5183 Harlem Road Rockford, IL 61111 815.636.4573

Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc. - An Ecumenical Christian Nonprofit Housing Ministry

BUILDING HOMES. BUILDING HOPE.BUILDING HOMES. BUILDING HOPE.BUILDING HOMES. BUILDING HOPE.

WE ARE

ROCKFORD

HABITAT

WE ARE

ROCKFORD

HABITAT

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORLETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORLETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STAFFSTAFFSTAFF

Keri Nelson, Executive Director

Caitlyn Baylor, Business Manager

Jack Turner, Construction Manager

Steve Westlund, ReStore Manager

Sharon Montana, ReStore Assistant Manager

Michael Verace, ReStore Truck Driver

BOARD OF DIRECTORSBOARD OF DIRECTORSBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kelly Day, President

John Hargrove, Vice President

John Bradley, CPA, Treasurer

Susan Drennan, Secretary

Kara Davis

Jerry Norquist

Stu Meyerson

Chris McFadden

Pete Rundquist

Arthur Kielty, J.D.

David Knight

Ed Leach

Shari Siracusa

I remember the day I first stepped onto a Habitat for Humanity worksite. I was 19 years old studying Law Enforcement at Western Illinois University and had signed up for a shift with a few friends from my residence hall. I had no idea what I was doing or how to build a house, but it didn’t matter; I was there for something greater than myself. Our homeowner’s name was Kathy – and she was the kind of woman who you felt like you’d known forever, the moment you met her. We spent part of the day hanging her front door, and when we got the thumbs up from our house

leader, Kathy looked at me and asked me a question. “Keri, would you go outside and when I tell you I’m ready, will you knock?” My immediate response was “Sure!” and I quickly made my way to the other side of the door. I waited a few moments, and then heard her from the inside of the house say “okay.” I knocked, with much excitement and enthusiasm and as she said “come in,” I could tell she was crying. As the door opened and I saw her face, I knew what the moment meant to her and as the words “welcome to my Home” came from her lips, I was hooked. Habitat for Humanity has been a perpetual motion miracle in my life. That experience with Kathy moved me. I learned how to take the word of the Lord and transform them into daily practices. After graduating from WIU, I felt compelled to continue my work with Habitat and quickly started volunteering with other affiliates. I got to travel to Pensacola, Florida after Hurricane Ivan and spent countless weeks in Slidell, Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged their community. I left each of those trips with a yearning to do more, to help more people, to make safe, affordable housing a matter of conscious among all those I knew. Over the past 15 months, it has been an honor and pleasure to get to serve as your Executive Director, and I look forward to the years to come where we can make an impact on the lives of those we serve and the community in which we live. Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and for allowing me to live the life you only get to see in the movies.

In 2015, we lost a beloved board member, house leader, and friend in In 2015, we lost a beloved board member, house leader, and friend in Wally Hamann. We were humbled to dedicate the home at 1103 Geneva Wally Hamann. We were humbled to dedicate the home at 1103 Geneva

Ave in Wally's memory for his many years of hard work, passion, and love Ave in Wally's memory for his many years of hard work, passion, and love of the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.of the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity.

WELCOME HOMEWELCOME HOMEWELCOME HOME

is one the most deeply resonating notions within the human condition. From Odysseus’ grueling journey out of Troy to Dorothy’s trek across Oz, it is the profound longing for home that drives these stories onward. At their core, they exemplify a timeless truth— that home is so much more than a mere structure; it is the very context of our lives. While Habitat’s partner families

may not be the subject of epic masterpieces or fantastical tales, they too are driven by this same impetus to journey hard and arrive safely at an enduring place to call home.

The stakes in our partner families’ journeys are high. They go through a competitive selection process, intensive financial coursework, and hundreds of volunteer hours, and the fruit of their labor is life-changing. Stable housing is tied to many outward-rippling success areas for families. Children of homeowners are 20% less likely to become teenage parents, 25% more likely

to graduate from high school, 116% more likely to graduate from college, and 59% more likely to become homeowners themselves within 10 years of leaving home. And home has a more immediate impact on wellness as well— 72% of our homeowners who took a recent survey reported a decrease in illnesses like asthma and allergies since moving into their Habitat home. In the last twelve months, the RAHFH has walked alongside six families on this odyssey toward stability and happiness and success. Toward home.

When people think of Habitat, what they most often picture is a construction site. They picture hundreds of hardhat-donning volunteers painting and siding and landscaping new houses. And they are right to picture this— it is a crucial and beautiful piece of the Habitat puzzle. But when the dust settles and the hammering stops, the most important thing of all occurs…

To all of 2015’s partner families, welcome home!

THE IDEA THE IDEA THE IDEA

OF HOMEOF HOMEOF HOME

HOMEOWNERS SPOTLIGHT: HOMEOWNERS SPOTLIGHT: HOMEOWNERS SPOTLIGHT: The Gulley FamilyThe Gulley FamilyThe Gulley Family The twins were 10, Jamal was 11, Xavier was 13, Joseph was 15, and Shawn was 18. Six boys. It was 2007 and Constance The twins were 10, Jamal was 11, Xavier was 13, Joseph was 15, and Shawn was 18. Six boys. It was 2007 and Constance The twins were 10, Jamal was 11, Xavier was 13, Joseph was 15, and Shawn was 18. Six boys. It was 2007 and Constance Gulley and her sons were living in a Housing Authority property in Rockford. Nobody in Contance’s family had ever owned a Gulley and her sons were living in a Housing Authority property in Rockford. Nobody in Contance’s family had ever owned a Gulley and her sons were living in a Housing Authority property in Rockford. Nobody in Contance’s family had ever owned a home, and, raising those boys paycheck to paycheck, the responsibility of buying a house sounded overwhelming to Constance. home, and, raising those boys paycheck to paycheck, the responsibility of buying a house sounded overwhelming to Constance. home, and, raising those boys paycheck to paycheck, the responsibility of buying a house sounded overwhelming to Constance. That’s when she found Habitat. That’s when she found Habitat. That’s when she found Habitat. The family of seven purchased a home through the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity the following year. Constance The family of seven purchased a home through the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity the following year. Constance The family of seven purchased a home through the Rockford Area Habitat for Humanity the following year. Constance remembers anticipating that the best part of owning her own home would be personalizing itremembers anticipating that the best part of owning her own home would be personalizing itremembers anticipating that the best part of owning her own home would be personalizing it——— painting the walls, putting in painting the walls, putting in painting the walls, putting in nails, eventually installing wood floorsnails, eventually installing wood floorsnails, eventually installing wood floors——— but she never imagined what owning her own home would do for her boys. but she never imagined what owning her own home would do for her boys. but she never imagined what owning her own home would do for her boys. Along with their new home came new traditions. For the first time, the Gulley family started making ginger bread houses everyAlong with their new home came new traditions. For the first time, the Gulley family started making ginger bread houses everyAlong with their new home came new traditions. For the first time, the Gulley family started making ginger bread houses every winter. They started having nightly meals together around the table. Their home brought them closer together. And it brought winter. They started having nightly meals together around the table. Their home brought them closer together. And it brought winter. They started having nightly meals together around the table. Their home brought them closer together. And it brought them something else, too, Constance says: a sense of responsibility and pride.them something else, too, Constance says: a sense of responsibility and pride.them something else, too, Constance says: a sense of responsibility and pride. “Your own home is something you take pride in. “Your own home is something you take pride in. “Your own home is something you take pride in. It’s something you achieve through hard work. My boys saw that,” Constance says.It’s something you achieve through hard work. My boys saw that,” Constance says.It’s something you achieve through hard work. My boys saw that,” Constance says. “This home taught my boys the “This home taught my boys the “This home taught my boys the responsibility of learning to care for something that’s your own. They learned plumbing, yard work, lighting…everything. And responsibility of learning to care for something that’s your own. They learned plumbing, yard work, lighting…everything. And responsibility of learning to care for something that’s your own. They learned plumbing, yard work, lighting…everything. And by by by learning how to be handy, they learned how to be independent and hardlearning how to be handy, they learned how to be independent and hardlearning how to be handy, they learned how to be independent and hard---working.”working.”working.” In this case, hardIn this case, hardIn this case, hard---working might just be an understatement. Through Constance Gulley’s front door on N. Johnston Street, four working might just be an understatement. Through Constance Gulley’s front door on N. Johnston Street, four working might just be an understatement. Through Constance Gulley’s front door on N. Johnston Street, four of those boys have left for college. The oldest attended Loyola University and is now receiving his Doctorate in Physical Theof those boys have left for college. The oldest attended Loyola University and is now receiving his Doctorate in Physical Theof those boys have left for college. The oldest attended Loyola University and is now receiving his Doctorate in Physical Therapraprapy y y from University of Illinois in Chicago. Joseph will graduate next year from NIU with a degree in marketing. Jerard is workingfrom University of Illinois in Chicago. Joseph will graduate next year from NIU with a degree in marketing. Jerard is workingfrom University of Illinois in Chicago. Joseph will graduate next year from NIU with a degree in marketing. Jerard is working ononon his Associates Degree at Rock Valley College, and James is going to Benedict in South Carolina to study Social Work this fallhis Associates Degree at Rock Valley College, and James is going to Benedict in South Carolina to study Social Work this fallhis Associates Degree at Rock Valley College, and James is going to Benedict in South Carolina to study Social Work this fall... Constance is proud that her sons are going places and accomplishing great things. But if they have set sail, it is because thConstance is proud that her sons are going places and accomplishing great things. But if they have set sail, it is because thConstance is proud that her sons are going places and accomplishing great things. But if they have set sail, it is because they ey ey also have an anchoralso have an anchoralso have an anchor——— and Constance is equally proud that, no matter how far they journey, they will always be able to say and Constance is equally proud that, no matter how far they journey, they will always be able to say and Constance is equally proud that, no matter how far they journey, they will always be able to say I’m I’m I’m going homegoing homegoing home. . .

Because of this house, the Gulley boys have expansive possibilities indeed.Because of this house, the Gulley boys have expansive possibilities indeed.Because of this house, the Gulley boys have expansive possibilities indeed.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!

A GOOD DEAL FOR YOU, THE COMMUNITY AND TA GOOD DEAL FOR YOU, THE COMMUNITY AND TA GOOD DEAL FOR YOU, THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENTHE ENVIRONMENTHE ENVIRONMENT

RESTORE RESTORE RESTORE

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Aneta

GOT STUFF? WE WANT IT!

Remodeling, cleaning out, down-sizing or just getting organized? We accept donations of household goods, furniture, appliances and building materials.

Drop-off donations: Bring your donations to your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Call ahead for hours of operation and donation criteria. CALL: 815-713-3184 Arrange a pick-up: Call your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore to learn about arranging a pick-up of those items too big to fit in your car. We offer free pick-up of large items. CALL: 815-713-3184

SHOP THE STORE THAT BUILDS HOMES

Whether you are a do-it-yourselfer, homeowner, renter, landlord, contractor, interior designer,

environmentalist or treasure hunter, make Habitat for Humanity ReStore your first stop when

shopping for your home or next renovation project.

Proceeds from ReStores help local affiliates fund the construction of Habitat houses within the

community. The prices are great and you never know what you will find.

DONATE.DONATE.DONATE. SHOP.SHOP.SHOP. VOLUNTEER.VOLUNTEER.VOLUNTEER.

NORTH TOWNE MALLNORTH TOWNE MALL 986 W. RIVERSIDE BLVD986 W. RIVERSIDE BLVD

ROCKFORD IL. 61103ROCKFORD IL. 61103 TEL: TEL: 815815--713713--31843184

STORE HOURS: STORE HOURS: SUN SUN --TUES: CLOSEDTUES: CLOSED WEDWED-- FRI: 10AMFRI: 10AM--6PM6PM

SAT: 10AMSAT: 10AM--4PM4PM

Volunteers are the backbone of the ReStore, filling every non-managerial role at the store, and

anyone who has ever passed through our ReStore has likely encountered one such volunteer:

Aneta. Aneta has been volunteering at the ReStore for many years, and she is the embodiment of

hard-work and dedication. When most of us have no idea what a donated item is, Aneta, without fail,

can tell us exactly what it is and how it is used. Her leadership skills are invaluable as she keeps the

donation room moving and the other volunteers busy with assigned tasks. Much of Aneta’s knowledge

comes from her love of building, and she has gained her skills over time simply by working. She

recently built several carts for the ReStore, and these carts allow us to move donated items onto the

floor much more efficiently. In her spare time, Aneta enjoys these kinds of crafty projects— she is

currently repurposing an old futon frame into a bookcase and building a quilt holder. The Rockford

Area Habitat for Humanity and our ReStore are truly blessed to have Aneta

on our team.

Thank you, Aneta!

Do you have an old or unneeded car, truck, boat or other

vehicle sitting in your driveway, or taking up space in

your garage? Consider donating it to Habitat for

Humanity through Cars for Homes. Not only will you be

helping Habitat provide decent, affordable housing, you

might be helping the environment as well.

WHY SHOULD I DONATE MY CAR?

One hundred percent of the net proceeds from the

sale of your donated vehicle will be used by your

local Habitat affiliate to build affordable homes.

You may qualify for a tax deduction for donating a

vehicle.

It’s fast and easy.

SUPPORTSUPPORTSUPPORT Weekday Wonders help fill our largest need – regular weekday volunteers. These dedicated men and women are the core of

our volunteer labor force. Some come as individuals and others come as a small group. By working side-by-side with the family

who will live in the house, our volunteers experience for themselves the joy created when a family in need is able to

realize their dream of home ownership.

You do not need to be an expert in construction to help out on a work site. There are many tasks that require only a willingness to learn and work with others. Whatever the connection, they

come together to help a hardworking Habitat family while sharing their strengths and learning new skills.

Consider getting involved!

WE BUILD. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 815-636-4573

Please contact us @ 815-636-4573 or homes@rockfordhabitat.org to receive this newsletter by email or to remove your name from our list.

5183 Harlem Road Rockford, IL 61111 815.636.4573 Address Service Requested