SPRING

2019
Newsletter

Board of Directors

Mr. Rich Kulbacki

President

Mr. Dennis Mialki

Vice Present

Mr. Scott Dillon

Treasurer
225 Freeport Street, New Kensington, PA 15068 Phone: 724-594-1051 Website: www.habitatav.org
Dr. Diana Biordi
Secretary
Habitat kicks off its 24th home build in Veterans of Valley Memorial
Valley School District partners with Habitat Dr. Katherine
Natrona! Counihan
for Humanity to build a veteran memorial

O
Board Member

ver two decades "As we express our gratitude, we must never Mrs. Elaine Brookins
ago, a vision was set forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter Board Memeber

forth to create a
platform to provide
opportunity for decent
and affordable
housing in the
Allegheny Valley.
Fast forward to present day, and Allegheny Valley Habitat
for Humanity will now soon provide its 24th homeownership
that allows families a place to call home. Current efforts are
taking place on Garfield Street in Natrona, as the build will
provide a home for a family of three with a newborn on the
way.
Habitat construction lead Chris Andring provides oversight
of the build project that initially received direct funding
support from Alvarez & Marsal, and now currently host
volunteers from across the region to assist in the home
construction efforts. Executive Director John Tamiggi
states that, “This is an exciting opportunity for Habitat to
continue in its mission to serve by not only building homes,
but the people who will ultimately reside there.” The
opportunity to build people has become an instrumental
part of Habitat’s current process, as it has worked to align
with various partners throughout the region to create
opportunity to expand far beyond just homeownership.
Working partnerships with organizations that include
groups like First Commonwealth Bank, which offers
financial literacy training, provides foundational elements
for true homeownership success. “We are proud of our
history to build and create homes, and as we proceed into
the future our efforts continue to further align with
community partners to create holistic opportunity that can
transform and strengthen the communities of tomorrow.”
words, but to live by them." - John F. Kennedy Mrs. Lynn Weddell
Board Member
These famous words reflect the partnership set Mrs. Carol Harris
President Emeritus
forth by Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity and
Valley School District as they worked to establish Dr. W. James Legge
a partnership to create a veteran memorial at President Emeritus
Valley High School that not only honors the alumni
Mr. Gerry Vaerewyck
who served, but also to serve as a catalyst to Board Member
inspire future leaders of tomorrow.
Mrs. Karen Snair
The concept discussed between the leadership of Board Member
Habitat for Humanity and Valley School District Ms. Lorraine
was to create a “living memorial.” The student Wolosencuk
body, most specifically the JrROTC, was then Board Member
given this concept and ask to turn this into reality.
Dr. John Tamiggi
Along with the leadership of the JrROTC’s Executive Director
Lieutenant Colonel Wayne C. Sodowsky, the
student body mapped out a plan to create an
outdoor classroom that will now serve as a
platform for an ongoing speaker series for future
classes to learn, discuss and understand the
intricacies of our nation’s military history, while
also inspiring the student body into leadership
roles that provide service for the community. Build
efforts for this project are scheduled to commence
with a groundbreaking ceremony in late May and
be completed by Fall of 2019.

This home build project is scheduled to be complete Fall of

2019. If you are interested in lending volunteer support on
this home build, please visit www.habitatav.org or call
724.594.1051 for more details.
 fortunate in the community. Habitat, along with
A Little Lending Library for All
New Kensington addiction recovery center Lost
Inspiring the hearts and minds of tomorrow into
Dreams Awakening launched an addiction
service is an essential element of Allegheny Valley
recovery build project initiative to remove the
Habitat for Humanity. In part, the organization’s
stigma that comes with addiction, while
leadership continually works to invest into projects
simultaneously serving elderly and less fortunate
that enable children to become part of the “build
homeowners with home repair and maintenance.
process.” Most recently, children in Westmoreland
County were encouraged to share in the building
This faith-based partnership is designed engage
of a little lending library that took place at Delmont
various and diverse faith-based entities into
Public Library. The little lending library that was
holistic opportunity for the individual currently
build is designed to hold both non-perishable food
within a 12-step recovery process. Habitat’s focus
and books to give access to those less fortunate
will to be to provide build opportunity that engages
residing in the rural areas of Delmont.
the individual into service leadership as a means
to remove the stigma of addiction and begin to
The build efforts were crafted by Habitat board
develop a renewed sense of pride, passion, and
member Lorraine Wolosencuk and volunteer
purpose in the hearts and minds of the program
Henry Pieczynski, with the concept designed to
participant.
allow the younger students, ages 5-12, the
opportunity to not only have hands on build
Additionally, the faith-based partnership will also
experience, but to truly understand what their
provide the individual in early stages of addiction
service meant by helping others in the community.
recovery access to training and job readiness skill
The students who took part in the build had the
sets, along with the opportunity to engage in
opportunity to hammer and hang shingles, insert
spiritual development through an ongoing prayer
door panels, paint, and most importantly, engage
support group. For more information about the
in a collective effort to uplift others in the
faith-based partnership and its programming,
community.
please contact us direct at 724.594.1051.

Volunteer Recognition Luncheon

Faith-Based Partnerships
Efforts are underway to work with St. Juan Diego
Church, as they begin to develop an ecumenical
alliance to address addiction. The vision set forth
by Father Michael Decewicz, pastor of St. Juan
Diego Parish, is to provide hope to those currently
in addiction recovery. Habitat for Humanity
Allegheny Valley will lend its efforts to support
those in the addiction recovery process, by
creating platforms that allow these individuals to
enter into realms of service leadership by serving
others less
Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley celebrated its 2019
volunteer recognition with a luncheon at the Little Girl
Scout House in New Kensington during the month of
February. Over 40 volunteers shared the afternoon
together and such opportunity served as a platform to
recognize their amazing efforts of service over the past
year. Additionally, Habitat recognized the amazing efforts
of its volunteer Glenn Nordmark, who has served the
affiliate as a volunteer since its inception, with a lifetime
achievement award. Glenn, who turned 90 in January,
expressed his gratitude for the recognition with his fellow
peers and stated he is looking forward to paint projects on
the next home build.

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Why Not ReStore?
While the mission of Habitat for Humanity is to bring people
together to build homes, communities, and hope; its
ReStore serves in a capacity to support this mission by
generating revenue through the sale of donated materials
and household items to support the affiliate. Yet, it also
serves as a gateway to divert tens of thousands of pounds
from area landfills, as donated items are re-used, re-
cycled, and often re-purposed by others. Additionally, the
Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, led by
Bryan Heyl, not only offers exciting product donations at
discount sale to the general public, but provides unique
support services to the community including its “Beyond
Brick and Mortar” campaign that connects partnering
organizations that work with those less fortunate to
complementary home furnishing and household items.
Additionally, the ReStore will soon serve as a training
facility for at-risk youth and other vulnerable populations to
learn construction and home repair skill sets.
Donations to the ReStore are accepted during its store
hours Tuesday-Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 9am to
4pm. For additional questions or to volunteer at the store,
please contact us direct at 724.337.8347.
Summer Projects
Summer is one of the busiest times for Habitat as our
projects go full force and we take advantage of the longer
days, sunnier skies, and access to college kids on
vacation. College students on summer vacation give us
access to larger build teams and more muscle for the build
projects. This year, to coincide with our home build
construction teams, we will continue our working
relationship with the River Community Church of New
Kensington and their “Week of Hope” program. The
program is packed with practical acts of love and service
and is designed to allow students opportunity to build
meaningful connections as they serve people through
strong partnerships with local ministries and nonprofit
organizations.
Habitat will utilize the passionate hearts of this program
and connect these individuals into acts of services that
include home repair and maintenance for elderly and
disadvantaged homeowners within the community.
Additionally, plans have been crafted to enable the
students opportunity to support various community build
projects throughout the Allegheny Valley that will further
create neighborhoods we are all proud to call home.
Interested in assisting leading a group of passionate hearts
into service? Contact us direct at 724.594.1051.
Helping set the Record Straight
Habitat for Humanity- Fact vs. Fiction
Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor
people.
Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers a homeownership
opportunity to families unable to obtain conventional
house financing – generally, those whose income is 40 to
80 percent of the area’s median income. In most cases,
prospective Habitat homeowner families make a down
payment and contribute 350 hours of “sweat equity” on
the construction of their home or someone else’s home.
Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land,
material and labor, mortgage payments are kept
affordable.
Myth: Habitat houses reduce property values in a
neighborhood
Fact: Low-cost housing studies in the United States and
Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect
on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat
houses have increased property values and local
government tax income.
Myth: Habitat builds houses only for minorities
225houses
Fact: Habitat builds Freeport Streetwith families in
in partnership
need – regardless of race, religion or
New Kensington, PAany15068
other difference
– whoHours
meet three criteria: need, willingness
of operations: to partner;
Tuesday-Friday
and the ability to repay the no-interest, no-profit mortgage.
Myth: You have to be10am Christiantoto4pm
become a Habitat
homeowner Saturday 10am to 4pm
Fact: Habitat forPhone:
Humanity724.337.8347
is a Christian organization.
However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race,
religion or ethnic group. Habitat also welcomes volunteers
from all faiths, or no faith, who actively embrace Habitat’s
goal of eliminating poverty housing.
Myth: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty
to fancy new houses
Fact: Any newly build house is going to be a dramatic
change for a family that has been living in poverty. But
Habitat houses are not extravagant by any
standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent,
affordable homes.
Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S.
President Jimmy Carter
Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, Ga., by
Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. President Carter
and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from
Americus, in Plains, Ga.), have been longtime Habitat
supporters and volunteers who help bring national
attention to the organization’s house-building work. Each
year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help
build houses and raise awareness of the need for
affordable housing.
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Chris’s Construction Corner
Construction Lead Chris Andring provides some insightful
homeownership tips inside the home for this spring. Community Partners
Special thanks to the following groups who have dedicated
: resources to support our collective community endeavors!

 Electrical Outlets and Cords: WEST SHORE HOMES

Check electrical outlets and cords LONGWOOD AT OAKMONT
throughout your home for any GILLECE PLUMBING
potential fire hazards such as frayed LOWES PGH MILLS
wires or loose-fitting plugs. Outlets, AMERICAN FREIGHT LIQUIDATORS
fuse boxes and extension cords also PPG PAINTS
should be checked to make sure SEIKO JEWELRY
they are not overloaded. EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT
 Fire Extinguishers: Check SHERMAN WILLIAMS
your fire extinguisher at least once BUSY BEAVER
yearly, including the hose, nozzle ACE HARDWARE
and other parts, to make sure they are in good VERE INC.
condition and that the pressure gauge is in the McCARLS INC.
“green” range. If necessary, move your fire KIEFFER OPTICAL INC.
extinguisher to an accessible place. POLYCONCEPTS OF NORTH AMERICA
 Air Conditioning: Before turning it on for the
season, have your air-conditioning system
inspected and tuned up by a professional.
 Water Heater: Check for leaks and corrosion.
 Furnace: Clean or replace your furnace filter.
 Dryers: Dryer lint can build up inside the vent
pipe and collect around the duct. Clean both the
clothes dryer exhaust duct and the space under
the dryer.
 Smoke Detectors: Daylight savings time is the
perfect time to change the batteries in your
smoke detectors. Inspect each smoke detector to
ensure all are in working order, and make sure to
test them monthly.

Interested in volunteering?

Come volunteer with us! Whether on the

construction home build sites or at our
ReStore, we love volunteers that assist us
in the achievement of our mission! Come
join us today! Visit www.habitatav.org for
more details!

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