In celebration of Earth Day, purchase $50 at the ReStore and receive a FREE gardening gift, while supplies last.
Habitat Newsletter Click here to view the June 2010 issue. Click here to sign up on the mailing list.

Today's Fashions Senior Fashion Show
Arcadia Place is hosting a fashion show, spotlighting the latest trends for seniors. The event is planned for Saturday, August 14th at 12:30 pm at the Independent Retirement Living complex, located at 1080 Arcadia Avenue in Vista. Recommended donation is $5, and all proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Click on the image on the left for an enlarged flyer.

For more information, call 760-945-5555.

Claude Jeudy, the National Director of Habitat for Humanity Haiti wrote an update on the work in Haiti. An excerpt from the letter states:

"With your help, we have made significant progress in our goal to serve 50,000 families. Since January 12, 2010, we count the following among our accomplishments:

• More than 21,000 emergency shelter kits assembled and delivered to our distribution partners;
• More than 2,000 structural damage assessments conducted;
• Up to 70 transitional shelters per week currently being built (nearly 400 to-date).

To learn more about how your support has helped Haitian families in desperate need, please access Habitat’s six-month report by clicking here. I invite you to read about the Charles, Simon and Médilien families and the impact you have made on their lives.   The report also outlines Habitat’s three-fold response, including relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction."

Click here to read his letter in it's entirety.

Habitat group buys, renovates homes
Ten families selected for homeownership thanks to grant
Ten abandoned Southwest County homes in a state of disrepair are now getting facelifts and new owners.

It's the tangible results of a $1.7 million chunk of taxpayer money, in the form of federal stimulus dollars, given to the local Habitat for Humanity office last summer by the county's economic development agency.

That agency received $48.5 million from the government in 2008 for so-called neighborhood stabilization projects.

The $1.7 million was funneled to Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley during the height of the region's housing crash, and the nonprofit agency has since used it to buy 10 foreclosed homes in the area for less than $150,000 each, said Tammy Marine, executive director of Habitat's local office.

The nonprofit recently notified 10 local families out of a pool of about 60 applicants that their dreams of home ownership would come true.

Click here to read the story in the North County Times it's entirety.

Habitat for Humanity is Eighth Most Productive Homebuilder in the U.S. in 2009
As the housing and financial crisis struck several years ago, the large publicly traded builders, including D.R. Horton Inc. and KB Home, pulled back. But Habitat kept building. "We're a lot less tied to the market as a whole," said Mark Andrews, Habitat's senior director for U.S. operations. "We've been able to keep chugging along at a pretty solid pace."

As a result, Habitat, a Christian group founded 34 years ago in Americus, Ga., around a philosophy of constructing and rehabilitating homes for low-income families, was recently ranked as one of the nation's top 10 builders for the first time in a closely watched industry list compiled by Builder Magazine.

The entire Wall Street Journal article can be read here.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley selected to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative
Program encourages expansion of services to reach more families in need of decent, affordable housing

Temecula, June 25, 2010 – Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley has been selected as one of 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative.  That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

 “Our goal as an agency has always been to improve living conditions while providing services to as many families as possible in Inland Valley.  This new initiative will help us expand our efforts at a time when the community needs us the most.  I couldn’t be more thrilled!”, Stated Gary Thornhill, Board President of Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley.

As part of the first phase, Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley will receive training and guidance on how to revitalize communities through a variety of housing solutions and community development efforts.

Click here to read the entire press release.

Lake Elsinore Outlets Shopping Extravaganza to benefit local charities
Lake Elinore Outlets is holding a Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, November 6, 2010 to benefit local charities, including Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley. Tickets for the event are just $20 and include baggage check, catered lunch, energy and pamper station, entertainment, shopping discounts and give-a-ways, free gift wrapping, wine sampling, and entries into opportunity drawings with $30,000 in prizes. Registration is between 9 am and 12 noon, with the event hours between 10 am and 4 pm. Click here to view a flyer or call Lake Elsinore Outlets at (951) 245-0087.

ReStore Specials!
This week's ReStore specials: Brand new chandeliers as low as $45! 70% off retail and some very unique ones too! Also, all mapei thin set mortar, grout and tile products 50% off our already discounted price! Come by and see for yourself! 570 Central Avenue, Lake Elsinore (951) 471-1188 or 27479 Enterprise Circle, Temecula (951) 676-1221.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley Wins
Local Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award (PHWA)
Inland Empire non-profit wins award for offering enhancing health and well-being for employees.
Temecula, Calif. – Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley was recently honored with the Local Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award sponsored by the California Psychological Association and in support of the American Psychological Association.  The award is presented to organizations that demonstrate a commitment to programs and policies that foster employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance.  Awards may be given to large, medium and small for-profit companies, non-profit organizations and government, military and educational institutions. Click here for the complete newsrelease.

Vista Murrieta High School
Honor Students
Give Back To The Community
Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is about giving of your time, learning new skills, having fun and feeling good! Just ask the Honor Students of Vista Murrieta High School! These students volunteered time on a recent home project.




Lake Elsinore ReStore Grand Opening
Thanks to the Lake Elsinore Chamber and the City of Lake Elsinore for attending the Lake Elsinore ReStore Grand Opening on Saturday! Future homeowner Ciera Thomas cuts the ribbon along with (L to R) Temecula ReStore Manager Mike Ohrberg, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Tammy Marine, Lake Elsinore Executive Director Kim Cousins, Habitat Board President Gary Thornhill, Ciera Thomas, Lake Elsinore Mayor Melissa Melendez, City of Lake Elsinore City Manager Bob Brady, and Lake Elsinore ReStore Manager Emily Arnold.

Families 8 & 9 Chosen
Mark and Stephanie Franco (and their 4 children) and Austin and Jessica Rahe (and their young son) were the latest families to be approved for the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. The Family Selection Committee made the surprise announcements to both families at the Temecula ReStore. They were lured to the ReStore on the premise that they would be learning about a low cost solar energy program. It worked!!! Both families were totally surprised.

The Hourtal Family Gets A Home
Habitat has selected the fifth family to receive a home for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The Hourtal family was selected last month to live in the latest home.

Home Revitalization Work In Progress
Habitat is in the process of selecting families and revitalizing homes. If you'd like to join the team or would like more information, please contact the Habitat office.

Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes Program
If you have an unwanted vehicle or boat, you can donate it to Habitat through their Cars For Homes Program. Donations may be tax deductable for those that itemize. Proceeds help fund Habitat projects. For more information, visit www.carsforhomes.org.

Habitat International Seeks Aid for Haiti
Habitat International is seeking your help to ensure that funds are set aside for the rebuilding of Haiti. You can link to their web page that makes it easy to send a letter to your Congressperson by clicking here.

Senate Agrees to Extend IRA Tax Incentive, Ease Pension Rules
The Senate adopted legislation today to extend through 2010 a tax break to encourage older people to donate money from their individual retirement accounts to charity. The measure allows people age 70-1⁄2 and older to give up to $100,000 a year from their IRAs without having to pay taxes on the distribution. Click here to read entire article.

Another Family Selected For New Home
The Family Selection Team again had the honor of bringing the good news to another family. Margarito and Floriberta Morales along with their four childern learned that they were the latest family to be approved for the Habitat for Humanity homeownership program. Shouts of joy were heard coming from thier small apartment when the announcement was made.

New Home Rehabilitation Under Way
Habitat has been busy selecting families for homes acquired through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The first homeowners have been chosen and rehabilitation of their new home is underway.

Donte and Ciera Thomas were surprised when many from Habitat greeted them with flowers and balloons to celebrate the occasion. They have already joined the work teams to prepare their new home for occupancy.

Bringing Help and Hope to Haiti
Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley is collecting donations to help the victims in Haiti. 100% of the donations will be received by people that truly need it.

Donations can be made at the Habitat International website, the Inland Valley office, or either of the ReStores. Click here to read the press release on how and where you can donate.