Message from the President
Greetings and Happy New Year,
Like most of us, each January I like to reflect on the past year and remember various events, people I’ve met and goals that were accomplished. And usually, I also remark on how fast each passing year seems to just whiz by. The year 2010 was no exception either, passing by even faster than the year before. There’s an old saying that time goes by faster when you’re busy! Well, Habitat for Humanity of Mariposa County has been busy and has accomplished a great deal last year. We have of course accomplished much due to the tremendous support of businesses and individuals alike who were willing to give of their time, money and other contributions to help begin building our first partner home.
This year however will be perhaps even more challenging as we continue working with all of our volunteers and sponsors to complete our first partner home and as we launch a new program called A Brush with Kindness in the community. We are very excited to be able to offer some much needed volunteer help to qualified low-income homeowners. A brochure has been prepared and will be distributed to several locations which can show how these services may be of help in the community.
Also this year we will be looking for another parcel of land to build another home or a home that is in need of rehabilitation for the next Partner Family. Although it is a necessary part of our mission to raise consciousness of the need for decent, safe and affordable housing, it is equally important that we build partnerships throughout our community and work together with all faiths in our continuous housing ministry.
This year 2011 has many new and exciting goals for our affiliate to achieve, and a very important one will be to complete our first partner home. We are also learning a great deal after completing each step of this process which will only help us move with more efficiency in future projects that we embark upon.
Very best regards,
Bob Pickard
President of Habitat for Humanity of Mariposa County
New Partner Family Update
HFH of Mariposa County will soon be publicly announcing its new partner family. This family--a single mother with three young sons--qualified for a home with Habitat early in 2010 and will be putting in "sweat equity," as required by Habitat for Humanity policy. We look forward to working with this family, our volunteers, and the community, as we continue to pursue our Christian mission of building safe, decent, affordable homes with those in need here in Mariposa County.
A Brush With Kindness
Habitat for Humanity of Mariposa County is offering low-income families or individuals, the elderly, and persons with disabilities an opportunity to participate in a new housing preservation program called A Brush with Kindness (ABWK).
For more information, please contact our office at 209-966-7444.
About Our Organization
Organized in 2006, Habitat for Humanity of Mariposa County is an independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. We are a non-profit, Christian, housing ministry dedicated to making shelter a matter of conscience. Building relationships and community is as important to us as building homes. We invite people of all faiths and walks of life to work in partnership to lend a hand to those in need of decent, affordable housing.
The essential building blocks of the Habitat program are volunteer labor and donated materials, which are utilized in the building of simple, decent homes. Habitat homes are sold to partner families on a no-profit basis, with 0% interest mortgages. HFH of Mariposa Co. generally holds the mortgage for 20 to 30 years. Payments are recycled to finance more housing through our Revolving Fund for Humanity.
We use three basic criteria in our family selection process: need for adequate shelter, ability to pay, and willingness to partner. with Habitat. With these in mind, we conduct an extensive screening process of applicant families, including housing, employment, credit and personal reference checks, followed by in-home family interviews. Families must be willing to contribute 350 hours of sweat equity building their homes as well as homes of other Habitat families.
"Partnership" is the word most commonly associated with Habitat for Humanity. We join those who require assistance with others who are willing to provide a hand up – not a handout – to a better life. We truly believe there is an opportunity for all to find fulfillment within Habitat as we serve one another.
