Barbara Seabolt - Quarterly Newsletter͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity

Mecosta Habitat Family Circle

Quarterly Newsletter #5

I have served as the MCHFH Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant for over five years. I am passionate about addressing hunger and homeless issues as my faith directs me to serve my neighbors in need.  My journey here with Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity started in the Fall of 2017 when I left my previous employment. During that time, I actively searched for opportunities to serve the local community until I secured new employment.  I had volunteered with Habitat only a couple times in my life prior to working for MCHFH, but I knew it was an organization with mission and vision I supported. It is important to me that I work for causes that align with my values.  During this transition time, I started as a substitute in the schools, and I found a volunteer project to work on a Habitat house.  I went a few times to help in a house repair project and I felt very useful and easily connected with those with whom I was working.  It was during a lunch break conversation I learned MCHFH was looking to hire a bookkeeper. This was a clear opportunity to use my skill set and experience. From day one, it has been a great fit to serve in this capacity. It is a great example of how giving of yourself not only blesses those you are serving but becomes a blessing for you as well. I am honored to be a part of the MCHFH team where the Board and Staff support each other and the mission of Mecosta Habitat!   

I am involved in the Mecosta County community in a multitude of

ways.  For the past five years, I have served on both the Project

Starburst food pantry Board, (currently as Chair) and as the Big Rapids

CROP Hunger Walk Coordinator.  I volunteer at Camp Brethren

Heights, where my husband serves as the Director, and we participate

in the Lighthouse Homeschool Cooperative. For the past two years,

we have been involved in a variety of old-time music festivals and local

music jam sessions to help our children grow in their musical abilities

and education. As a result, I have been assisting with the planning of

Wheatscouts, the children and youth’s traditional arts programming at

the Wheatland Music Organization.

 

Working with Mecosta County Habitat has shown me the severity of

critical home repairs and financial need of our neighbors with low-

income.  One example is a family that applied to the CHR program and

didn’t have running water for eight months. This was shocking and

overwhelming to me when I have personally experienced and

struggled during a power outage for three days without running water

to drink, cook, clean, bathe, etc...  Staff and contractors worked

together for the MCHFH Critical Repair Program to drill a new well

and have running water just before a new baby was born and

Christmas Day.  Although my Habitat work duties are mostly

administrative and clerical, I recognize the importance of my work

contribution and its role in the larger mission and vision of MCHFH.

This fulfills my personal mission and values when I learn of the scope

of the projects and the families being served here in Mecosta County.

Thank you to our supporters near and far who give in many ways as

they are able to; each gift of time, talent, and money is much

appreciated and used to support our programs.  “Never believe that a

few caring people can’t change the world.  For, indeed, that’s all who

ever have.”  Margaret Mead

OUR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Transformation of a donated home

From donated home to a beautiful house for a family to call home.

Video link to see the full transformation.

OUR CRITICAL HOME REPAIR PROGRAM

Emergency Furnace

We were in need of furnace repair or a new furnace. Our furnace went out at the end of last winter. We had no idea how we were going to get the furnace fixed. We live on one very low income. We were told about Habitat for Humanity from having had in-home nursing care coming to the house. They always asked if we had anything that we needed help with and one day Dean said the furnace, not really thinking anything would come of it, and the next thing we knew we had received a call from Habitat for Humanity.

We had no idea they could help us. We answered the questions and filled out the paperwork, which was really very easy to do, and next thing we knew we had a new furnace. It took maybe a couple of weeks and it was all done.

The company that installed the furnace, Doerr and Dey Heating and Cooling was very professional and did a great job. We are so very thankful that Habitat for Humanity provides these types of services. The payments are very affordable. I would recommend anyone that has any kind of hardship regarding critical home repair and needs help to contact Habitat for Humanity and see what they can do. Thank you to all the workers and volunteers for Habitat for Humanity. You are doing a very valuable service.

Dean Gaither and Alicia Williams

OUR VETERANS PROGRAM

In 2019, our affiliate began an initiative to increase our focus on our deserving Veterans. We seek to assist Mecosta County Veterans in any way we are able with their housing issues.

We first became aware of a very deserving veteran many months ago. As a disabled veteran, he is unable to utilize the home he owns. He is living in his garage because he cannot access the main part of the house which does not allow him access to running water for bathing and normal daily routine. After working with this veteran and the VA, we have been able to secure funding to rebuild a new, fully-accessible home for this family.

We asked this veteran what this new home will mean for them:

1. The new home means independence for me and some freedom for my wife.

2. Being able to shower instead of sponge bathing and using a toilet.

3. Being able to do more things for myself.

4. Accessing our car and loading my power chair out of the elements.

5. Being able to get myself a snack or a drink.

6. Enjoy a variety of settings instead of living in a chair in the garage.

7. Being able to be with the rest of the family in the house during Christmas, holidays and family gatherings. It means a whole lot to all of us.

 Veteran’s home journey 

OUR DONORS - Our Foundation

MCHFH depends on the financial generosity of our community for all of our programs.

"I donate regularly to Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity because I want to partner with the construction and repair of affordable housing for the people in my own community who struggle within their low-income situations. Rarely do I know the recipients, but often I feel blessed to be a silent partner helping them succeed within their struggles as together we build lasting homes, communities, and hope."

~Anonymous

OUR VOLUNTEERS- Our Backbone

At Mecosta County Habitat, we could do nothing and would be nowhere without our very wonderful volunteers. We depend on volunteers to work at our ReStore, on our Home Construction sites and at our Critical Home Repair projects. We reached out to get one of our dedicated volunteers to speak to her experience.

I moved to central Michigan a couple of years ago from southeast Michigan. I appreciate the Restore for helping me make my house a home. In southeast Michigan, I volunteered with church groups for Habitat on a home build. I was interested in volunteering with Habitat and inquired at the Restore in Mecosta County. I live in Osceola County. Last summer, I started to work with the team to rehab the Barryton house. I enjoy the work and everyone I work with. I have learned so much. The Barryton house has made a wonderful transformation to a safe, stable and healthy home. I'm glad to be part of Habitat.

Denise Kordie

OUR RESTORE

Have your contractor contact our team!

What our customers are saying about our ReStore

OUR FAMILY NEWS - Keeping Connected

Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity recently lost one of our partner family members, Pamela Ressler Loyd. Pamela came into our program in 2007. We extend our condolences to Pamela’s family.

Find out how Mecosta County Habitat for Humanity with your help impacts the world.

Orphans and Vulnerable Groups Fund – distribution sheet for FY22 attached.

Lesotho impact stories – attached, and supplemental profile

Promoting Habitat’s global impact in your ReStores – a new best practices document.

We have launched of our new website…check it out!

 

Community Resources

Whitmer - Governor Whitmer Launches Program for Michigan Homeowners Experiencing Hardships

The Homeowner Assistance Fund was established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP) to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after January 21, 2020 or for those homeowners who experience a coronavirus pandemic financial hardship that began before January 21, 2020 but continued after that date.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury notified MSHDA on April 14, 2021 that it will allocate $242,812,277 to the State of Michigan. This number was based on unemployed individuals and the number of mortgagors with delinquent mortgage payments.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has designated the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (the Authority or MSHDA) as the operating agency to set up the Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) program in accordance with the guidance provided by the Treasury.

For more information on eligibility click button below:

 More Information 

BUILDING A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE!

For more information please visit mecostahabitat.org

Mecosta Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 18387 Northland Drive, Big Rapids, MI, 49307, United States

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