Social Media Archives - Page 19 of 27 - Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties

Critical Home Repair Spotlight: Sandra

Posted on June 13, 2022August 11, 2022

Sandra Browne is a single, 83-year-old woman whose grandfather was an enslaved person from the Deep South. In 1884, after slavery had legally ended in America, her grandfather moved to the Seattle area to escape racism and discrimination, and to search for better opportunities for his family and himself. Ever since, the family has lived and thrived in Skyway, a neighborhood nestled between Renton and Tukwila.

As age and weather began to take its toll on Sandra’s home, she reached out to Habitat’s Repair Program for assistance when she noticed her roof was leaking. Habitat worked with a roofer to replace her roof, repair water damage, and install new fascia and downspouts. Inside her home, Habitat also repaired the ceiling in her bedroom where the roof had leaked. There were many nights before the home repair where Sandra found herself so worried about her bedroom roof caving in from water leaks—which was a valid concern—that she slept in other parts of her home.

The repairs to her home have given Sandra more pride in her dwelling, as well as a sense of security and safety. She said it meant a lot to have her roof repaired, so she could go back to sleeping in her bedroom, where she feels the most comfortable.

Being able to sleep in one’s own bed should be a nonissue. For many homeowners, however, especially low-to-moderate income homeowners and older adults, critical repairs just like Sandra’s can go unfulfilled. Having the right partner resources is a critical link. Habitat’s Home Repair Program works with homeowners who need assistance with critical repairs that will ease health and safety issues and increase their quality of life in the home. The program helps keep low- and moderate- income homeowners not just safely in their primary residence, but also in the community they know and love.

Learn more about the program here. https://www.habitatskc.org/what-we-do/home-repairs/

Bank of America Earns Habitat SKC’s Community Leader of the Year Award

Posted on June 12, 2022June 13, 2022

With more than 155 volunteer shifts across 19 different group volunteer days, along with significant financial contributions, Bank of America has earned Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King County’s 2022 Community Leader of the Year award. Bank of America volunteers have been instrumental at Habitat builds, repair sites and in Habitat stores throughout the region since 1995, displaying exceptional personal and corporate commitment to our shared vision of decent and affordable housing for everyone.

In presenting the Award at this year’s ‘Beyond the Build’ luncheon at Seattle Convention Center on June 2, Habitat Board President Kat Sims recognized Bank of America’s long-standing relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, including cash and property donations topping $75 million. “Bank of America sets the gold standard for what it means to be a Habitat corporate partner,” said Sims as she welcomed Bank of America Seattle Market President Kerri Schroeder to the luncheon stage.

Through direct action and investment, Bank of America is focused on creating opportunities in the areas of health, jobs training, small business support and affordable housing, as these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.

Most recently, a Bank of America employee team showed up on our Habitat site in North Bend on May 25 to work with Habitat homeowners, construction staff and AmeriCorps volunteers on the soon-to-be Tyler Town Community’s home exteriors, installing Hardie lap siding. They added interior framing walls to the interiors and helped with painting and window installation. This team just keeps on adding hours to Bank of America’s already exceptional contributions to Habitat and prospective homeowners!

After accepting the award at the BTB Luncheon, Kerri Schroeder reiterated the corporation’s goals, “As Bank of America continues in our commitment to responsible growth in the communities we serve, we seek out partners that build pathways to economic mobility and stability. Habitat for Humanity has been one of those steadfast partners for decades, so we’re deeply honored by this recognition as we continue to work together to find solutions that expand safe and stable housing here in King County and beyond.”

Photo credit: Alabastro Photography

Beyond the Build Luncheon Raises $1.7M to Combat Affordable Housing Crisis

Posted on June 8, 2022June 16, 2022

Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties returned to the Seattle Convention Center on Thursday, June 2 to host our annual fundraising luncheon Beyond the Build – held in person for the first time in two years. And, we are thrilled to report that it raised more than $1.7M to combat our region’s affordable housing crisis!

Emceed by KIRO7 anchor and reporter Aaron Wright and attended by more than 600 people, it featured keynote speaker Jessica Bruder, award-winning author of Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century. Bruder illustrated the clear connection between Habitat’s mission and the people portrayed in her novel and Oscar-winning film – specifically its Repairs Program, which helps to keep people housed and allows seniors to Age in Place.

Habitat Board President Kat Sims presented Bank of America with the Community Leader of the Year award. Habitat SKC’s partnership with Bank of America has spanned 25 years and incorporates engagement of its employees with significant financial support. In presenting the award, Sims said: “As a long-standing partner, Bank of America sets the gold standard for what it means to be a Habitat corporate partner. Since 1995, in King County alone, Bank of America has donated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and filled more than 155 volunteer shifts across 19 different group volunteer days.”

Kerri Schroeder, Seattle Market President, Bank of America who accepted the award stated: “Habitat for Humanity has been one of those steadfast partners for decades, so we’re deeply honored by this recognition as we continue to work together to find solutions that expand safe and stable housing here in King County and beyond.”

Bank of America’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity International dates from the early years of the Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Work Project and has continued to grow. Today, Bank of America’s contributions to Habitat for Humanity International total $75 million of support, with more than $55 million in cash and property donations.

Habitat’s Volunteer of the Year award went to Steve Hill for his service on the Weyerhaeuser Alumni Campaign. Steve led a group of eight retired Weyerhaeuser Company executives on a campaign to sponsor a “Habitat House a Year,” which resulted in pledges from 94 former colleagues who committed $1.18 million over five years to two Habitat affiliates. The funds Steve and his colleagues collected will provide housing for ten families over five years.

Additionally, luncheon guests heard directly from Habitat Partner Families about how their donations have made a direct impact on their lives and futures. Habitat CEO Brett D’Antonio declared this year’s Beyond the Build luncheon a resounding success, both for the generosity of those who attended and for the profound insights provided by keynote speaker Jessica Bruder.

All photos taken by Alabastro Photography.

Meet Our 2022 Beyond the Build Luncheon Emcee: Aaron Wright

Posted on May 27, 2022June 6, 2022

Aaron Wright, evening anchor and reporter at KIRO7 News, will emcee this year’s Beyond the Build luncheon on Thursday, June 2 at the Washington State Convention Center. No stranger to Habitat for Humanity, Aaron volunteered with the Rockford, Illinois chapter during his first TV news position upon graduating from Hampton University.

Since then, Aaron’s journalism credentials include an Emmy he earned for best evening newscast in San Antonio, Texas, where his news coverage included the deadly Gatlinburg Wildfires of 2016. His reporting consistently leans toward service to the people in his stories. Aaron’s takeaway from covering those fires is, “People lost a lot, but we were able to get out and show the reality of what they were going through and help the community by making sure they weren’t forgotten when the fires were over.”

Aaron’s attitude toward service as the foundation of his work makes him a perfect emcee for Beyond the Build 2022. Aaron believes journalism is service and, at its best, it uplifts the community, exposes corruption, and helps people in need. It’s that attention to people in need that inspired Aaron to jump at the chance to emcee Habitat’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Aaron has worked at two TV stations that sent volunteer teams to Habitat builds, and he was impressed by the outcomes. “When I think about Habitat, I think about seeing families walk through their new homes for the first time. The joy they show is like no other.”

Newly arrived in Seattle, Aaron’s journalism career has taken him from his home in Spartanburg, South Carolina to Rockford, Illinois, San Antonio, Texas and Knoxville, Tennessee. He’s happy to be here in Seattle working with “…a team that takes news seriously.” He enjoys sharing the city’s great parks and the region’s hiking trails with his wife and two daughters. Of course, there is the seafood, “Between oysters, clams, crab, and salmon I am in heaven here.”

In keeping with his joy of service, Aaron is passionate about children of color learning to swim, “Black kids drown at a really high rate compared to others.” His first job as a YMCA lifeguard showed him the value of water skills in saving lives. He also supports animal adoption because he’s seen “… how much they (rescued pets) can help an owner live a really full life, while saving theirs.”

The bottom line for Aaron Wright is community connection and storytelling. He’s sure to bring that spirit to his emcee duties on June 2 and his partnership at the head table with keynote speaker Nomadland: Surviving America in the 21^st Century author Jessica Bruder. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time – please do so here: Beyond the Build Luncheon Habitat SKC. We hope to see you there!