Millbury Donates Land: Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that the Town of Millbury has donated a land parcel to construct an affordable housing unit. More...
Families Selected: Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester announces the selection of two families who will own Habitat homes in the duplex being built at 490 Dutton Road, Sudbury. More...
Development Volunteers: Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester is looking for help with marketing communications, public relations, and fundraising. More...
HFH-MWGW is in the planning stages of opening a Habitat ReStore, a retail/resale store for quality new and used building materials, furniture and appliances that are donated to us. Income generated from ReStore sales will support our mission and help expand our home-building program. We already have some donated items that need to be moved from storage containers to larger facility (both locations are in Worcester).
We need six (6) adult/teenage volunteers for each of the following three-hour shifts:
Saturday, June 13
shift #1: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (location A)
shift #2: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (location B)
shift #3: 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. (location A)
shift #4: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. (location B)
Sunday, June 14
shift #5: 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. (location A)
shift #6: 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. (location B)
If you (and any family/friends/colleagues) are available to help us with the move, please send an email to Kathryn Smith in the HFH-MWGW office (kdsrestore@aol.com) and include each volunteer's name, email address, daytime phone number and shift availability.
Please Note: We are unable to accept donations at this time; however, we anticipate having a donation drive for additional items later this summer.
Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester is seeking an Executive Director (ED). Reporting to the Board of Directors, the ED will oversee all organizational activities and support the mission of the organization. We seek a proven leader who can help us move the organization to the next level of accomplishment.
HFH-MWGW is an independent Habitat affiliate that develops decent, affordable housing for low-income families. The scope of the work encompasses developing opportunities to build homes in 29 towns from Sudbury to Sturbridge. The home office is in Worcester, MA. The ED responsibilities include: planning, staffing, volunteer management, fundraising, site acquisition and development, working with partner families, town government and committees and public relations.
Experience and Skills: Applicants should have a minimum of five years relevant experience, BA required, MA preferred. Strong grant writing and development experience, expertise in non-profit management, program planning and budgeting, communication skills, and understanding of affordable housing development. Excellent interpersonal skills and sensitivity to cultural diversity are a must.
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience.
Please send cover letter and resume with salary requirements to: lucy.parker@gwhfh.org
Resumes will be reviewed immediately and position will remain open until filled. Habitat is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Did you know that the automobile is the most heavily recycled consumer product? 94% of the metal in a car is recycled! When you donate a car to Cars for Homes, Habitat's car donation program, it is "recycled" to help families build homes. Learn more online or call 877.277.4344.
Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester (HFH-MWGW) is pleased to announce that the Town of Millbury has donated a land parcel to construct an affordable housing unit at 41 MacArthur Drive. The land was recently deeded to Habitat by the Millbury Housing Partnership in keeping with the town's long-term commitment to produce housing for low- to moderate-income residents. The Partnership has provided four affordable houses in the Millbury area. In the early 1990s, two affordable units were constructed as part of a multifamily development and were sold to low-income residents. In 2002, two more affordable homes were constructed and sold to low-income families.
According to Millbury Housing Partnership chair Harold Proodian, "We are pleased to collaborate with Habitat for Humanity, an organization known for its efforts in building decent places to live for families in need. I want to personally thank the members of the Partnership for their hard work in making this project a reality. In particular, I also want to recognize Town Planner Laurie Connors and Jim Fitzpatrick, a founding member of the Partnership, for inspiring us by their years of dedication to our mission."
The Millbury Habitat Local Project Committee (MHLPC) is being formed and will be chaired by Millbury resident Deb Kuczka, a longtime Habitat volunteer. In addition to serving on the HFH-MWGW board of directors for several years, including two as president, Kuczka chaired the Family Partner Committee from 2001-2008. The MHLPC will include subcommittees that focus on three areas: home construction, community outreach and fundraising. Anyone interested in volunteering for these committees should contact Kuczka at 508-865-2050 or debkuczka@charter.net.
"Habitat is pleased to be working with the Town of Millbury on this project, and we are grateful for its cooperation and generosity," said Harriett Lebow, HFH-MWGW interim executive director. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical, Christian-based organization that provides simple, decent, affordable home ownership opportunities for low-income families living between 25-50% of the area's median income. The organization is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. By empowering families in need with "a hand up, not a handout," Habitat sells the homes it builds or renovates to qualified and carefully selected low-income families on a no-profit basis with an interest-free mortgage. Those selected for the Habitat program work through a curriculum to prepare for successful home ownership and are mentored by volunteer family partners. Each Habitat family must contribute 400 to 500 sweat equity hours helping build its own home.
Habitat has an open-door policy welcoming applicants, volunteers and supporters regardless of religious affiliation, race, nationality or other background. Information about applications will be available soon. Please click here to learn about becoming a Habitat homeowner, including the criteria as well as the application and family selection processes.
Habitat for Humanity-MetroWest/Greater Worcester announces the winner of the cash raffle fundraiser to benefit the Sudbury Habitat Project. The cash prize of $8750 was awarded to Robin Grimes of Sudbury at the raffle drawing held at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS), as part of Sudbury Day festivities on April 4. "My family and I are happy to have won the raffle, but more importantly thrilled to have contributed to such a great community effort. We feel fortunate to be part of helping make a positive change in the lives of two families," said Ms. Grimes.
The prize constitutes half of the total revenue raised from the raffle and took the place of the prize vehicle named on the face of tickets, a 2009 Volvo S40, because fewer than 600 tickets were sold. "We are very pleased to have raised over $8700 on behalf of the Sudbury Habitat Project in this challenging economic environment. We wish to thank everyone who purchased tickets to benefit this important cause. And we want to congratulate Robin Grimes," said Michelle Davis, chair of the Sudbury Habitat Fundraising Committee.
Raffle winner Robin Grimes of Sudbury (left) shown with Michele Davis, Chair of the Sudbury Habitat Fundraising Committee.
As we kick off the new year, the development committee has the exciting opportunity to expand our marketing and fundraising efforts. But in order to do so, we need volunteers! We are specifically looking for anyone who has a background or interest in marketing, writing, public relations work, or fundraising. College students in the area, this means you too!
As MetroWest/Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity continues to grow, we want to strengthen relationships in the community, develop our communication tools, and provide a strong resource foundation for our affiliate. Please consider helping us to give a hand up, not a hand-out, and join our development team! Our meetings are the first Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. The next meeting will be Thursday, February 12.
Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester (HFH-MWGW) announces the selection of two families who will own Habitat homes in the duplex being built at 490 Dutton Road, Sudbury. Margaret "Meg" Fotakis of Clinton and Sudbury's Michelle Simoneau were selected December 11, 2008 in a public lottery at Sudbury's Town Hall.
"It's hard to even find the words to explain how I feel. This is so wonderful. My dream has come true!" Simoneau exclaimed after the selection process. She and her daughter Chelsea, age five, will own a two-bedroom home in the Habitat project. "I am so grateful to Habitat for this experience. Our lives are going to change so much. We will have a safe place to live, and Chelsea will finally have a yard to play in."
A Marlborough native who moved to Sudbury last January, Simoneau has found a new life in the town. "Sudbury is changing my life. Ever since I moved here, it's all been positive and just keeps getting better. This home will be a drastic change for us. Once we are settled in, we won't have to worry about moving again. I am really excited to be staying in Sudbury."
Fotakis is equally thrilled about becoming a Habitat homeowner. "This house will mean that we have a place that is a constant, safe, loving, home environment. Just knowing that when we leave in the morning [for work and school], we will have a place to come home to." The mother of six-year-old twins Alexander and Olivia, Fotakis is excited to start earning her required 400 sweat equity hours. "We are already looking forward to working on the house and making it our own. We will take care of it; and it will be a source of nurturing and pride. We are going to love it and grow in it."
Selected families work with Habitat's Family Partnership Committee and attend monthly meetings to prepare for home ownership. Partner families must contribute 400 to 500 sweat equity hours helping build their own homes and/or other Habitat houses. Completion of the Sudbury Habitat Project is anticipated in October 2009, with the families closing on their homes soon thereafter.
Under bright blue skies and with over one hundred people in attendance, Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester held its Groundbreaking ceremony at the corner of Pratts Mill and Dutton Roads in Sudbury on Saturday, October 18 at 2:00 m.
Pamela Faustine, President of the Habitat Board of Directors opened the ceremony and spoke of the creative collaboration taking place between the town, its boards and committees, the residents, and Habitat for Humanity.
Reverend Katie Lee Crane of First Parish Sudbury blessed the project, saying in part, "We have gathered to give thanks and to offer blessing. ...To the Wampanoag people this was sacred ground. To the first European settlers it was a new home and a fresh opportunity. ...We give thanks for those who will live here soon and in the future. May we live and grow together as neighbors and friends."
Town Selectman John Drobinski spoke of his son's work with a Habitat project while a student at Lincoln-Sudbury High School. Community Housing Specialist Beth Rust followed with remarks, speaking of the partnership between Sudbury Housing Trust and Habitat. June Culross, a current Habitat homeowner in the Worcester area shared what it has meant to her family to be able to own a Habitat home for five years, and of the 400 hours of sweat equity which she contributed to building her home.
Special thanks to:
Boy Scout Troop 60 of Sudbury who assisted visitors with parking and transportation
Cub Scout Pack 60 of Loring Elementary School who assisted with fundraising through a bake sale
Sudbury Public Schools for providing the shuttle bus, and
Click on the map below to see where we have built over the last 20 years!
Stowell Avenue Dedication
Posted: 2008-07-10 11:38:15
A sunny, June 21st morning was the perfect setting as approximately 80 well-wishers came together to help us dedicate our latest project at 2 Stowell Avenue, Worcester. Culminating more than a year's work, the day was a special celebration for the Purscell and Rivera families, which will move into their homes later this summer. Also feted was new homeowner Venus Rodriguez, who moved into her Paine Street home last year.
GWHFH also paused to recognize the hundreds of volunteers as well as the dozens of church, school and corporate groups who helped make the dream of home ownership a reality for these three families.
Click here to read the Worcester Telegram & Gazette article recapping the dedication.
The culmination of three years of reporting, writing and editing by Assumption College students has come to fruition with the release of the web site Finally Home. This web site and associated book contain the work of two magazine-writing classes at Assumption, both taught by Associate Professor Mike Land. The combined works are dedicated to telling the stories of those involved with Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity, including family partners, volunteers and staff members. Also included is a history of Habitat for Humanity, both at the local and international levels, as well as additional overview material.
GWHFH is thankful for the dedication of these Assumption College students and Mike's ongoing stewardship.
Habitat Video on YouTube
Posted: 2008-04-07 16:50:26
Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity is now on YouTube! We have uploaded our informational video, produced in 2007, which gives a great overview of the work done by Habitat for Humanity in the heart of Massachusetts. If you have not seen it at one of our volunteer info sessions, be sure to check it out. Better yet, pass on the link to your friends and family so they can see why you are involved with Habitat.
Greater Worcester and MetroWest Habitats Merge
Posted: 2008-02-04 14:53:29
On January 22, Pamela Faustine, president of Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity, and Christopher Ross, president of Habitat for Humanity MetroWest, announced the merger of the two affiliates to be known as Habitat for Humanity - MetroWest/Greater Worcester. Anticipating gains in production capacity and other efficiencies, the action culminates over a year of discussion and planning, leading to the Worcester organization's adoption of MetroWest's service area and business activities. This merger is already bearing fruit as the Sudbury Housing Trust has granted our organization the construction award to develop an affordable housing site in that town.
The combined organizations will be responsible for the development of volunteer-built, affordable housing in the 29 municipalities of Ashland, Auburn, Boylston, Charlton, Framingham, Grafton, Holden, Holliston, Hopkinton, Leicester, Marlborough, Millbury, Natick, Northborough, Northbridge, Oxford, Paxton, Rutland, Sherborn, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Sudbury, Sutton, Wayland, West Boylston, Westborough and Worcester.
The merged entity has already developed 25 affordable homes in the region since 1985. We anticipate the spring completion of our Stowell Avenue duplex in Worcester and the start of another duplex in Sudbury. Additionally, local planners hope to culminate their work with the start of two, single-family homes in Sturbridge by the end of the year.
Look for our new name to propagate through the website in the coming months.
New Volunteer Management System in Place
Posted: 2008-01-11 18:00:59
Earlier this year, GWHFH implemented VolunteerHub, an online volunteer management website. This user-friendly site allows us to easily schedule individuals and groups on our work-site.
Individual Build Slots
Individuals can sign up for any build-day that has a SIGN UP button next to it. Slots are typically available approximately two weeks before the build-date. Those who have attended one of our monthly Volunteer Information Sessions should have received a special "Join Code." When you register at VolunteerHub, enter this join code and you will receive access to build-days not yet available to the general public.
Group Build Slots
Group leaders interested in scheduling a day on the work-site should contact Volunteer Coordinator Kat Vriesema-Magnuson (see contact information below). Once a reserve date has been determined, you will be given a Join Code. You may either use this code to register all your volunteers or give the code to your group members so they may register themselves.
After you have registered, VolunteerHub will send you a reminder email three days before your build-day. If you have a last minute schedule conflict and are unable to keep your commitment, please reenter VolunteerHub and release your slot so others may sign-up.
For any questions or problems with VolunteerHub, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kat Vriesema-Magnuson at katvm@gwhfh.org or 508-799-9259.
Click the button to the left to go to VolunteerHub!
Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity
111 Park Ave Worcester, MA 01609
phone: (508) 799-9259 | fax: (508) 791-7511
email address: office@gwhfh.org
