The Habitat Times
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
Habitat Dedicates 46th Home
On Saturday, May 6, Habitat friends and family gathered at 811 Montana Street to dedicate Rebecca Johnson’s home. This was the 46th dedication ceremony for River City Habitat for Humanity.
The build, developed in partnership
with The National Association of Women in Construction, Linn State Design
class, Lincoln University Dance group, Septagon Construction Company,
the RCHFH Tuesday Crew, and other volunteers, culminated in a lovely four
bedroom home that will surely make a blessed addition to Rebecca’s
life and that of her children Hannah, Anthony, Jacob, and Lily.
A blessing was provided by Reverend Mark Dumas of the First United Methodist
Church. Regina Blanchard Divine serenaded the group
with a moving rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The weather was beautiful and Rebecca read a moving, original poem.
Special thanks extended to Maggie Eickolz of Women in Construction, Missouri’s First Lady Melanie Blunt, and President Carolyn Mahoney of Lincoln University.
Our Own Jim Hofmann Honored with Carnahan Service Award
On Thursday, April 19, the Missouri Community Service Commission presented its 2006 Mel Carnahan Service Award to Jim Hofmann, former RCHFH President and current manager of the Habitat Re-Store.
Jim said, “It is ironic that God has made us such that we are at our best when we help others, before our self. We hope that our efforts will make other’s lives a little better but we know it will make our lives better.”
Jim worked diligently for the creation of the Habitat Re-Store. He has also made nine world mission trips to Honduras, Mexico, Africa, Peru, and Nicaragua.
For your service, Jim, we salute you!
President’s Message
When reminded that it is once again time to draft a message for our quarterly newsletter, it dawned on me that my year as president is coming to an end. As the old saying goes...time flies when you’re having fun!
Over the past months, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked, “How are things going at Habitat?”. I soon developed a pat answer: “Houses are still being built, everything else will fall into place.” But for all of our friends, family partners, volunteers and supporters, I would rephrase that to: “Thanks to the blessings of your support and contributions, houses are being built and we are eradicating unsafe, substandard housing for one family at a time.” It looks like we are on track to dedicate five homes this year, and thanks to the efforts of our lot selection committee, we should eclipse that next year. If it were not for the efforts of our volunteers, things would not fall into place, they would fall apart!
Our affiliate is in transition mode, as we evolve from a small group of committed volunteers working out of a stairwell office, building two or three houses a year, into an organization that can support the efforts required to build our ultimate goal of ten homes a year. Habitat International has determined that growing to this size is the point where we can easily “burn out” our volunteers and that staff is required to move the affiliate forward. Determining what staff is required and identifying their roles and responsibilities has been the focus of the Board of Directors over the last year or so. With that in mind, we have completed our search and hired Kelly Smith as our new Executive Director. I am confident that Kelly has the energy and enthusiasm we need to energize our mission. I would ask that you keep the RCHFH Board of Directors, our Office Manager Connie, Kelly, and all of our volunteers in your prayers.
As our new Executive
Director, Kelly will have a new job description, one with greater responsibilities
for resource development, as our recent Director of Resource Development
Randall Germann left us at the end of April to pursue other opportunities.
Please join me in wishing Randy well in his future endeavors. Randy’s
efforts have not only borne the fruit of increased financial partnerships,
but he has been able to dramatically increase the level of our volunteer
participation.
God bless you for your support.
Rob Goth
We Need Your Help! Builders, Committee Members, and More...
“Go ahead and make the call. We’ll teach you what you need to know, as long as you’re willing to help others. One house at a time, we can change lives forever.”
Sight Supervisor, Bob Sfreddo
Wanted: Know how to swing a hammer? Have experience with dry wall or roofing? Hanging siding? Carpentry? Installing cabinetry or flooring? We’re looking for a LEADER interested in volunteering one Saturday a month as a Site Supervisor-in-Training.
Wanted: Interested in working with a small group of dedicated volunteers to have a positive impact on someone’s life? Our Family Support Committee needs volunteers to help support their work with Habitat partner families. Time commitment would start at a few hours a month.
Wanted: Interested in volunteering to feed our site crews? We always need dedicated individuals or businesses to contribute meals for our volunteer builders.
Wanted: Do you enjoy office or clerical work? We’re looking for a volunteer staff to assist in the RCHFH office!
Wanted: For fun interaction with other volunteers and the public, volunteer
to staff our Re-Store!
Call us for more information! 635-8439
We Need Your Support!
RCHFH Introduces “Ground Breakers’ Society”
RCHFH will be dedicating its 50th home near the end of this year. In coming months you will see the start of a new fund-raising drive. As we work toward our goal of adding one additional home each year, we hope that our loyal supporters will be willing to contribute to our cause. You may join our “Ground Breakers’ Society” at several different levels:
A Helper—One-time gift of $25
A Partner—One-time gift of $50
An Apprentice—$5/mo. or $60/yr.
A Carpenter—$10/mo. or $120/yr.
A Builder—$20/mo. or $240/yr.
A Craftsman—$50/mo. or $600/yr.
An Architect—$100/mo. Or $1200/yr.
An Artisan—$500/mo. or $6000/yr.
As a recipient of our newsletter, you’ve already demonstrated your interest in, and support of, our mission. Please select a level of giving that will work for you, your family, or your organization, write the name of your choice (“helper” or “partner”, etc.) and return the enclosed envelope with your first donation. And we thank you heartily for your support!
People You Should Know at RCHFH...Bob Sfreddo and Mark Snell
Bob Sfreddo and Mark Snell are most assuredly people you should know. Not just because they were nominated for a KRCG award, but because they are the heart and soul of our Tuesday Crew. They are both outstanding volunteers.
Bob has a gentle disposition and he insists on recognizing the talents and gifts of every person around him. He is a magnet for anyone who is hurting or needing affirmation. Bob is retired from MoDot as the Director of Project Development. He is extremely experienced in construction and is more than capable on a Habitat building site. Mistakes on the job site are swept away with a kind word: “Why, it’s not a mistake until you can’t fix it.” Bob says, “Habitat gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment, a set of friends I look forward to working with, and a sense of joy as I give something back to my community.”
Mark goes beyond the call of duty to use his truck to haul equipment or supplies to get the job done. He always anticipates needs for equipment, tools, and materials on Habitat sites. Mark is a gifted worker with the personality and smile to go with him in every circumstance. He brings out the best in everyone he meets. We would certainly be lacking without his natural leadership on our Tuesday Crew. Mark came to us because he was concerned about the need for simple, decent housing in our community.
Please join me in a salute to Bob and Mark. We’d be lost without them!
Would you be interested in volunteering as a site supervisor for RCHFH? Call our office, 635-8439.
Construction Update—Our up-coming builds and rehabs...
House #47: 817 Montana, Thrivent/Lutheran Church Build—UNDER CONSTRUCTION!
Houses #48, 49: Two up-coming builds on Fillmore East
House #50: 1407 West Main Street
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like
a wise man who built his house on the rock. ~Matthew 7:24
Meet Kelly Smith! RCHFH’s New Executive Director
There’s a new face at our office! On Monday, May 15, Kelly Smith began her tenure as Executive Director for River City Habitat. She comes to us from the Missouri State Archives, a division of the Secretary of State’s office, where she worked as an Educator, specializing in outreach, public programming, fund raising, and public relations.
Kelly sought us out as a means to fulfill a deep desire she has to turn service work into a career. Currently a volunteer herself at Community Hospices of America and Callaway Hills Animal Shelter, Kelly has big ideas about rejuvenating the volunteer supply at RCHFH and raising funds to support our mission.
Smith says, “Service work is so central to my faith. I pray for everyone involved with the organization and know that we will do a lot of good together.”
Kelly resides in Jefferson City with her husband, Ryan Smith, an Analyst Programmer with DST Systems, and their two dogs and two cats.
Stop by and welcome Kelly to our RCHFH Family!
