Youth of all ages are invited to join Habitat as we celebrate Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 24. Our day of service will have many opportunities available to youth participants. Youth of all ages are invited to take part in our recycled art activities, garden paver making, birdhouse painting, and parade float decorating. Those ages 14 and up may sign up to participate in building playhouses, picnic tables, or walls for a Habitat home!
Spaces are limited and you must RSVP to participate. Sign ups are for individuals or groups of 8. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Deb Kavalar at 608-255-1549 ext 118 or dkavalar@habitatdane.org.
The UW Habitat Souper Bowl is one of the most successful campus
chapter fundraisers. The UW Chapter, associated with Habitat for
Humanity of Dane County, held their 14th annual Souper Bowl event this
year, raising more than $22,000. To learn more about the UW chapter and
upcoming events, visit www.uwhabitat.org.
As an Americorps member assigned to family services, I knew
that I would be working with interesting people. What I didn’t
realize was how remarkable the families are! Their life stories are
moving, endearing and heart rendering. Habitat’s vetting process for
accepting families is thorough and deliberate.For families to go through
the process and to be accepted into the Habitat program is vigorous. Our
families are “cream of the crop” individuals who are hard workers,
have strong ethics and who want to make a better life for their families by
becoming homeowners. They realize the commitment of earning over 325 sweat
equity hours through mandatory class attendance, constructing their home and representing
Habitat at various functions. Their self confidence grows
immeasurably.I feel honored to know our families and to work with them
to help them achieve one of their life’s dreams.
Congratulations to HFHDC’s three nominees for the United Way Community Volunteer Awards! These awards recognize individuals, families, groups, and businesses who strengthen our community through volunteering. Jim Peterson has been a regular volunteer with Habitat for five years. He works in our warehouse coordinating operations there, maintaining inventory, and repairing equipment. Jim has also created and coordinated Habitat’s efforts to recycle and reduce construction waste.
Oregon High School’s Home Construction Course students have spent the last several months building a home for Habitat for Humanity of Dane County. Building a 1 unit condo in a 4 unit building, the students were able to learn and practice their carpentry skills and gain a better understanding of Habitat’s affordable housing program in Dane County. The unit will be sold to the Borntrager family in May.
Target Commercial Interiors not only provides financial support to Habitat, but makes an employee investment of time. The company provides employee volunteer support to HFHDC, is a major sponsor of the Benefit Dinner and Golf Outing, makes product donations to the Habitat ReStore and provides committee meeting space.
Thank you to all of this year’s nominees. With your help, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is able to provide low-income families with the opportunity to own homes and provide safe, secure environments for their children. Award winners will be announced April 22.
On Saturday, February 20, three daring souls jumped into the freezing waters of Lake Monona, decked out in nail belts and hard hats in support of the Special Olympics. Family Services Coordinator, Angie Grim, Program Manager, Sue Chiaro, and Hospitality and Outreach Specialist, Deb Kavalar, participated in Special Olympics Wisconsin’s Polar Plunge at Madison’s Olin-Turville Park. The team, representing Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, raised $565 for the cause. Since its first Polar Plunge in 1999, Special Olympics Wisconsin has held the event annually, and has grown to ten Polar Plunge locations statewide in 2010. In Madison, this year 2,526 plungers raised roughly $430,000. To learn more about Special Olympics Wisconsin or the Polar Plunge, please visit their website at http://www.specialolympicswisconsin.org
Starting
with four committed Habitat supporters, in three short months HYP has raised
over $2,000 towards their goal of fully funding a home. In November they had a
successful kick-off wine tasting event that generated a buzz of interest. More than fifty young professionals have participated
in a HYP event, attended a monthly HYP social hour, or volunteered on a HYP
build day.
Twenty-five
Habitat Young Professional members, ranging in age from early 20’s to late 30’s
come from a wide cross section of professions. They serve on HYP committees and
are dedicated to improving the world around them by helping families through
giving a hand up not a hand out.
If
you consider yourself a young professional and want an opportunity to network
for a cause, HYP offers social opportunities for individuals as well as activities
that address the housing needs in Dane
County.
Our mission is to enrich Habitat for Humanity's partnerships by providing
opportunities for young professionals to volunteer, advocate, and network with
other positively-minded young professionals.