CONTACT:  Jerry Harrow
EMBARGO: September 28, 2009                                                                 

TEL. 603-883-0295                                                                           
EMAIL: jerry.harrow@nashabitat.org

GREATER NASHUA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CELEBRATES UN WORLD HABITAT DAY

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity is proud to join the United Nations, communities throughout the world, the United States, New Hampshire, and all organizations who are supporting World Habitat Day in their efforts to “reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter.”  World Habitat Day will take place on Monday, October 5, 2009. 

Public Relations Chairman Ed Lopez stated that “the Nashua affiliate of Habitat for Humanity and its President, Jerry Harrow, have been particularly busy over the last few weeks raising awareness of the need for adequate shelter in the Greater Nashua area”.  

World Habitat Day takes place every first Monday of October and has been designated as the day for the entire world to reflect on these issues.  Over the last few weeks Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity has intensified its efforts to increase its pool of applicants for home ownership.  The organization anticipates building three homes between 2010 and 2012.  The organization has also hosted events in the area since the spring to help Greater Nashua area residents understand their efforts in the community – this included a publicity campaign celebrating a local family’s partnership with the organization that reached its 10-year anniversary in May, as well as a Community Fun Day at Greeley Park.  The neighboring Manchester affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Deborah Wyndham Concert on October 4th to celebrate World Habitat Day.  

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat for Humanity invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jerry Harrow, please call Ed Lopez at 603-883-0295 or 603-438-6961; you can also email Ed at ed.lopez@nashabitat.org for the most immediate response.

CONTACT:  Jerry Harrow                                                                          
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMAIL: jerry.harrow@nashabitat.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO HOLD MEETING FOR POTENTIAL HOME APPLICANTS, VOLUNTEERS
Organization in Need to Increase Applicant Pool 

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity will hold a Habitat Information Night meeting for those who are interested in applying for homes in Milford, Nashua, and Wilton.  Those interested in volunteering for construction projects and in other capacities are urged to attend. The meeting will be held this coming Tuesday, June 23rd, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity Annex Office, Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  The application process, requirements for applicants, possible ways in which applicants might overcome obstacles in the application process, and an explanation of how families are ultimately selected will all be discussed during this meeting.  Current volunteer needs, particularly for Construction Team Leaders to help direct inexperienced volunteers, fundraising, as well as the Take a Hike for Humanity 2010 will be discussed.  (more…)

CONTACT:  Jerry Harrow                                                                 
EMAIL: jerry.harrow@nashabitat.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO HOLD MEETING FOR POTENTIAL HOME APPLICANTS
Organization in Need to Increase Applicant Pool 

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity will hold a Habitat Information Night meeting for those who are interested in applying for homes in Milford, Nashua, and Wilton.  The meeting will be held this coming Tuesday, June 23rd, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity Annex Office, Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  The application process, requirements for applicants, possible ways in which applicants might overcome obstacles in the application process, and an explanation of how families are ultimately selected will all be discussed during this meeting.  While the organization’s volunteer needs will be discussed, it is placing special emphasis on the application process. (more…)

CONTACT:  Ed Lopez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EMAIL: ed.lopez@nashabitat.org

ARTS FOR CHARITY EVENT TO BENEFIT
GREATER NASHUA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Nashua – Arts for Charity, an event sponsored by Ceaser Photography, Sara Prindiville Photography, Warm Stone Studio, and Studio 99 Nashua will take place on the weekend of Friday June 19^th, Saturday June 20^th, and Sunday June 21^st of 2009 at Studio 99 Nashua, in the Picker Building, 99 Factory Street Extension, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  All proceeds will benefit Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity.

On Friday the 19^th a Wine and Cheese Reception will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm – music will be provided by The Bryan Thomas Trio.  On Saturday the 20^th and Sunday the 21^st the event will be open to the public from 12:00pm to 5:00pm each day.

Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity President Jerry Harrow emphasized the commonalities between those who are sponsoring this event and the organization: “The supporters of Arts for Charity, like the volunteers of Habitat for Humanity, are concerned about living in a vibrant community in which everyone has a simple, decent place to live.  Though each individual may contribute in their own unique way, together we build a stronger community in which people can live and grow and achieve their full potential.”

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jerry Harrow, please call Ed Lopez at 603-883-0295 or email Ed at ed.lopez@nashabitat.org.

Vicki Hatfield (inside door on left) observes as the Mena Family poses for a picture for Greater Nshua Habitat for Humanity. Photo by Marie A. Matthews.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Mena Family was one of the first two families selected to partner with Habitat for Humanity in the construction of a home after the organization of the Nashua affiliate

Nashua - When the Mena Family first found out about Habitat for Humanity’s 0% Interest Mortgage they were a bit skeptical: Elizabeth Mena says that Habitat for Humanity seemed like “an unbelievable blessing.”  She remembers having many doubts.  “When we met the Habitat for Humanity team everything sounded so great…”  Elizabeth laughs as she looks back: “as typical Colombians, we felt it was too good to be true!”

The Mena Family celebrated the 10^th anniversary of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity this past March.  They are now half-way through a mortgage that helped finance the home they built together with other Habitat for Humanity volunteers. 

Habitat for Humanity has had a Nashua affiliate since December 1, 1994 and it initially focused on small projects such as home repairs.  The Menas were among the first two Nashua families to build an entire home with Habitat for Humanity; the two families shared a duplex on Tolles Street.  

Vicki Hatfield, a member of Habitat’s Family Selection Committee remembers how the Mena’s were chosen among a pool of applicants. “The Tolles Street project was our first. We had three qualified applicants for two homes. The Menas were our absolute first choice.  When we were selecting families they were living with other family members and their two daughters had a closet as their bedroom.”  Vicki feels that the Mena family has been a successful partner with Habitat for a number of reasons: “They were very enthusiastic; both adults, along with their 15 year old son, were at the job site almost every weekend. Prior to applying for a Habitat home they had been trying to buy a house at auction on Tolles Street. They were outbid at the auction.”  (more…)

The Mena Family in front of their Tolles Street property in Nashua. Photo by Marie Matthews.

More than ten years ago the Mena family was searching for a home in the French Hill area of Nashua when they found out about Habitat for Humanity.  “There was an auction for a house on Tolles Street and they bid on the house but it didn’t work out.”  That’s when Nancy Metsiou, a Mena family cousin, found out about Habitat for Humanity through the newspaper.  “Habitat turned out to be a much better proposition,” explains Family Selection Committee member Vicki Hatfield.

Elizabeth Mena says that Habitat for Humanity seemed like such an unbelievable blessing: she and her husband Luis Mena felt the house they were bidding on was not meant to be and that God knew of a better plan for them… but they had their reservations.  “We had a lot of doubts – when we met the Habitat for Humanity team everything sounded so great”.  Elizabeth laughs when she looks back: “as typical Colombians, we felt it was too good to be true!” (more…)

Just a quick note to remind everyone that we have a Habitat Volunteer Information Night this coming Monday, April 13, 2009, at the United Methodist Church at 154 Main Street in Nashua (Habitat annex office).

If you are a new volunteer or are interested in volunteering this is the best opportunity to get an overview of what Habitat for Humanity does and how you can help.

We are always looking for construction volunteers but also need help with Public Relations, Newsletter Editing and Writing, Land and Property Selection, Family Selection, Office and Administrative Work, etc.  Please let us know if you plan to attend the meeting.  Email us at office@nashabitat.org.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The organization is still looking for interested applicants and for volunteers to help begin construction in the spring

Nashua – Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity will hold a Habitat Information Night meeting for those who are interested in applying or who have already submitted applications for homes.  Those interested in volunteering for construction projects, beginning this spring, are urged to attend. The meeting will be held this coming Monday, April 13^th, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm at the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity Annex Office, Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main Street, Nashua, New Hampshire (03060).  The application process, requirements for applicants, possible ways in which applicants might overcome obstacles in the application process, and an explanation of how families are ultimately selected will all be discussed during this meeting.  Current volunteer needs, particularly for Construction Team Leaders to help direct inexperienced volunteers, will be discussed. 

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.  Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need. 

If you are interested in volunteering for the Greater Nashua Habitat for Humanity, this meeting will also include a thorough discussion of the organization’s mission, history, and the specific volunteer needs in the area.  Everyone is welcome.  Please reserve your space at this meeting by contacting President Jerry Harrow at office@nashabitat.org; over 40 volunteers and applicants attended last month’s Habitat Information Night, potential volunteers and potential home applicants are urged to reserve a space at the meeting as soon as possible.  (more…)

Want learn more about Habitat for Humanity?

Are you interested in volunteering, but not sure how to get Involved?

Would I qualify to become a Homeowner and how does one Apply?

Please Note the following upcoming event…

Next Habitat for Humanity Information Night — Mon Mar 9th

(more…)