2011 Build-a-thon

From 2011 Build-a-thon

The 2011 Build-a-thon was a huge success. We had a great turnout all four days, and although a bit of rain on Monday dampened the construction site, it didn't dampen enthusiasm. Hundreds of volunteers, Lutheran and non-Lutheran alike, worked together to frame 7 houses for deserving families. All of the houses got their roof sheathing on, and most got additional blocking and nailing that's normally done after the build-a-thon. In short, we got the furthest along during any build-a-thon at Habitat East Bay.

This year, in addition to a house sponsored by Thrivent Builds, there's another special Lutheran house, sponsored by the Trudy Heinecke Trust. As the sign on the front of the house says:

In her lifetime, Trudy Heinecke was a leader and friend to Habitat East Bay. Her greatest dream was to leave the opportunity of homeownership to a deserving family. Find out how you can make a lasting legacy at www.HabitatEB.org/PlannedGiving

Both houses are part of an 8 home project in Tassafaronga Village in the Woodland neighborhood of Oakland, and are about 2 blocks from the 14 homes done in phase 1. It's due east of the Oakland Coliseum, and across the street from two schools and the new East Oakland public library.

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and donated to make the 2011 Build-a-thon a huge success. And a special shout-out to our Lutheran volunteers during the build-a-thon, from Zion Lutheran (Oakland/Piedmont), St. Paul Lutheran (Oakland), Resurrection Lutheran (Dublin) and Christ the King (Fremont).

From 2011 Build-a-thon

From 2011 Build-a-thon

For more photos, check out my 2011 Build-a-thon album, and the Habitat East Bay albums from day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 4.

Home Dedication

We had great weather for the dedication of 6 of the new homes at Kinsell Commons. Lots of family, friends, volunteers and community representatives were out to see 6 families getting the keys to their new homes.

Oakland mayor Jean Quan, state senator Loni Hancock, and others spoke about the improvements in the area, not just the new Habitat homes, but the surrounding affordable apartments, nearby schools and the brand-new East Oakland library. The public housing project that used to be where the Tassafaronga development now stands was in terrible shape, and a magnet for crime. Now there are clean, comfortable apartments and homes.

After the speeches, we separated to the individual homes for the dedication ceremonies. For each Habitat dedication, the new homeowners receive a hammer, symbolizing the hard work the family and volunteers have put into the new home, keys to the new home, and a book of faith.

After that, the homes were open for tours, including one that highlighted the various green features of the new homes. They're GreenPoint-rated, Energy Star certified, and in the process of being LEED-rated. Not only do green homes use less energy to build and live in, but they're healthier for the occupants, too. (Read more about Habitat East Bay's green building.)

Thanks to all who turned out to see the Lei/Yu family and others receive the keys to their new homes, and congratulations to all the proud new homeowners! And of course thank you to Thrivent Builds for sponsoring the house, and to all the volunteers who helped build it.

For more pictures, click below:

Habitat 2011 Kinsell dedication

save the date: Home Dedication

The Thrivent Builds house at Kinsell Commons has been done since December, but there's been some last work being finished up on some of the other houses and on the driveways and other common areas. But that got wrapped up on Friday.

That means it's time for the home dedication! Come see the Lei/Yu family and others receive the keys to their new homes. The dedication is Saturday, March 5th, and 10AM. Please RSVP on the Habitat site here if you plan to attend.

changing faces

Eliza and me

I'm both happy and sad to report on some changing faces at Habitat. Happy because I'm happy for them and what lies ahead, but sad because I and others will miss them dearly.

Eliza, who some of you may know from the office or seeing her running about at build-a-thons, got married in the fall. She and her husband will spend time with family for Christmas, then do some traveling and mountain climbing(!). I'll miss her especially, because she made my job as Chapter Specialist easy.

Maggie, who you probably know as the assistant site supervisor at Kinsell Commons (and Edes before that, and as an Americorps member before that) is moving to Portland. She's a familiar face to volunteers, and if you've worked with her at a build-a-thon, you may have met her husband, too. I'm hoping to see them both at future build-a-thons.

They'll be missed, but join me in wishing them well and sending prayers for their futures.

December update

The Thrivent Builds house at Kinsell Commons is almost done! Kitchen cabinets and flooring are in, and yesterday we worked in various houses to install baseboard. We were particularly focused on installing it in the bathrooms, so the plumber could install the toilets. There was a light drizzle much of the morning, so people working outside were getting pretty muddy, but they installed fences between the various houses, built planters for the common areas, and got a lot done despite the muddy conditions.

September update

We're already half way into September, and the houses at Kinsell Commons are coming along nicely. Today some of the houses were being painted, while others (including the Thrivent Builds house) were being prepped for painting -- last pieces of trim, caulking, etc.

You may notice plastic over the insides of the windows. That's because the drywall has been hung, and the texture sprayed on the walls. So interior trim and painting will be able to begin as soon as the remaining exterior work is finished.

We're currently on target for volunteer hours by Lutherans and Thrivent members, and for donations. Thank you for your support!

July Update - changes and a partner family!

If you've been out to the Kinsell Commons site recently, you may have noticed a big change. Namely, the Thrivent Builds sign is on a different house! That's because house #13 is one of the few 2 bedroom houses in the development, and #3 is a 3 bedroom house. That makes it easier to find a family to fit in house #3, so guess which is the Thrivent Builds house now?

So our new Thrivent Builds partner family is the Lei/Yu family. Currently, Xue Ying Yu, her husband Zhen An Lei, her son Ting Jun Lei, and her elderly mother Cong La Wu, live in a cramped two-bedroom apartment in downtown Oakland. Their son sleeps on the living room couch and often has trouble concentrating on his school work because he has no place to study. Additionally, at 76-years-old, Cong La Wu has mobility issues that preclude her from climbing the stairs in their current building, keeping her trapped in the small apartment most of the time.

The other big change is that it's approaching the end of the 11 month stint for the current AmeriCorps members. Those helpful, energetic young crew leaders you've grown to know and love will be leaving soon. So say hi and thank you to them when you see them. I know I'll miss them.