Habitat Celebrates 10 Years In Spokane
‘One home, one family at a time.”
This is the mission of Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian housing ministry established in 1977, whose objective is to eliminate poverty housing from the world.
Its effort is noble, its impact noteworthy. Celebrating 10 years in Spokane, Habitat for Humanity has built nearly 50 homes for low-income families in our community.
Habitat selects families for home ownership based on eligibility criteria, including an agreement to contribute sweat equity to the project - 500 hours of labor on their home - in partnership with community volunteers.
Every phase of the construction project is done by volunteer labor, says Michone Preston, development director for Habitat for Humanity-Spokane. Thousands of Inland Northwest volunteers have helped build these homes using hammers, shovels and paintbrushes.
Jim Halby, a volunteer who has been with the Spokane group almost from the beginning, received the 10th-annual Grace Harris Hammer award, for service and dedication to the organization.
Halby, a retired electrician, devotes hundreds of hours of labor each year, said Preston.
“The thousands of dollars Jim has saved us have been invaluable,” she said. “He’s got the right spirit.”
The need for volunteers is great. Preston encourages individuals who are at least 14 years old to consider a volunteer assignment.
“We need people with no skills who are willing to be trained,” she said, and, she added, “We need people with finishing carpentry skills.”
This means bricklayers, plumbers, cabinet makers, roofers, landscape professionals, framers … Volunteers are also needed to help with fund-raising efforts as Habitat for Humanity-Spokane prepares for its annual walkathon in September, and its auction in November.
Volunteering has its benefits, said Preston: an opportunity to sharpen one’s home-improvement skills and network with local home-construction hobbyists and professionals.
Most importantly, she said, “Volunteers on the job site are working side by side with the family who will be living there. That’s their greatest reward.”
Those interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, call 534-2552.
To own a Habitat home:
Those interested in applying to own a Habitat for Humanity home must meet the following criteria to be eligible for selection:
Qualify as a low-income family according to HUD (Housing and Urban Development) standards.
Be willing to contribute 500 hours of “sweat equity” labor to the construction project.
Currently live in sub-standard housing.
Be a stable family unit.
To apply, applicants must attend an informational meeting to discuss the program and fill out an application. The next informational meetings are Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Come to one meeting only; baby-sitting will be provided. All informational meetings are at the East Central Community Center, 500 S. Stone.
For more information, call the Habitat office, 534-2552.
Historic preservation awards
Entries are being accepted for the annual Historic Preservation Awards, sponsored by Eastern Washington State Historical Society. The awards recognize outstanding achievements in historic preservation throughout the Inland Northwest.
To be eligible for consideration, a structure must be at least 50 years old. Properties are judged on the historical accuracy of both structural and architectural restoration, the overall extent of the project and the degree to which the project influences its neighborhood or community.
For an application, call Marsha Rooney at the Cheney Cowles Museum, 456-3931, ext. 109. Send completed entries to: Marsha Rooney, Cheney Cowles Museum, 2316 W. First, Spokane, WA 99204.
Non-profit notes
Three new members have joined the board of directors for Foundation Northwest, The Community Foundation. The recently elected directors are Lynn Jones, managing partner of LeMaster & Daniels CPAs; Rosemary Selinger, past president of the Washington State Arts Commission; and Bonnie Morrow, community volunteer.
Foundation Northwest’s 1997-98 officers are Dr. Richard Stacey, chairman; Wiliam Shelby, vice-chairman; Steven Larson, secretary; and Paul Fitzpatrick, treasurer.
Since 1974, Foundation Northwest has distributed awards and grants to charitable and educational organizations in the Inland Northwest to improve the quality of life.
Kudos
Congratulations to Jim Gotzian, an investment executive at Dain Bosworth, Inc., for receiving the Muscular Dystrophy Association 1997 Personal Achievement Award.
The annual award recognizes the accomplishments and community service of individuals with disabilities caused by any of the 40 neuromuscular diseases in MDA’s program.
Diagnosed with limb-girdle disease, Gotzian is an active member of the local MDA chapter, assisting with various programs and events including the recent wine-tasting fund-raiser, Spring Festival ‘97.
Gotzian is president of the board for Family Services of Spokane, a non-profit organization providing support services to families including counseling, child intervention and food programs. He is also an executive committee member of the Inland Automobile Association.
, DataTimes MEMO: Community Update appears each Sunday in The Spokesman Review. Please allow two weeks notice for inclusion in this column.