Interview with A Future Habitat Homeowner

“Winter always turns to spring and I think I’m in my spring time now.”

-Diane Chambers, Future Habitat Homeowner -

Diane Chambers might be retired, but in her quiet way she clearly makes a difference in the lives of those who meet her. 

A former special education teacher at Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx, New York, Diane came to this area about 14 years ago for a new business venture.  Her partner turned out to be unethical and Diane lost everything! 

She ended up living in Burlington City in a neighborhood filled with garbage and drug traffic.  “It was like waking up in a nightmare,” she told me.  Although Diane will soon be moving into a new home built by Habitat for Humanity, she has worked hard to transform her circumstances over the past 14 years.

As an SGI Buddhist Member, she set an intention to change her neighborhood.  She began to go to town council meetings and got to know the police, mayor and town council members. 

Quietly, she started to clean up the street.  Brooms and trash bags appeared.  Her theory was that if there was already litter on the street, residents would continue to litter.  However, if the street looked clean, they would think twice about throwing their trash on the ground.

A lifetime crafter, she began to bring her crafts out onto the street and share them with the neighborhood children.  She purchased jump ropes for them and established a rule that everything had to be left on her doorstep when the kids were done playing.  And it always was! 

She bought lumber and with the help of others in the community, taught the kids how to build plant holders in which they planted flowers in their neighborhood. She also showed them how to make wreaths for Mother’s Day. 

She decided to have a block party and she invited all of her new friends from city hall!  Slowly, the composition and appearance of the neighborhood began to change for the better. Her nickname became “NARC.” 

“As I was reinventing myself, it was my intention to encourage the people around me and many times I won.  Your environment reflects you.  I like it quiet and now the neighborhood is quiet.”

Currently a participant in Habitat’s Affordable Homeownership Program, Diane will spend 250 hours working at the Habitat ReStore, participating in building her own home as well as the homes of others and attending homeowner preparation classes. 

She calls herself a “thrift shop junkie” and enjoys working in the ReStore, where she can organize all of the items in the store and have fun interacting with customers as well as Habitat workers and volunteers. 

Diane is looking forward to moving into her Habitat home in the coming months, but she told me it’s bittersweet because she’ll miss the rich history she’s come to appreciate living in Burlington City.    As she began to speak of the town elders and how most people don’t realize that Burlington City was part of the Underground Railroad, I quickly grabbed my iPhone and captured Diane giving an impromptu history lesson.

As we concluded our discussion, Diane said, “You’ll have good and bad times in your life.  You have to learn to be happy in both.  I’m just enjoying life.”

Cherry Hill East Takes The Challenge - Read What Alumni Have To Say

 In a previous blog post, I wrote about Julia Rion, Librarian at Cherry Hill East High School, and her involvement with Habitat.  This post focuses on three former students, their experiences and how Habitat shaped the course of their lives.

BRAD'S STORY

“It was one of the best spring breaks I ever had.” 

- Brad Tonoff, Cherry Hill East High School Graduate-

Brad and other Habitat volunteers in Charleston, South Carolina riding on a flatbed of tires which they collected while cleaning up a backyard in the neighborhood where they were building  houses. 

While many students spend their spring break at the beach, Brad decided to participate in the Habitat Collegiate Challenge with Cherry Hill East.  He liked it so much that he went again the following year and even became the Treasurer for the trip.  Now a senior at Rutgers, Brad reminisced about the work he did for Habitat and how it shaped his future.  

It was 2007, about a year after Hurricane Katrina struck, when Brad and others from Cherry Hill East flew to New Orleans.  They were headed to the 9^th Ward to build 2 houses in one week.  Although they would join college students and church groups in the initiative, they were the only high school present. When they arrived, they were shocked to see how little had been done to rebuild the community.  There was still debris, abandoned cars and fallen traffic lights all over the street.  “It looked like the hurricane had just occurred.  The conditions were really bad.  We slept on nylon cots in an abandoned elementary school that had been gutted,” Brad said. 

One of the most upsetting things was that each house that was destroyed had a number spray painted on it representing how many people from that household died in Hurricane Katrina.   To understand the magnitude of what had occurred, when they first arrived and were getting oriented, they were shown a video of the flooding.  They saw a super Walmart that was completely under water. 

“We got to meet and build with the local residents.  They were very grateful. It was  powerful. You heard through the media that people were angry about not getting help quick enough, but the people we met were just grateful to be alive.  They weren’t angry and they weren’t placing blame,” Brad told me.  Local musicians played for the Habitat volunteers and provided them with a free crawfish BBQ. 

Brad enjoyed the trip so much that he went again the following year to Charleston.  “You get a chance to be out of your comfort zone and learn about a different part of the country – the people, the music and the food.  It was fun.  It was like a vacation, but half the time was spent doing manual labor.”

He said that he developed a special friendship with the other students and is still in touch with many of them.  Brad is thinking of chaperoning a trip with Cherry Hill East in the future.   He may even go back to New Orleans one day to see how it looks and to say hello to the people he met. 

Brad was so impacted by his experiences that he is now looking for a job where he can use his communications skills to focus on the environment.  He has included his Habitat experience on his resume because he wants to work for an employer who values that.

I hope he gets the bright future he deserves!

ELISE'S STORY

“Working with Burlington County Habitat for Humanity reminded me that serving with Habitat doesn’t have to be about traveling across the country for a week.  There’s absolutely a need in your own backyard.  Community service should be integrated into your daily life and not just something you do once a year.”     

  -Elise Radziwill, Cherry Hill East High School Graduate-

Building in New Orleans - Cherry Hill East High School

Elise Radziwill joined the Cherry Hill East High School Habitat Club in 2005, when she was a junior.  She had the opportunity to participate in two Collegiate Challenges as well as volunteer with Burlington County Habitat for Humanity.  It was so rewarding that years later she organized a Collegiate Challenge to Jacksonville Beach, Florida in her senior year of college at Mount St. Mary’s University.  “People know about the beautiful homes in Jacksonville Beach, but they don’t realize how much poverty there is,” Elise said. 

I asked Elise to tell me about the trip she took to Clarksdale, Mississippi with Cherry Hill East High School. 

“You have to be 16 years old and I was finally old enough to go.  Some of my good friends went too. 

I enjoyed meeting the homeowners.  It’s a special treat to see who will move into the home you are building. They came to visit us at the house we were staying at that week and we shared a meal.  The mother was handicapped and she told us that  the home was a blessing to her family. 

You put your blood, sweat and tears into building a home and it is rewarding to see the progress you and your fellow students and faculty members can make on a structure in a week.”

Elise believes that volunteering for Habitat instilled a work ethic within her and gave her an understanding of how poverty strikes our own nation.  She appreciates the value of  people from different geographic areas working together  for a common cause.

“I really love Habitat.  I always meet wonderful people – employees, homeowners and other volunteers,” said Elise as we ended our conversation. 

Thanks, Elise, for sharing your story!!

Cherry Hill East in  Mississippi - Away from the work site

Building in Jacksonville Beach with Mount St. Mary

Building in Burlington County, NJ with Cherry Hill East

JEFF'S STORY

“I was born into a wealthy environment and have the opportunity for a fulfilling life.  The majority of the world doesn’t get that blessing.  I wanted to make a contribution towards giving that opportunity to others.  As one individual, my contribution is small and humble.  Collectively, if everyone does it, the contribution can be great.”

-Jeff Deppa, Cherry Hill East High School Graduate-

                 An afternoon off in New Orleans - Honey Island Swamp Tours

Habitat for Humanity not only influenced where Jeff Deppa went to college and the major he selected, it also led him to the Peace Corps.

Jeff joined the Habitat Club during his senior year at the suggestion of his Spanish teacher, Mr. Console, one of the club’s advisors.  He told me that Mr. Console saw something in him that he hadn’t yet discovered himself – the desire to make a difference in the world.

His first Habitat build was in Burlington City.  “It awakened me to the realization  that there was so much work to be done just 20 minutes away from home,” Jeff said.  He discovered how much effort goes into building a house and became more conscious of the work done by nonprofit organizations. 

In April, 2007 he took the Collegiate Challenge and went with Cherry Hill East to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.   At the time he was still deciding on a college major and he became so intrigued with the power of Mother Nature that he decided to study meteorology at Rutgers in New Brunswick.  

He also got to meet AmeriCorps workers on that trip and his interest in learning about them eventually led him to the Peace Corps.  Jeff has signed on as a Peace Corps volunteer and leaves for Tanzania, Africa in about 2 months! He’ll get 3 months of training and then he’ll be a high school math teacher for 2 years.

He told me it’s a good time in his life to do this since he doesn’t have a family to be responsible for yet.  He is intrigued and excited at the thought of discovering a new culture. 

“I’m going for it!” he told me.

You go, Jeff!  It’s really admirable. 

Cherry Hill East Takes The Challenge - Read What A Faculty Member Has To Say

“It’s about more than a house, it’s about values and bringing people together.” 

-Julia Rion, Librarian at Cherry Hill High School East-

Julia Rion

Spring Break.  It conjures up images of beaches, amusement parks, a trip abroad or simply a time to sleep!  For a group of teachers and students at Cherry Hill High School East, however, it is a time of hard physical labor as they take the Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge.  For the past 8 years, they have spent spring break “roughing it” as they work long days, often in the heat, building a home and living in a geographic area that is very different from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.  

The collegiate challenge gives students a chance to develop skills, meet new people, visit a new geographic area and make a difference in eliminating substandard housing. 

I met with Julia Rion, Cherry Hill East’s librarian, to learn more.  Eight years ago a colleague “talked” Julia into chaperoning the school’s first Habitat trip.  She wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into at the time, but 9 years later, she hasn’t missed a trip yet.  “It’s a privilege,” said Julia.

That first trip consisted of 15 students and 3 teachers building in rural West Virginia.  Over the years the program has grown and is so popular that there is now a waiting list for Collegiate Challenge experience. This year they are taking 40 students to Maryville, TN.  Each fall the students meet and plan their trip.  They look for a place that is culturally and geographically different from Cherry Hill, but still accessible to travel to.   They have to find a Habitat affiliate that can accommodate a large group.  It’s a great opportunity to learn about other cultures within the United States.

Julia and the other teachers volunteer their time and pay their own way.  Believe or not, Julia finds her “vacation” revitalizing.  She spoke of how wonderful it is to watch a diverse group of kids who typically don’t know each other very well, come together to volunteer for a week and end up best friends.  Traveling together, living together and working side-by-side for a week, the students establish a special bond. 

While things don’t always go as planned, they take it all in stride.  One year the Habitat affiliate they were building for made a mistake with their housing.  Last year the bus company they were using went out of business the week before the trip.  In spite of it all, students and chaperones keep coming back and now the siblings of those who have participated on previous trips are signing up.

Cherry Hill East students also volunteer one Friday a month to build with Burlington County Habitat for Humanity.  It doesn’t stop there – they attend various local events to help with fundraising or whatever is needed.  Julia is a member of Habitat’s Outreach Committee and took a Habitat Global Village trip to Honduras two years ago.  She and her students, along with other dedicated faculty members, help in many ways. 

Julia building in Honduras

Julia insisted that this story isn’t about her. She suggested that I speak to Cherry Hill East students who took Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge to hear what they have to say about how it impacted their lives.  Stay tuned for those stories. 

Thanks to Julia for sharing her story and for making a difference!

AmeriCorps and Habitat

Imagine dedicating a year of your life performing community service in…New Jersey!  Meet Ashley Griffiths and Martin Cozzola, two AmeriCorps members at Burlington County Habitat for Humanity. 

Ashley and Martin

Introducing Ashley 

"The most rewarding thing about being an AmeriCorps member with Habitat is going to a home dedication and knowing that you've helped a family get into that home and sharing their joy," said Ashley when we spoke.

Ashley Griffiths (the "s" in her last name is silent just like it is in AmeriCorps) is from Levittown, Pennsylvania.  She graduated college in 2010 and she wanted to be a teacher, but as you might suspect it wasn't the best time to get a teaching job.  Still wanting to make a difference in the world, she became an AmeriCorps National member.   Her assignment is for 1700 hours of service. 

As the Family Services Coordinator for Habitat, Ashley guides families through the application process.  Once they are approved, she helps them meet the requirements of the Sweat Equity component of the Affordable Homeownership Program.  Partner families must take homeowner preparation classes and volunteer their time to "give back" to Habitat.  She is their advocate and point of contact.  

Here's what she had to say about her role at Habitat:

Introducing Martin

"I recently went to my first home dedication.  Seeing the family's excitement about things that I've always taken for granted such as a washer and dryer was really gratifying," said Martin.

Martin Cozzola, is from a suburb outside of Chicago.  He graduated from college last April. He's always been interested in community service, dating back to his days of being an Eagle Scout.  Martin is an AmeriCorps VISTA member.   VISTA members work behind the scenes to eliminate poverty.  He eventually wants to go to law school and use his education to continue to fight poverty.  His service is for 12 months. 

Martin's role is to act in an advisory capacity to determine how to increase revenue per square foot in the Habitat ReStore.  He is also working on a business plan for a second store.  Martin makes recommendations on the best way to utilize the space in the store.  As a VISTA member, one of his requirements is that anything he implements should be sustainable after he leaves.  

One of the biggest challenges for Martin is that the VISTA program prohibits him from providing direct service.  Therefore, he is not allowed to help customers in the ReStore.  He finds it very difficult to tell people that he cannot help them.

Here's what Martin had to say about his experience with AmeriCorps and Habitat:

AmeriCorps Training

This past fall, Ashley and Martin attended a conference in Taladega, Alabama for AmeriCorps members who work for Habitat.  It was a great way to meet other AmeriCorps members.  Ashley attended a program on family service while Martin attended one on the Restore. 

In May they will be going to Milwaukee for an intensive week of home building with others from AmeriCorps.  While the National program allows Ashley to build, it's the only time during Martin's service that he actually gets to build a house.  

Kudos 

Thanks to Ashley and Martin who only receive a very small stipend during their service with AmeriCorps.  They are helping to make dreams come true in Burlington County!  

The AmeriCorps Pledge

I will get things done for America - 
to make our people safer,
 smarter, and healthier.



I will bring Americans together 
to strengthen our communities.



Faced with apathy, 
I will take action.



Faced with conflict, 
I will seek common ground.



Faced with adversity, 
I will persevere.



I will carry this commitment 
with me this year and beyond.



I am an AmeriCorps member, 
and I will get things done.

Ashley and Martin recently received the following award:

MOTHERHOOD AND HABITAT

Today’s story is about motherhood and Habitat.  It’s about a new mom who realized that even though she left her career to be a stay-at-home mother, she could still use her talents to help others.  This story is about Brady’s mom, Christine Catanella. 

Chris & Brady

Once upon a time, Chris was a professional event planner.  Last year, after Brady was born, she left her “paid” job to be home with her son.  At that time, Chris  found a new way to use her event planning skills.  She offered them to Burlington County Habitat for Humanity and became the Chairperson of their annual fundraising gala. 

Local Habitat Reaches Around The World

Todd (left), Andy (right)

 Part 2: Andy’s Story

Have you ever wondered, “What is my life purpose? Am I doing the things I’m here on this planet to do?” 

If so, you’ll be inspired when you read Andy’s story.  This is the second part of at two-part blog about how two leaders from the Burlington County Habitat for Humanity who are already doing great things in the local community went to Haiti with the Carter Work Project.

I met Andy Pagenkopf at Panera’s in Mt. Laurel on a Saturday afternoon.   It was so crowded it was hard to find a seat.  I was happy to see a local business thriving.

Once again, the magic of Habitat connected two strangers as Andy spoke from his heart and soul about his trip to Haiti and how it changed his life.

We started with the basics.  Andy has been on the Property & Acquisition Committee of Habitat’s Board for about 3 years.  Andy is in the construction field, so it’s a natural fit.  He sees opportunities for growth at Burlington County Habitat and he is committed to helping them prosper.

As soon as Andy heard about the opportunity to build homes in Haiti he volunteered to go.  He believes that Habitat is there to help anywhere in the world, no matter how many obstacles get in the way.  He thinks that the Carter project in Haiti exemplifies this.  After the earthquake, so many people died that it was difficult for the government to determine land ownership.  There is no infrastructure in place that makes it easy for Haiti to get worldwide help.  Land ownership is decided on a case-by-case basis. Habitat has been willing to persevere for the past two years through all of the government’s requirements and follow the proper channels to bring the project to fruition.

Andy spoke of the things that touched him most while in Haiti:

·          Haiti’s President, Michel Martelly, told the Habitat volunteers that their work will be written in Haiti’s history books in gold (the head of Habitat in Haiti is now part of the new President’s cabinet).

·         The people of Haiti are proud and high-spirited and even though they live in tents, their children come to school every day well dressed in vibrant colors with “bows in their hair and tassels on their shoes.”

·          Andy worked alongside corporate executives, famous musicians and politicians and everyone was treated as an equal and they were all there to turn Habitat’s goal of building 50,000 homes in the next 5 years into a reality.

Andy told me that the reason Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world is because they were the first country to abolish slavery and the surrounding countries stopped trading with them.  “They were trying to do the right thing,” he said.

I asked Andy if building in Haiti was life changing for him. Andy told me that it has redefined his life’s direction.  He is now working with Habitat International to bring water and solar power to Haiti.  He has been in the construction industry for a long time and he gets pleasure helping families who can’t afford a home get one.  Initially, he got involved with Habitat because he thought it was a “cool” organization.  He now understands on a much larger scale what Habitat means not just on a local level in Burlington County, but worldwide.

As our meeting came to an end, we talked about the next generation.  Andy believes that technology and social media have truly made it a global world and the next generation will understand that this is global community and they will take care of each other!

Thanks to Todd and Andy for sharing their stories. For more information about how you can make a difference in Burlington County or worldwide, contact Todd Ermer at (856) 303-8080 x 214. Todd is also happy to speak with groups about the trip to Haiti.

Local Habitat Reaches Around The World

 Part 1: Todd’s Story  

Imagine…

·      Living for a week in a tent in one of the poorest countries in the world

·      Shaking hands with Jimmy Carter

·      Working side-by-side with nine other people to build two houses in one week

·      Eating food personally served by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks

·      Being one of 400 people who built 100 houses for the homeless in Haiti!!

Meet Todd Ermer, Executive Director for Burlington County Habitat for Humanity.  He spent a week in November, 2011 doing exactly that, along with Board member, Andy Pagenkopf.  Below is Todd’s story, in Part one of a two-part story. Stay tuned for Andy’s story next.

Video from 2011 Carter Work Project - One week, 100 homes

How It All Began

It all started with tithing, which is defined by merriam-webster.com as, “to give a tenth of one's income as a tithe.”

Every local Habitat is required to give 10% of their annual undesignated funds to support programs in developing countries where Habitat works.  When you contribute to your local Habitat, you are actually reaching around the world to help those in need of housing.

Each Habitat affiliate gets to designate which programs they would like to support.  Our Burlington County affiliate is currently supporting post-earthquake efforts in Haiti.  Along with their financial contribution, came an opportunity to send two people to participate in the 2011 Carter Work Project. 

The Preparation

It was a little unnerving at first, because Todd had to get typhoid and hepatitis shots and had to take anti-malaria medication.  He was told that the living conditions would be very primitive – no showers or real toilets for a week.

As part of the Carter Work Project, Todd and 400 other Habitat volunteers began their trip in Atlanta, Georgia.  Delta flew them for free to Port Au Prince airport. 

The Reality

Todd was pleasantly surprised to discover that a special camp had been set up for them, along with real toilets, showers and an air-conditioned dining tent.  They slept in tents, some provided by U.S. Rotary groups on which the Rotary logo was proudly displayed on the tents. They were well fed too by an Irish organization, Haven, which provided meals.

Their goal was to build 100 houses in a week.  They were split into crews of 10 and each group built two houses that were 200 square feet with concrete floors and no indoor plumbing.  They used metal brackets (hurricane clips) to help ensure that the houses would be resistant to future hurricanes and earthquakes.

This was the first permanent settlement since the earthquake.  It turns out that getting clear title to land is tricky business in Haiti.

Although they didn’t speak English, the future homeowners worked alongside the crew to build their homes.  Since there aren’t enough houses yet for everyone, the local community members (who currently reside in tents or other makeshift structures) decide who gets the first houses.

Famous Encounters

In spite of being in their 80s, Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter were there building alongside of everyone.  Jimmy even shook Todd’s hand (rumor has it that he still hasn’t washed that hand!)

Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks were there too, serving food.  The best part was a private concert for Habitat workers.

The Haitian President also came to the work site to thank everyone.

Heartwarming

While not everyone in Haiti welcomed the Americans with open arms and the language was a barrier, Todd says that he met a lot of amazing people and he felt great about the work they did.  They were there for Veteran’s Day and a moving ceremony was held that included singing, special readings, and a profound moment of silence on what was just moments before a busy construction site.  There was a very palpable feeling of unity all week, but especially at that moment since volunteers from almost 20 different countries participated in this remembrance. 

“It was very inspiring to be part of such an event and to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Todd.  He shared a picture of a sign posted at the work site that says it all:

“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that.  Then I realized I was somebody.” – Lily Tomlin-

What’s Next?

Todd is looking to share his heartwarming story and photos with local groups who may be interested in learning more.  Next fall, Habitat may have an opportunity to send volunteers to Haiti to continue the great work being done by Habitat International.  For more information, contact Todd Ermer at (856) 303-8080 x 214. 

Stay tuned for Andy’s story on February 12th.

Todd 

GREAT PEOPLE, GREAT GOODS, GREAT PRICES

What do these people all have in common?

• Contractors who need building materials
• Homeowners who are remodeling their homes
• College students who are getting their first apartment
• High school students who are fulfilling community service requirements
• Retirees who want to give back to the community
• Special needs students who want to get life and work skills
• Rehab patients with stroke or head injuries who are planning to go back to the workforce
• Anyone who loves a bargain 

They all shop or volunteer at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Burlington County!

I interviewed Marianne Reddick, Habitat’s ReStore Manager.  She spoke passionately about the people who donate, shop and volunteer at the ReStore.  I learned that customers come back so often that everyone is on a first-name basis.  In fact, customers like the ReStore so much, many of them end up volunteering to work there. 

Shopping At The ReStore

People come from as far away as Philadelphia to shop at the ReStore.  Whether you’re just starting out, working on home repairs, remodeling or looking for a bargain for your home or business, the ReStore can be an attractive option. 

As you can see from the pictures below, you never know what you might find at the ReStore.  It all depends upon what has been donated. They carry everything from furniture to sewing machines.  Couches average $100 and you can get a leather couch for $200. 

You can even purchase artwork and antiques.  They’ve sold a lithograph signed by artist Peter Max, from the NY Marathon ad campaign as well as a lamp from the 1800s by Meissen Group.

Local Businesses Donate Products To The ReStore

In a prior posting, I wrote about Jantek and how they’ve discovered that it makes good business sense to donate to the ReStore.  Other examples include:

• Nuss Construction Company donates the products they remove during a job, such as cabinets.             
• Ultra Hardware donates new products that don’t meet their specifications but are perfectly fine for the average consumer, for example, hinges.
• Power Windows donates new merchandise that has been returned.

Volunteering At The ReStore

The ReStore is much more than a place to donate to or shop at.  It is a place where relationships form and people learn new skills; for example:

• Habitat partners with local schools and government agencies so that people with learning and developmental challenges can work at the ReStore in order to get life and work skills.  In many cases a coach comes with them to work.
• Habitat also partners with a neurological rehabilitation center whose patients have had a stroke or head injury and the program is integrated into their rehab. 
• Families who receive a Habitat house have to “give back” 500 hours to Habitat.  (This is called sweat equity)  They often end up working at the ReStore. 
• People of all ages work at the ReStore - sometimes to satisfy community service requirements and other times because they believe in giving back to the community.  You’ll see students, baseball teams and retirees working there at any given time.

Marianne told me that she welcomes suggestions from customers and has incorporated many of their ideas.  She spoke with pride about Habitat, its mission and the role of The ReStore. 

Check It Out

Whether you want to shop, donate, volunteer or simply learn more about Habitat, come visit the ReStore located at 1702 Taylors Lane, Cinnaminson, NJ or call 856-303-8080.   Hours of operation are:

Tuesday: 10 AM – 7 PM

Wednesday: 9 AM – 7 PM

Thursday: 9 AM – 7 PM

Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM

Saturday: 9 AM – 2 PM

ReStore Pictures