Letter from the Executive Director
Over the past few months, HFHECT team members have traversed eastern Connecticut to meet with community partners, advocate for affordable homeownership projects, and seek opportunities to serve more of our neighbors. These conversations lay the foundation for future Habitat households.
Staff and volunteers are working on five homes in some fashion, ranging from demolition of condemned structures to nearing completion of new construction. Building for affordable homeownership breathes life into properties that once stood neglected, bridging gaps in neighborhoods, and providing new opportunities for homeowner households.
This work is not singular to eastern Connecticut; Habitats across the country and around the world are tackling housing and quality of life inequities that interfere with the basic right of safe shelter for all.
Rick Hathaway, Vice President, Europe and the Middle East for Habitat for Humanity International, was in New London recently and stopped by for a visit. We’re grateful for his thoughtful interest in our work, but what astounded us was the challenges he faces abroad. He shared stories from his 35 years serving at Habitat and specifically shone a light on the impact of global conflicts on everyday citizens.
Since Russia launched an attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Rick’s team has supported families in ways we don’t typically associate with Habitat:
- Funding construction and delivery of wood stoves to families living in war-damaged homes.
- Partnering with local non-profits to replace inefficient, basement-level heating systems with energy-efficient units in high-rise apartment buildings, decreasing energy consumption and freeing the basements for shelter during air raids.
- Coordinating and administering immediate support for refugees at the busiest border points, providing information, emergency accommodations, and distribution of essential non-food items such as basic furniture or repair materials.
Rick spoke of the challenges of providing immediate assistance to those seeking shelter, but also planning for the long-term housing integration of 3.7 million Ukrainians internally displaced, and 6.5 million refugees in neighboring European countries. It’s an unprecedented situation requiring a whole new outlook on community planning and re-building in affected cities and countries.
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Rick’s visit will stay with us for a long time. We are blessed to be a part of the Habitat for Humanity family, appreciate the opportunity to serve our communities, and will faithfully work towards a world where everyone has a safe, stable place to call home.
In health,
Sarah Lufler
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Black Homeownership Matters | |
Join the Conversation
Black Homeownership Matters.
July 11, 2024
The Garde Arts Center New London, CT
5:00 pm-6:30 pm Cocktail Hour & Exhibit Viewing
7:00 pm-8:00 pm Fighting for Home, presented by Connecticut Public
8:15 pm-9:00 pm Panel Discussion
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There has been tremendous progress in the last three months that is too exciting not to share!
Since March 1st we have welcomed 27 distinctive groups, 140 volunteers, and 1,429 hours completed in construction.
The foundation was finished in February and we raised the walls the first week of March. Volunteers framed the exterior and interior walls on both floors and installed plywood. Newly installed exterior doors and windows make the house weather-tight. Our contractors have completed rough-in plumbing, heating, and electrical. Wall insulation is complete, siding is currently underway, as well as the sheetrock on both floors of the home.
We would not be this far along without the support from the following groups:
UCONN Habitat for Humanity Chapter, General Dynamics, Equal & OPEN CT, Pfizer, US Navy Sub School Groton, US Navy Medical Clinic, USCGA Procurement Shop, U.S.S. Hartford, Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors Young Professionals Network, Dominion Energy, Electric Boat Waterfront Structural Team, e2 Engineers, Creative Potential LLC, Safe Futures, Couture Financial, Centreville Bank, Eastern CT Savings Bank, Polito & Harrington Injury Lawyers, and Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Nurturing Families team.
Your support builds strong, stable communities. We build. We inspire. Together.
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Your support can take on many roles: financial contributions, commitment as a long-term volunteer, participating in a group build, being an advocate and sharing social media, serving on a committee, shopping at and donating to our ReStores.
We wanted to take a moment and recognize the companies below for their financial contributions and volunteering their time and talents.
May Group Build Sponsors:
Wall Raiser Sponsor: Lawrence + Memorial Hospital
Cornerstone Sponsor: Eastern CT Savings Bank
If you have a team interested in a sponsored group build; contact us today for more details.
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Volunteer Spotlight
Austin Bringhurst
Austin is a Hospital Corpsman at the Naval Submarine Base New London. Originally from New York; he is proud to serve in the military following in his father’s footsteps.
Growing up, Austin’s dad stressed the importance of volunteerism, so his first day on our construction site last August is one of his fondest memories so far in Connecticut. He was new to the area, and it was important to him to get involved and meet new people.
Since then, Austin has taken the initiative to organize multiple groups from the Medical Clinic to build and help in our ReStore.
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Taking a step further he has represented Habitat at local events. Over the past ten months, Austin has volunteered almost 70 hours. He has organized seven volunteer groups and recruited 52 people who have donated 269 hours to the Habitat mission.
When asked what the best advice he can give to someone interested in volunteering with Habitat, he said: “Understand the impact of what you do as a volunteer. It is important to be selfless; then you start to see the bigger picture in life.”
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Our ReStores provide local communities with an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials in circulation while providing funding for Habitat’s mission.
Together with your donations and the revenue generated by inventory sales, we can build safe, affordable homes for future homeowners in Eastern Connecticut.
Our Restore locations in Plainfield and Waterford accept donations Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm.
For a complete list of acceptable donations please visit please click the link below.
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Faith partnerships: why Habitat? | |
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As people of faith, we are called to respond to our neighbor’s needs, acting as God’s hands and feet in service to the world. When we come together to help others build better futures for themselves and their families, we actively participate in doing God’s work in the world.
Habitat offers concrete ways for people of all faiths to love and serve their neighbors. Covenant Congregations are faith communities that pledge to support the mission-driven work of Habitat through prayer, service, and support.
Faith communities have a long history of partnering with Habitat through volunteerism, advocacy, and fundraising. Put your faith into action and become a Habitat Covenant Congregation; pledge your faith community’s dedication to building affordable homeownership opportunities for local families.
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Fish Fry Fundraiser
June 12, 2024
Captain Scott's Lobster Dock
After 4pm, a percentage of your purchase gets donated to Habitat.
Mention this to the cashier at check out for your purchase to count!
We hope to see you there!
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Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut: habitatect.org
Donate today and make a difference in a local family's life.
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