habitat builderwww.sgvhabitat.org

a publication of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity October 2008

Spirits and emotions were high on September 13th when SGV Habitat for Humanity broke ground at 1214-18 Sher-man Avenue in Monrovia. This newest development will construct four simple, decent, affordable homes for low-in-come families. The Del Grosso, Quiroz, Naccarati and Nava families were selected through a rigorous application pro-cess, and are required to help build the homes.

Habitat home buyers must be U. S. citizens or permanent legal residents, live in substandard or overcrowded rental housing, meet low-income eligibility requirements, have a steady income, and are required to pay a 1% cash down pay-ment.

Tom Doud, president of the SGV chapter, said pre-devel-opment plans for the Monrovia build have been the easiest ever. The current Sherman Avenue location arose from in-terest from Monrovia Councilwoman Mary Ann Lutz, who was part of the Kenwood (Glendale) Women’s Build team for SGV Habitat for Humanity. Her city made not one, but two adjacent lots available to Habitat for Humanity so four af-fordable homes could be built.

Monrovia has been extremely supportive and welcoming, from Scott Ochoa, city manager, to the Redevelopment Agen-cy, elected officials, and the Sherman Avenue neighbors.

In 1992, the first Pasadena home was built under very dif-ferent circumstances. “We scrapped for everything,” Doud mused, with resistance at every turn. Since then, Habitat proved that these projects quickly have a positive ripple ef-fect in the community. Fresh paint and home improvements on the block will soon blossom as the rafters of the Sherman homes rise.

Janelle Williams, Family Selection Committee co-chair, spoke of the grueling process of selection, chuckling that the Del Grossos have become known for their application of hu-mor to the direst of circumstances.

Each family shared a bit of their background, chal-lenges and commitment, with nary a dry eye in the audience. Some, like the Naccaratis, had applied time after time. After three heartbreaking rejections, Sandra Naccarati submitted the Monrovia application because Marco was out of the coun-try. The Navas commented that they quickly realized life is not easy here when you are not well educated, so focused on their children’s education.

Inside: From the Executive Director • Youth Group Car Wash • We’re Moving

The Quiroz family has a pastor as head of their seven member family. Williams quipped, “If you need a blessing, Ray-mond is your man!” Quiroz had so much faith in their selection, he circled September 13 on the calendar, noting “Groundbreak-ing for our home.” All are grateful to build a more secure life for their families, and look forward to giving back to their new community.

Expected completion of the Sherman Avenue homes is December, 2009, though the families hope and pray for an ear-lier completion.

In addition to raising the last $183,000 of the $533,000 cash budget needed to complete the homes, volunteer crew leaders are particularly needed. They must be skilled in various trades and able to teach general construction techniques to less experienced volunteers.

Sonja Yates, Habitat Executive Director, asked volun-teers from all walks of life to help construct the homes. “At the end of the day, our volunteers are VERY tired, but the reward is priceless. Volunteering may be a life changing experience.” To volunteer, contribute financially or donate materials or services, visit www.sgvhabitat.org, or call 626-792-3838.

Note: This article is reprinted in part with permission from the Mountain Views Observer and has been edited for this newsletter.

Monrovia groundbreaking marks startof new lives for 4 more families

SGV Habitat Board member Don Goodman joins the Quiroz Family as they break ground for their new home.

Board of Directors:Claus Agger-NielsenJan C. BerentsenMichael T. DavittTom DoudAnn DoughertyGeorge GarfieldDonald W. GoodmanJay HarvillCindy HeydtDaric LeeDeborah A. LovelandJohn Mac LeanCarol MartinJudd ReasJanelle WilliamsHoward Woo

Staff: Executive Director Sonja L. Yates Accountant Sayaka OtaOffice Manager Catalina Velez Volunteer Coordinator Jan Robinson Special Projects Coordinator Linda HammesReStore Manager Bill AndersonReStore Assistant Manager Michael Krecker ReStore Driver Ricky Brownlee Sales David Hill

Newsletter Editor Michael Schutz

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity770 N. Fair Oaks AvenuePasadena, California 91103Phone: (626) 792-3838Fax: (626) 792-7006www.sgvhabitat.org

A Message from Our Executive Director What an amazing year we are having at SGV

Habitat for Humanity!

•Construction of the 11 Kenwood Homes is progressing extremely well thanks to Tony Haynes, Construction Manager, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

• We found a great new location for our Re-Store (Builders Surplus Store) and offices. Our move will take place later this year. In 2009, City of Pasadena will tear down the buildings that currently house our ReStore and offices to make way for the new mixed-use Heritage Square Re-development project.

• Our FY 2008 goal to totally revamp our web site was accomplished. In July, our greatly im-proved web site debuted. Please go to www.sgvhabitat.org to see for yourself. Please let us know whether you found the information to be current and useful. Your suggestions for im-proving our web presence and communication are invited.

• Thanks to your generous donations and those of hundreds of other SGV Habitat for Hu-manity supporters, we reached the fundraising benchmark to break ground for the four new Habitat homes on Sherman Avenue in Monro-via. Four more very deserving families qualified and were approved by our Board of Directors for homeownership in this new development. A joyous groundbreaking ceremony took place on September 13th.

The work of our affiliate in the 31 foothill communities along the San Gabriel Mountains is a blessing, not only for deserving low-income families, but also for upgrading neighborhoods and helping cities to do their part to provide af-fordable housing. This inspired work is also a model of grass roots action to make communi-ties stronger through volunteer efforts. Thank you again for your participation in this amazing affordable housing mission.

Sonja L. Yates

THE QUIROZ FAMILY’S PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED

“Let’s pray and pretend that we will have a home on this land,” Raymond Quiroz expressed to his family. After they filled out the applica-tion for a Habitat home the family would drive to the empty lot on Sherman Avenue in Monro-via and pray together that their dream of own-ing a home would become a reality. Raymond’s faith led him to put a date on his calendar for the groundbreaking even before they were chosen for a home.

Raymond is a pastor with a deep faith who believes in the power of prayer. He and his wife, Sonia, have instilled in their children the spirit of giving and have a strong commitment to make their community the best it can be. They love living in Monrovia and want to continue raising their family there. The children, Raymond Jr. 11, Carolina 10, Julian 6, Gracie 5 months and Olga 16, have this same spirit of giving back.

This family of seven lives in a two-bedroom apartment, which is, of course, very overcrowd-ed. Sonia can’t wait to have their own laundry hook up. The children sleep in a twin and a bunk bed. When Olga comes to stay, Carolina gets a blanket to sleep on the floor. Olga and Carolina are anxiously anticipating sharing a bedroom and have decorating plans to paint this room. Raymond Jr. and Julian will have a place to skateboard. They also won’t have to worry about noise because no one will be living below them. At night the family has to walk softly in order not to disturb the neighbors downstairs. The rooms in the apartment are bursting with clothes and toys everywhere. The family is look-ing forward to having more space.

Even though they live in crowded condi-tions, the children do very well in school. They do their homework on the kitchen table while helping each other. At other times they will go in separate rooms. Even the bathroom is used when very quiet study is needed. When Ray-mond Jr. practices his trumpet, he uses a mute to not disturb others. The TV is shut off during school days with no video games except for the weekend. The cramped conditions do not de-ter their academic achievement. Olga is a high school junior who was Student of the Semester. Raymond Jr. is a GATE student and Carolina and Julian have high STAR test scores. They play sports, do cheerleading and give service to their church. The children are well-rounded and responsible with loving, giving hearts and an optimistic, appreciative attitude.

We know this deserving family will be an as-set to the Monrovia community when they final-ly sign the mortgage agreement and receive the keys to their own home on Sherman Avenue.

Quiroz Family

page 2 habitat builder

habitat builder page 3

Youth Group Helps Monrovia BuildOn Saturday, August 23rd, the Pasa-

dena Covenant Church youth held a car wash to benefit SGV Habitat for Humanity’s latest home development in Monrovia. A dozen children from the youth program at the church, located on the corner of Lake Avenue and Santa Barbara, worked for six hours to wash approximately 50 cars. Together they raised $664 to help build decent, afford-able homes for four working, but low-in-come families.

“The car wash fundraiser was a great way for our students to contribute to a project in their own back yard,” said Youth Pastor James McMillan, “and by having Habitat staff come along, our stu-dents also were able to learn more about what Habitat is all about. We try to teach them that loving our neighbors is very important, and partnering with Habitat was a great way to practice that.” When the event was over one youth commented, “Car washes are fun. Let’s have an-other one!” McMillan plans to get those youth who are at least 16 years old to help pound some nails once the construction of the homes begins. The car wash is only the first of the church’s involvement with the build.

The money that the Pasadena Covenant Church youth raised helped reduce the balance needed for groundbreaking, which was held on September 13th at 1214-1218 Sherman Avenue in Monrovia. This effort demonstrates that everyone can help build Habitat homes, even if you can’t heft a ham-mer or wire a circuit. To find out how you or your group can partner with SGV Habitat for Humanity contact Jan Robinson by email at volunteernow@sgvhabitat.org. or by calling 626-792-3838 x17.

Vroman’s Bookstore Customers “Give Back”Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena supports SGV

Habitat for Humanity through their “Give Back” program. Ask the friendly Vroman’s cashier to enroll you and to direct your “Give Back” dollars (an amount based on your total purchase) to SGV Habitat for Humanity. The average annual dona-tion from this great program is around $4,000, and we are grateful to the store and its customers for these significant gifts.

Mohommad Rady of the Islamic Congregation of La Canada-Flintridge presents a generous donation to SGV Habitat Board member and Treasurer, Howard Woo, in support of the Monrovia build.

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity770 North Fair Oaks AvenuePasadena, California 91103

NONPROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE PAID

PASADENA, CAPERMIT NO. 224

Please e-mail us so we can update our e-mail address mailing list:info@sgvhabitat.org

Inside: From the Executive Director • Youth Group Car Wash • We’re Moving

Our new address will be: 410 S. Irwindale Avenue

Azusa, CA 91702

Please visit our website www.sgvhabitat.org and watch for the date for our

GRAND OPENING!

Thank you for your support. We look forward to serving you in our new location.

Phone: 626-792-3838

Reduce Reuse Recycle at our new location!

For Tickets/Information Call:St. Mark’s: 818-240-3860Habitat: 626-792-3838

Breakfast Service by Burbank Kiwanis for Fun

Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, November 15, 20088:00am ~ 11:00am

“Rain or Shine”

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church1020 North Brand Blvd.

Glendale, CA 91202Corner of North Brand & Dryden

Donation: $6.00

fundraiser to benefit

&BURBANK

KIWANIS FOR FUN CHARITIES

2nd Annual

Try our yummyPumpkinPancakes!