Contact Info
Habitat for Humanity
Valley of the Sun
P.O. Box 20186
Phoenix, Arizona 85036
(602) 268-9022
News and Events
For a complete list of upcoming events, please visit our calendar.
Habitat for Humanity U.S. Affiliation Agreement
posted June 2008
Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliates around the country have entered into a U.S. Affiliation Agreement. The purpose of the U.S. Affiliation Agreement is to help protect the goodwill that has become synonymous with the Habitat for Humanity name. The Agreement will standardize the relationship between affiliates and Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat has developed a Quality Assurance program to ensure uniformity and consistency among Habitat for Humanity International-affiliated organizations. All affiliates must be in compliance with the program by June 30, 2008 and are expected to execute the Quality Assurance Checklist once a year. Through the process of completing the checklist, affiliates are able to quickly identify and strengthen areas needing improvement. Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun is a strong affiliate and meets the majority of the standards. Some of the areas we are working to improve include consistent language and signage with the Habitat for Humanity trademark. We are also working to implement new policies required through the Agreement. One key policy requires affiliates to begin checking for the presence of sex crime offenders. This policy will help futher stengthen the safety concerns for homeowners, volunteers, staff and all our partners. Another key policy will be the tracking of volunteer hours. The tracking of volunteer hours will play a huge roll in helping Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun acquire new grant monies.
We will keep you updated on new policies and improvements as they are implemented.
Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project
posted June 2008
On May 11-16, Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun’s National Direct AmeriCorps members joined more than 2,000 volunteers from around the world at the 25th Annual Carter Work Project. Across the Gulf Coast, the 2008 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project volunteers worked on a total of 250 houses in hurricane-ravaged areas of Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi. Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun’s six AmeriCorps members, along with Volunteer Services Manager Luke Black, traded Phoenix’s dry heat for the intense humidity and torrential downpours of Mississippi. All week long, they wielded hammers and paintbrushes as they helped with new construction in Biloxi and rehab projects in Gulfport. “The houses they build there are a little different from the ones we build, which was interesting,” said William Klemt, Construction AmeriCorps at Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun. “Mostly, it was great just getting to put on my tool belt and get to work.” Work continued at a steady pace all week, with volunteers working ten to twelve hour days as they attempted to complete construction of the houses. Unfortunately, heavy rains and lightning near the end of the week limited work and put many sites behind schedule. As soon as the block leaders gave the go-ahead for safety, volunteers braved the rain and mud to continue their work, and spirits remained high despite the weather. For the Valley of the Sun volunteers, the rain was even a welcome novelty… at first.
The Carter Work Project fell right in the middle of National AmeriCorps Week, May 11-18, and fittingly enough, the hundreds of AmeriCorps National Direct members from Habitat affiliates across the country were all gathered together at the Project. “It was nice to come together with all the national AmeriCorps members and share each others’ experiences,” said James Ball, Construction AmeriCorps at Valley of the Sun.
“It gave me a greater context for the work I’m doing here in Phoenix.”
For the Valley of the Sun AmeriCorps, working on the Carter Work Project was a rewarding experience that left a lasting impression of continuing need. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed more than 500,000 homes along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and although the memory of the storms may be fading for most of the country, along the Gulf Coast the damage remains. Since the storms, Habitat’s Gulf Coast Recovery program has completed or begun construction on 1,300 homes; an astounding and noteworthy effort, but much work remains to be done. At the Carter Work Project, one phrase was often repeated: “Going the distance in the Gulf Coast.” There’s a long road of recovery yet before us, but Habitat affiliates across the country, including Valley of the Sun, will be there all the way.
Custom Home Built from ReStore Items
posted June 2008
Habitat ReStore Customer Dick Finley helped spread the good news about shopping at the ReStore recently on Channel 3's Your Life A to Z. Dick spent some time speaking to Lisa Haffner about the purchases he made for his 16,000- square foot Paradise Valley home. He showed a photo of the door to his wine cellar that he found at the Mesa Restore and a great utility sink, complete with faucet, that he purchased for the laundry room.
(A photo of the door and sink are shown below)
Dick also spoke about the importance of reusing and recycling materials and how much he liked finding this kind of treasure at the ReStores. We appreciate Dick sharing his time and going "on camera" for Habitat.
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Photo Gallery
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