You Never Know What You'll Find at the ReStore

Yesterday a beautiful driftwood spiral staircase was donated to the Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County ReStore. It's not everyday that such a unique item is donated, but we're happy to take it!

Come see it in person if you're in the Santa Barbara area. Located at 6725 Hollister Avenue in Goleta, the ReStore is open: Tuesday - Fridays from 12-5pm and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. Inventory can also be viewed online on www.sbhabitat.org.

Meet a Habitat for Humanity Partner Family: The Pacheco Family

Partner Family profile: The Pacheco Family

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is proud to partner with the Pacheco Family. Arturo and Marisol Pacheco are the proud parents of three beautiful children: two daughters Gabriela age 15, and Isabel age 6, and a son, Daniel age 14.

Currently the family of five shares a very small apartment in order to live in the community where their children attend school and Arturo has employment. The two daughters share a bed and the parents sleep in the living room due to the lack of space. The kitchen is also not an adequate size for a family of five.

The Pacheco's attended one of Habitat for Humanity's informational meetings in April, submitted an application in May, had a home visit and interview in June, and received final notice that they were selected to be one the 12 new homeowners of the Canon Perdido Affordable Homes in early August. 

The Pacheco's at Habitat's recent partner family reception.

As part of the Habitat program, both Arturo and Marisol are required to put in 250 "sweat equity" hours into the construction of their home. They will begin working on these hours in September, while also completing Habitat's Homeownership Readiness Curriculum which is designed to equip partner families with the resources to be successful and long-term homeowners.

Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to partner with the Pacheco Family in the construction of their new 3-bedroom home. The family showed a great need for affordable and adequate housing, a willingness to partner with Habitat, and the ability to pay a no-interest mortgage. 

Over the course of the following year we will introduce a new partner family each month. 

Habitat for Humanity collaboration with Youth Interactive

Over the past two months Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County has collaborated on a kitchen remodel with Youth Interactive, a free after school program which is set to in Santa Barbara's Funk Zone this fall.  

Habitat has provided the volunteer labor and materials for collaboration. Three stalwart volunteers; Bruno, Jeremie, and Robert have spent countless hours and days at the site. From delivering large appliances, cutting and placing countertops, and everything inbetween, this collaboration would not have been possible without their hard work. 

We also recruited the good work of Jeff Mumm Construction. We partner with Jeff on our A Brush With Kindness home repairs and were thankful that he was able to assist with some of the more technical components of this remodel. 

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County has partnered with a number of local organizations including the Housing Authority, Rescue Mission, Goleta Community Center, Goleta Boys and Girls Club, St. Vincent’s Day Care, Laguna Cottages, and Goleta Valley Beautiful. 

Below are some photos from the collaboration with Youth Interactive. Pictures of the completed kitchen to come!

Habitat for Humanity Volunteers and Interns

The driving force behind Habitat for Humanity Southern Santa Barbara County is our corps of community volunteers—those who provide much of the house-building labor, keep our ReStore operational, and help in the office. 

These volunteers represent individuals, students, civic groups, and faith groups who make our work possible. We are fortunate to have three colleges and universities in our service area and welcome volunteer groups, service learning clubs, fraternities, and interns from the University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College, and Westmont College. 

Many students fulfill their community service requirements by volunteering with Habitat, and both UCSB and Westmont have active Habitat for Humanity campus clubs who are eager to volunteer and help in the community. 

This summer we were fortunate to have Lauren interning with us from the University of California, Davis. Lauren helped with the online marketing and promotion of the ReStore's merchandise. This is no small task as items come and go from the ReStore on a daily (nay hourly) basis. Lauren also helped with the planning and day-of tasks of the ReStore's annual summer BBQ and sale. Last week we celebrated her last day with us. All staff and volunteers were sad to see her go, but thankful for the many hours she interned with Habitat this summer. She will be missed!

Lauren and Erica preparing food for the July ReStore BBQ.

Volunteers and staff posing with Lauren on her last day in the office.