We announced at the beginning of this month that Dr. Cathy Collins will join Habitat CFC as our new CEO. Cathy’s career has included leading a number of innovative nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing social justice and transformative social change. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh in New York for over seven years. Cathy started Monday of this week and has been meeting with Habitat CFC staff and board members to get to know each of them, their role within the organization, and their hopes for Habitat CFC. She also visited Habitat CFC’s homes currently under construction in Bridgeport.
“I am thrilled to be joining Habitat CFC as its new leader. I believe in Habitat’s mission and model of using affordable homeownership to create thriving families and healthy neighborhoods,” said Cathy. “I look forward to getting to know all of you and this community. And together dreaming big about what our future will hold.”
Carolyn Vermont, Interim CEO, will stay on for two weeks during the transition and then continue to serve on Habitat CFC’s Board of Directors as Secretary. “I am looking forward to introducing Cathy to our Habitat friends and community leaders in the area over the coming weeks,” said Carolyn. “With all of her experience, we are certain Cathy will be a great leader for the organization.”
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The Chegano/Osman family and the Babilonia/Garcia family
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On Saturday, August 17th we celebrated a double house dedication with the Chegano/Osman family and the Babilonia/Garcia family. The hot weather did not deter friends, family, volunteers, Board Members and Habitat CFC staff along with our Interim CEO Carolyn Vermont from coming out to participate in the ceremony and wish the families well in their new homes. Despite his busy schedule, we were honored that Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim came and gave another moving speech. Congratulations to the families! To see more photos from the dedication,
click here.
Our next house dedication is Saturday, September 21st from 12:00 -1:30pm in Bridgeport for the Morris/Bryan family. We hope you will join us! For more information
click here or to RSVP, please contact Liz Kemp at
ekemp@habitatcfc.org
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Did You Know? You can help build a Habitat for Humanity home without ever picking up a hammer?
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In 1991, the first Habitat for Humanity ReStore was launched in Manitoba, Canada. Since then, ReStores have expanded to more than 920 stores in five countries and have raised over $100 million to build homes for hardworking families.
That’s right. When you shop, donate or volunteer at a Habitat ReStore, you are building homes and hope all over the world. ReStores raise additional funding to support our mission of transforming lives and communities by building homes in partnership with hardworking families as well as bringing to light the cause of affordable housing. Secondary benefits of ReStores include:
- providing access to lower-cost building materials and household goods to the community;
- being a public face of Habitat for Humanity in local communities;
- providing additional volunteer and sweat-equity opportunities;
- keeping usable items out of the landfill.
Habitat CFC’s ReStore
, located in Stratford, opened 15 years ago and has been growing ever since.
The annual proceeds we raise help build three Habitat CFC homes!
We appreciate everyone's support of our ReStore. A dedicated team of staff and volunteers work at the ReStore. Here are three easy ways you can support the ReStore:
- Donate: We accept new and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials, household goods and more from individuals and companies. To learn more about the items our ReStore accepts, visit: http://bit.ly/2NBZAjY. Donations can be dropped off during store hours or larger items can be picked up for free within our coverage area.
- Shop: You never know what you’ll find at the ReStore! We sell new and gently used furniture, building materials and so much more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Shop often as our inventory changes daily! To get a feel for our current inventory, check out: http://bit.ly/2PgHrL3.
- Volunteer: Do you like to volunteer? Come volunteer at the ReStore! Typical volunteer activities at the ReStore include processing donations, arranging sales items, performing special projects, cleaning, clerical work and assisting customers. To Volunteer, sign up on Volunteer Hub: http://bit.ly/2TLRZjK.
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1785 Stratford Avenue, Stratford
Just off exit 31 I-95
(store entrance is on Honeyspot Road)
203-383-4358
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ReStore Hours
Tuesday - Friday 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday - 9 am to 4 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
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Meet Ron Glover, Habitat CFC Core Volunteer
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Come to Habitat CFC on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday morning and you can find Ron Glover filling his coffee cup in the construction break room in preparation for another day on the build site. Glover swung a hammer with Habitat CFC for the first time back in 2009 when he came for a build day with the United Methodist Coalition (UMC) – a group of local Methodist churches in the area that regularly builds with us. Returning year after year with UMC, Glover made many memories alongside his friends and family. Nearly four years later, Glover can still recall a chilly, but sunny day in 2015 siding alongside his wife, Cindy, on Sheridan Street in Bridgeport (pictured). As Glover simply put it, “it was a good time.”
Having retired from his career as a software engineer in 2016, Glover joined our team of Core Volunteers in 2017. Core Volunteers are individuals who dedicate at least one day per week with us, most often in construction. The camaraderie among the Core Volunteers, along with the knowledge that he is giving back, motivates Glover to return every week. Ten years have passed since Glover first volunteered with us, but his dedication to our mission has never wavered – still asking how else he can help.
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Less Than a Month to Our 26th Annual Benefit Golf Outing!
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Hurry, there are only a few spaces left. We know you want to come play at The Country Club of Fairfield on
Monday, September 16th
… one of the best rounds of golf in the area and all to help Habitat CFC build more homes!
New this year, a Women’s Competition within our main co-ed tournament. Special prize for Best Score Women’s Foursome. Invite some friends and take home the prize!
Our online Golf Outing Silent Auction will go live on Friday, September 6th! Anyone and everyone can bid on our great items. All you have to do is register on our golf site to be notified when we are live!
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Habitat CFC's 5K Run is Around The Corner!
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Our annual 5K Run for Home and Workboot Challenge has been going strong for over 20 years!
The fast and flat course through Seaside Park in Bridgeport makes the 5K Run the perfect opportunity for serious runners to set personal records and all abilities to enjoy the scenic views. Walkers are welcome!!! The Workboot Challenge is a one mile event prior to the 5K that offers participants the challenge of wearing workboots (or ANY boots) on a shorter course. Join us for the post-run party in the park which will include music, food and lots of fun!
Register early for discounted tickets:
- $27 – register online between August 1 and October 9 – all events are the same price
- $20 – register online (for ages 13 and under) through October 9
- $35 – register at the race (and at packet pickup on Friday)
Free Dri-Fit T-shirt – in your size if you register before September 6, 2019.
We still need financial and in-kind sponsors for this event. Please join us at any level by contacting
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Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County | 203-333-2642
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