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What is Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
How does it Work?
Who manages Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
How does the partnership with homeowners work?
How do I apply for a Habitat home?
How are partner families selected?
How are donations distributed and used?
How do I donate my appreciated financial assets (stocks, etc.)?
How do I donate new building materials or building equipment?
Why can't I donate my used building materials?
How can I become a volunteer?
What are the different committees and what are their functions?
How else can I help?
How can children get involved in the volunteer process?
General Construction Information
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What is Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing the Fox Valley. Through Habitat, people from various religious and financial backgrounds work together in equal partnership, building affordable housing, new relationships and a sense of community.
How does it Work?
Utilizing volunteer labor, management expertise, and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, Habitat builds homes with the help of the homeowners. Houses are sold at no profit to selected partner families. No interest mortgages are issued for a fixed time period and monthly payments, including taxes and insurance are repaid and recycled to build additional homes.
Who manages Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity?
A volunteer board meets monthly to determine policy and manage the affiliate's operations. The affiliate operates with a paid executive director and administrative associate supported by a core of both long and short-term volunteers.
How does the partnership with homeowners work?
Habitat isn't a giveaway program; it's a hand-up, not a hand-out. Each homeowner family is required to invest "sweat equity" hours into the construction of their (or others) home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members and fosters the development of positive relationships with other persons.
How do I apply for a Habitat home?
Habitat is a hand up, not a hand-out. Each homeowner family is required to invest "sweat equity" hours into the construction of their (or others) home. This reduces the cost of the house, increases the pride of ownership among family members, and fosters the development of positive relationships with other persons.
Families apply and a family selection committee selects homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest mortgage loan. Every affiliate follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat homes.
Fox Valley Habitat for humanity generally holds one orientation meeting per year for families who are interested in partnering with Habitat to build their home. Applications are not accepted at any other time.
Individuals interested in a Habitat home should be aware that it is a long-term partnership and take time to put in sweat equity and move into a home.
How are partner families selected?
Families apply to the affiliate and a family selection committee selects homeowners based on their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the mortgage loan. The family selection committee follows a non-discriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing the families who receive Habitat houses.
How are donations distributed and used?
Donations are distributed as designated by the donor for the construction of homes. Any undesignated gifts are used where needed. Gifts to Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity are deductible for income tax purposes. Also, 10% of all unrestricted donations are tithed every year to Habitat for Humanity International to assist the building of Habitat homes in Bolivia.
How do I donate my appreciated financial assets (stocks, etc.)?
Call the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity office to make further arrangements. Call 630-859-3333 or email Angela at: foxvalleyhabitat@sbcglobal.net
How do I donate new building materials or building equipment?
Contact the Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity building committee chairperson - Herb Sharpless, (630) 497-5152 - to donate or discount new building materials or professional construction services.
Why can't I donate my used building materials?
Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity generally can not make use of used items that come from peoples' house remodeling projects. We have problems with storage of items, and often can not fit the items into the homes that we build. People with items to donate can contact the Wayside Cross Mission at (630) 892-4239.
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How can I become a volunteer?
Habitat needs volunteers to work on building projects as well as behind the scenes - in the office, on committees and on the board of directors. Give personal information, and request more specific information on any committee of interest. We currently have two open board positions: Family Nurturance and Church Relations. If interested in more information on these two positions please call the Habitat office at: (630) 859-3333.
If interested in helping build a Habitat home inform the caller. We typically build on Thursdays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Simply call the info-line (630) 585-4100 ahead of time to make sure we are building on the day you decide to build. Show up ready to work. Bring a sack lunch. You must be over the age of 14 to assist with building a Habitat home. Volunteers under the age of 18 require a waiver signed by the parent. We ask that groups of four of more volunteers call the Habitat office to schedule a volunteer work day (630) 859-3333.
What are the different committees and what are their functions?
Finance Committee
Role:
Develop a budget for each fiscal year in conjunction with standing committee chairpersons
Develop a 5 yr. plan for the affiliate which is reviewed and updated annually
Develop a plan for all fundraising activities and submit to the Board for approval
Provide resources to churches and organizations
Work with the Executive Director to plan, implement, and evaluate all fundraising activities.
Church Relations Committee
Role:
Develop an annual plan to build, nuture and strengthen church relations with Habitat
Assures churches have brochures, newsletters and up to date information
Speaks at churches
Follow-up on mass mailings
Recommend policy to the board on all matters relating to church relations
Family Selection Committee
Role:
Accept, review and evaluate applications for Housing in a timely manner
Contact applicants to explain the program
Screen applicants through home visits and background checks
Recommend families for homes to the board for approval
Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to families
Recommend policy to the Board on all matters relating to families
Site Selection Committee
Role:
Develop criteria for site selection and submit to the Board for approval
Seek out property for development into Habitat housing in the Fox Valley area
Determine actions needed to procure properties
Recommend property to the Board for approval as a site
Recommend policy to the Board on all matters relating to site selection.
Building Committee
Role:
Coordinates all Building activities including plans, permits, site preparation, code adherence, securing materials, managing building schedule, supervising volunteers, etc.
Responsible for the actual construction of decent housing
Develop and implement training of all laborers, including safety training
Obtain all materials needed for construction including building materials and tools
Recommend policy to the Board on all matters relating to Building.
Public Relations Committee
Role:
Develop a plan for all public relations activities and submit to the Board for approval
Plan, implement, and evaluate all public relations activities which shall include media contacts, speaker's bureau, newsletter, public relations materials brochures, fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, and general community meetings.
Recommend policy to the Board on all matters relating to Public Relations.
Volunteer Coordination Committee
Role:
Maintain records on all volunteers
Contact potential volunteers to ascertain their area(s) of interest and facilitate placement on a committee and/or building crew
Research and seek out potential volunteers from the community
Communicate with committee chairpersons concerning volunteer needs
Recommend policy to the Board concerning volunteer matters.
How else can I help?
Spread the word! Provide individual and group prayer support. Give presentations, raise money, and distribute literature to friends and co-workers. Contact the Habitat office at (630)-859-3333 and request a speaker. And, of course, you can make a financial contribution or an in-kind donation.
How can children get involved in the volunteer process?
Nick DeVito, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity President, with Three Fires Council Cub Scout Pack #5
Children are a very important part of Habitat for Humanity. Many children live in the homes that Habitat builds. We also welcome children to get involved with Habitat as volunteers on off-site projects. Due to the potential dangers of a construction site and our insurance requirements, children and youths under 16 may not work on the construction site.
Children and youths under 16 are welcome to complete the following projects as individuals or in groups. Ideas for other projects are welcome. Listed below are brief project descriptions. If you plan to complete either of these projects please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at foxvalleyhabitat@sbcglobal.net
"The Building of Our Home": Create a Scrapbook of Memories
Many families enjoy having a scrapbook of the building of their home as it is transformed from an empty lot to a cozy place to live. The building of a Habitat home is extra special because so many volunteers are a part of the process. You can help families remember this special time in their lives by creating a scrapbook to present to them at the dedication ceremony for their home. You will need to provide scrap booking supplies, lots of creativity and photos which you can take during the construction process.
General Construction Information
If you know of properties that are available for building in the Aurora area (Aurora, North Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego), and are either inexpensive or might be donated to Fox Valley Habitat, please get in touch with us (call (630) 859-3333, or write to us at the address below).
Work generally takes place on Thursdays and Saturdays. However, due to lack of work, shortage of supervision or other circumstances, it is necessary to check the construction schedule each week before planning to work. Both the information line and the web site are updated with the construction info. by the end of the day on Mondays, or as the information becomes available.
Work begins at 8:30am and ends at 4:30pm.
Lunch is provided at the work site by a current Habitat homeowner on Saturday only. All workers are welcome to participate. A donation to cover the cost of food is requested. On Thursday workers may bring a sack lunch or go out. There are many restaurants relatively nearby.
Tools are provided at the work site, but the following can come in handy if you happen to have them around: Hammer, pencil, utility knife and measuring tape.
Reservations are not required for individuals or groups of less than five.
Please note that our insurance requires that workers be at least 16 years of age to work on the construction site.
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