The Need is Knocking at our Door...

Over the past month,  the BAHFH  Family Selection Committee   send out 400 postcards to needy communities in the city of Dickinson and La Porte, and within two short weeks, the Family Selection Committee responded to 13 families sending out  pre-applications and two full applications. This is great news, but speaks to desperate need for quality, affordable housing right in our own backyard!

From our applicants this month, many of the potential homeowners work for UTMB as technicians and assistants. We are finding hard-working, deserving families who play important roles in society, but yet struggle to make ends meet. We hope to give their children a second chance!

Hammers and Shovels Flying at the National Women Build day!

Leticia Garza, the prospective homeowner of the Women Build House on 517 N 3th St. in La Porte, TX wrote: “Exciting, Motivating, and Rewarding are the words that come to mind when I think about becoming a Habitat homeowner. Home ownership is hard for a family who brings in two incomes, let alone one. Picture being a single mom of 3 kids! All I want is to provide a stable and safe environment for my kids, a place we can call home.”

On May 5, 2012, the Women Build Team from Air Products and several women from other WB teams participated in a build day as part of a National Women Build Event week project. We were doing our best to help make Leticia’s dreams a reality. Teams drove hundreds of nails in to the decking on the roof and secured hurricane clips on the Garza home. 

Leticia and her dad sweated side by side along with a team of landscapers as wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of sand was moved to help smooth the ruts in April Lee's yard.  Hard ground gave way to the efforts of one team as they dug a giant hole to make room for a large oak tree.

Air Products generously sponsored lunch for all participants. Women Build participant and Air Products employee, Gabriela Whiteside coordinated the arrangements for the 30 or so builders on the worksite. It truly takes a village to raise a Habitat for Humanity Home.

Thanks to all who pitched in!