Carolyn Vermont is the new CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County effective August 2, 2021. Carolyn served as the interim CEO and has a long-standing association with the Habitat CFC Board of Directors, most recently serving as their Secretary. George Keith, Board Chair, stated, “We are grateful that Carolyn has agreed to become our next CEO. Her deep connection to the community, her naturally magnetic personality, and her commitment to our organization promises to take Habitat CFC to the next level.”

Carolyn expressed “Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County is near and dear to my heart. I have volunteered with the organization for many years. I accepted the position as CEO because of the opportunity to lead this great organization as we continue to provide decent, safe, and affordable homes for families.”

Through the years, Carolyn has provided consulting services in a range of areas including government relations, community engagement, ethics, nonprofit board development, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and leadership. She has offered courses to our future homeowners on some of these topics. She has also held a variety of leadership positions in organizations and agencies such as City of Bridgeport Mayor’s Office, United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, CT Against Gun Violence, Action for Bridgeport Community Development (A.B.C.D.), University of Bridgeport, University College of Fairfield University, and INROADS New England Region.

Carolyn and Habitat CFC both share the value of volunteering. She has graced many Boards and Committees with her presence and wisdom, including First Lady Michelle Obama’s Women’s Roundtable and ChangeMaker at the 2016 White House United State of Women Summit. Currently, Carolyn volunteers as Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport Board Member; Kolbe Cathedral High School Board Member; CT Against Gun Violence Board Member; Trustee of Rotary Foundation; Charter Member & Public Policy Chair of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women-NHM Chapter; Fairfield University Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions Advisory Board Member; Fairfield County Community Foundation’s Bridgeport Public Housing Resident Support Fund Advisory Committee Member; Public Relations Chair for the West Indian-American Association of Greater Bridgeport (WIAAGB); Member of Association of Black Foundation Executives; Bridgeport Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Civic Design Team; Aquarion Water Company Silliman Scholarship Committee and as a Shepherds Mentor.

Carolyn received both her Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees from Fairfield University where she also served on the Board of Trustees. She pursued doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at the University of Bridgeport.

Additionally, Carolyn has received many community awards and honors for her service. She is particularly proud of being named Rotarian of the Year, receiving the CT 100 Women of Color Award, and being chosen for the Fairfield University Alumni Award.

We are very grateful to have Carolyn join our team at Habitat CFC and wish her much success as she leads us in helping families to achieve their dream of homeownership!

Congratulations to Yuliana, Alex, and their two boys, who purchased their beautiful new Habitat home! This fully accessible house will meet the needs of the entire family and be a comfortable and safe foundation for the children as they grow up.

We celebrated passing the keys to our newest Habitat CFC homeowners with a virtual dedication ceremony. We wish the family all the best as they begin a new chapter of their lives in their new home.

Team Build days with corporate & community groups

Habitat CFC has been happy to welcome an increased number of volunteers back to our construction sites. Last month, we continued to host corporate and community Team Builds groups, as well as work with individual volunteers and Core Volunteers who have committed to joining us on a regular basis.

We are grateful for the energy and passion that every volunteer brings to the job site. Best of all, more volunteers mean we can build more houses for families in need of decent, affordable housing!

For more information on Corporate Build Days, contact Kristen Alvanson, Director of Development, by email at [email protected] or by calling (203) 333-2642, ext. 109.

For more information on volunteering as an individual, contact Anthony Orfino, Volunteer Services Coordinator, by email [email protected] or by calling (203) 333-2642, ext. 119.

Are you a single person or a couple looking for an affordable place to live? Dream of owning your own place? Habitat CFC is looking for applicants who would be interested in purchasing one-bedroom condos available on William Street and Clinton Avenue.

To apply, download an application here.

Questions? Contact Homeownership Program Coordinator, Leonila Ayala: [email protected] | (203) 333-2642 x101

We were happy to share information about our Women Build program at a virtual open house this month. Attendees learned about how they can support the Women Build program and Habitat's mission by volunteering, advocating, and fundraising.

Missed the Open House but want to learn more? Watch the recording (link below) or reach out to Volunteer Services Coordinator, Anthony Orfino at [email protected].

Kathleen began volunteering at the Habitat CFC ReStore in early June. She had been looking to get involved in non-profit work during her summer break from college and when she found Habitat CFC, she reached out right away. Kathleen has been a great asset to the store with her determination to do a great job coupled with her fantastic upbeat and positive personality. The entire ReStore staff love to work alongside Kathleen each day that she is there.

Kathleen is a senior at Providence College in Rhode Island and is a Global Studies major. When she is not volunteering with us, she works part-time as a caterer in Westbrook. She is looking into the future for a potential career in the non-profit sector, and she is also a very creative and artistic person. Finding a balance between helping her community and using her artistic abilities is something she is looking forward to most in a future career.

Kathleen got started doing volunteer work in her freshman year of college through the college’s Faith Works program. Her experience with that program led her to be interested in non-profit work as a potential career.

When asked what her experience has been like working at the ReStore, Kathleen says, “The staff has been very welcoming and supportive since my first day. The ReStore offers a lot more than I expected and is a great place to furnish your home and I recommend that others volunteer as well.”

Kathleen, thank you so much for all your hard work and being a great member of our ReStore team!

At this time we have a wait list for golfers. All levels of sponsorship are still available.

If you are unable to attend, you can still donate or bid on our silent auction items.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Francis, Events Coordinator at [email protected] or 203-520-7690.

email preferred – [email protected]