Description

The Winton-Culver Catholic Community participates in Habitat for Humanity at least twice a year. Each event involves a day of work at a Habitat work site. Tasks involve construction activities on new homes or residential properties being renovated. Tools and training are provided on the job site. Professional supervision is provided.We leave St Ambrose parking lot at 8:30AM and car pool to the site. Participants need to bring their own lunch, drink and work gloves. Dress for work, wear hard-soled shoes, sneakers are NOT permitted. We then return to the parking lot 4:00 PM.

See Fact and Myth information below.

Major Events

How Can I Get
More Involved?

Contact Info

Pat Callahan

482-7352

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller in Americus, GA., Habitat for Humanity International has grown to 1600 affiliates in the U.S. and 440 international affiliates in 74 countries. U.S. affiliates have built over 30,000 homes; 88,000 homes have been built by international affiliates. HFHI is dedicated to eliminating poverty and substandard housing worldwide. For more information visit Habitat's website www.habitat.org

Flower City Habitat in Rochester, NY was founded in 1984 by Roger and Barbara Cross. Our first project involved moving a house from Wilson Blvd. to Cady Street, followed by construction of one or two houses a year for several years. FCHH now builds approximately one dozen homes a year. By the end of 2002 there will be over 125 Habitat houses in Rochester! Each year, over 4000 people volunteer to help build homes in partnership with future homeowners, who must contribute 500 hours of 'sweat equity.' Homes are funded by churches, corporations, individuals, and foundations and sold at no profit, with no interest to low income homeowners. Mortgage principal repayments cycle back into Habitat's home building program. Through Habitat's efforts over $4 million of property have been added to city tax rolls. Recent neighborhood revitalization projects include the rebuilding of Cuba Place, once a notorious open air drug market, and on-going projects in the Brown Street area, on Trust Street and in the Upper Falls neighborhood.

With a capacity for building up to 11 homes a year, Habitat relies on donations and sponsorships. Infrastructure grants provided by the City of Rochester are the only government funds we are permitted to accept. Recycled mortgage payments only cover the cost of a few homes. Each year we must raise funds to cover the construction of the remaining 5-6 homes, and to cover bare bones operating costs associated with mortgage servicing, case management, volunteer management, property acquisition, project management, etc. For further information please visit www.rochesterhabitat.org.

HABITAT FACT & MYTH

Myth: Habitat gives houses away to poor people
Fact: Houses are sold at no profit/no interest to low income working families who do not qualify for conventional mortgage financing. Families contribute 500 hours of sweat equity in building their home or that of another family's. Mortgage payments cycle back into building more Habitat homes. Habitat offers a hand up not a hand out.

Myth: You have to be Christian to volunteer or become a homeowner
Fact: Habitat is a Christian organization. Homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion or ethnic group. Habitat welcomes volunteers from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating substandard housing.

Myth: Former President Jimmy Carter founded Habitat
Fact: Jimmy Carter is Habitat's most famous volunteer. Together with his wife, Rosalynn, they lead the annual Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Myth: Habitat is a government organization
Fact: We are an ecumenical Christian housing organization with no ties to any church or denomination. We do not accept government funds for the construction or rehabilitation of homes.

Myth: Habitat only builds in cities.
Fact: Habitat affiliates across the country build homes in areas where land is affordable.
Flower City Habitat has built a home in Clarkson. However, high land costs, zoning restrictions requiring an acre or more per house, and poor access to sewer and water lines can make houses so expensive as to be unaffordable for low income homeowners.

Myth: Habitat uses substandard materials and unskilled labor resulting in poorly constructed homes.
Fact: When Hurricane Hugo struck Homestead, Fl. the only homes remaining intact were those built by Habitat. Habitat uses quality materials and volunteers who are eager to learn from skilled construction supervisors. Professional builders marvel at the quality of Habitat homes.

Myth: Habitat families are not prepared to be homeowners.
Fact: Habitat families take a series of workshops to help them prepare for homeownership. The skills they develop building their homes enable families to take care of minor maintenance issues. Habitat continues to provide appropriate support to families for the length of the mortgage.

Myth: You build in the worst neighborhoods and expect families to thrive!
Fact: We do build in the worst neighborhoods because we want to return them to safe and decent places to live. Habitat homeowners provide the critical mass of committed residents who make the difference.

FLOWER CITY HABITAT WISH LIST

Tamper Drywall Knives & Pans
Bobcat Utility Knives
Cordless drill Power miter box
Laser level Acetylene torch/tank
Hammer Folding chairs
Tape Measure Folding Tables
Safety glasses Copy paper
Shop Vac Power Auger
Computer support services Surplus building materials
Graphic design & printing services for newsletter
4 X 8 Signs for building sites
Lawnmowers in good condition for homeowners
Cell Phone Service for Construction Supervisors

To donate any of the above items, please call Bill Bartlett, Construction Manager @ 546-1470 x307

NEED A SPEAKER?
If you would like someone to speak to your congregation, service club, or organization,
please call Diane Davis, Volunteer Coordinator @ 546-1470 x304

Visit Flower City Habitat for Humanity to access additional information.