Flower City Habitat for Humanity
  • Home
  • Habitat Services
    • Homebuyer Program
    • Repair Program
    • Resources
  • About
    • Habitat Overview
    • House Photos
    • News
    • Reports
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Calendar
    • Community Service
    • Committees
    • Construction
    • Faith Builds
    • Global Village
    • Group Volunteering
    • Leaders Build
    • ReStore
    • Students & Youth
    • Veterans
    • Women Build
    • Young Professionals
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Donate your kitchen
    • Gala
    • Group Fundraising
    • ReStore
    • Sponsorship
    • Kimble Build Day
  • ReStore
    • Shop
    • Donate
    • Kitchen Deconstruction
    • Volunteer

Habitat News

Holiday Gift Drive

12/21/2020

 

2020 Gift Drive Breaks Record!

The joy of giving! Thanks to the generous donations and support of local sponsors, our 2020 holiday gift drive set a new record of 382 gifts for children living in Habitat homes this year!

Benefitting 191 children, each child will receive one gift of necessity and one leisure gift to help relieve some of the financial stress experienced by Habitat families during the holiday season.
Despite a difficult year, an outpouring of support from local businesses, church groups, families, staff, board members, and committee members ensured that this year’s gift drive reached its highest collection numbers yet.

Long-time community partners, including Rochester-based Messner Flooring, felt an even bigger need to give back to those who may struggle to provide for their families during the holidays. 

“We wanted to do our part in supporting Flower City Habitat and the immeasurable impact it has on the Rochester community. The Habitat holiday gift drive provided our employees an opportunity to personally bring a smile to children’s faces on Christmas morning,” said Ted Messner, Commercial Flooring Sales Rep at Messner Flooring. “The joy this brought to our company, employees, and hopefully the Habitat children far exceeded anything we could have imagined.”

Habitat families' wish lists included necessities like school supplies, bedding, and clothing for the upcoming year; and some of the most requested toys and games included scooters, LEGOs, and dollhouses. 

In order to keep sponsors and Habitat families safe in the gift exchange process, Flower City Habitat for Humanity staggered the gift donation and pick-up schedule over five days to keep person-to-person contact to a minimum. 
​
Thank you to everyone who made this year's gift drive a success! We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season!
13 WHAM COVERAGE
Monroe County Post
RBJ Coverage

Veterans Build

11/10/2020

 
Picture
Today at 2pm!

Habitat for Humanity International and Flower City Habitat for Humanity invite you to join us for a live discussion: +You: Serving those who served – veterans, housing and COVID-19.

Veterans encounter unique and complex challenges as they transition from military to civilian life, including obtaining services such as housing, employment, education, and healthcare.

In this discussion on the eve of Veterans’ Day, experts will discuss COVID-19’s impact on veterans’ mental, physical, and emotional health, the pandemic’s role in making veterans access to essential services such as housing even more challenging, and the policy changes needed to ensure veterans have greater access to affordable housing.

This conversation is part of an ongoing series about housing hosted by Habitat for Humanity. The +You series brings together experts from across the U.S. and around the world to discuss COVID-19’s intersections with, and impacts on, housing.

The event will stream live today from 2-3pm ET at http://www.habitat.ngo/veteransandhousing
Join live at 2pm

Ana's Homeownership story

6/17/2020

 

Ana Medina is approaching 15 years of homeownership

Picture
Have you ever wondered how Habitat homeowners are doing long after they move in?

Ana Medina is approaching 15 years as a Habitat homeowner in Rochester, and she has been a close friend and mentor to Kiomy Rivera, who just moved into her Habitat home last month!

Please join us to hear Ana's story on Wednesday, June 24th, starting at 7:00pm.
​
RSVP here to get a reminder and watch the video below for a teaser.

New Virtual Gala details

In addition to Ana's story on Wednesday, we have updated our website with a full schedule, details, and themes for each night (June 23-26).

Each evening is only 1 or 2 hours, so you can join us every night (without losing your whole night), or pick and choose which parts to attend!
​
Plus, the online auction is open now! Click the button below for more details or to bid on auction items now.
Virtual Gala Details & Auction

Homebuyer Update

4/24/2020

 
Picture
As many of us reflect on our faith during the holy times of Passover, Easter, and Ramadan, we're especially grateful to be able to share this homebuyer update.

Zuleika and her family have moved into the home co-sponsored by a generous individual donor, Caldwell Manufacturing, and our local Habitat Interfaith Partnership!
​
We are so thankful to each and every one of you for coming together to make this home possible.

Zuleika & Family move in

Thank you Zuleika for all the hard work that you and your family put into helping us build your new home and congratulations on moving in!

It took a lot of work to get here, but we're excited for the stability — and foundation for continued growth — that homeownership will bring. Welcome home, Zuleika!

Four New Habitat Homeowners!

4/14/2020

 
Picture

In a time when the need for safe, affordable housing is even more clear, we are thankful to be celebrating the completion of four new Habitat homes on Holworthy Street.

Over the past few weeks, our construction team has been working with staff only (no volunteers) and maximum health and safety precautions to finish homes that were nearly complete.
​
Last week, we turned over four sets of keys and each family is moving in as they can, and as safely as possible.

Kiomy & Family move in!

Although our CEO, Matt Flanigan had to keep his distance, he was grateful to be among the first to say, "Welcome home!" to Kiomy and her family on move-in day.

Check out interviews with Kiomy and Matt from Spectrum News, WHEC News 10, and WROC News 8 who helped us share the great news!
​
And our biggest thanks to the Greece Coalition of Churches for sponsoring this home!

What's next?

The other three families on Holworthy Street are in the process of moving in as well, and we will share updates when possible. We also look forward to having in-person celebrations with the families and house sponsors once it is safe to do so.

Though we have had to make a lot of adjustments, Flower City Habitat's commitment to a world where everyone has a decent place to live is as strong as ever.

You can view our broad operational updates at any time, but please help us keep you informed by updating your email preferences so we can get you more specific information on the topics that you are most interested in.

Our work building homes, community, and hope continues and we thank you for your continued support!
Update Email Preferences

Homebuyer Update

4/1/2020

 
Today is a day where far too many are struggling to make rent payments, often for substandard housing. We know how big the task is before us, but we are also fortunate to share some good news today.

Today is move-in day for Rochester's newest Habitat homebuyers; with several more expected to be ready in the next few weeks!

Both our construction and family services teams continue to practice maximum social distancing and we are working with each family on an individual plan regarding safety, logistics, and timing of move-ins.

This first family has asked for some privacy, so we are respecting that, but we can share that they are excited to now know that "staying home" means the safety, security, and stability that we all deserve.

The kitchen appliances were delivered just after these photos were taken and of course we'll be back to help with landscaping when it's safe for volunteer groups again.

This home, at 96 Holworthy Street, was made possible by generous donations from Thrivent Financial and the Harvest Home Coalition. THANK YOU!

We miss seeing all of our supporters in person, but hope you will join us in saying "Welcome home!" to Rochester's newest Habitat homebuyers!

Holiday Gift Drive

12/23/2019

 

Holiday gift drive provides cheer for 275 local children

For over a decade, Flower City Habitat for Humanity (FCHH) has held an annual gift drive for the children of its homeowners and homebuyers. This year’s gift drive will provide toys for 275 children living—or soon to be living—in homes earned through the FCHH homebuyer program.

This year's gift drive was made possible by 10 generous sponsors from the local community, including area organizations such as Excellus Health Plan, Mountain Rise United Church, Caldwell Manufacturing, Allendale Columbia School, and more. 

Winter 2019 Newsletter

12/22/2019

 
Picture
Picture

Family Build Day

11/23/2019

 

Families building the American dream through Habitat for Humanity in Rochester

​Did you know that each Flower City Habitat family contributes at least 300 hours of sweat equity as part of our homebuyer program? Today we had five Habitat families working on the construction sites!

Alongside their family members and our construction team, five Habitat homebuyers participated in the construction of their new homes — directly building their American Dream. After the morning (and working up a good appetite), Amiel’s the Original Submarine provided complimentary sub platters, chips, cookies, and bottled water to everyone on the construction sites to help power them through the afternoon of building. Thank you!

Check out the news stories below to hear from three Habitat families and from our Family Services Manager, Tim Guillemette.
Spectrum News
13 WHAM

Cooking Matters

11/2/2019

 

Habitat families graduate from Foodlink Cooking Matters program

Thanks to a sponsorship from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, 20 Flower City Habitat families were able to join volunteer culinary and nutrition experts to learn to select nutritious and low-cost ingredients and prepare them in ways that provide the best nourishment possible to their families.

Learn more about the program at: https://foodlinkny.org/fight_hunger/cooking-matters
13 WHAM Coverage
Cooking Matters
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    Advocacy
    Construction
    Events
    Faith Builds
    Global Village
    Homebuyers
    In The News
    Leaders Build
    Photo Gallery
    Reflections
    ReStore
    Students & Youth
    Veterans Build
    Video Gallery
    Women Build
    Young Professionals

    Stay informed

    Get the latest news and events from Flower City Habitat via email. Click here for email updates.

    press contact

    For press inquiries, contact Ethel Duble, Development & Marketing Director, at 585-546-1470 or eduble@rochesterhabitat.org.

    Archives

    December 2020
    November 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    January 2017


Picture
About Us
Contact
​Habitat News
​Get Email Updates
755 Culver Road
Rochester, NY 14609
Office: (585) 546-1470

ReStore: (585) 697-2012
DONATE TODAY!
  • Home
  • Habitat Services
    • Homebuyer Program
    • Repair Program
    • Resources
  • About
    • Habitat Overview
    • House Photos
    • News
    • Reports
    • Board
    • Staff
    • Careers
    • Contact
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Calendar
    • Community Service
    • Committees
    • Construction
    • Faith Builds
    • Global Village
    • Group Volunteering
    • Leaders Build
    • ReStore
    • Students & Youth
    • Veterans
    • Women Build
    • Young Professionals
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Donate your kitchen
    • Gala
    • Group Fundraising
    • ReStore
    • Sponsorship
    • Kimble Build Day
  • ReStore
    • Shop
    • Donate
    • Kitchen Deconstruction
    • Volunteer