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Image provided by: Suffolk Cooperative Library System
Habitat offers 'hand up' in Suffolk County Volunteers, potential homeowners, donors build a future, from the ground up BY LYNN ZAWACKI A new home in Suffolk County for $70,000? Wake up - you must be dreaming. But for some low-income working families, purchasing a home at that price actually has become a dream come true, thanks to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk. The not-for-profit organization is one of 2,100 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International in 100 coun- tries. Although the volunteers who help build the homes may speak different languages, they share one common goal: eliminating poverty housing and homelessness and working to provide decent shelter in partnership with fam- ilies in need. Volunteer labor, plus donations of land, money and materials add up to a newly constructed house for people who otherwise would never have been able to afford one. In Suffolk, for instance, median home prices have climbed to $400,000, too steep for many in the mid- dle-income range - and for the working poor, it's like climbing Mount Everest. In the 17 years since the Suffolk affil- 1ate was established, the nonprofit, ecu- menical Christian housing ministry has built 90 houses. Six are currently under construction, and the 100th house is scheduled for spring 2006. Les Scheinfeld, associate director, emphasizes that Habitat's housing pro- gram is not a hand-out. \We are pro- viding a family with a 'thand-up,\\~\ he explains. \By moving low-income families out of substandard rental con- ditions into simple, uons, schools, civic groups and individ- uals who support our program annually,\ he says. Last year, these sources, along with special event fundraising. brought in more than $1,100,000 to fund con- struction of 12 new homes in 2005 For those 12 homes, Habitat received nearly 200 applications, a substantial increase from the year before. About half the applicants are single parents. A typical home takes decent and safe home ownership in Suffolk County, we improve their personal financial posi- tion, increase their self- Movers & Shakers about four to six months from start to finish, with homeowners working alongside volunteers and construction staff. After esteem and familial sta- bility and encourage an increase in other community develop- ment activities.\ Habitat currently produces about 12 houses per year, which now makes the Suffolk organization the fifth most suc- cessful affiliate in New York state and places it among the top 10 percent in the United States. \We've been blessed with the land donations from the county and towns and with financial partners - congregations, corporations, founda- 0n8mday,Nom-mbarl9 MMWMOENMM’H MWWMMmMMwW mmmanomamm Toctl ‘._~‘Cafltheahmhofioeat261—6434 WWNMWWOfCWMMm “mmwmmmmm November 25 at 7 pm \I PAY A LOT FOR INSURANCE. WHAT AM I GETTING FOR IT?\ GREAT COVENAGE. A FRST-RA TE COMPANY. FASTCLAIM SERVICE. AND ROE. DAVID BINGHAM 384 LARKFIELD RD STE 4 EAST NORTHPORT (631) 368 3700 2010393@altstate .com (& Allstate. PS Serving the community for over 40 years You're in good hands Property andCasiaty Inurare Company, Northbrook Hnon © mammmcm 39716 the homeowners make a \down payment\ of 300 hours of sweat equity, the home is theirs with a 20-year, interest-free mortgage payable to Habitat Mortgages average about $70,000. Volunteers come from diverse sec- tors of the community. About 30 schools per year are involved in Habitat's Student Build initiative. han- dled by Campus Chapter coordinator Larry Hohler, also a Habitat board member. The retired social studies teacher from Smithtown School District first got involved with Habitat when the late Roger Metcalf. Habitat's former executive director, visited area high schools and urged students to get involved. \I volunteered to be the advi- sor for the Habitat for Humanity Club at Smithtown High School\ Hohler explains. \When I retired, 1 needed something to do, so I took over the job of Campus Chapter coordinator. This year more than 30 high schools from Westhampton to Mineola pated in Student Build 2005, raising more than $70,000 and helping con- struct two homes in Mastic Beach. \Not one, but two. It was amazing.\ notes with pride From November to May, he handles all the details - from a kick-off event. where students and teachers learn fund- ras ing methods, to scheduling students to work at \a build.\ a site where a house is being constructed - no easy task Participating schools in the local area included Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson,. Comsewogue High School in Port Jefferson Station, Shoreham- Wading River High School, Longwood High School in Middle Island. Smithtown High School. Hauppauge High School. John Glenn High School in Elwood. Huntungton High School. Half Hollow Hills East High School and Wali Whitman High School The students do work such as fram ing. sheetrock and landscaping a few days a week \They work around the contractors. We have a crew of highly skilled volunteers finish the job.\ says Hohler. \It's a highly organized effort We had about 650 kids altogether ~ \The amazing thing is that most of the kids are females. about 60 to 70 per cent Guys don't like to fund-raise They like to haul things around and pound nails,\ said Hohler \The students get excited when they realize they could do things they didn't think they could do They go to college and get involved in Habitat there Also they learn a lot about the realities of housing on Long Island. the tremendous lack of workforce hous ing. It's eye-opening for them - They never have a chance to have contact with someone who is living in garages or basement apartments It gives them a dose of reality.\ To learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk, visit or wnite to 643 Middle Country Road, Middle Island. NY 11953, consult their website at www hfh- suffolk .org. ar call 924-4966 Cutfiatx ”awhile, NEW vorRk City CERTFED PILATES & GYROTONIC iNsTrUCTORS Five The Gife of well being - * PILATES »~GYROTONIC * YOGA a * Kids Yoga Classes ~ e w- Age Bo dv Move mend with Sumati-Thursdays 4: 10 pm & R Call for our schedule of classes R a Fully Equipped ; a\ Pilates and j§ Gyrotonic Studio i/ for Women | & Mon . zoomsm Port Jefferson Station (next to Gold's Gym) 631.473.3005 «. Pilates Mat Classes Now Fgrming Call To Reserve Your Space
