The
mid-SUMMER 2002
BLUEPRINT
The Newsletter of the Habitat For Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver _________________________________________________________________________________________
HABITAT BENEFICIARY OF ISMAILI WALK ATTENTION: ALL BLUEPRINT READERS!
By Jane Davidson and Tyler Sampson The Ismaili Muslim community has chosen the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver as the recipient charity of the 2002 Ismaili Walk. The Ismaili community works with a different charity every year. Organizing the annual walk is a joint effort with volunteers from the recipient charity and the Ismaili community. This year, Habitat will put its own unique fingerprint on this annual event. In addition to refreshments and children’s activities, Habitat volunteers will assemble a children’s playhouse during the Walk. The 11th Annual Ismaili Walk will take place on Sunday, September 8th. The seven-kilometre course will begin at 11:00 am at Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park. Call the Habitat office at 604-681-5618 for more information about volunteering, walking or pledging.
THANK YOU FROM A FAMILY PARTNER Upon entering our new townhouse, the smell of fresh paint still in the air, my family and I realized that the foundation that holds up this house does not consist solely of steel and cement. The physical and emotional support of all the volunteers and organizers has made this miracle possible. Not only have we been given a house, but a "habitat." Our neighbours are friends, and we are not afraid for our children's safety. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for a house we can truly call home. ---Wally Dilk and family
All volunteers, Habitat Society members, and all those interested in putting an end to poverty housing are strongly encouraged to take part in the upcoming 11th Annual Ismaili Walk. The proceeds from this year’s Walk go to Habitat Vancouver. Please consider contributing some time to help make this event a success. You can take part by being a Walk volunteer, a walker or by sponsoring a walker. This year’s Ismaili Walk is a leisurely seven kilometres through Stanley Park, starting at 11:00 am on September 8th, 2002. Call the Habitat office at 604-681-5618 for more information about volunteering, walking or pledging.
ORGANIZED LABOUR KEY TO PHASE ONE By Don Jantzen and Tyler Sampson In April of 2002, the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver finished Phase One of the Government Street project, the first four townhouses of a planned twenty-sevenunit development. While there have been many, many volunteers working on-site and in-committee, the key to the successful completion of Phase One has been the participation of organized labour. The British Columbia Federation of Labour and the BC Yukon Building Trades Council have both endorsed Habitat Vancouver and the Government Street project. Thanks to their cooperation and active support, Habitat has been able to reach out to both active and retired union members from all trades.
The efforts of these union and trades volunteers have made a large and very significant difference throughout Phase One of the Government Street project. The Habitat Board originally estimated a 1:3 ratio of volunteer to paid labour on the site. In fact, it has turned out to be the converse, largely due to volunteers from the building trades. These highly skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen work quickly, are good leaders and provide excellent instruction to their crews of unskilled and semi-skilled volunteers. These qualities have made them an important partner in Habitat’s mission to eliminate poverty housing. Organized labour has also assisted Habitat Vancouver is other ways. Union locals have provided significant donations, postage for mail-outs and technical support for the Home Dedication Ceremony on April 27, 2002. All signs point to a blossoming relationship with organized labour and their continued support in the fight against poverty housing.
The Blueprint
mid-SUMMER 2002
VOLUNTEER RECRUITING Unless otherwise stated, all volunteer inquiries are to be directed to the Habitat office at 604-681-5618. this year’s walk will benefit Ismaili Walk on September 8th, individual to take over as 2002. Ismaili Walk volunteers the Habitat for Humanity Editor and Head Writer of the Public Relations will sell food and refreshment Blueprint newsletter, January Society of Greater Vancouver. tickets, supervise children, or 1st, 2003 or sooner. The GRAPHIC DESIGNER & assignment entails editing, do set-up and teardown. Family Selection DESKTOP PUBLISHER writing and managing. A oneyear commitment is preferred. Fundraising The Public Relations The Family Selection Committee needs a graphic Committee is looking for designer/desktop publisher. Ismaili Walk GRANT WRITING & volunteers to help plan and Artistic help is needed to RESEARCH carry out family selection. develop and revise Habitat As the date of the Walk, Volunteers will be dealing print materials and website September 8, approaches, the The Fundraising committee is with a lot of detailed content. A minimum sixIsmaili Walk for Habitat Joint looking for some talented paperwork, and must commit month commitment is Committee is looking for writers and researchers to to a process that will take 8 required. volunteers to help with make-up a special Grant months to a year. Dedication everything from walk Writing & Research suband commitment are required. EDITOR NEEDED FOR marshalling, to assisting with a committee. Grant application BLUEPRINT NEWSLETTER special on-site "mini-build", to and proposal experience is Volunteer entertainment, food, and preferred, but talent and hard The Public Relations raffles. Be sure to participate work are essential. The Volunteer Committee Committee needs a highly in the 11th Annual Ismaili needs volunteers for the capable and organized Walk on September 8th, 2002;
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT BCIT STUDENTS AND FACULTY COME THROUGH FOR HABITAT
CMHC GOLFERS SINK PUTTS FOR HABITAT
MICROSOFT DONATES MORE SOFTWARE
Thank you to BCIT for participating in the Government Street project as Technical Support sponsor. The students and faculty from the BCIT Trades School have been essential to completing the four townhouses of Government Street - Phase One. Habitat Vancouver is grateful for their help and ongoing support. Thanks again!
Thank you to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and all the golfers who participated in the 2nd Annual CMHC Golf Tournament. The May 27th tournament at the Northview Golf & Country Club raised $5200 for the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver. Thanks again to the CMHC Tournament organizers for choosing Habitat as your recipient charity.
Thank you to Microsoft Canada for their recent donation of Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Project. The software will be put to good use in the Habitat Vancouver office and in the Construction committee plans for Phase Two. Thank you, Microsoft Canada, for your continued support of the Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver.
CREDITS & CONTACT INFORMATION PUBLISHED BY The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver Editor, Writer, Layout & Design Tyler Sampson CONTRIBUTORS Jane Davidson Wally Dilk Ronda Field Don Jantzen Karen Keeney Chris McGill Catherine O’Connor-Morris ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Adrian Archambault Lot Sparham Chris McGill Heather Ross
The Habitat for Humanity Society of Greater Vancouver Office address: 125 E 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 60577 Granville Park, Vancouver, BC V6H 4B9 Tel: 604.681.5618 Fax: 604.872.0223 Email: habitat@vancouver.net Visit us online at: www.vancouverhabitat.bc.ca