on a first come, first served basis. Workdays begin promptly at 9 am and end at 4:30 pm. No construction experience is needed, so please use this as an opportunity to share your faith in our community.
What do I need to do to participate?
To register to participate on one or more of the build days, please use the on-line registration system hosted by Habitat for Humanity at http://habitathelpers.volunteerhub.com. There is a complete information packet available from this web site that includes:
- General Construction Site Information
- Directions and a map to job site
- Adult Waiver
- Youth Waiver & Medical Release for volunteers 16-17 years of age (no volunteers under the age of 16 are permitted on the site)
When you go to the online calendar please sign up for workdays designated for your respective church until 8 days before the scheduled workday. If volunteer spots for a particular day are not filled 8 days prior to the day in question, then all coalition volunteers are free to fill those open spots. Please keep checking the calendar, as spots may not be filled by the church assigned to that day.
All Wednesdays are shared days with volunteer positions open to all church volunteers. In the event of bad weather, volunteers can check the Habitat construction hotline at 303-380-1188 although Habitat works on most days in spite of weather.
Meet the Wallenstrom Family
The family we'll be building a house for is the Wallenstrom family. Brenda Wallenstrom and her two sons, Andre (23) and Alonzo (10) have lived in Denver their entire lives. Brenda has worked in the cafeteria of Buckley Air Force base for over two years and spends many hours each day commuting on public transportation to and from work.
The Wallenstroms currently live in a small 2-bedroom apartment in a dangerous neighborhood. When Brenda moved into this apartment 8 years ago it was in good condition and the surrounding area was safe for her boys to grow up in. Over the past couple of years dangerous gangs have moved into the neighborhood and they frequently hear gunshots ringing out in the night. Their apartment complex is also challenged with pest problems including bed bug infestation and cockroaches. Brenda is a hard-working single mom who just wants a safe place for her family to be able to call home.
Brenda can’t wait for the opportunity to own her own home. She feels that this opportunity is truly a blessing for her family. Over the past 8 years, Brenda has spent more than $50,000 towards rent payments. By owning her own home and having a consistent monthly mortgage payment, Brenda will be able to plan her budget so that she can save money for her Alonzo’s education. As a single mom, Brenda never dreamed that homeownership was a possibility for her. But soon she will be able to provide her family with a safe and stable home including a back yard where Alonzo can play without fearing for his safety.
Brenda is so grateful and excited at the opportunity of homeownership, and says to her sponsor, the Habitat Helpers, “Thank you and God bless you for giving me the opportunity to be whole for the first time. You are giving me the chance to have everything I’ve ever dreamed of having.”
Summary
Who: Anyone 16 and older with a heart for helping others
What: Building with Habitat for Humanity
Where: 1871 Altura Blvd., Aurora, CO 80011
When: July 10 & 19, August 15, September 19
Time: 9 am - 4:30 pm
Registration: Register on the Habitat Helpers web site at habitathelpers.volunteerhub.com