Board
Members:
Windham Area Habitat Newsletter
“Building Community and Homes”
Peter Bachiochi
Barry Boyle
December, 2010
Bill Briggs
Dear Habitat Supporter:
Tony Cabral
Habitat for Humanity Windham Area has been helping families get out of substandard housing for more
than a decade and our work continues. The family of Omar Lebron and Deborah Galarza and their two
daughters moved into our eighth house at 91 Ives Street in September. This house is very special because
this partner family includes two little girls with severe disabilities who are confined to wheelchairs. It is our
first one-story house and is wheelchair accessible to meet their needs and allow this family to thrive.
Dave Cayer
Hanna Clements
Rose Farrell
Cal Fish
John Fortunato
Sharon FosterChalecki
Pat Gilligan
Susan Hewes
Evan McMunn
Pedro Rivera
Jim Sposito
We are currently refurbishing a house on Summit Street, and we recently purchased a building lot on
Hayden Street in Willimantic. The lot has a foundation and this spring we will start construction on a onestory three bedroom house. We are actively seeking a partner family for this house.
Habitat for Humanity has shown that building houses does more than put a roof over someone’s head. In
decent, simple housing, families can provide stability for their children, physical safety, improved security,
and provide a sense of dignity which allows pride to grow. Habitat is not a giveaway program. Selected
families spend hundreds of “sweat equity” hours working along with volunteers from the community,
developing skills, and building relationships with community members in return for their no-interest
mortgage.
The crisis of affordable housing is daunting and the economic downturn has made conditions more difficult
for many more families. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, you can help us
realize our vision of ending the crisis of substandard housing. All donations go directly into building our
houses. Together we can help change lives, one family at a time. Please consider making a contribution
Tax deductible contributions can be sent to: Habitat for Humanity Windham Area, P.O. Box 214,
Willimantic, CT 06226. You can also donate online by going to our website www.windhamhabitat.org, click
on donate online, but be sure to select “Designate Your Gift” to identify Windham Area Habitat for your gift.
Dave Treiber
Lori Turner
Brian Whalen,Jr.
Diane Wright
On Sunday, August 29th, Habitat for Humanity, Windham Area,
hosted it’s 8th home dedication, but the first one for a handicap
accessible home. Omar Lebron, his wife Deborah Galarza and
their daughters Gabriela, age 10 and Anais, age 6, now reside at
91 Ives Street in Willimantic. This was a partnership that almost
didn’t happen. The Lebrons applied for Habitat housing in the
Fall of 2007 after hearing of the program from a friend. But when
they learned that we typically build a 2 story house, they withdrew
from consideration because of their daughters’ special needs. At
the January 2008 Habitat board meeting, board members agreed
that we could adapt the build to provide wheelchair accessibility
and the Lebrons happily agreed to participate in the family
selection process. In January 2009 the foundation was dug and
with the hard work of many volunteers, Omar, his friends and his
family, the one-of-a-kind home was completed. Omar says he
started out knowing nothing about construction, but now he
knows how to hang sheetrock, install siding and lay a laminate
floor in addition to other new building skills. When Omar and
Deborah were asked what they liked best about the house, they
said “everything, we love having a home”
Omar Lebron, Deborah Galarza, and
daughters on their new porch
Windham Area Habitat Newsletter
December
2010
House # Seven – 93 Ives Street
For the Reyes family, the journey for home ownership
began in 2006. They were living in a tiny apartment that
could not accommodate their two adult children who
needed housing. Brigido Reyes, Sr. and his wife Ana
applied for a house that would be built on Ives Street.
Brigido, Sr, a minister who retired partly because of
physical disabilities, felt called to the neighborhood on Ives
Street. He was a volunteer counselor with a local human
service organization and was working with some folks in
the neighborhood.
Brigido, Sr, Ana and Brigido, Jr. moved into 93 Ives Street in the winter of 2008. It was a dream come true to
have room for their son and live in that neighborhood. Brigido, Sr. had helped build a local church and taught
Sunday School. When the Lebron family was selected to live next door they were happy because they knew
them from their church.
Unfortunately Brigido, Sr. passed away suddenly last winter. Now Brigido, Jr. takes care of his mother and the
property, and at the time of this interview, daughter Ana and her two children were living in the home. This very
loving family appreciates the opportunity to have a secure home that can accommodate all of them.
CAMPUS CHAPTERS
It has been a busy semester for Eastern Connecticut State University’s Chapter! Over the past few months
they have worked with both the Windham and New London Affiliates, helping with landscaping, flooring, insulation
and siding, as well as other projects. They have hosted a variety of events for the campus and surrounding
community in the spirit of promoting awareness of Habitat’s mission. In October they celebrated World Habitat
Day with an afternoon of fun, informative and interactive games and activities for the entire campus. They kicked
off November with Shack-a-thon, a 24 hour event where Habitat members sleep outside in boxes to raise
awareness of Habitat’s mission to eliminate substandard housing. They received donations from the campus and
community. Club members also do yard work (Hire-a-Habitater) to raise money and are planning a spring break
service trip to West Virginia and the Parade of Homes walking tour of Habitat houses.
The University of Connecticut’s Chapter has enjoyed a wonderful semester! Members have been organizing
bake sales, a 5k road race, and a successful “Minute to Win It” fundraiser, while participating in Hire-a-Habitaters
and builds with Windham and Hartford. They are looking forward to spring events: a toy drive, pasta dinner and
coffeehouses featuring student talent! Fifteen students are organizing their spring break service trip to Little
Rock, Arkansas.
We are proud to be a
United Way Partner
Agency.
THANK YOU MEEHAN AND DAUGHTERS
REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, LLC
for donating our new office space at 824 Main Street in
Willimantic.
HFHWA has a space to call home and signage on Main Street!
Contact us at (860) 423-7142 or www.windhamhabitat.org