2025 is a year of exciting opportunities at Indian River Habitat for Humanity. In fact, creating opportunities is what Habitat is all about. As you will see throughout the stories in this newsletter, we are hard at work helping our neighbors in need create opportunity, stability, and hope for the future through affordable homeownership, critical home repairs, financial training, and education.
Housing affordability continues to be the largest economic issue facing the Treasure Coast. We are building more than ever to help meet this housing crisis head on, with new projects including the subdivisions at Gifford Gardens and Citrus Crossing coming soon.
Thank you for helping us provide essential services, like critical home repairs, Hurricane Milton recovery, and housing counseling. Together, we are building a legacy of hope and a future full of opportunity!
Blessings,
Trevor Loomis, CEO IRC Habitat for Humanity
Daisy Mae at the wall raising and home dedication of her home sponsored by The Moorings Community. (See story on page 2)
Home: Another door opens
Daisy Mae’s Story
Daisy May Hicks has faced many challenges in her life. A catastrophic childhood car accident left her with mobility issues, and she lost her beloved husband in 2013. She is determined, however, to do whatever it takes to find peace and stability in homeownership. At 66 years old, she is well on her way to achieving that goal.
Daisy May and her late husband bought a home in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, after his passing, she was forced to sell when she couldn’t afford the mortgage on her own. Daisy May has since moved several times as the costs of each successive apartment increased. Due to her age and disability, renting is simply not sustainable. Despite Daisy’s physical challenges, she has been a part-time employee at Walmart for over 20 years.
door ever y
opens up new opportunity.
Daisy May’s family has been a great support system throughout the home-buying process. One of Daisy’s sisters helped complete the necessary sweat equity hours at the Habitat ReStore. The two sisters have worked sideby-side to ensure Daisy May’s dream comes to fruition.
As the last member of her immediate family to own a home, Daisy May is excited about becoming a homeowner, especially in her hometown!
Home: My journey begins Marvin’s Story
Marvin at the wall raising of his home sponsored by Odom, Conrado EnterprisesMcDonald’s
A father’s love can move mountains and build homes!
Marvin Naphier is a dedicated single father of two who is working hard to achieve homeownership. He is determined to reunite his family and lay a solid foundation for his son and daughter that will ensure their future success.
Currently, Marvin lives with his mother and must commute to visit his children. With rising rental costs, finding suitable housing that meets his needs has been challenging. Observing the impact of this situation on him, his employer, Aiello Landscape, encouraged him to explore Habitat’s Homeownership Program. As a vital member of Aiello Landscape’s team, Marvin received support during this difficult time. With our active partnership with Aiello Landscape, we are proud to journey alongside Marvin each step of the way.
“I look forward to having my children under one roof,” Marvin says.
With a stable home, Marvin’s children can look forward to increased stability and self-reliance as they grow and thrive.
is a key to independence
Home Repair Program
Scholarship Program
Early Childhood Development Alvin & Shirley’s Story
For Alvin and Shirley, home is everything.
The Jacksons have taken great pride in being homeowners, especially given their setbacks. However, despite those trials and tribulations, they still had peace of mind knowing they had a home to turn to. At times, that sense of stability was all they had.
After marriage, Alvin moved into Shirely’s family home in 2008. Since moving in, Alvin has worked diligently for the couple to remain in the home and maintain its integrity.
With Shirley now bedridden and suffering from dementia, Alvin has become her primary caregiver, and it is crucial for him to ensure their home is in good condition. However, he has a seizure disorder that prevents him from working, making it difficult to address the necessary repairs on his own.
The Jacksons’ water bill started to soar due to a leak beneath the surface, causing weak spots and deteriorating flooring. They were also unaware that mold had grown behind their kitchen appliances, causing them to get sick. Additionally, they needed a new roof to avoid lapsed insurance coverage.
Living on a fixed income with limited resources, Alvin reached out to Habitat’s Repair Program for assistance. The Home Depot’s partnership with Habitat allowed the Jacksons to receive the help they desperately needed. As a retired Army tank operator, Alvin qualified for aid offered to Veterans, which significantly reduced repair costs and interest rates.
Indian River Habitat and The Home Depot provided the household with a new roof, flooring, and air conditioning system – but more than anything else, comfort, once again.
Despite setback after setback, if you ask Alvin, he considers himself blessed beyond measure.
“Bring anyone to my house, bring everyone, let them see how blessed we are,” Alvin said.
Homeownership is vital. It is more than just a house. Homeownership creates opportunities for children to thrive and grow into their God-given potential. Children of homeowners have better educational outcomes, earn better grades, and are more likely to graduate from college.
Habitat homeowners and their children can access college and vocational school scholarships through Indian River Habitat’s Scholarship Program. The program also provides families with subsidized access to education-based after-school and summer care programs.
The main goal of the Indian River Habitat for Humanity’s Scholarship Program is to help break the cycle of generational poverty through enhanced educational opportunities.
Recently, we have begun offering early childhood educational scholarships for children as young as two months old.
Research has unequivocally shown that early childhood education is the cornerstone of healthy emotional, social, academic, cognitive, and physical development. Brain development is most rapid during the first five years of a child’s life, and the quality of a child’s experiences in these crucial years—positive or negative—significantly influence how their brain develops.
With this in mind, we work to intervene early with childhood development.
During the past fiscal year, the program awarded scholarship funding and educational opportunities to 107 individuals.
For more information on the Scholarship Program, please contact Elba Ortiz at eortiz@irchabitat.org.
Volunteer Spotlight
Doug Skeet
For over 17 years, Doug Skeet has worked alongside Habitat’s mission of building a world where everyone can access affordable homeownership solutions.
During those nearly two decades, Doug contributed over 1,000 volunteer hours on the construction site, assisting the “Live Wires” crew.
The “Live Wires” are an energetic bunch that provides electrical support to the construction staff. Live Wires are essential to helping keep construction costs low, while providing critical electrical assistance.
Doug learned of the electrical team from a former Habitat Construction Supervisor. He initially volunteered to learn a new skill but stayed because of Habitat’s mission.
In Memoriam
Remembering two of our dedicated volunteers, Joan Irish and Howard Leary who gave selflessly of their time, talent and treasure to Indian River Habitat. We will miss them both.
Joan Irish proudly served the Indian River Habitat ReStore for 16 years, contributing over 900 hours. Joan took pride in organizing and running the linen department, often taking “the job” home with her as she laundered the linens before they were sold. We will miss the pride she took in her department and the joy she provided those who worked alongside her.
A pioneer in Christ by the Sea Methodist Church’s volunteer efforts, Howard Leary dedicated 12 years to the organization and contributed over 200 volunteer hours. Under Howard’s leadership, Christ by the Sea Methodist Church has been a strong supporter of our mission. We will miss Howard’s dedication and guidance.
‘‘
It’s such a privilege witnessing families achieve homeownership. Watching the children light up at Wall Raisings and Home Dedications is a blessing. ‘‘
In addition to building homes, volunteering allows you to build connections and relationships between fellow volunteers, Habitat staff, and homebuyers. In fact, the “Live Wires” crew meets for coffee each Monday to discuss the week ahead while also fellowshipping with one another.
“Whether you’re putting up siding or installing lighting, there’s always a place for you here.”
Volunteering with Indian River Habitat is not just for skilled craftsmen or laborers. All you need is a heart for the mission; we supply the rest.
For more information on how to get involved with Indian River Habitat, visit our website, irchabitat.org, or email our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, Daniella Dominique, at ddominique@ircHabitat.org.
Women Build 2025 A Smashing Success!
BUILD
A TEAM. BUILD A HOUSE. BUILD HOPE.
On March 8th, in honor of International Women’s Day, walls were raised for two Habitat homebuyers. Seventy volunteers worked side-by-side in Vero Lake Estates highlighting the need for women to have access to affordable homeownership opportunities. The grand total of monies raised through sponsorships and peer-to-peer fundraising totaled well over $120,000. The event was a smashing success!
In addition to the Moorings Sponsorship of the Women Build 2025 home, a special thank you goes out to Publix Supermarkets Charities for being the Premier Women Build 2025 Sponsor. Other sponsors include Bill and Mary Ann Becker, Cathco, Masteller, Moler & Taylor, Inc., Marine Bank, anonymous donor, ABCO Garage Door Company, and In-Kind donors. Many thanks to the Women Ambassadors who helped fundraise through social media utilizing Indian River Habitat’s peer-to-peer fundraising platform.
How Indian River Habitat for Humanity made an impact since 1991 (as of June 30, 2024)
To view the gallery of photos of the kick-off and build day, visit www.ircHabitat.org under the events page.
How Indian River Habitat for Humanity made an impact since 1991 (as of June 30, 2024)
542 New Homes Built or Renovated
139 Clients Served through Housing Counseling Program since October 2023
1,772 Post Secondary & Childcare Scholarships Awarded
1,196 Families Served in Global Partner Countries
796 Homes repaired
128 Veteran Homes repaired
621,259 Volunteer Hours
10,119 Volunteers
Leaving a Lasting Legacy Planned Giving
When you make a gift to Indian River Habitat for Humanity, you become an integral partner in building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
We know that safe, decent, affordable housing provides a cornerstone for families to build healthier lives full of promise for their future. With your hand up, Indian River Habitat homeowners can access the necessary resources and develop the confidence they need to invest in themselves and their communities. These outcomes create positive changes that impact multiple generations of a family.
Investing in Habitat’s mission through your will, trust or other account will be your personal legacy of building a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
“ As time goes on much of what I may have accomplished in my life will be forgotten. So, my last wish is to leave behind a remembrance as someone who cared for those in need,” says Millard Fuller Society members Rene and Alice Donars.
Doug and Mary Skeet recently chose to create a legacy through a planned gift to Indian River Habitat.
“ We adhere to Habitat’s philosophy of a hand up, not a handout. Indian River Habitat provides exceptional housing for children. As former educators, this stable environment serves as a foundation for student learning and growth. We feel it is important that this work continues for families and the community.”
Along with their support for Habitat’s work through generous support of the annual campaign, many families have chosen to support our mission with a legacy gift that is converted to permanent support through our endowment fund.
As Fuller Society members Jim and Sharon Gardner shared:
“ Everything we have is a gift from God. We are blessed every day we wake up to another day. We have no children or grandchildren, so we want to share with others in need. We have supported Indian River Habitat for Humanity for many years. We were impressed with the many different programs offered. We love seeing results of helping others to help themselves. The legacy program assures that our gift will continue long into the future.”
Leave a legacy that will impact affordable housing for future generations!
We are grateful for the legacy that is left by every member of the Millard Fuller Society. Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit families after your lifetime, we can help you find a plan that fits your goals.
Talk to a member of our development team today to set up your Indian River Habitat legacy and make a difference in lives for generations to come.
4568 N. US Highway 1 Vero Beach, FL 32967
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rick Hahn, Chair
Dr. Linda Faust, Vice Chair
Dr. Terri A. Graham, Secretary
Doug Vitunac, Treasurer
Bob Bauchman
Martin Bireley
Douglas L. Feek
Pat Gorman
Glenn Grevengoed
Wilfred Hart
David Johnson
Sherri Kolodziejczak
David Sommers
Please visit our office located at 4568 N. US Hwy 1 in Vero Beach to collect a pre-screen application. Gifford Gardens will feature 14 beautifully designed homes with new floor plans situated on 3.3 acres in Gifford. The site will be thoughtfully landscaped by the Pelican Island Audubon Society, highlighting 100% native plants and trees.
