Large Turnout for Our 2024 Dream Builders Breakfast Encouraged to Manifest Values Into Community Action
(Forest Grove, Oregon) Elected officials, people running for local office, representatives of various nonprofit and government programs, people working in construction, business representatives and other community members learned more about the impact of West Tuality Habitat for Humanity and were encouraged to put their faith and values into action to benefit their community at the 2024 Dream Builders Breakfast yesterday. Photos from the day are at the bottom of this blog.
Attendees, which included West Tuality Habitat staff and volunteers, heard from Rudy Tinoco, Lead Pastor at Old Town Church, regarding why his church has been a long-time supporter of West Tuality Habitat, Brendan Curran, pastor at Forest Grove United Church of Christ, regarding the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King's vision of the Beloved Community, and Sonya, a local Habitat homeowner, regarding what the program has meant to her and her family, as well as providing moving remarks regarding the passing of long-time Habitat supporter and former Forest Grove Mayor Richard Kidd.
Other speakers included former mayor and current West Tuality Habitat board member Pete Truax, former Beaverton and Cornelius mayor and current board member Rob Drake, current Oregon state senator representing our area, Janeen Sollman, and West Tuality executive director Virginia Ohler.
Special thanks to First Community Credit Union for their sponsorship of the event, as well as to State Farm Agent Bunny Girt, the city of North Plains and Wedge and Cured for their support.
West Tuality Habitat is completing the necessary infrustructure to begin construction on its next home development, Countryman Estates, which is next door to Kidd Court, another home development by the affiliate. Once finished, Countryman Estates will boast eight homes: two single-story fully-accessible units and six townhomes, each with three-four bedrooms and two full baths, each with all appliances and fully-accessible ground floor living spaces and bedrooms.
A Habitat home owners' mortgage, including mortgage payment, taxes, insurance and homeowners association fees, if applicable, will not exceed 30% of that family's gross monthly income at the time of sale. Habitat for Humanity works to reach underserved communities specifically regarding affordable housing, and recognizes that a structure of intentional and systemic racial discrimination in the USA has created barriers to homeownership for many families. Individuals and families accepted into the Habitat homeownership program perform sweat equity as a part of this program, helping to build their own and their neighbors' home, helping with home repairs of other community members and helping in the Forest Grove ReStore. Participants also complete financial literacy training and homebuyer counseling, which helps to ensure long-term success as new homeowners.
Habitat houses are built primarily by volunteers and meet all local building code requirements. For West Tuality Habitat, there is a core group of volunteers with advanced construction skills who work at least three days a week on Habitat projects in Western Washington County. These core volunteers are regularly joined in the work by families that have qualified for home ownership through Habitat, as well as volunteers from the community, including employees volunteering through their work places, such as Intel, Lowe's, Wells Fargo, Heritage Bank, US Bank, Parr Lumber and more, as well as students from area colleges and universities. These additional volunteers often have no construction experience at all. Companies such as Whirlpool, IKEA and Hunter-Douglas provide building materials at discount prices and donate materials as well. Specialized construction tasks requiring licenses and bonding, including electrical, plumbing and roofing, are contracted out.
West Tuality Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and was formed in 1991. In addition to the affordable housing program, West Tuality Habitat also has a critical home repair program for low-income people, seniors, military veterans, and people with disabilities, allowing them to remain in their homes and age in place. West Tuality Habitat also operates a ReStore in Forest Grove, selling gently-used, donated furniture, appliances, home furnishings and leftover building supplies. These sales support Habitat activities in the area.
For more information about donating financially, volunteering or applying to be a program participant, visit the West Tuality Habitat for Humanity web site at www.westtualityhabitat.org or call (503) 359-8459. There is also information available at the Forest Grove ReStore at 3731 Pacific Avenue.
To stay up to date on activities by West Tuality Habitat, including volunteering opportunities, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
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