SUMMER OF DEDICATIONS: A TALE OF TWO FAMILIES
FOR 11 YEARS,
Gabriel lived with
his entire family and
45,000 other people in
a Tanzanian refugee
camp. Food and
clothing were scarce,
and leaving was not
an option. Living
in these conditions
created a closeness
and bond between
family members and
friends. In September
2007, Gabriel and his
family received the
green light to come to
the U.S. Upon arrival,
the family was split up,
living in different areas
around the Lehigh Valley. Although living in separate cities,
Gabriel never let go of the idea of once again having his family
together.
Gabriel and his wife Muhwenyanga met one another in 2010
during a trip to Boston and ended up marrying on July 2, 2011.
Shortly after being married, Muhwenyanga became pregnant.
In planning for a better future for their family, Gabriel and
Muhwenyanga applied for a Habitat home. They were approved
for the program in July 2012. During the approval process,
Gabriel and Muhwenyanga welcomed a baby boy, Albert. With
the home being dedicated on August 23rd, he now lives 4 doors
up from his older brother Byamungu, his wife and their three
children. After a long journey, this family is back together,
making this house for Gabriel, “a dream come true.”
FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, German & Lisa and their family had lived
in a small apartment above a two car garage. When the cars were started
in the garages below, the fumes traveled through the vents and circulated
throughout the living space. The apartment didn’t have a dining room for
the whole family to have meals together, and had only two bedrooms for
this family of 5.
Five years ago German’s mother visited from Mexico. During her visit, a
commercial for Habitat for Humanity appeared on the TV. His mother
said to him, “German, you need to apply for that.” His response was,
“Mom, that’s not true. Places don’t do that for people. It’s not true.”
German’s mom insisted that he apply, but he resisted. At that time,
the Canseco children attended Head Start. The children’s teacher was
friends with one of the current homeowners, who eventually obtained an
application for the Canseco’s. The family still resisted applying.
A few months later, German was at work reading the newspaper when
he saw an ad about Habitat. He started to think that all of these things
had been signs. He immediately went home and said to Lisa, “I think we
should do this”, not knowing that
Lisa completed and mailed the
application earlier that day.
The Canseco family would like
to give a big thank you to all the
volunteers who made their home
possible. “The time they give
to build homes for others is not
something everyone is willing to
do, and it really is amazing.”
German and Lisa are not positive
yet about how owning their first
home will change their lives and
that of their children. What they
do know is that it will be a new
and better future.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
David Dyson first volunteered with Habitat in
1968 on the very first Habitat for Humanity build.
The concept that grew into Habitat for Humanity
International was born at Koinonia Farm, a
small, interracial, Christian community outside
of Americus, Georgia - this is where David’s
experience with Habitat started. In 1968, Koinonia
laid out 42 half-acre house sites with four acres
reserved as a community park and recreational
area. Now fast forward 44 years. As the Vice
President of Sales at the local insurance company
Hampson Mowrer Krietz, David found himself
back on the Habitat construction site along with
his coworkers in August 2014. “One of the most
enjoyable things about this experience is working
with other volunteers and helping someone get a
chance to improve their life. The great paradox
of life is the blessing of giving.” David worked
alongside other volunteers in Bethlehem to get a
Habitat Lehigh Valley house under roof in 10 days.
®
Lehigh
245 N. Graham Street
Allentown, PA 18109
Phone 610.776.7737
Fax 610.776.7569
www.HabitatLV.org
[email protected]
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Andrew Scott
Harrison Bailey III
Kelly Berfield
Joan Boreen
Brian Dillman
David V. Dunn
Andrew Elmore
Christopher P. Donigan
Joshua Gildea
Ryan Nicholl
Nancy Silver
Peter Snik
Jeff White
Mary Youtz
Hank Zorman
STAFF
Deb Cummins
Executive Director
Elise Smolinski
Director of Operations & Controller
Melissa Siegfried
Director of Resource Development
Casey Gatchel
Construction Director
Joe Polizzotto
Construction Manager
Clifford James
NRI Construction Manager
Susan Karper
IT & Real Estate Manager
Jessica Elliott
Family & Community Engagement
Manager
Jehan Moustafa
Communications Manager
Yolanda Santos
Office Coordinator
Janet Kolepp
ReStore Manager
Emily London
ReStore Resource Manager
Donna Greene
ReStore Sales Floor Supervisor
Stephen West
ReStore Donation Center Supervisor
Dale Albright
ReStore Driver
Alyx Bennett
ReStore Sales Associate
IN MEMORY
JOEY
Mr.
& Mrs. Joseph Haron
ROBERT ASHMAN
M
rs. Joyce Ott
DAVE BARTRAM
M
s. Gertrude E. Milliken
JAMES BAST
M
s. Grace Bast
NATHANIEL DEITZEL
M
r. & Mrs. Jason Deitzel
SHARON V. ELWELL
M
s. Sharon Elwell
ELMER H. GABLE
M
s. Elaine N. Gable
EDWARD GRANITZ
M
r. & Mrs. Mark Bateman
M
r. & Mrs. Jack Beamer
M
r. & Mrs. Michael Borrelli
M
s. Lena Boulous
M
s. Suzanne S. Boundy
M
r. & Mrs. Terence Briscoe
M
s. Dorothy Burns
M
r Stanley Chepolis
M
r. & Mrs. Richard Clymer
M
r. & Mrs. Robert Cole
M
r. & Mrs. Robert Coyle
M
r. & Mrs. Michael Csencsits
M
s. Deb Cummins
M
r. & Mrs. Edward Davidheiser
M
r. Stewart Davis
M
r. & Mrs. Alan Derkacs
M
r. & Mrs. Gene Doll
M
r. Charles Ermert
M
r. & Mrs. Gerald Fabian
M
r. & Mrs. Bruce Ferretti
M
s. Linda Ferretti
M
r. & Mrs. Sesto Ferretti
M
r. & Mrs. Thomas Ferretti
M
r. & Mrs. Scott Frederick
M
r. & Mrs. Gerry Gamlin
M
s. Donna Gasser
M
r. & Mrs. Francis Grim
M
r. & Mrs. Robert Hain
M
s. Jacqueline Hale
M
r. & Mrs. Peter Hance
M
rs. Elizabeth Harting
M
r. & Mrs. Michael Hausman
M
r. & Mrs. William Hecht
M
r. & Mrs. William Hoffert
M
r. & Mrs. Ronald Horiszny
M
r. & Mrs. Richard Jenkins
D
r. & Mrs. Laurence Karper
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Kehoe
Mr. Dale Kidd
Ms. Margaret Kovach
Ms. Barbara La Nave
Ms. Christine Lavery
Mr. Gary Lehman
Mr. & Mrs. Welles Lobb
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Martin
Mr. & Mrs. Art Mazza
Mr. & Mrs. David McConnell
Ms. Joy Messner
Ms. Charlotte Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Miller
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Moatz
Rev. & Mrs. Joseph Molnar
Mr. & Mrs. Francis O’Brien
Mr. & Mrs. Richard OHay
Ms. Janice Osborne
Mr. & Mrs. David Parsons
Mr. & Mrs. Joel Pattishall
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Podhayny
Mr. Joe Polizzotto
Mr. Daniel Poresky
Ms. Theresa Racek
Mrs. Mariellen Reilly
Ms. Janice Sears
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Smith
Ms. Jean Smolick
Mr. & Mrs. Charles Snyder
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Souders
Mr. & Mrs. John Stefanik
Mr. & Mrs. John Steiner
Ms. Janice Stout
Mr. & Mrs. James Stupak
Mr. & Mrs. Harry Tachovsky
Ms. Joan Tanzella
Mr. & Mrs. James Toolan
Mr. & Mrs. Lloyd Trego
Mr. Joe Vazquez
Ms. Rosanne Venditto
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Wagner
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Webre
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Worman
Mr. & Mrs. Hank Zorman
JUDY HOWE
Ms. Karen Orzel
EVELYN P. HUBLITZ
Mr. Philip Hublitz
DICK JONES
Mr. & Mrs. John Covert
DEREK KEHOE
Mr. & Mrs. John Dudding
BERNICE M. KULP
Mr. & Mrs. John Laszlo
Mr. & Mrs. George Mowrer
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Ruch
ROBERT MAXWELL
Mr. & Mrs. Martin Fetner
ELIZABETH McDARBY
Rodale, Inc.
GABRIELLE FIRESTAR
ROMANS
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Stampfel
ROBERT SCHILLING JR.
Mrs. Kit Schilling
CHET SHADLE
Mr. & Mrs. Art Mazza
FRANK SZABO
Ms. Rose Szabo
SAM WAGGONER
Ms. Shea Zukowski
GLORIA D. WEIDA
Ms. Faye Paules
IN HONOR
ANDY SCOTT
Ms. Laura Finn Dziedzic
KIMBERLY ADAMS
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Deneen
LINDA BIPS
Ms. Kate Richmond
JOAN BOREEN
Dr. & Mrs. Michael Rothman
BRIAN DILLMAN
Ms. Melissa Vacaro
DAVID DUNN
Mr. & Mrs. James Wimmer
SCHERLENE HILBERT &
PEG BEITZEL
Ms. Margaret S. Hilbert
BARBARA J. IOBST
Mr. David Iobst
McGEHEE & BETTY ISAACS
M
r. & Mrs. Charles McGehee
KEVIN KEHOE
Moravian Academy
GERMAINE LENZ
Mr. & Mrs. George Gilsbach
SUSAN NELSON
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Stampfel
RYAN NICHOLL
DoTopia
STERLING & PAT SMITH
Mr. & Mrs. Martin M.
Cottrell
BRADLEY STUART
Mr. & Mrs. Blair M Stuart
RUTH TITZER
Ms. Peter Farkas
ANNETTE WAGNER
Mr. Harold B. Wagner
A GLIMPSE OF OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE TRIP
Submitted by Emily London-2014 Costa Rica Global Villager and ReStore Resource Development Manager
Before the sun rose on June 21st 2014, a group of Habitat Lehigh
Valley volunteers and staff set out on a 9 day mission to build
homes in Costa Rica. The team consisted of 11 people, ages 22-82,
5 women and 6 men. The team, who raised their own funds and
ventured on Habitat Lehigh Valley’s first ever Global Village Trip
lead by Tom Roney included Alyx Bennett, Andy Scott, Bill Ryan,
Emily London, Erin Sanchez, Joe Polizzotto, Joe Molnar, Linda
Bips, Phil Rios, and Veronica Rother.
Costa Rica has a population of 4.5 million people where more than
25% live in poverty conditions and over 52% live in inadequate
housing. Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica develops
homes on a larger scale with the goal of creating
housing communities to enable economic and
social growth for the common good of multiple
families. The team traveled to the province
of Puntarenas where they contributed to the
construction of a 44 house Habitat community in
Biolley.
It was hot and humid as the HLV team dug holes,
back-filled a septic, set posts in concrete, lifted and
set concrete slabs, and shoveled and wheelbarrowed
dirt, rocks and cement. But after all that shoveling
and wheelbarrowing, what started as a level piece of
dirt ground was now the walls and foundation of a
new Habitat home.
Not only did the team contribute to building a
home, but they also gained a greater understanding
of Costa Rican culture. The team had the
opportunity to visit a co-op coffee plantation, visit
a local school and watch the children perform a
traditional dance, have some organic ice cream and
locally grown food, ride in Costa Rican style taxis,
visit a national park, make empanadas, play soccer
and have a party with the local children.
There were no paved roads, internet, or hot water,
but there was an experience of a lifetime and a true
contribution to Habitat’s vision of a world where
everyone has a decent place to live. A special
thanks goes to everyone whose generous donations
made this trip a reality.
PUTTING FAITH INTO ACTION
Living into our mission of putting
God’s love into action to build homes,
communities and hope, our affiliate is
pleased to announce the formation of
the Inter-Faith Advisory Council. For
the past four years, HLV has worked
closely with various faith communities
in home building partnerships. These
relationships have blossomed and
members of these organizations have
engaged with Habitat for Humanity
of the Lehigh Valley in a variety of
ways. Recently, the affiliate convened
a group of these partners along with
other religious based organizations
to discuss the role of faith in the
affordable housing crisis in our
community. The committee includes
representatives from St. Thomas More
Church, Cathedral Church of the
Nativity, First Presbyterian Church of
Allentown, First Presbyterian Church
of Bethlehem, Central Moravian
Church, Central Catholic High School,
Thrivent Financial, The Barn, Keneseth
Israel, Lehigh County Conference of
Churches, St. Paul’s UCC and Grace
United UCC.
Working collaboratively, the Inter-Faith
Advisory Council will celebrate World
Habitat Day on October 6th with a
4pm ecumenical service in Bethlehem.
This celebration will be a way to share
diverse prayers about faith and shelter.
In addition, all faith communities
are encouraged to integrate these
themes into their individual services
during the month of October. For
more information about the events
on October 6th or about joining the
committee, please contact Melissa
Siegfried at 610-776-7737 x301.
THANKS TO OUR 2014
CORPORATE GROUP
TEAM BUILDERS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S
WOMEN
BUILD
Habitat for Humanity’s
Women Build program recruits, educates and
inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and
affordable houses in their communities. Women Build is about
including women so they can learn construction skills on a more
inclusive construction site. This past May, Habitat LV volunteers
along with more than 13,000 women from across the country,
volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity construction site for
National Women Build Week. The program continues to
grow across international borders, empowering women
everywhere to address
poverty housing for themselves, their
families and their neighbors. More than 2,200 Women Build
houses have been built by all-women construction crews since the
program began in 1998. Habitat Lehigh Valley is honored to work
with our very own Women Build committee. This diverse group
of women have come together to take a stand against substandard
housing in the Lehigh Valley. They have created an exciting annual
“She Nailed It” Nail Hammering competition and luncheon that
has successfully raised the funding for a full house build in South
Bethlehem. The committee is now ready to expand the group to
share their expertise and develop new leadership for Women Build
Lehigh Valley. Please visit the Women Build page on the website to
learn more about this inspirational work and how to get involved.
SAVETHEDATES
Oct. 11th, 2014 10-2pm
1053 Grape Street, Allentown
Oct 23th, 2014, 6pm | PPL Center
Join us for an evening to remember as we celebrate our 10th Annual Toast to
Hope and Habitat Lehigh Valley’s 25th Anniversary! A Toast to Hope features
food samplings of many of the up and coming area restaurants, great wine, and
a silent auction including beautiful jewelry and great travel packages. Catch the
excitement as we celebrate 25 years of making the dream of homeownership a
reality for families in our community. Buy tickets at www.habitatlv.org
Join us at our ReStore as we celebrate
World Habitat Day. Learn about our local
and global impact and how you can get
involved with Habitat Lehigh Valley’s
cause. All ages are welcome - there
will be fun activities for children. All
attending guests will receive a 10%
discount to use on a ReStore purchase.