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We bring people together to build homes, communities, and HOPE. | |
| The Cornerstone Newsletter June Issue | 2025 | | |
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From the Desk of Lorraine Larson
Guided by Heart and Hammer: An Update from Habitat's Director
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Dear Friends and Family of Habitat,
As we welcome warmer weather and longer days, we’re also celebrating some incredible growth here at Nevada County Habitat for Humanity—on our build sites, in our ReStore, and within our dedicated team.
First, I’d like to highlight one of the newest members of our staff, Neri Traugot, who has stepped into the role of Administrative Program Coordinator. With a unique background in stage and production management—from Humboldt County to London—Neri brings impressive coordination skills, creative energy, and nonprofit experience to our operations. She’s already helping to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes, and we’re so grateful to have her on board.
On the ground, volunteers are making fantastic progress on the first two homes in our current development. With foundations nearly finished, our crews are preparing to begin framing—a powerful and symbolic phase of the build. Framing is when walls go up, dreams take shape, and volunteers and future homeowners stand shoulder-to-shoulder building not just homes, but brighter futures.
From building sites to boardrooms, donation drop-offs to program logistics—it all comes together to move our mission forward: a Nevada County where everyone has a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.Thank you for being part of this journey.
With Gratitude,
Lorraine Larson
Executive Director
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Habitat Staff Spotlight:
Neri Traugot, Administrative Program Coordinator
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Neri’s career has always balanced organization, management, and creativity. With five years of experience as a stage manager for live performances in Humboldt County, Wyoming, and London, she developed a strong foundation in logistics, coordination, and behind-the-scenes problem-solving—skills she now brings to her role as Administrative Program Coordinator at Nevada County Habitat for Humanity.
She holds a postgraduate degree in Stage and Production Management from London, UK, where she led international teams and managed complex productions in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Since transitioning into the nonprofit world, Neri has worked with the Nevada County Arts Council and the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce, contributing to community events and supporting organizational development.
At Habitat, Neri helps keep the engine running. As Administrative Program Coordinator, she ensures smooth day-to-day operations, supports vibrant events, and helps the organization stay focused on its mission to provide affordable housing in the community.
In her spare time, you’ll likely find Neri diving into local arts events, swimming in the Yuba River, or reading just about anything she can get her hands on.
| | Board of Directors – Guiding Our Habitat Mission | | |
Every nonprofit needs a compass—and for Nevada County Habitat for Humanity, that compass is our Board of Directors. A board is a group of volunteers who provide governance and oversight, helping ensure the organization stays true to its mission, remains financially healthy, and serves the community effectively.
Our Board of Directors is made up of local leaders who bring a wealth of experience from fields like law, business, construction, education, and public service. These individuals are not only stewards of our strategic direction but also ambassadors for our cause. They make high-level decisions, set policies, support fundraising efforts, and ensure accountability.
Operating in accordance with the U.S. Affiliation Agreement of Habitat for Humanity International, our board members are deeply committed to building safe, decent, and affordable homes in Nevada County. Their leadership and vision help transform lives—not just for the families we serve, but also for the volunteers, donors, and partners who support this work.
We are honored to have such dedicated and civic-minded individuals at the helm of our local affiliate. Their time, guidance, and generosity are essential to our success—and to our dream of a community where everyone has a place to call home.
To our Board of Directors—thank you. Your leadership, heart, and commitment make everything we do possible.
| | Board of Directors Corner | | |
Richard “Dick” Sciaroni joined the Nevada County Habitat for Humanity Board in 2023, bringing with him a deep-rooted connection to California and a lifelong commitment to service and community. A San Francisco native and descendant of Gold Rush pioneers, Dick studied architecture at UC Berkeley before serving over four years as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army. His curiosity and global perspective led him to earn a master’s degree in East Asian History from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.
Eventually, Dick found his professional calling in law, graduating from UC Hastings and building a career representing architects and engineers in complex contract negotiations and legal matters. In 2003, Dick and his wife Jackie Finley—herself a descendant of early Grass Valley settlers—chose to make Grass Valley their home. Together, they share a deep appreciation for the region’s history and its future.
Dick is a strong advocate for Habitat’s mission to build safe, decent, and affordable housing. He believes deeply in the power of community-driven solutions to not only change the lives of local families, but also to enrich the lives of the volunteers and donors who make this work possible.
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Volunteers are making incredible progress on the first two homes in our current Habitat for Humanity development! With foundations nearly complete, our dedicated build crews are preparing to move into one of the most exciting phases of construction: framing.
Framing the walls of a Habitat home is always a powerful and emotional milestone. It’s when the dream starts to take shape—literally. There’s an unmistakable energy on site: big smiles, high-fives, and the kind of teamwork that makes lasting change possible. This is the moment when Habitat’s mission comes to life, as volunteers and future homeowners come together to raise the walls of a better tomorrow.
| | Pictured here: forms for the foundation, electrical conduits in place for the concrete pour, and one of our newest volunteers, Jacob, already making an impact on the build site. His enthusiasm is a great reminder that it takes all kinds of helping hands to build a home—and a stronger community. | | |
Tim is a longtime Grass Valley local and proud graduate of Nevada Union High School. He’s also a U.S. Army veteran and has been a vital part of the Habitat ReStore team for over two years.
As a Donations Specialist and driver, Tim is often the friendly face greeting you at drop-off—chances are, if you’ve donated something, he’s the one who unloaded it! He’s a trainer, a team leader, and has worked with countless volunteers and interns to keep all our departments clean, organized, and running smoothly.
Lately, Tim has taken on the title of Donated Furniture Master (yes, it’s unofficial—but totally earned!). Whether it’s furniture, tools, lumber, or just finding the right place for everything, Tim is ridiculously helpful and always ready to jump in wherever he’s needed.
Thank you, Tim, for everything you do! Your hard work, positive attitude, and leadership make ReStore a better place for everyone.
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FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK
See photos of new inventory and store activites on our page:
facebook.com/NCHabitatReStore
RESTORE REWARDS:
Sign up for our Rewards program with a ReStore Cashier to save more when you shop! Members also receive our monthly insider mailer with exclusive bonus sales.
VOLUNTEER:
Volunteering at the ReStore is rewarding, fun, and volunteers get 50% off! To find out more scan this QR code or visit: nchabitat.org/get-involved
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