Winter 2020 HabiChat: Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Homeownership

HabiChat Volume 40, Issue 1, Winter 2020

Breaking Down Barriers to Affordable Homeownership

pensacolahabitat.org rethinkhabitat.org

Letter from 2020 Chairwoman Board of Directors Mei Davis Chairwomen Gene Franklin Vice Chairman Mike Adkins Treasurer Skip Vogelsang Secretary Al Coby Dawn Brazwell Michele Dumond Rabbi Joel Fleekop Siobhan Gallagher Julie Griffin Sandra Hodges Pat Hubbard Mike Lanwehr Matt Newcomer Dr. Charles Reese Betty Salter Josh Womack Karen Wright

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH37256

For the next two years, I, Mei Ling Davis, have the honor of serving as a space for the November air your Chairwoman of the Board for to creep in. She apologized Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. for the condition of her Mr. Al Coby, Past-President, home because of the lack of served Pensacola Habitat well this resources to which she had past year. The organization grew access. I went home that night, tremendously during his time of distraught, and felt a desire to leadership, and both Pensacola help. That Saturday, my father Habitat and the board are stronger and I went over to fix those due to his insight. I thank Al and missing boards. I will never our supporters like our volunteers, forget the look on donors, customers, her face: gratitude and staff for for someone who giving so much of I will never forget tried. themselves to this the look on her face: great organization.

Now, I am 55

gratitude for

I became someone passionate about affordable housing in 1981 when I helped with delivering turkey dinners to families in the downtown area for Thanksgiving. While this was not a Pensacola Habitat event, this was the first time I encountered the issue of everyone not having access to a decent place to live.

Having been raised on Gulf Beach Highway, downtown Pensacola in 1981 was relatively unknown to me.

The beauty and growth of what downtown is today did not exist. I and others were given addresses and a paper map for delivering the dinners. When I walked into an elderly woman’s home and put her groceries in her kitchen for her, I noticed it was cold in her house.

The floor level of her off-grade home was missing boards, creating 2

years old, and I still try. At Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, we guide people through the home buyer program for an affordable home, encourage people who are declined to reapply when they are eligible, and work to build a better community together. We try to provide a decent place for everyone to live in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. We try, and we succeed.

who tried.

Join with us this year. Try. Succeed. You will be happy you did. I know I am.

May God bless and keep you,

Mei Ling Davis

HabiChat Winter 2020: Breaking Down Barriers

Breaking Down Barriers to Homeownership

by Christina Enriquez

Above: Karim Muniz, a new homeowner with Pensacola Habitat, receives a Bible from Crystal Scott, Director of Resource Development

Who are the families that partner with Pensacola Habitat for Humanity? Are they the teacher at your kids’ school, the nurse at your local hospital, or the Pensacola Habitat has announced a new homeowner: Karim Muniz. police officer protecting our After countless hours on the build site working on her sweat equity neighborhoods? and completing all the homeowner readiness courses, she closed on her house on January 24, 2020.

The answer is all of the above. Pensacola Habitat for Karim is a single mom with a passion for education. As a special Humanity reaches wide across education teacher, Karim empowers students with autism with the community with various necessary skills like communication and finds it to be a rewarding programs and services aimed at job. However, for many years homeownership was out of reach for transforming communities one her. After renting a home with her son for the past 11 years, Karim homeowner at a time. took charge and decided it was time for a change. Affordable

Meet Karim Muniz

Below: Karim and Kristin O’Bryan, Sr. Communications Associate, hug during Karim’s home dedication

housing options are scarce in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, but Karim persevered. After her bid on a home fell through, Karim decided to give Pensacola Habitat for Humanity a try. When she was accepted into the program, overwhelmed with so many emotions, she was finally able to start the process to own a home. “Owning a new home was never a thought on my mind when I began this journey”, said Muniz. Purchasing a home built by Pensacola Habitat means you are investing in your future, and this is exactly what Karim plans to do next. Having a steady, affordable mortgage enables Karim to further her passions. Returning to school and becoming a speech-language pathologist is Karim’s next chapter.

Pensacola Habitat joins in partnership with the community to fulfill the dream of homeownership and build homes, communities, and hope! To apply, visit apply.pensacolahabitat.org

Karim

Danelle

Welcome Home January 2020 Closings

Kimberly

Marissa 4

Brianna

HabiChat Winter 2020: Breaking Down Barriers

Tearing Down Walls to Build Up Communities

5th Annual Faith Build

by Courtney Hawkins

by Kevin Thomas

Danelle Shavers’s smile was bright as she held up her brand-new key with an attached Pensacola Habitat keychain for a picture. At the end of January, after a process full of hard work and dedication, Danelle had closed on her new home built by Faith Build Volunteers in 2019. Danelle explained she finished the application process and program after a period of “disbelief because [she had] applied for other homes and was rejected.”

Family is important to Danelle, and she expressed her anticipation for “having room for nieces and nephews to

Long-time volunteer Bob Young presents Danelle with a hammer during her home dedication

come over and stay.” The ability to have space for them to enjoy and a stable place for Danelle to come back to rest her head gives her a reason to truly love her home. When asked about Pensacola Habitat’s impact, Danelle said, “I think Pensacola Habitat has impacted the community by empowering families to work for homes that they can afford.” In 2020, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity has so far closed on five homes and looks forward to seeing more people move into their homes.

Join Faith Build 2020! Visit pensacolahabitat.org/faith-build

This May, churches, mosques, and temples will come together again to put God’s love into action serving a family in need of affordable homeownership.

Members of local faith communities, guided by Pensacola Habitat for Humanity crew leaders, will spend a week this spring framing a home alongside the home buyer.

Once finished, the home will be purchased at a rate compatible with the home buyer’s affordability.

Beyond just physical homes, Faith Build provides an opportunity for us to build a stronger, more unified and compassionate community.

Any perceived differences fade away when people envision a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and the community finds the fortitude to come together and make it happen.

Put your faith into action! There are many ways to volunteer with Faith Build from swinging a hammer to making lunches for the builders. Invite some friends from your faith community, and register today!

pensacolahabitat.org/ faith-build

Habitat FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament

by Christina Enriquez On February 12, 2020 Pensacola Habitat for Humanity was presented with a check for $70,200! The check was a result of the 2019 Habitat FORE! Humanity Golf Tournament where EXIT made a generous matching donation of $30,000.

Not only did they donate funds, they also invested time and effort into making the golf

tournament such a success.

Local and corporate members from EXIT Realty were on the worksite, Saturday, Feb. 22, with

their hard hats on ready to join Pensacola Habitat for Humanity in their efforts towards affordable homeownership.

Pensacola Habitat is grateful for the partnership with the local community.

EXIT Realty N.F.I and Pensacola Habitat representatives take a photo with the final fundraised amount

To find out more about how you can make a difference in your community, visit pensacolahabitat.org/donate

Sponsor Pensacola Food Truck Festival

by Christina Enriquez

Want to be a sponsor for the 2020 Pensacola Food Truck Festival? Corporate sponsors will receive benefits such as widespread brand recognition across a variety of medias, exclusive merchandise, and VIP access! With your sponsorship, you and your business can help more families in our community achieve homeownership!

April 3, 5pm-10pm April 4, 11am-8pm

Name Address

Visit pensacolafoodtruckfest.org or contact Aaron Rogers at aaronrogers@pensacolahabitat.org to get involved today.

HabiChat Winter 2020: Breaking Down Barriers

A Shining Example on E. Street

by Christina Enriquez This downtown dream home located at 307 N. E St. in Pensacola features some popular amenities such as, front porch, large laundry room, Energy Star appliances, and storage room. This home won the Parade of Homes award for homes priced at $210,000 and under in 2019.

There are so many people in the community who came together to make this happen.

We would like to recognize our volunteers who came out to help build this home: Ohio State University brought a group of volunteers out and had the framing completed in one week. Without the support of our donors and community we would not be able to fulfill our mission of building homes, communities and hope.

To donate or get involved, call (850) 434-5456 or email info@pensacolahabitat.org

Our beautiful E. Street model home!

2020 Open House Dates Every Tuesday 10:30am - 2pm Every Thursday 12pm - 6pm Every Third Saturday 10am - 2pm

Make a donation today!

Please consider a contribution to Pensacola Habitat for Humanity. Your donation will assist families in our community!

City, State Look for my pledge online at pensacolahabitat.org/donate Enclosed is my donation of $

Please mail this slip along with your donation to:

Zip

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity 300 W Leonard St Pensacola, FL 32501

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #554 Pensacola, FL

P.O. Box 13204 • Pensacola, FL 32591-3204 Main Office 850-434-5456 Pensacola ReStore 850-476-0001

linkedin.com/company/pensacola-habitat-for-humanity facebook.com/pensacolahabitat facebook.com/pensacolarestore @pcolahabitat

Come shop at the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ReStore! We have donated overstock and gently-used furniture, appliances, home improvement items, and more! 100% of store profit goes towards Pensacola Habitat’s mission.

Located at Eastgate Plaza 6931 N 9th Ave #29, Pensacola, FL 32504

Sign-up to receive the electronic version of HabiChat at pensacolahabitat.org To request removal from the Pensacola Habitat for Humanity mailing list, email info@pensacolahabitat.org or call 850-434-5456

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or sources of income.