Habitat names new CEO:Martin Kooistra

Women Build 2008

The DockYard Derby Dames, a local amateur roller derby league, along with several other dedicated women from Habitat’s volunteer group helped make Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County’s annual Women Build a great success. Women Builds, which were started by Habitat for Humanity in 1991, empower women volunteers to come together to teach and learn new skills, creating a safe haven for women to practice and excel, no matter what their skill levels.

Our 2008 Women Build was held Saturday, May 10 at the Cottages in the Judkins neighborhood of Seattle's Central District where Habitat has four homes on two lots. The all woman team of volunteers was led by experienced site supervisor Kathleen Croston. The day started off with overcast skies and threats of rain, however the group’s enthusiasm for the work was spirited and infectious. Even though the Dockyard Dames did not have their helmets, knee pads and skates on, they were ready to accomplish any and all tasks that were thrown their way. The women dug deep holes to hold posts for a retaining wall that runs alongside the property. They mixed and poured cement into the holes to secure the newly placed posts. They measured, secured and leveled fasteners and wood rails to fence posts that ran along the backside of the property. They cut the cedar pickets for the fence and screwed them into the rails.

The sawdust was flying and the drills were whirling at high speeds. Before we finished the day –the group was already talking about coming back for next year’s Women Build and asking about Habitat’s other job sites they could volunteer on now and not wait a whole year to volunteer again!

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Visit the Home Improvement Outlet

A new building materials store opened February 16 to help support construction of low-income Habitat for Humanity homes in Seattle and South King County. Habitat’s Home Improvement Outlet is open to the general public. Compared with other retail building materials stores, the Outlet sells brand new materials at a savings of up to 50 percent.

The rapidly increasing cost of land and construction in the Seattle area compelled our Habitat affiliate to seek new ways of funding our mission to help low-income families buy affordable housing. Habitat affiliates around the U.S., operate more than 500 building materials retail stores. The 40,000 square foot Home Improvement Outlet is sponsored by the Seattle-South King County Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Donations of new materials sold by Habitat’s Home Improvement Outlet are tax-deductible and donated mostly from manufacturers, retail store overstock and building contractors.

Join Us March 17 for the 2009 Breakfast

Habitat’s 6th Annual Benefit Breakfast was a great success and raised over $325,000! Through your generous support, we are able to continue our mission to build decent, affordable housing for low-income families. Your support is touching the lives of our partner families in a tangible way by providing homes and hope for a brighter future. Thank you! Habitat’s 7th Annual Benefit Breakfast will be held March 17, 2009 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.