We are pleased to announce Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist and Seattle Seahawks Linebacker Bobby Wagner as our speaker for the 2024 Beyond the Build Luncheon. The event attended by nearly 1,000 Habitat for Humanity SKKC volunteers and supporters will take place in the ballroom of the Summit Building at the Seattle Convention Center on Wednesday, March 27.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Ontario, CA, Bobby Wagner was drafted 47th overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Quickly excelling on the field, Bobby won a Super Bowl in 2013, and throughout his career, has earned nine Pro-Bowl selections, six First-Team All-Pros, and a 2010 NFL All-Decade Team. He currently leads all active players in total tackles with 1691.
Beyond the field, Bobby is an Entrepreneur, Investor, and Philanthropist. Bobby’s passion to promote stroke education and assist stroke patients has led to a partnership with the American Heart & Stroke Association, as well as the creation of the Phenia Mae Fund in partnership with Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Cedar Sinai, and Kaiser Permanente.
Additionally, Bobby has worked closely with several organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club of King County and HBCUs, to advocate for health and wellness, education and child development. Due to his great work on and off the field, Bobby was nominated for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year, his second nomination in his career.
To register for the event, become a sponsor or Table Captain, please visit: Habitatlunch.org.
Mayor Bruce Harrell announced that the City of Seattle is advancing efforts to develop an improved redevelopment plan for increased affordable housing at Fort Lawton, a former military installation currently owned by the U.S Army and available at a significantly discounted land cost for dedicated use as affordable housing or parks. The proposed plan will include rental units, workforce housing, and homeownership opportunities, as well as permanent supportive housing for veterans and seniors who have experienced homelessness. The City will be working with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Army as it seeks to move forward on this proposed revision.
Dan Autry has lived self-sufficiently in his Kittitas home for more than 26 years. He’s a retired Vietnam veteran, and when his manufactured home needed work, he welcomed in Kittitas County Habitat for Humanity volunteers.
Dan takes pride in his home, and it needed a new paint job that didn’t fit his budget. “Those volunteers painted the whole home,” Dan says happily. “In fact, Tahaina (Petrovitch, on the Habitat staff) did 90% of the painting herself.” The Kittitas crew also replaced the sheeting that circles his home from ground to its outside wall and they added insulation to his front and back doors.
Dan learned about Kittitas County Habitat from a friend who told a friend, and he was delighted he could qualify for repairs assistance. He says his home is looking so much better and , “the work Habitat did was great.”
After two tours of duty in the Army during the Vietnam war, most notably during the TET offensive, Dan became a civilian in 1979. “To me it was just about getting out, coming home, taking off that uniform, and being a civilian.” He’s satisfied these days to stay in his home and take care of himself. He’s grateful for the service Habitat extended to him.
“I appreciate everything they’ve done for me. I drop in just to say ‘Hi’ to Tammy and Tahaina. They’re real nice people.” He adds that he spreads the word about Habitat whenever he can so others might get the help they need – just as he did.
As we approach the dawn of 2024, local advocacy groups are raising their voices to encourage lawmakers to address crucial issues, with a spotlight on affordable housing. We are among these advocates, continuing to push for more accessible housing solutions.
We continue to emphasize the need for significant investments in affordable housing across the board. Our vision encompasses various types of housing, emphasizing not only rental units but also opportunities for homeownership. As the cost of living continues to rise, Habitat for Humanity is calling on the Legislature to take bold steps in ensuring affordable homeownership remains within reach for many.
A key focus of our advocacy mission is the preservation and expansion of Black homeownership. We are urging lawmakers to allocate resources for down payment assistance and property tax relief specifically designed to support and enhance Black homeownership. Recognizing the disparities that exist, we aim to contribute to closing the gap and fostering more inclusive communities.
We are also pushing for practical measures to streamline affordable housing projects through quicker permitting processes and lower fees to provide cities and counties with more opportunities to facilitate affordable housing initiatives. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, these changes could catalyze the development of more affordable housing units, addressing the pressing need for accessible living spaces.
This call to action aligns with a broader movement striving for positive change in housing policies. For those interested in delving deeper into the advocacy efforts shaping the landscape, a recent story from the Washington State Standard explores what various advocacy groups, including Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties, are seeking from lawmakers in 2024. Click the link to read the Washington State Standard story.
As we move forward, it’s evident that the collective push for affordable housing is gaining momentum. Habitat for Humanity and similar groups are at the forefront, urging lawmakers to embrace transformative policies that can reshape the future of housing accessibility. Stay tuned as we navigate the evolving landscape of advocacy, working towards a more inclusive and affordable housing future for all.
Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties joins Habitat International in mourning the passing of Rosalynn Carter. And, while we mourn the loss of her light, we celebrate her decades of inspiration for and dedication to the notion that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home.
Rosalynn and former President Jimmy Carter found that Habitat for Humanity’s mission aligned with their own values in 1984, when they joined the then fledgling organization. In September of that year, the Carters led a Habitat for Humanity work group to New York, serving 19 families in need of safe, affordable housing. That was the inaugural Carter Work Project. In the decades since then, the Carters have inspired millions, working alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes. The Carters went on to create global awareness of Habitat’s mission, helping the organization expand its work into local communities across all 50 states and in 70 countries.
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter became Habitat’s best-known volunteers, earning them inaugural membership in Habitat Humanitarians in 2016. Habitat Humanitarians is a group of volunteers who also serve as tireless champions, advocates, and spokespeople to raise awareness of the need for decent, affordable shelter in the U.S. and around the world.
“Over the years, she blessed us with her compassion for serving others and commitment to improving housing conditions around the world,” says Habitat International CEO Jonathan Reckford. “Mrs. Carter helped change the lives of thousands of homeowners, empowered countless women, and inspired millions of people.”
Mrs. Carter’s example infused Puget Sound area Habitat volunteers with enthusiasm for helping others, and we’ve shared in the joy she celebrated that comes from witnessing new Habitat homeowners receive their keys. When asked what kept her engaged in Habitat year after year, Mrs. Carter said, “If you could see the expression on the faces of the people when we give them a Bible and the keys to their house, you would know why. It is just so inspiring. It is really emotional. We always cry. It’s the families that keep us going.”
Habitat for Humanity King & Kittitas Counties CEO Brett D’Antonio is certain our regional chapter will continue to draw inspiration from Mrs. Carter’s dedication, “Rosalynn believed that her work with Habitat made her a better person, and she endorsed volunteering to build homes as a life changing experience.”
The Carters impact on Habitat for Humanity goes on. The next Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project will take place in Twin Cities, MN in September 2024.
