Flower City Habitat kitchen cabinets are built by our skilled "Hammer & Saw" volunteers! We have two weekly crews that build high quality cabinets for all of our current construction. The cabinets started going in on Smith Street this week!

874 Smith Street is the third house sponsored by the Unions Giving Back program of the local Federation of Social Workers, IUE-CWA 81381. Stay tuned as this house nears completion in coming weeks!

Check out our new volunteer information board!

Greg, our AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, created this new process to help keep all of our construction volunteers informed of work that is going on at each house, and what is coming up next!

​As you can see, we have plenty of work going on, and if you sign-up to volunteer in the next week or so — make sure you wear clothes that you don't mind getting paint on!
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Sign-up for open construction shifts at https://give.rochesterhabitat.org/ge/construction (house sponsor volunteers should go to our home page, then look for their house for additional reserved volunteer shifts)

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. 

Just before the holidays, we were honored to host the 13th annual Brian Kimble Memorial Habitat Day; an annual day of service with Flower City Habitat for Humanity and the Kimble family - in memory of their son and brother, Brian Kimble.

Through the generosity of the friends and family of Brian Kimble over $58,000 has been donated to Habitat.
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​Brian was a passionate young Habitat for Humanity supporter who died in 2004. The Kimble family continues to raise funds in Brian's memory to support Flower City Habitat's mission of putting God's love into action by bringing partners together to build homeownership, communities, and hope.

A message from the Kimble family:

​Since 2007, our family has had the privilege and joy of hosting the Brian Kimble Memorial Habitat Day. Every December, we join together with a group of about 20 friends and spend the day working on Habitat homes. We have been involved in just about every aspect of construction – installing basement wall forms, painting, insulation, siding, framing, drywall, roof trusses, plumbing, electrical and house rehabs.

It is our son/brother, Brian Kimble, who brings us together for the day. Brian was a 2000 graduate of Greece Odyssey High School. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University and graduated from there in 2004. While he was at Clarkson, he was a campus representative for Habitat in Potsdam, NY. He accepted a job with Timken Corporation in Torrington, CT and began work there in September of 2004. Brian called it his first 'Big Kid' job.

Brian was a people person. He loved to be with people and he cared about people. He had an enormous smile that he freely shared with others. Brian was good at making people feel comfortable and reaching out to those who needed a friend. He took part in a number of mission trips during his high school years including a month-long trip to Botswana, Africa. To every endeavor Brian undertook, he brought a huge heart and a love for Christ and the Gospel.

Brian died in December of 2004. As a family we wanted to come together each year to commemorate his life. Brian's involvement with Habitat in his college years led us to partner with Flower City Habitat For Humanity. Brian was just at the stage of his life that he was beginning to think about becoming a homeowner. It was one of his many dreams. That dream was never realized. But today, through all who have donated to Habitat in Brian's name, he has become a part of the Habitat homes in the JOSANA neighborhood.

And now we ask you to partner with us. Join us in the effort ​to erase poverty level housing in Rochester by offering a 'hand up' to families who seek the American Dream of home ownership. And join us as we commemorate the life of a young man who made the most of his 22 years.

Kevin, Laurie, Katie & Holly (Mabee) Kimble

To donate in honor of Brian Kimble, visit https://give.rochesterhabitat.org/checkout/12996

In the season of giving, we took some time to sing, eat, and be merry with our regular volunteers who give generously of their time all year!

Thank you to all of the volunteers and sponsors who celebrated another successful Leaders Build year, we look forward to continuing to build homeownership, communities, and hope with you in 2020!

​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.

A letter from CEO, Matt Flanigan:
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​Today I share the news that Kelly Glover, our Flower City Habitat for Humanity CFO, has been offered a new challenge at another organization; a challenge she has accepted. Kelly will remain with us through November and begin her tenure as CFO at The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) in December.

Kelly has served the mission and families of FCHH with heart and grace since 2005 when she joined the staff as “Housing Services Manager”. In 2008, she ascended to the position of CFO, a role in which she has guided the financial health of our organization through her diligence and keen insights. 

When I began my tenure with FCHH, I would quite often find myself in her office not only for help in understanding our complex financials (which remains the case to this day!) but also understanding the fabric and true underpinnings of this wonderful ministry’s culture and presence in our community.  In the past few years, Kelly has grown her role as CFO, added HR responsibilities and has been an important voice on our management team. Her presence in the creation of our annual budget, and its ongoing stewarding is one of the strong passions and talents that she shares so freely!   

In addition, if you’ve been to a house dedication, fundraising event or a luncheon of late, chances are you experience Kelly as the one whom we often turn to for leading our grace, as she welcomes us into her personal conversation with her loving God. There is no doubt that her quiet faith has brought blessings to many individuals as well as this organization as a whole.

Moving forward, our transition plan is in place and as we begin to implement, please forward any and all questions regarding finance to Sue Feuerherm and I.
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While I am sad on a personal level to lose Kelly and her presence on our team, I am thrilled for her as I know she will adeptly rise to the challenges and exciting new opportunities that will be presented as she assumes this new role. I have no doubt she will positively impact CGR as she has Flower City Habitat.  

Matthew J. Flanigan, MPA
President & CEO
Flower City Habitat for Humanity

The snow definitely didn't seem to bother the NAWIC Women Build team! The side porch is now framed and interior drywall almost done!
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NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) is obviously a great fit for our Women Build program, but you don't have to have any experience to build with us.

Learn more about Women Build at: www.rochesterhabitat.org/womenbuild