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AmeriCorps VISTA is a U.S. federal government program created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, and was later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush. AmeriCorps is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service with a total of more than two million members yearly in each service. AmeriCorps National service members engage in direct service activities, such as homebuilding, for the organizations they serve. AmeriCorps VISTA service members assist in creating and expanding programs that ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. Habitat SHR is fortunate to have both types of volunteers further our efforts.
(photo left to right: Lesu, Kelly and Mo)
Habitat SHR is benefitting from having the AmeriCorps VISTA service members on board helping us to achieve our mission through their assigned project. Please meet our new AmeriCorps National and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers.
Lesu Ali is our Veterans Program Coordinator, for the Habitat for Heroes program. She is an AmeriCorps VISTA member for 2011-2012 with our affiliate. Originally from Detroit, MI, Lesu moved to Chesapeake in 2010 to be closer to family. She has 11 years of U.S. Navy active duty service as a Hospital Corpsman, and eight years as a Physician Practice Manager for various Philadelphia area hospital networks. Lesu has a B.S. in Health Care Management from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, in 2003. She is currently studying for her Master’s in Homeland Security for Public Health with an expected graduation date of spring 2012. Lesu began volunteering in 2004 with Habitat for Humanity in Philadelphia and "loved working on rehab homes." Lesu can be contacted by phone (757) 640-0590 ext. 218 or by email: heroes@shrhabitat.org.
Kelly Bearden, an AmeriCorps National member, is the Volunteer Coordinator for the A Brush With Kindness program. Originally from Birmingham, AL, Kelly graduated in 2007 from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, with a BS in Psychology. She was a Social Worker in foster care after graduation for three years, until a snowboarding accident. Kelly broke her right wrist, was in a full arm cast, and of course, is right handed, which made her reconsider the "amount of effort her job required." She spent the last year volunteering with Habitat throughout the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia. Kelly moved to South Hampton Roads for this particular position, after spending eight weeks in Uganda, Africa, with a mission group helping families in villages. She will be with Habitat SHR until August 2012. Kelly can be reached by phone (757) 640-0590 ext. 205 or by email: abwk@shrhabitat.org.
Maureen Grumbly (aka: Mo) is our Construction Crew Leader, and is an AmeriCorps National member. Originally from Vienna, Virginia, she graduated in 2010 from Guilford College, Greensboro, NC, with a B.S. in Community Justice Studies. For the last year, Mo lived in Vail, CO, "instructing novices in snowboarding." Mo volunteered while in college with Friends Disaster Service, a Quaker disaster assistance program, where she learned construction techniques. Mo will be helping to lead volunteers on-site, while also organizing the Habitat SHR warehouse and assisting in administrative areas in the construction office. She will be with us until August 2012. Mo expects "to become more proficient with construction, become a better leader, and have a great time doing it all!" Mo can be contacted by phone (757) 640-0590 or by email: constrassist@shrhabitat.org.
Bank of America is a huge supporter of Habitat affiliates around the United States. In June, our affiliate hosted more than 100 executives on two different afternoons at Nelms Lane where they were swinging a hammer, installing sheathing and raising walls. Locally, Bank of America is a returning house sponsor. This year they are sponsoring the Morris's home, one of the Nelms townhomes. Click here to view photos of the groups at work.
Habitat SHR is joining Habitat affiliates all over the United States in a program designed to provide veterans with access to quality affordable housing, the opportunity to reintegrate into the community, and the chance to serve others by volunteering.
Did you know that in 2009 of the 21.9 million military veterans in the U.S., 4.3 million were renters? Did you know that of those renters, 675,000 earned 30%-50% of the area median income, and 72,000 families of post-9/11 veterans pay more than half their incomes in rent?
In spring 2012, Habitat for Humanity South Hampton Roads will facilitate building a home for a veteran and family who meet Habitat’s family selection criteria of need, income limits, and willingness to partner with Habitat.
Habitat SHR has a very strong relationship with the armed forces in South Hampton Roads, and many of the volunteers who build houses have been both active and retired military. Interested volunteers may register on Volunteer Up or call Cori at 757-640-0590 ext. 207 to schedule a group build as the build comes closer (late Spring 2012).
Habitat and its supporters hope that this will be the first of many such projects built annually.
The contribution for hosting a "Team Building Day with Habitat" is $1,500. If you are interested, contact us (640-0590 or volunteer@shrhabitat.org) ) as soon as possible to schedule your day!!
Your team could be next. Your team will take this day to work together and help on the construction of a home. Thank you for your contributions in support of the Habitat mission - vital to helping us build more homes.
2012-13 Habitat SHR Team Building Participants |
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| Your Company Name Here | Your Company Name Here | Your Company Name Here | Your Company Name Here |
2011-12 Habitat SHR Team Building Participants |
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| GEICO | Framing Success, Inc. | Verizon Wireless | Rainbow Station at Virginia Beach |
| Target | Williams Mullen | Your Company Name Here | Your Company Name Here |
Several years ago, I experienced several medical issues and I struggled to get back into the workforce. I still have many of those health issues. In spite of that, I have been employed as a Direct Support Individual for SkillQuest Services for five years. On September 22, 2007, Jayden was born. She is a miracle child as I was told I couldn't have children. This made me more determined to work harder to move up in my field and provide a stable home. Prior to having Jayden, I moved from apartment to apartment every year because I could not afford the rising rent. My family pleaded with me to come home and live with them until I could get on my own feet. I refused because to me, that would be showing defeat and people would say the deaf can't make it. Jayden has to see that her Mom is able to overcome things. I also did not want her being moved year after year, worrying where we were going to live and changing schools. I applied for Habitat for Humanity housing three years ago and was denied. I worked for two years with the support of my family to do what Habitat asked and at the urging of my mother, I reapplied...and I GOT APPROVED.
I have accepted the Nelms Lane property and hope with all of your help and support that we will be able to move in next year.
Please help support Jayden and I to have a stable, affordable home in this economy.
Please, consider donating and give what you can. Whatever the amount, there’s a "someone" right now whose direction in life will be improved because of your support.
Sincerely, Cherie Wilson
Click here to make your contribution.
