Creative reuse ideas from the ReStore

We love creative ways to reuse and re-purpose old building materials, and what better way then to see them turned into beautiful flower displays! 

Candace, one of our most dedicated ReStore volunteers, made these beautiful flower displays out of an old mailbox, a sink, cabinets, and even vent material! We've seen some creative reuse projects but these take the cake.

Do you have any creative reuse projects? We'd love to hear about them and feature them here on the blog!

Calling All Volunteers

We need your help! It's summertime and you know what that means...long and sunny days. What better way to spend your summer than by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers are crucial to our programs and we wouldn't be able to operate our ReStore in Goleta without volunteers.

Why volunteer at the Habitat ReStore: 

1. The ReStore has kept over 300 tons of building materials from our local landfills. ie: you're being GREEN
2. The ReStore provides an affordable way for families to make improvements to their homes.
3. All proceeds from the ReStore go directly back to Habitat and help us build low-income housing for families in need.

It really is easy to sign-up to volunteer online: sign up to volunteer. The program will walk you though our online volunteer orientation or you can attend one in person next Saturday, July 9th at 11am here at the ReStore.  

Volunteer Rachel, a college student home for the summer!

What's New in the ReStore?

As we recently shared, the Habitat ReStore has expanded by 5,000 square feet into the adjacent warehouse. The project is almost complete and the area is already packed with new items and an amazing display of inventory. Thanks to groups of volunteers from Community Solutions, Inc. and Vandenberg Air Force Base, the new area is well organized and recently painted. 

We hope you will join Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, July 9th for the ReStore's expansion kick-off celebration and BBQ. We will be offering 10% off your total purchase all day as well as a BBQ lunch from 12-2pm. See you on the 9th!

The Habitat ReStore is located at 6725 Hollister Avenue in Goleta.

President Carter: Decent Housing is a Basic Human Right

In yesterday's issue of the Gardian, Former President Jimmy Carter published a piece why decent housing is a basic human right and how each of us are morally obligated to act with a sense of urgency to house those in our communities who do not have a roof over their head.

"In order to create true, sweeping changes in providing decent housing, we must begin to talk about this human necessity as a basic human right. This is not something that families around the world can only wish to have, not something that only the luckiest can hope to realize, but something that everyone should have an opportunity to achieve.

When we understand the magnitude of housing needs and their different forms in communities worldwide, we will recognize that as more fortunate people we are morally obligated to act. Once we view the issue of housing in these appropriately urgent terms, we will begin to act in concert more effectively."

Read the full article: Decent Housing is Not Just a Wish, it is a Human Right

Bringing hope and dignity, in the form of decent housing, to the families we serve is part of Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County's mission and it is wonderful to see President Carter echoing these sentiments.


Related post: The Need for Affordable Housing in Santa Barbara

Volunteer Spotlight on Habitat Interns Jessica and Brandon

We at Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County love to celebrate our volunteers and interns. They make our mission possible. This month we are proud to spotlight our two spring interns from UCSB; Brandon Fox and Jessica Buenaventura. Jessica and Brandon were valuable members of the Habitat family and helped with a number of projects and projects. They both went above and beyond their duties and were always willing to help whenever and wherever needed. Countless times they stayed late, answered phones, completed necessary errands, and always did their assigned tasks with a smile on their face. Both volunteered in the Habitat booth during the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival and helped as servers during Habitat's May fundraiser event.

Please join us in thanking Brandon and Jessica for their commitment and dedication to Habitat for Humanity.

Jessica and Brandon along with Westmont volunteers at our May fundraiser.

Brandon with the "A Brush with Kindness" poster he created.

Jessica with the ReStore poster she designed

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Santa Barbara please view our volunteer calendar and sign-up to volunteer online. Every month we hold volunteer orientations which are a great way to learn more about Habitat and the various ways you can be involved. 

Our next orientation will be held: 

Saturday, July 9th @11 a.m. at the Habitat ReStore: 6725 Hollister Avenue in Goleta