2013
Community Report
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity unites the community with people in need to provide the life-changing opportunity to purchase and own simple, quality, aordable homes.
2013 Habitat Homeowners
2013: By The Numbers
Building Homes, Building Hope
24 new homeowners 10,800 hours of “sweat including 1st Greater Indy Habitat home in Hendricks County
19 families purchased newly constructed homes
5 families purchased rehabbed homes
908 generous individuals,
companies, churches, and organizations made a financial gift toward our mission in Greater Indy
equity� contributed by homeowners in training
$400 average monthly
mortgage payment of Habitat homeowners
11,000+ volunteers lended a hand to build homes and hope
5 houses were funded by
proceeds from the Habitat ReStore
A Path to Homeownership MEET THE GARCIA FAMILY Habitat for Humanity homeowners bring a variety of backgrounds, experiences and stories to our program but one thing they all share is a need for affordable, quality housing. The Garcia family had a need Homeless in California, Francisco and Marta Garcia moved to Indianapolis with their eight children to what they hoped was a better situation as they began renting a house. “Three weeks after we moved into the home city workers came to board the house because it was not livable,” said Francisco. “As a result of this, we were forced to move to a shelter.” Once again without long-term shelter, Francisco and Marta sought out a stable home for their family. Following an introduction to Greater Indy Habitat’s homeownership program, the Garcia’s applied, qualified, and began the journey of homeowner education classes and construction on their home in Martindale-Brightwood.
“It’s a miracle; I have no words to express how grateful we are. The people were really nice and warm toward us,” said Francisco of the volunteers and Habitat staff who helped build his home. Benefits abound after moving in Since moving into their home in June of 2013, Francisco and Marta have observed the benefits and joys of homeownership, including increased security, improved health, and continuity for their children. “They are happier,” said Francisco about his eight children. “They feel secure and have more liberty to be and act like children. Their grades improved and they eat and sleep better.” Stability also meant that Francisco could get involved in community meetings to continue the improvement in his neighborhood. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard recognized Francisco’s leadership in the community by honoring him with the 2014 Indiana Latino Spirit Award at the 2014 Indiana Latino Expo. The award further emphasizes the transformation their family has experienced through the opportunity of homeownership.
Serving Our Global Neighbors Reflection by Diane Newton, 2013 Global Village Builder Would you want to take a trip to El Salvador with Habitat for Humanity a few weeks before Thanksgiving? That’s the question my husband and I were faced with last year when Habitat approached us with a unique opportunity to travel with others from the Greater Indianapolis area on a Global Village trip to Usulutan, El Salvador sponsored by Defender Direct. Of course, the answer was “YES.” We had been involved with local Habitat projects and were excited to be included in an international project. Expanding our family in Usulutan Upon arriving in San Salvador, the Habitat staff from Usulutan shared information that helped us understand the tremendous hardships people in El Salvador had endured and are still struggling with 20 years after a brutal civil war. After traveling two hours by bus we arrived at our final destination, Usulutan. Departing the bus we noticed some folks sitting under a tree and discovered that was “our family,” Lorena, Augustine and their two children, Saira and Jheison. We shared a meal together and soon felt really connected to these total strangers. When work began on the 450 square-foot concrete block house, we were all excited to see each block complete one more step toward making a home for a wonderful family. All of us – the family, hired masons, Habitat staff, van drivers, our American team – became family. We’re all working toward the same goal It reminded me of the book, “Same Kind of Different as Me,” by Ron Hall. When we travel to different places and meet different people, we soon find out that things and people are different. Yes, but deep down, those places and people are the same. We are grateful for the opportunity we had to enlarge the boundaries of our family. Here’s a quote from the book that sums it up: “We’re all just regular folks walkin’ down the road God done set in front of us.”
Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity has raised more than $1 million in tithe since 1988 to provide 325 homes in Central America.
Diane Newton (left) works on Lorena and Augustine’s home.
“Lowe's and our employees truly enjoyed participating in building these homes and being a part of making a difference in the MartindaleBrightwood community.” Matt Monroe
Lowe’s Market Director
Transforming Neighborhoods Habitat Expands Services with Community Impact Grant Lowe’s expanded its nine-year national partnership with Habitat for Humanity International in 2013 through a new Community Impact Grant, investing $1 million to transform four communities across the country, including our own.
Greater Indy was one of four affiliates awarded the $250,000 grant with the goal to revitalize a neighborhood within the Martindale-Brightwood community on the city’s northeast side. Greater Indy Habitat matched the grant with the support of Indianapolis-based businesses including Defender Direct, Stanley Security Solutions, Delta Faucet and Masco Corporation. Expanding our services Through the Lowe’s Community Impact Grant, Greater Indy Habitat expanded the scope of its work through the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). NRI projects complement the work of residents and community organizations to support comprehensive community development and the continual improvement of the neighborhood’s quality of life. Historically a new homebuilder, the focus on NRI projects expanded our services to include rehabbing abandoned and foreclosed homes and light repair for low-income homeowners. The work in Martindale-Brightwood was just the beginning of our NRI efforts. By December, Greater Indy Habitat completed the last of eight new homes, one restoration and a Brush with Kindness project, light repair on five homes, utilizing nearly 2,500 volunteers - all in time for our partner families to celebrate their first Christmas in their new homes.
$250,000 investment toward a $1 million overall project:
8 new
homes
+
1 home
restoration
+
5 home repairs
families = 14served
God’s Love into Action Reflection by Wayland Thompson, Outreach Pastor Northview Church has been extremely grateful to partner with Indy Habitat for the last couple of years. What we love most about this ministry is the holistic nature of not just providing a home, but also walking through life with the families as they partner with Habitat. It takes it from being just compassion ministry to hitting on the deeper themes of discipleship and justice. Our people love coming out and working on the job sites – it is a high energy, team-centered atmosphere that Greater Indy Habitat has down to a science. But when our people get to hear the stories of the homeowners – their commitment to this as a process, their desire to give back and help others, and the joy of realizing a dream come true – it takes it to another level. We are so appreciative of the fact that all of this is pointed back to Jesus – that He ultimately gets the glory here. Thanks for allowing us to play a small part of what you are doing to make a difference in our city!
Remembering Warren Perney Among the excitment of serving 24 families with homeownership in 2013, we also mourned the loss of founding member and first board president, Warren Perney. Thanks to the vision and commitment of Warren, his wife Jean, and six volunteer community members, the Greater Indianapolis affiliate became a reality in 1987. Under Warren’s leadership as board president, Habitat constructed three homes in its first 18 months as an affiliate. In 1990, Habitat honored Warren for his three years of volunteer service as board president. That same year, Warren received a key to the city and the Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest award which the Governor of Indiana bestows. Current and former Greater Indy Habitat homeowners, staff, board and volunteers are grateful for the leadership and vision Warren gave to our affiliate and city in order to serve people in need in Greater Indianapolis.
The first Habitat home, dedicated in 1988.
Habitat ReStore ReStore, By The Numbers:
In 2013, ReStore revenue helped provide 5 Greater Indy Habitat homes.
Through thousands of corporate donations, the ReStore diverted hundreds of tons of materials from landfills.
The ReStore provided 14 people with jobs, who all contributed to the $750,000 gross sales for the year.
The ReStore donation truck picked up more than 1600 donations throughout Greater Indy.
More than 18,000 customers (about 85 per day) reused or repurposed material destined for the landfill and also saved 50-75% by not paying full retail price.
Corporate Partners Further ReStore Mission In 2013, the Greater Indy Habitat ReStore partnered with Havertys Furniture to benefit customers, sales staff, and the ReStore mission. Throughout the year, the Havertys sales team educated and encouraged their customers to become supporters of the ReStore by donating their gently used furniture when purchasing new. The increase in furniture donated and pick-up requests further emphasized the success of the partnership. Havertys customers were eager to “pay it forward” with their donation of items that otherwise might have ended up in a landfill. “I enjoy the opportunity to help the customer even after they have already purchased their items,” said Carolyn, a Havertys furniture sales associate. “It helps customers know we care.” Havertys realized the opportunity to further support their community through the great relationships they form with customers on a daily basis. With Havertys serving as a partnership model, the Restore looks forward to developing new corporate relationships to reduce material waste and build more Habitat homes in Greater Indy.
2013 Board of Directors Susy Komenda-Myers, Chair Bernard Trusty, Vice Chair Mara Scales, Treasurer Maura Kautsky, Secretary John Dewey Tim Eckersley
Brian Henning Ben Houle Matt Konopka Nick Koon Roys Laux Chris Mayfield
Jason McNiel Rich Menke Zaida Monell Rex Phillips Dave Sternberg
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. 3135 N. Meridian St. Tel: 317.921.2121 indyhabitat.org
Indianapolis, IN 46208 Fax: 317.921.2126 indyrestore.com