Week 20: 2010 AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon

For the second consecutive year, Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity was selected to host the annual Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. On June 11-18, 2010, more than 500 Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps National and AmeriCorps VISTA members from across the country gathered in Cedar Rapids to build, rehabilitate and repair more than 20 homes in partnership with local families.

The need for affordable housing is especially great in the Cedar Rapids area, where nearly 4,000 homes were damaged by fast-rising water during the devastating floods of June 2008, the worst natural and economic disaster in Iowa’s history.

The sheer size of the disaster’s impact on Cedar Rapids is difficult to comprehend. Approximately 9.2 square miles of the city were underwater; floodwaters exceeded the 500-year floodplain level by many feet; and the damage to residential property in Cedar Rapids was valued at more than $736 million.

The 2010 Build-a-Thon will highlight the recovery efforts in the Cedar Rapids area and will showcase three approaches to meeting the housing needs of communities: new construction, rehabilitation and repair.

New construction
The new construction element of the event will took place in northeast Cedar Rapids, on Council Street Northeast between Fox Trail Drive Northeast and Main Street in Robins, Iowa. Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity planned to frame and “dry in” 11 new homes during the Build-a-Thon. One additional crew prepared two more homes for construction by installing floor systems and completing basement framing during the build week. The homes were later completed by local volunteers during the rest of the build season.

Rehabilitation
Working in partnership with Block by Block, a local rebuilding program working primarily on owner-occupied homes, Cedar Valley HFH and National Service Build-a-Thon participants rehabilitated homes in Northwest Cedar Rapids, the area of the city most severely affected by the 2008 floods.

Repair (A Brush with Kindness)
Cedar Valley HFH is participating in Habitat for Humanity International’s exterior home repair program called A Brush with Kindness, part of Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Teams will worked in the Wellington Heights neighborhood on the east side of the Cedar River.

National Service participant roles for ABWK Build-a-Thon projects included painting, scraping, minor carpentry repairs, door and window replacement, and landscaping on older two- and three-story homes.

Goals of the 2010 Build-a-Thon:

• Engage AmeriCorps members in a meaningful service project, building esprit de corps among members.
• Highlight the impact of Habitat for Humanity International and the Corporation for National and Community Service partnership.
• Increase the overall capacity of Cedar Valley HFH in the wake of the 2008 flooding.
• Develop partnerships with corporations, individuals, communities, businesses, and local and state governments that recognize the need for affordable, decent housing for all.
• Infuse hope into the lives of those affected by the 2008 Iowa flooding.
• Blitz-build, rehab and repair more than 20 homes in Cedar Rapids with families in need.
• Rebuild Iowa!

Week 19: Home Builders Blitz

Local homebuilders partnered with Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity to raise walls on two homes and give hope to two deserving low-income families seeking decent and affordable housing in the greater Cedar Rapids area as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Home Builders Blitz 2012. Groundbreaking for the projects was on Wednesday, April 11 at the construction site, located at 104 10th Avenue in Hiawatha.

Local Habitat for Humanity representatives and Home Builders Association members spoke during a short program.

The nationwide Home Builders Blitz projects seek to build and renovate more than 200 homes, thanks to the skilled labor provided by local professional homebuilders and construction firms.

Habitat’s Home Builders Blitz was a partnership between Habitat affiliates and the building community to build and renovate homes across the United States. Builders and Habitat affiliates work closely to organize all aspects of building, including securing subcontractors and suppliers, fundraising and seeking donations of materials. Builders participating in the program this year will work with more than 100 Habitat affiliates.

“We are excited to partner with the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association and engage them in our work to help families in need of affordable housing,” said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. “By sharing their talents and skills with us, we are able to increase our capacity to help fulfill the dreams of two local families. We thank the builders for their commitment and dedication to making Home Builders Blitz 2012 a success.”

Locally, a committee of member builders from the Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association along with Jeff Capps and Ron Olinger from Habitat for Humanity worked for months with subcontractors and suppliers to obtain materials and professional labor for the build.

"The HBA is so proud to be able to be part of this event. Our members are the best in the industry and really show it once again by stepping up to donate time and materials to build these two houses, said 2012 HBA President Joe Ahmann of Ahmann Design. "We are very pleased to be able to say that nearly 100% of all labor and materials will be supplied by HBA member companies!"

June 8, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Day 5	June 8, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Dedication
June 6, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Day 3	June 7, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Day 4
June 4, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz - Day 1	June 5, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Day 2
May 10, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Site Prep	April 11, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Groundbreaking

Sponsors for the 2012 Home Builders Blitz included:
Greater Cedar Rapids Area Homebuilders Association

ABC Disposal ABC Supply Abode Construction Action Services Advance Millwork Joe Ahmann Ahmann Design All Clear Allan Custom Homes Jason Anderson Construction The Ar-Jay Center Arctic Insulation A-Tech/Beam Team Big Creek Granite Jody Bowers Cantebury Kitchens Carroll Distributing & Construction Supply Cedar Ridge Homes City of Hiawatha City Revealed Classic Home Remodeling Community Savings Bank Coonrod Crane Service Crescent Electric Supply Company Jeff Denniston DPI Custom Finishes Dean Driscoll Construction EIC Roofing The Element Group Elite Carpentry Engineered Building Design Eric Faaborg Ferguson Enterprises First Supply 5 Star Plumbing Foster’s Heating and Air Conditioning Garage Doors by George Glass Concepts Gypsum Supply Company H&H Home Builders Hall & Hall Engineers Hardscapes Solutions Hawkeye Electric Hawkeye Ready-Mix John Helm Kris Hill Hills Bank & Trust Marty Hoeger

Hope United Church of Christ Wes Howard Hughes Nursery & Landscaping JB Roofing Kelly Concrete KGAN CBS 2 King’s Material Duncan McCallum McGrath Powersports Lisa McMillen-Boese Lowe’s Home Improvement Menards Menefee Drywall Midwest Curb Grinding Milgard Windows Neighborhood Development Corporation Ollinger Doors Trevor Parks People’s Church Plumb Supply Prairie Ridge Estates, LLC RAM Plumbing Dick Ransom Rick Rathje Rathje Construction Drew Retz ReVosWel River of Life Ministries RJ Construction St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Jim Sattler Schumacher Carpets Sherwin-Williams Signs Etc. Source One Cleaning Solutions Springville Ready-Mix Star Equipment Steger Drywall Stetson Building Products Streff Electric Tom Takes Tim Jacobs Homebuilders Kelly Thompson Tom Takes Construction Trevor Parks Construction Company Tri-County Seamless Gutter Van Meter, Inc. Windows by Pella

Week 18: The Zineli Family

The Zeneli family includes Arben(Beni), Kosovare, their daughter, Drenosha (7), their son, Dreni (6), their daughter, Azra (1), and a new baby just born in early November.

Before becoming part of the Youth United program, they all lived in an apartment that has 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. The living quarters wer very tight with a growing family and do not allow for the type of outdoor lifestyle that the family appreciates. The children wanted to go out and play but it was difficult to keep an eye on the children to ensure their safety.

They think to the future and only hope for amazing things for their children and their children’s children. They want the best, home and education they can provide for them and having a stable place to call home, that will be a great place to start.

Beni and Kosovare thank everyone for this wonderful opportunity. “We could not be more grateful to volunteers or to Habitat to make this happen for our family. We are very blessed and thankful. Thank you!”

September 26, 2013 - Youth United Home Dedication

May 15, 2013 - Youth United/Kurt Warner First Things First Day

Week 17: Infographic - Response to the 2008 Flood

Week 16: Dedication

By Bea Flodeen

As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI), there are certain principles we abide by, one of which is celebrations. We pray in morning circle before volunteers go to work, we bless the project at groundbreakings and we rejoice every time a family receives the keys to their new home.

As is stated in "Celebrations," a resource guide from HFHI:

 

One of the foundational principles upon which Habitat for Humanity was established and operates is that we build houses as a witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are proudly a Christian ministry. One means of maintaining our Christian focus is to start each meeting and each day on the site with prayer. [...] Groundbreakings and dedication services committed to the glory of God are also essential foundations for each home. Our hope is that these resources will help your affiliate and church partners focus on the blessings of Jesus Christ in this ministry.

 

The following is an actual home dedication program.

ORDER OF SERVICE
Welcome
Jeff Capps, Executive Director, CVHFH
Opening Prayer
Dave Loy, Minister, Community of Christ
Acknowledgments
Jeff Capps, Executive Director, CVHFH
Scripture Reading
Trisha Finn, Future Habitat Homeowner
Litany of Life
Dave Loy
Presentation of the Partner Covenant
Patti Kunz, Director of Development, CVHFH
Presentation of Keys
Councilman Chuck Swore, City of Cedar Rapids
Presentation of Gifts
Patti Kunz, Director of Development, CVHFH
Tim Cernin, Cedar Rapids and Marion Hy-Vee Food & Drug Stores
Pat Nauman, CVC of the Embroiderers Guild of America, Inc
Joyce Black & Tom Fruehling, Holy Redeemer Lutheran
Jeri Hines and Michael Ask, Heartscape Studios
Closing Prayer and Benediction
Dave Loy

SCRIPTURE
Joshua 24:14-15
“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

LITANY OF LIFE
Leader: With gratitude to God who has provided the materials and given us strength to build this house.
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the deep and abiding love that binds the family together,
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the understanding, patience, discipline and forgiveness essential for the growth and fulfillment of the Finn family,
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the vision, courage, faith and hope that make life cheerful and serene,
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the beauty and order and cleanliness that provide a wholesome atmosphere and elevate the spirit of Christian living,
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the training of the bodies, minds and souls of all who live within these walls,
People: We dedicate this home.
Leader: To the work of God’s kingdom in the world and in cooperation with his church,
People: We dedicate this home to the glory of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

October 10, 2013 - Thrivent Home Dedication	September 26, 2013 - Youth United Home Dedication
June 24, 2013 - Finn Home Dedication	October 24, 2012 - Hope Builders Dedication
October 15, 2012 - Whirlpool/Wells Fargo Dedication	November 13, 2012 - Women Build Dedication
September 8, 2012 - Home Dedication	August 6, 2012 - Thrivent Dedication
July 18, 2012 - Home Dedication	June 8, 2012 - Home Builders Blitz Dedication
October 3, 2011 - World Habitat Day	100th Home Dedication
August 9, 2011 - Thrivent Dedication	October 30, 2010 - Home Dedications
October 3, 2009 - Home Dedications

Week 15: Infographic: Thrivent's Impact

Week 14: The Gahungu/Rutuga Family

By Jennifer Robinson

Bruno and Furaha met in 2007 in one of the refugee camps located in Northern part of Kenya in Africa. They are both from Africa but from different countries. Bruno is from Burundi and Furaha is from the Congo. They started their relationship as friends and then after a while, fell in love.

In 2009 the US Government selected them for the refugee resettlement program. They left their homeland refugee camp and came to the United States, Bruno in July and Furaha in August of 2009. Bruno landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and two weeks later Furaha came and landed in Fort Worth, Texas. Bruno started to work at Cardone Industries and they reunited in Philadelphia in July of 2010.

In August of that same year they started to make plans for their wedding and on August 28, 2010 their dream became a reality as that was the day they got married. One year later God blessed them with a daughter, Amida Sumaili born on July 14th, 2011 and then a son Bruno Sumaili born October 23rd, 2012.

After Bruno lost his job in Philadelphia, a friend living in Cedar Rapids talked to him about a company called Whirlpool and told him to apply for a job there. In December of 2011, they made the move to Iowa and got his job at Whirlpool where he’s currently working today.

 It’s been a great move for them and they are excited that Cedar Rapids will now become their new home. They heard about Habitat for Humanity from another friend living in a Habitat house in Marion and they decided to apply in January of 2013.

Words can’t express how excited they were to receive the news that their application had been approved. It was a miracle for their family and they look forward to working together with many Thrivent volunteers to build their new home! They are so thankful for the opportunity and thank Thrivent Financial for helping them to complete their dreams!

July 19, 2013 - Thrivent Build

August 3, 2013 - Thrivent Build

October 10, 2013 - Thrivent Home Dedication