On June 14, we invited guests to join us for our first large-scale networking and fundraising event in Monterey County. To our delight, we sold out weeks before the day of the Luncheon! The energy and excitement in the room was palpable, as guests discussed how to expand Habitat's success in Monterey County. The informative panel included Habitat homeowner, Kali Campbell, Habitat dedicated volunteer, Marty Cavanaugh, and Megan Rhodes, Bay Federal Credit Union's SVP and Habitat Advocate. Thank you to all guests for making the day special. And big thanks to our sponsors: Bay Federal Credit Union, Santa Cruz County Bank, The Dunes by Shea Homes, Seasons Living at Seaside, Jim Copeland, Debbie McFarland, Scheid Vineyards, and Carmel Gives for their Matching Challenge Grant.

If you had a burning question for the panel that day and we ran out of time to answer it, good news! Check out our blog, where Satish answers all the questions guests submitted that day that we couldn't get to.

Two New Homeowners at Rodeo Creek Court

Home Dedication in June

Meet Nancy, Alberto, and their daughters, Alexia (8) and Aitana (5)

At the Home Dedication ceremony in early June, Nancy spoke about her gratitude for her Habitat home and while her words were in Spanish (being translated) her joy needed no translation. She welcomed us all into her new home!

They had been living in unhealthy conditions and their daughter's health problems were worsening - asthma and severe allergies due to mold and dust mites in the home. When their application was accepted for their Habitat home, they were elated because, as Nancy put it, they could, "begin to dream about having a home with dignity for our daughters."

They are delighted to have a place they can call their own and make sure their family is cared for.

Meet Jenny, and her daughters, Abby (15) and Shelby (13).

Jenny had tears in her eyes as she shared what the home means to her and her daughters. She spoke about the community she has built at Rodeo Creek Court already - working side by side with other families to build each other's homes. She has longed to be part of a community like this for years, but as a 20-year Santa Cruz renter, she and her kids have moved a lot, struggling with affordability, and have not been able to establish roots. Their need for stability was heightened when they had to leave their Bonny Doon home due to the CZU fires in the summer of 2020.

Another huge plus in their 3-bedroom home - the girls will have their own rooms and she says that it will "bring so much peace to our family!"

Margaret's ADU Dedication in Marina

Habitat's My House My Home Program helps seniors age in place. Margaret was delighted to receive the keys to her new ADU at the dedication ceremony in April. She says she can now stay in the community she loves and be near her children because her ADU provides a safety net of income. Habitat does more than build new homes - we build communities and hope.

Cars for Homes - Donate a Vehicle to help Build a Home

Did you know by donating your vehicle to Habitat you can help build and repair affordable homes while also helping the environment? Since launching the national vehicle donation program, Cars for Homes, in 2005, Habitat has accepted over 120,000 vehicles for reselling or recycling, raising funds for Habitat to partner with local families to build stability and security that a safe affordable home allows. Vehicle donations have raised over $30 million across the country in just the last five years!  We make it fast and easy to donate a vehicle and you may qualify for a tax donation.

To learn more, call 1-877-277-4344 or click the link below!

Concorso Italiano

Concorso Italiano is the world’s largest luxury and exotic Italian Car show, featuring as many as 1,000 Italian exotic automobiles and motorcycles. The event will be on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, Seaside.

Concorso Italiano has selected Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay as a charity partner organization for this unique event. For each hour of volunteer service, Concorso Italiano will donate $15/per hour to Habitat Monterey Bay. In 2022, with assistance from our volunteer esprit de corps, the event raised over $11,000 to benefit Habitat Monterey Bay 

Sign up for pre-event volunteer tasks and be admitted to the Saturday event, free of charge. Volunteers receive lunch the day of the event and a Concorso Italiano tshirt.

Shifts available throughout the week of August 14-19

Click the link below to see shifts and sign up!

ReStore Summer Sale

in Watsonville and Seaside

Join us on July 29th for a one-day summer sale.

50% off everything in the store

(excludes paint and sundries)

Santa Cruz County ReStore

55 Main Street, Watsonville

Monterey County ReStore

4230 Gigling Road, Seaside

Did you know that we do donations pickups in

Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties?

Welcome New Board Members and Staff

Welcome Maxwell Sinclair to the

Habitat Board of Directors

Maxwell serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at Santa Cruz County Bank and has a strong background in finance, HR, and risk management. He has served on multiple Boards in a volunteer capacity and loves giving back. Specifically he has volunteered several times at Habitat build sites because he loves being part of the mission. His personal interests are golf, fishing, and volunteering. 

Welcome David Tausheck

to Habitat Staff

David Tausheck is a mission-driven financial professional with over 25 years of accounting and administrative experience. David has worked in a wide variety of industries, from private equity to nonprofits, from construction to public aquariums. He’s proud to be joining the Habitat for Humanity Monterey Bay team and looking forward to helping families and individuals move into affordable homes and build strong communities. You’ll find David near water whenever possible, either enjoying sailing on the surface or diving below.

Welcome Kelly Stracke to the

Habitat Board of Directors

Kelly is new to Habitat but says he is eager to learn and get involved with such a wonderful organization. He ran a supply chain data company for years until he was able to fulfill his dream of being a stay-at-home dad. He also serves as Monterey County Parks Commissioner, and he is passionate about making our parks accessible and enjoyable to communities across the county. When he isn’t being a self-appointed Super Dad for his three young children, you can find him playing disc golf or volunteering at community events. 

Jim Chambers

Be The Difference Volunteer Award

Jim has devoted 25 years of volunteer service to advance the progress of our home builds. And on May 24, his contributions were recognized at the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center's "Be the Difference Awards."

Jim was honored under the category, "Supporting Strong & Successful Families." As a stalwart member of our “Golden Hammer” crew, he volunteers at the build site each Tuesday, as well as other days during the week. We are grateful for his commitment to the Habitat families we serve and delighted to see his work honored in the greater community.

RCC Summer Donation Drive

Great news! As you read above, we just completed the 7th & 8th homes at Rodeo Creek Court, our eleven-home development in Santa Cruz. But the work continues to finish the three homes still under development. We are extremely grateful for the many contributions that have brought us this far, so we thank you for your support. We broke ground almost three years ago (August, 2020) and are at a critical point in the development, about a year away from complete. With a goal to finish in summer of 2024, we are seeking your support to keep it going! Please consider a donation today to support RCC and the families who live there.

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