SUSSEX COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS HIRING!

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is seeking applicants for full-time and part-time employment, and for AmeriCorps service positions.  The Habitat affiliate is expanding services in home construction, house rehabilitation, repairs, neighborhood revitalization, family empowerment, and community relations. 
 
Sussex County Habitat provides opportunities for low-income families to purchase a home or repair the home they currently own.  Annually, Sussex County Habitat repairs 30 or more homes and builds or rehabs 15 to 17 homes, a notable level of productivity for a regional Habitat affiliate of this size.  Also, the affiliate manages two ReStores.  Founded in 1991 as a Christian Housing ministry, Sussex Habitat has built or rehabbed 116 homes and repaired 148.  In all, Habitat staff, loyal volunteers, AmeriCorps members, and generous donors stabilized and strengthened the lives of 264 families.
 
To apply, send a letter of interest and resume to  apply@sussexcountyhabitat.org and put the job title in the subject line.
 
Construction Director (Full Time): The Construction Director is responsible for all aspects of the homebuilding and rehabilitation program of SCHFH. This is a senior level management position reporting to the Executive Director and is a member of the organization's management team.   Click here for a full position description.
 
Construction Site Supervisor (Full & Part Time): The Site Supervisor is responsible for "hands-on" residential home construction at SCHFH construction sites. The Site Supervisor is also responsible for scheduling and leadership of Construction AmeriCorps, volunteers and partner family members, as well as project planning, site organization and safety, and property management. The main role of the Site Supervisor is to add support for the Construction Manager by ensuring that volunteers, homeowners and staff work in a safe, efficient and productive environment.   Click here for a full position description.
 
Neighborhood Revitalization Site Supervisor (Part Time): The Neighborhood Revitalization (NR) Site Supervisor is responsible for all owner-occupied home repairs and NR projects performed by SCHFH. The NR Site Supervisor schedules, manages, and performs repairs and NR projects, overseeing work planning, site organization, and safety. Additionally, the NR Site Supervisor is responsible for leading an NR AmeriCorps member, volunteers, homeowners, and subcontractors.   Click here for a full position description.
 
AmeriCorps Member (Full Time): AmeriCorps service is your opportunity to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. Habitat AmeriCorps are paid to serve full or part-time helping families build strong and stable homes, while gaining real-world experience. AmeriCorps serve in leadership roles on active build sites, in our affiliate office assisting families, volunteers and staff, or in one of our two Sussex County ReStore locations.
 
20+ AmeriCorps positions available for 2017-2018 Service Year beginning September 1, 2017
Positions include: Construction Leader, ReStore Associate, Volunteer Coordinator, Communications/PR Coordinator, Affiliate Relations/Events Coordinator, Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator, and Family Empowerment Coordinator. Click here for a full position description.

NEW HOME SETTLEMENT





Congratulations goes out to  Evelyn and Steven  on the settlement of their new home in Delmar . The family received their keys on June 13th. We wish them the best of luck! 
NEW PARTNER SIGNING




Sussex County Habitat for Humanity welcomes Geslin, Rosette, and their two young sons  as the newest Sussex County Habitat Partner Family.  Geslin and Rosette will work closely with our Family Empowerment staff, $ tand By Me counselors, and volunteers on their journey to homeownership.

READING OPENS DOORS GIVES BOOKS TO 100 HABITAT FAMILIES
Roxanne Nelson with Executive Director Kevin Gilmore and Director of Family Empowerment Heather Barony standing in front of partner family biographies

Young children whose parents read to them enter kindergarten recognizing 30,000 more words than children whose parents didn't.   Roxanne Nelson reported this and other facts to the Sussex Habitat staff and AmeriCorps members at a luncheon celebrating Reading Opens Doors, a program that donates a personally customized library of books to children whose parents build and purchase Habitat homes in Sussex County.  In 2007 Roxanne began the distinctive partnership with Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.  To date, she has given over 6,500 specially selected books to 270 children in 100 Habitat families, a milestone well worth celebrating.
A diagram showing the families Reading Opens Doors has touched.
 
A retired kindergarten teacher, Roxanne recognized that most Habitat families have young children, some of whom are bilingual or just learning English.  When she started the program, her goal was to place a small library in each new home with age appropriate books for the children and reference books the entire family could use.  Roxanne's work begins when most of the construction has been completed and the family is ready to settle into their new home.  She arranges a time to meet with the children and parents to learn a little more about their family dynamic.   
 
Central to the mission is the thoughtful selection of age appropriate children's books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and atlases.  Roxanne chooses carefully, often with insights from the staff at Rehoboth's Browseabout Books. Not surprising, her basement has been transformed into a book warehouse.  
 
Roxanne reading to the Habitat Staff
Roxanne visits the new Habitat home taking bags of books for each of the children, along with a bookcase to accommodate their new treasures.  She stays and reads to the children, talking with them about their favorite books and school subjects. Also, she shares with parents the importance of reading to their children. 

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity strives to build strength, stability, and self-reliance in our partner families.  Reading Opens Doors truly enhances that effort. On behalf of all who support the Habitat for Humanity mission in Sussex County, we offer our most sincere thanks to Roxanne Nelson. She inspires us all.  

Volunteer Voices
ST. PAUL'S STUDENTS VOLUNTEER AT THE RESTORE

Six rising seniors from St. Paul's School in Brooklandville, MD began their summer vacations volunteering at Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.  Serving at the Georgetown ReStore located on Depot Street, they trimmed weeds and outside shrubbery, painted, and cleaned the parking area, contributing much to the exterior appearance of the building.  Jaime McNatt, Assistant ReStore Manager, gave these students high marks for their efforts saying, "We were fortunate to encounter a group like the students from St. Paul's.  Their enthusiasm and work ethic made a big difference at ReStore and in our community.  Their desire to jump in and get to work was evident from their first day of service."   What a great way to begin a summer!  We offer our sincere thanks to the students and faculty of St. Paul's School.
CHICKS THAT FIX ACCEPT THE COLLEGIATE CHALLENGE
Six teachers hailing from five different Virginia towns accepted the Sussex Habitat Collegiate Challenge.  While not currently students, they did meet in college or through college friends.  So, they registered for the Challenge calling themselves Chicks that Fix.  And, we are happy they did.  Amanda Bletsh, from Spotsylvania, VA, led this energetic and very productive team from the Old Dominion state.  Others came from Chester, Mechanicsville, Ashburn, and Sterling. 
 
Working during a very hot, humid, and rainy week, they painted and addressed finishing tasks in Habitat homes nearing completion in Ellendale's Ingram Village.  "The school year had just ended for each of these teachers," commented Sara Clendaniel, the AmeriCorps site volunteer coordinator.  "Rather than taking some well-deserved time off, I was so impressed they came to Sussex County to serve with Habitat."  We are grateful to the Chicks That Fix for giving their time and talents so generously.   They are an inspiration and we hope to see them again next summer.   
ST. JOHN YOUTH MINISTRY, A NEW VOLUNTEER GROUP
M eghan Sprankle brought a new team of volunteers to Sussex County Habitat from  St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church High School Youth Ministry Work Camp in Frederick, MD.    Having served on six Habitat build projects in Sussex County while working for  St. Louis Parish , Meghan prepared these young people for what became a very productive week.  The group that included seven high school juniors and seniors and three parent chaperones spent the week in Milton installing siding on one home and prepping a foundation on another.  We thank Meghan and all the members of the St. John's Work Camp for their very good work.

The Repair Report
MAJOR REPAIR DEDICATION IN LAUREL


On June 30th Sussex County Habitat staff, volunteers, and AmeriCorps members gathered in
Laurel to celebrate and dedicate the completion of a major repair project at the home of
Lisa Koyanagi and her sister Laura Passwaters.   The project included exterior work to seal the home from leaks, front porch repairs, kitchen floor replacement, and bathroom improvements.  Importantly, Habitat volunteers and AmeriCorps members installed handicap accessibility elements in the house and bathroom so that Lisa can move more freely throughout her home.  The work was completed in one month with partial funding provided by Delaware State House Authority.
 
The dedication offered everyone a few minutes to pause and give thanks for all of the hands-on effort that went into this project.    In the tradition of Sussex County Habitat, Lisa and Laura received the homeowner's prayer signed by team members as a way to remember this meaningful partnership. The family then welcomed folks into their home for pizza, fellowship, and a tour of the completed project.

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is seeking homeowners who have major repair needs and live on the west side of Central Avenue within the town limits of Laurel.   To learn more, contact Audrey Miller, Neighborhood Revitalization Programs Coordinator, at  302-855-1153 ext. 217 . 


AMERICORPS MEMBERS CELEBRATE SERVICE


On Thursday, June 29th,  AmeriCorps Members serving throughout the state of Delaware gathered at Cape Henlopen State Park for the annual  AmeriCorps Delaware Recognition Picnic . This year, members from Ministry of Caring, Reading Assist Institute, Delaware State Parks, and Habitat for Humanity were present for the event.  The annual picnic is an opportunity for members to celebrate service.  Each program recognizes a member for outstanding service.  This year Habitat for Humanity honors went to Ervon Brown who served on the New Castle County Habitat construction team .  Also, the picnic gave members an occasion to network and share their service experiences.   
 
AmeriCorps members commitment to full-time and part-time positions offered by a network of not-for-profit community organizations and public agencies fulfilling assignments in the fields of education, public safety, healthcare, and environmental protection.  In return they receive a living allowance, health insurance, low-cost group housing, and may qualify for an education award.  Sussex County Habitat for Humanity AmeriCorps members serve in a variety of positions including ReStore support, home construction and repairs, volunteer coordination, family empowerment, communications, and affiliate relations. 
 
Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is accepting AmeriCorps applications for the 2017- 2018 service year.  If you are interested in learning about AmeriCorps and the impact this program has in Sussex County and throughout Delaware, please contact Nancy Greene, Programs Manager- AmeriCorps for more information at 302-855-1153 ext. 205 or email her at nancy@sussexcountyhabitat.org.
Framing Fragments- Updates on Current Builds
Ellendale
619 South Lee Ave.
Complete

622 South Lee Ave.
Complete

Washington Ave.
Completing Roof, Prepping for Siding

Millsboro
140 Hudson Alley (The House that Grace Built)
Complete

Milton
14446 Collins St.
Finish Siding, Pre- Mechanicals 

Lot 12 Collins Street
Foundation Work, Preparing for Beracah Delivery 
Inspiration 








  Questions? Ready to Volunteer? 
  E-mail Programs Director Barbara Ward at
or call 302-855-1153 x211

  We welcome all  - individuals and groups - to build with us at anytime: This is what our founder, Millard Fuller , called the Theology of the Hammer .

In This Issue

Quick Links







SCHFH is a Proud Member of the AmeriCorps National Service Network


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