f
submitted: Apr 28, 2009, 8:54 pm

Habitat Welcomes New Partner Family in St. Clair
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County, Mo., is pleased to announce the selection of a partner family for the Habitat house at 35 West Oak St., St. Clair, Mo.   The dedication of this home to its new inhabitants will be March 28, 2009, at 10 a.m.  All are invited, especially the family’s new neighbors, St. Clair community members.  Habitat is excited to extend the opportunity of affordable housing to a local family. 
The Grable family—John and Tammie, daughter Keighlee and son Cody Day—currently is in the process of accomplishing the terms of the partnering agreement with Habitat.  They will perform 300 hours of sweat equity to earn the opportunity to buy the home with a zero-interest mortgage.
John and Tammie say that the opportunity to be involved in this process is “a very great blessing” that has “raised their spirit and outlook on life.”  They look forward to not only buying a home, but also raising their children in a good environment.  The Grables are excited to spruce up their new home and become involved in the community—John hopes to utilize his coaching skills to help shape youth development through sports.
Keighlee and Cody also are “thrilled” and “thankful” for the new housing opportunity.  They are both involved with D.A.R.E., science and athletic programs in the local schools.  Cody is focusing on obtaining athletic scholarships to attend college as he goes through high school; he aspires to work in the construction industry.  Keighlee is looking forward to attending school and making friends in a permanent home, without the worry of having to relocate.  She’s especially excited about their new yard, in which they will certainly see many happy afternoons playing with their dog and new friends.  She hopes to someday become a medical doctor.
Habitat’s mission—helping, not simply giving—is illustrated in the Grables’ new life opportunity.  They have already performed the majority of the sweat equity hours, and are looking forward to help with the construction of future Habitat houses for other families.   This core Habitat goal, to help families help themselves and others, is at work here in St. Clair and all over Franklin County.
The family and Habitat are incredibly grateful for all the volunteer hours, donations, and the support of the St. Clair community since 2006, which all has been necessary for this housing opportunity. Both the Grables and Habitat look forward to showing how successful the concept of Habitat for Humanity can be.
Habitat Board of Directors President Jim Brown notes, “This is a classic example of giving a family an opportunity to better their lives. They are community-oriented, religious and are very capable of applying themselves to take advantage of the opportunity provided to them.”
All are encouraged to attend the March 28 dedication to meet the Grables and visit with Habitat volunteers.
Habitat for Humanity has been building homes for over 30 years all over the world, spreading a Christian-based mission of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness by providing the opportunity of simple, affordable housing to families in need.
For more information, visit Habitat's Web site at www.franklincountyhabitat.com or call (636) 583-1020.


f
submitted: Apr 28, 2009, 8:53 pm

Habitat/Thrivent Partnership to Break Ground for Two New Sullivan Homes
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County, Mo., and Thrivent Builds will break ground for two new homes on Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m.  The homes will be built on Bland Street, in Sullivan.  The community is invited to the event, which will mark the beginning of a partnership between Habitat, Thrivent Builds and two new partner families—Julie Bolin, and her sons, Garrett Whitener and Andrew Baker; and Cristy Story, and her daughter, Katie Bullock, and son, Sam Bullock.
Without the community’s help and support, it would be impossible to complete one home, much less two.  It is the organization’s sincere hope that community members—individuals and businesses—will pitch in to the cause (whether it’s hammering nails on a Saturday or donating funds), and know the benefits of volunteerism as well as welcoming two new families into the community.
Helping, not simply giving, is at the heart of Habitat's mission.
People interested in volunteering to further Habitat's mission of providing affordable housing to families in need are encouraged to call (636) 583-1020, visit www.franklincountyhabitat.com or e-mail info@franklincountyhabitat.com
.
These homes mark the ninth and tenth homes that the Franklin County chapter will undertake, build and dedicate to area families.
Today, more than ever, the importance of good, quality, affordable housing is at the forefront of the American dream.  Habitat is committed to helping families achieve that dream through hard work and knowledge about the homebuying process. 
Habitat for Humanity has been building homes for over 30 years all over the world, spreading a Christian-based mission of eliminating substandard housing and homelessness by providing the opportunity of simple, affordable housing to families in need.
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County became a part of this global effort in 2003 when the first house was built in St. Clair.  Habitat's aim is to not only provide those in need with simple, affordable housing, but also to give families the opportunity to grow and thrive in safe, permanent housing.  Volunteers--from those with building experience to those with vastly different talents, from young to old--always are needed to make sure this goal turns into reality for as many families in Franklin County as possible. 
For more information, visit Habitat's Web site at www.franklincountyhabitat.com or call (636) 583-1020.



Press Release
submitted: Sep 19, 2007, 10:49 pm

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY DEVELOPING STRATEGIC PLAN
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has approved a new strategic plan. After several consecutive months of focused effort, the affiliate is anxious to build the organization and enlarge on its service to Franklin County. After more than 6 years of operating in Franklin County, the affiliate is taking a new look at how to best address the needs of families in substandard living conditions in the service area and explore alternative means of securing resources that would be necessary to support a more diverse and expanded role in the area. The Habit at for Humanity ministry is the same as that of the umbrella organization, Habitat for Humanity International – to eradicate substandard living conditions with the help of volunteers, contributions and other qualified sources of appropriate funds such as grants. However, the local affiliate does not receive financial, volunteer or construction support from Habitat International.

The objective of the strategic plan is to improve our fit with the county and be more effective at achieving our mission. During plan development, affiliate was careful to align the goals and objectives with those of Habitat International, with the needs in Franklin County, with the resources of the service area, and the capability of the staff to implement the plan. The plan calls for greater quality relationships with partner families, new approaches to acquiring property, securing alternative sources of funds, partnering with more agencies and sponsors, investigating alternative ways of addressing housing needs, marketing our ministry for greater understanding, and new focus on the community support. In order to accomplish the initiatives in the plan, there will be some modification of the organizational structure, the operational processes and staffing.

While many initiatives have already begun, the formal implementation of the plan will begin with the April meeting of the Board of Directors. We anticipate completion of the plan in the next few months with formal adoption by the board of directors. Expanded roles beyond those of the past five years will not only require more financial resources but equally important, more volunteers in administrative and coordination positions. The affiliate is currently recruiting individuals with expertise in areas of financial management, marketing, construction management, and social welfare. Retired professionals are usually a great fit with organizational needs but others that are able to commit a few hours per week would also be very helpful.

Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County is very grateful to Mr. Don Bertram, the Coordinator of the Business, Industry, and Community Education Department of East Central College. Don served as facilitator for the plan development and was instrumental in designing the approach, presenting information in a way to elicit cooperation and input from a diverse group, and producing a consensus result. His time and talent are much appreciated.

HH as well as the partner families are deeply grateful to the many individuals and organizations that have helped build homes in four different communities over the past several years. It has proven to be very rewarding experience for the recipients as well as the volunteers and donors. We look forward to building more houses and helping more families throughout the county and encourage all that have time and talent to get in touch and find a way to help us out.



Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County
submitted: Aug 15, 2007, 10:43 pm

Thank You!
Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County would like to thank all those who made our first house possible: