Hello Communications,



Welcome to Our July Edition!

July is a month to honor resilience within our homeowners, volunteers, and global partners. From Disability Pride to Nepali culture to putting love into action at our BE LOVE Build, we're proud to lift the hands and voices that help build homes and hope.

Disability Pride Month

In honor of Disability Pride Month, we are proud to highlight Habitat homeowner Candace Trujillo, whose journey serves as a reminder of the importance of accessible housing. Candace, who uses a wheelchair, and her mother, Fran, faced many barriers in their housing search. Their previous rental was a three-story townhome, and Fran had to carry Candace upstairs to access her bedroom and bathroom.

When they were selected for a Habitat home, everything changed.

Their new Longmont home is a true gem, thoughtfully designed for accessibility with a zero-step entry, wide doorways, and a roll-in shower. They joyfully moved in and embraced this exciting new chapter in 2024!

Fran volunteered on the building site while Candace inspired others with her joyful presence, serving as the "cheerleader" for the crew. Candace works full-time, holds an Associate's Degree, and lives with energy, independence, and pride.

Her story is a powerful reminder: when we build accessible homes, we build freedom, dignity, and opportunity.

Volunteer or Donate to Support Future Homeowners

BUILDING CULTURE & COMMUNITY

BE LOVE Build - July 12

Remembering our roots to renew the promise of the Beloved Community

You are invited to "BE LOVE." BE LOVE is a growing movement, presented by the King Center, of courageous acts to achieve justice, defined by these words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love."

Habitat's mission is firmly rooted in this movement. From Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia, in the 1950s, to the development of "partnership housing" and the Fund for Humanity that Millard Fuller created in collaboration with Clarence Jordan. Dr. King once wrote to Clarence, noting the struggles that Koinonia faced, "I hope that you will gain some consolation from the fact that in your struggle for freedom and a true Christian community, you have cosmic companionship." The foundation of our faith guides our work to love our neighbors, walk humbly, and do justice. 

• Friday, July 11 at 6 pm Reception & Talk at the ReStore: Learn about Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of Beloved Community and St. Vrain Habitat's Beloved Community Council.
• Saturday, July 12 Register to volunteer for a day of service 8 am-3 pm for the BE LOVE Build on the construction site or 2, 4, or 6 hr shifts at the ReStore. 
• Sunday, September 7, 11 am-2 pm Habitat's Beloved Community Celebration at The Garden at Left Hand!

This September, we're celebrating everyone connected with our work. We are inspired by and grateful to our homeowners, volunteers, board members, staff, donors, churches, and all of our partners who, through generosity and determination, continue to come together to build homes, community, and hope. Together, we are building Beloved Community. If you'd like to help lead our BE LOVE efforts, sponsor an event, join the entertainment lineup, or bring food, please reach out to Krystal Winship, Community Engagement Manager, at kwinship@stvrainhabitat.org or 303-682-2485. Sign Up

CULTURE & COMMUNITY

Nepali Jatra Festival – July 19

Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley is thrilled to extend an invitation to the community for this year's Nepali Jatra (meaning "festival"), a vibrant celebration of Nepali culture, taking place on Friday, July 19, at 4:00 PM in Downtown Longmont.

This free community festival features a diverse array of music, traditional dance performances, authentic cuisine, local vendors, and a rich display of Nepal's cultural heritage.

Habitat St. Vrain is proud to partner with Sunanda Dangol, the founder and organizer of Nepali Jatra, which was first launched in 2022. What began as a small cultural gathering to celebrate Nepali Americans in Colorado has evolved into a joyful and vibrant tradition that brings together people from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their heritage. 

Our connection with Sunanda began in 2022, and it deepened earlier this year when she joined our Habitat Global Village trip to Nepal in April, where our team helped build homes alongside families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Nepal. Witnessing the incredible hospitality and resilience of the Nepali people further strengthened our commitment to supporting this important cultural event here at home.

Habitat encourages everyone in the community to attend the Nepali Jatra event and learn more about the people, food, and customs that make Nepal so special.

Event Details: Nepali Jatra 

Friday, July 19, 4 PM-7 PM, 4th and Kimbark, Longmont, CO

Free and open to all ages

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Building Hope and Homes

We're filled with gratitude as we reflect on recent milestones—dedications, blessings, and the hands that make it all possible. At Longmont's Sugarmill project, we'll close on our sixth home in June, with four more underway and two dedications coming in July. Construction is set to begin on East Rogers Road later this summer. In Estes Park, we celebrated a Ground Blessing at Raven Avenue, where volunteers are already building the first home—planning is underway for a second this fall.

Thank you for building with us!

Volunteer Spotlight

Bob Cotton, affectionately known as "Trouble," has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for over 55 years. Originally from England, he moved to Colorado in the 1960s and soon became active with Flatirons Habitat. For the past 17 years in Longmont, Bob has organized bimonthly volunteer crews from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, uniting his faith community to build affordable housing.

Bob's commitment to Habitat is fueled by the satisfaction of seeing homes built and families move in. He finds joy in building community within his church, watching people "come out of the woodwork" to put their faith into action. He is now focused on recruiting the next generation as longtime members retire. "We need more young people," he says. The volunteers he recruits share his passion for Habitat and often become regular volunteers themselves.

We are deeply grateful for Bob's unwavering dedication and his continued leadership in championing Habitat's mission. Thank you, Trouble!

Summer Savings at the ReStore

Urgent: Apply by July 9!

You Make This Possible

Every home dedicated, every repair completed, every build day shared — it all happens because of your time, generosity, and belief in our mission.

Thank you for continuing to build hope, stability, and equity alongside us.

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