Hope & Community Building – Winter, 2007
Hope and Community Building is published quarterly by Hope Community Builders.Designed and edited by Ken and Deb Layman.
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Phase II Gets UnderwayThis fall, excavation began on Phase II of Covenant Heights subdivision, behind the DMV on Route 11 South. Phase II will consist of 42 homes. 21 homes will be developed as affordable homes utilizing state and federal funding and 21 will be developed as market units. There will also be a green space for a subdivision park. Quality Excavating, Inc. working on Phase II:
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Wayne Teel Becomes HCB Board President
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Alternative Giving Fair Held at Park View Mennonite ChurchIn November, Park View invited HCB to be represented in its first Alternative Giving Fair. Held after the morning service, the fair gave congregants an opportunity to donate to local non-profits in honor of someone, instead of buying gifts. HCB accepted donations on behalf of the Paul Jackson family. Paul was killed while trying to de-escalate a fight in his community. He and his wife Carol were in the process of buying a HCB home on Kelley Street. Over $575 was received for the Jackson family at the fair. If you would like to contribute to this family you are welcome to do so. All donations are tax-deductible and will be applied directly to the Jackson family account. Click here to print out donation form. |
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Meet Norma Hernandez
Norma moved from her home country of Mexico 14 years ago. She lived in Kentucky for 5 years and moved to Harrisonburg 9 years ago. Several years ago, she went to her bank, BB&T, and asked about home ownership. Loan officer Pete Weaver told her about HCB and referred her to Asrat Gebre who assisted her in the home buying process. She moved into her new home on Joppa Court January, 2006. After one year, Norma says she loves her new home and neighborhood and is glad she made the decision to buy a home. Norma works for Christian Light Publications, where her fluent Spanish skills are used in editing and translating books and materials. Norma also works on computer design of new books and uses her skills in binding, operating a Sidewinder book binding machine. Books and materials published by Christian Light are used in the U.S. as well as in many Spanish speaking Central and South American countries. She works with translating Bible stories, books of missionary stories and experiences and books about Christian Living. We welcome Norma to the Covenant Heights neighborhood. |
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Housing Conference Held in Norfolk
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Property Owner’s Association Meets
In February, 2007 all homeowners were invited to meet together to discuss issues of importance to the Covenant Heights neighborhood. Over 20 persons met together with HCB staff to work at issues such as safe play of children, paving individual driveways and whether or not to install street lights. Working at issues together strengthens the neighborhood and gives each family a voice in decision making. |
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HOPE COMMUNITY BUILDERS is a faith-based housing provider whose purpose is to empower residents of Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County and vicinity, by creating a community of fairness, justice, and hope through the provision of safe, decent and affordable housing.
HCB Officers Wayne Teel—President Henry Whitelow – Secretary Asrat Gebre—CEO Staff Duane Bontrager Eric Beck HCB Board Members Don Allen Pat Blakey Sarah Sampson Cephornia Smith |
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Hope Community Builders 450 Rockingham Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22802-5315 Phone: 540.433.0152 |
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Wayne Teel is now president of HCB. He is a professor at JMU, teaching in the Environment Sector of the Integrated Science and Technology department. He also teaches Environmental Geography at JMU. Dr. Teel spent nine years with Mennonite Central Committee, mostly doing agro-forestry work in Sudan, Kenya and Mozambique. Dr. Teel was instrumental in guiding HCB to building its homes “green.” All homes built by HCB feature improved insulation, energy efficient water heaters and heating and cooling systems. Homeowners are encouraged to purchase “Energy Star” rated appliances.
In November, 2006 all nine HCB Board and staff members attended the annual Governor’s Housing Conference in Norfolk, VA. This is Virginia’s largest and most comprehensive affordable housing conference. Keynote speaker was Juan Williams of NPR, who related his experiences with public housing. Governor Kaine, who was a fair housing attorney before becoming Governor, also spoke at the conference. He has been very supportive of fair housing issues. HCB staff made valuable contacts with others in the fair housing field.
A non-profit Community Housing Development Organization