West Tuality Habitat Presents Lifetime Achievement Award to Architect Kerry VanderZanden

(Forest Grove, Oregon) Representatives from West Tuality Habitat for Humanity presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to architect Kerry VanderZanden in appreciation of 30 years’ service with the Forest Grove-based nonprofit. VanderZanden has designed every development project and home built by West Tuality in the last 30 years – 27 homes in total.

VanderZanden is presently working on development and home design for the new Countryman Estates in Forest Grove, the most ambitious project to date of West Tuality Habitat. Eight homes will be built on the site. Completion of the entire development, at 1520 23rd Avenue, is expected by 2025.

The event to honor VanderZanden took place Saturday, March 4, 2023, at St. Bede Episcopal Church in Forest Grove and was organized by long-time West Tuality Habitat volunteer Stewart Nestor.

In her remarks to honor VanderZanden, West Tuality Habitat executive director Virginia Ohler said:

A lifetime achievement award is something extremely special. It is presented only to those who have dedicated decades to a particular cause or organization, or who have lived out a faithful example of belief in an ideal that uplifts others.

Kerry has dedicated 30 years of service to West Tuality Habitat for Humanity as the architect of all that we have built. He has a strong belief that inexpensive housing does not have to be unattractive, cheap-looking, or boxy. And he has followed that up with a lifetime of work to prove it.

The homes he has designed for us are shining examples of just how cute and attractive small homes can be. The Habitat cottages exude charm. They feature floor plans that can be adapted for either 3 or 4 bedrooms, can be built to provide ground floor accessibility, and have facades that can be built and trimmed out in a variety of ways that enable endless variety in color, style and appearance. We frequently provide photos – particularly of the 5 homes in our Coopers Corner project on 19th Avenue – as examples of how charming a grouping of starter homes can be. Because of Kerry’s work, we have never experienced “not in my backyard” resistance to Habitat building in Forest Grove communities.

Kerry’s artistry, style, technical competency, humor, and love for both humanity and architecture glow through his home designs. We are so proud and grateful to have had this opportunity to work with him, executing his vision, and expressing this love for those in need in our community.

It is with profound gratitude and admiration that we present this Lifetime Achievement Award to Kerry VanderZanden, Architect.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on principles of the Christian faith, and in her remarks to honor VanderZanden at St. Bede Episcopal Church, Ohler noted:

As Christians, we embrace the concept of the faithful servant, and recognize that service is an act of love for our fellow humankind. We recognize that faithful service embodies love, as in Matthew 20:25: “…whoever would be great among you, must be your servant…” And humility, as in Philippians 2:38: “…do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself…” And kindness, as when Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, saying ”…I have washed your feet, you also out to wash one another’s feet…”

Former West Tuality Habitat board chair and longtime supporter Richard Kidd, who is also the former mayor of Forest Grove, said at the ceremony:

To you, Kerry, my thanks. For me you have been an inspiration and educator and a friend. You have helped me understand the concept of “pay it forward” and reinforced the concept of “service above self “.

West Tuality Habitat for Humanity is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International and was formed in 1991. It is a 501-c-3 charitable organization which develops and builds homes with local community members in Western Washington County who are considered low-income. The affordable mortgages offered through West Tuality Habitat are at or less than 30% of the family’s household income. Individuals and families accepted into the Habitat home ownership program perform sweat equity as a part of this program, working at the construction sites or in the Forest Grove ReStore. Participants also complete financial literacy training and homebuyer counseling, which helps to ensure long-time success as new homeowners.

Habitat houses are built primarily by volunteers. 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, USA Bank, Parr Lumber and more, as well as students from area colleges and universities. Companies such as Lowe's and Malarkey Roofing in Portland provide building materials at discount prices and sometimes donate materials as well. Particularly specialized construction tasks requiring special contractors, including electrical, plumbing and roofing, are contracted out.

Homes built by Habitat meet all local building code requirements. Particularly specialized work like wiring, plumbing and roofing is contracted out.

In addition to the affordable housing program, West Tuality Habitat also has a critical home repair program for low-income 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 help fund its 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.

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West Tuality Habitat for Humanity architect Kerry VanderZanden and his Lifetime Achievement Award.