Welcome Home Kee Family!
Keisha received the news that her family was selected into the Habitat program in May 2011. She is the single mother of two children, Aaliyah and DaShawn.
When asked, Keisha will tell you she’s a Portsmouth native and is excited to be able to continue calling Portsmouth home. Keisha was raised with her sisters by their grandmother and her brother by an aunt. Keisha grew up in the projects and remembers moving out at 18. She started pursuing her higher education at Tidewater Community College (TCC). Keisha currently works in Portsmouth. She plans to continue her education in the field of early childhood.
Keisha is "filled with joy and never thought she could be so excited" about being selected as a potential Habitat homebuyer. She "counts her blessing each day." Keisha is ready to set an example; not only for other families out there but also for her very own. She is the youngest of four and wants to set the trend that if she can purchase a home so can they. Keisha knows that a stable home environment will change things for the better for her family. She also knows the stability of a good home will be great for them all.
Click here to watch the video of her dedication on the Habitat SHR YouTube channel.
Meet our new Construction Staff
Joe Rosenhouse decided to leave Habitat at the end of the Nelms Lane Townhouse project and start his own business. This allowed us the opportunity to reorganize the construction department to better meet the needs of our partner families, volunteers, and supporters.
Rick Williams has joined us as Director of Construction. Rick’s fascination with construction goes back to high school when he won both regional and statewide design awards leading to an architectural internship. He worked for more than 13 years in local architectural and design firm on both high-end residential and commercial construction projects. He then worked for 7 years as designer and project manager for and then as a general contractor. He has considerable experience planning, designing and constructing houses from the ground up and holds a Class “A” contractors license. Rick brings a special understanding of Habitat’s mission and ministry and volunteer-orientation as he is an ordained pastor and pastored a Chesapeake church for ten years. Rick’s project and budget management skills are especially important as we continue to work closely with our cities and housing authorities to expand our housing production. His background in value engineering projects will help us make the best use of the resources that we have.
Mark Barnes will officially begin work with us on Friday as Construction Site Supervisor though you may have already met him on the Garfield or Willoughby sites. Mark grew up in the construction business, beginning work at family’s roofing business in 1972. He is a skilled framing and finish carpenter with more than 40 years of experience in all aspects of the residential construction and remodeling business. He has operated his own general contracting business since 2001. He and his wife, Tonya, live in Portsmouth.
Cori Reed, our volunteer coordinator, has officially been moved into the Construction Department so that we can ensure the coordination and availability of the volunteer workforce necessary for us to complete our construction projects on time. She will however, continue to work to expand the volunteers available for retail and office projects. Cori is also our AmeriCorps site manager with responsibilities for our ongoing compliance with Americorps requirements and mentoring of our AmeriCorps volunteers.
Mo Grumbly will continue her role as AmeriCorps construction assistant and crew lead for construction projects. AmeriCorps volunteer, Kelly Bearden serves as our Brush with Kindness coordinator matching families in need with volunteers to assist them with small home repairs, painting, ramps, and other issues.
Bob Wilson, formerly our site supervisor, has accepted a position in the Portsmouth Habitat store avoiding the Downtown Tunnel and allowing him to use his construction knowledge to assist in the merchandizing and sales of the building materials.
Are you renovating or doing some spring cleaning?
Consider donating your used building materials, appliances, clothing and household goods to our Habitat General Stores. Drop off or we'll pick up - call 640-0594 to schedule your FREE pick up.
100% of store proceeds directly contribute to the Habitat SHR.
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You'll be able to view videos of the dedications. Most recently Nelms, Centre and Atlantic dedications can be found online at Habitat SHR’s YouTube channel.
Veterans Assisting Veterans
Habitat SHR completed the first of several projects funded by an anonymous donation. This gift focuses on repairs to veterans’ homes through Habitat SHR’s program, "A Brush with Kindness", the exterior home preservation program specifically for senior citizens, disabled and low-income families. Habitat SHR will be able to help five veterans and their families on carpentry and facade repairs, painting and yard work, beginning with home owner, Lena Young. Lena served for five years as an Operations Specialist in the United States Navy including a tour in Iraq for a C-RAM mission. She has two small children, Justin, age 6 and Jaya, age 4, works full-time and is hoping to complete her Bachelor’s Degree at Old Dominion University.
Veterans, active duty members of a Chief Petty Officer 365 program and the Fleet Logistics Center from Norfolk Naval Base, Habitat SHR AmeriCorps service members and local residents completed the Norfolk project in less than 2 days. Says Lena, "I'm astonished that a group was able to come to my house and expect nothing in exchange to help out a stranger!" But Habitat SHR offers a "Hand Up!", not a hand-out. Lena was partially selected because of her enthusiastic agreement to work alongside the volunteers on the repairs for her home, even after daylight was long gone. The improvements included installing storm doors, repairs to siding that was causing flooding, fitting a new back door to avoid rain water pooling, replacing an outdoor outlet and a stain application to porches for weatherization.
Projects like this are part of Habitat for Humanity Internationals’ Veteran’s Initiative, developing opportunities to engage military members, veterans and their families through volunteerism, employment and programs for home ownership, renovation and minor repairs. Under Habitat for Heroes, Habitat SHR is hoping to break ground on their first-ever Veteran’s Build. The affiliate is currently accepting home buyer applications to partner with a Veteran and family. Habitat SHR is also seeking project sponsors for these projects.
NOTE: This newsletter is a communication tool for the entire Habitat SHR family. Building Partners and other partnering groups are invited to submit articles highlighting upcoming events, special volunteers, dedicated donors or other topics associated with our shared work and mission. Please submit newsletter copy to Sheila.
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