A Morning of Fellowship & Inspiration at the Dream Builders Breakfast

(Forest Grove, Oregon) Community members gathered for a morning of inspirational stories, celebration and delicious food at the 2023 Dreambuilders Breakfast hosted by West Tuality Habitat for Humanity today. Photos from the day are at the bottom of this blog.

The morning began with a welcome from Lois Hornberger, West Tuality Habitat board president, and an opening prayer by the affiliate's relationship manager, Steve Mann. The keynote address was by Rochelle Martin, executive director of Taste and See Local, a food bank that serves hundreds of clients every month in Forest Grove.

"It's interesting that for the past two years, our featured speakers at our Dreambuilders Breakfast have had a central message about how nonprofits and community groups should dream big and share those dreams with others, and not let worries about finances ever stop us from giving voice to what we want our organizations to do and accomplish," said Virginia Ohler, Executive Director of West Tuality Habitat for Humanity. " Once again, we've heard from a speaker, this time Rochelle Martin, who is telling us to never hesitate in saying to to each other, 'Here's a need I see in the community and here’s what we could do about it.' That's how great ideas start!"

The keynote was followed by remarks from Laura Altermatt, West Tuality Habitat's projects manager, about the impact of the affiliate’s home repair program in Western Washington County which, to date, has helped more than 300 vulnerable homeowners. The dream of West Tuality Habitat is to secure the resources necessary to undertake 200 more home repairs in 2024.

The morning ended with a special presentation in honor of one of the affiliate's founding members, the late Glenn Cooper. Glenn's son Brian and his wife, Susan, who are core volunteers with West Tuality Habitat, helping with home construction and home repairs each week. Cooper’s Corner, another development in Forest Grove built by affiliate volunteers, is named in his honor.

West Tuality Habitat is beginning 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, 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.

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