Volunteer Spotlight: Katie Stuwe

We love celebrating our volunteers here at Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County. For one thing, we couldn't do what we do without their commitment and dedication to Habitat's mission. Every week we welcome dozens of volunteers through our doors and we rely on their hard work and effort to keep the ReStore open and running.

Today we celebrated Katie Stuwe. Katie is a UCSB grad student who started volunteering with Habitat in the fall of 2011. Katie regularly volunteers in the ReStore and we're so thankful for her cheerful and friendly personality.

Interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in Santa Barbara? Sign up online or attend our next volunteer orientation on March 10th at 10am in the ReStore, 6725 Hollister Avenue, Goleta.

Habitat for Humanity's Valentine's Day List

Habitat for Humanity International released this wonderful list in honor of Valentine's Day. We loved it and couldn't wait to share it with our readers too.

How can you help Habitat? Let us count the ways: Discover a sweetheart of a deal at your local ReStore. Don't miss the May issue of Habitat World for a look at these resale outlets and how they help Habitat do more. Be ours. Join us online as we widen our circle of friends with the addition of our Google+ page, and visit our other social media pages. Make a commitment to regularly support Habitat through our HopeBuilders program. Speak from the heart. Help build on the work of important events like the recent Habitat on the Hill by signing up to be an advocate for policies that improve access to adequate and affordable housing around the world. Play a part in relationships that support Habitat. Learn about special partnerships and purchase opportunities that can help benefit Habitat throughout the year. Serenade with songs that have helped raise $1 million for one Habitat affiliate over the past 20 years. Watch the Habitat World blog for details about our upcoming CD giveaway celebrating songwriter and guitarist Warren Haynes' longtime support of Asheville Area Habitat. (And sign up to receive email notifications when the magazine posts new interactive and multimedia content.) Give the gift of Habitat. Royalties from sales in the Habitat online store help us do more. Remember Haiti. Carter Work Project families are moving into their new homes as you read this, and the work of rebuilding continues. Learn more and donate today. Honor someone special by making a donation to Habitat in their name, a true Gift From the Heart. Spread the word that where homes, communities and hope are built, love grows, too. Thank you for your generosity and support! Happy Valentine's Day!

Homeownership Opportunity in Santa Barbara

Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County will being selecting families for the 12 new affordable homes which will be built on Canon Perdido Street. Construction on these 12 homes will begin in the fall of 2012. All interested homeowners must attend one of the following information meetings to receive an application.

Habitat for Humanity provides homes for people who have low-to-very low income status. The total annual income cannot exceed 40-80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Santa Barbara. 2012 figures below. 

• 1 person family total income--$21,280 - $42,500
• 2 person family total income--$24,320 - $48,600
• 3 person family total income--$27,360 - $54,650
• 4 person family total income--$30,360 - $60,700
• 5 person family total income--$32,800 - $65,600
• 6 person family total income--$35,240 - $70,450

Applications for Partner Families are accepted based on the following criteria:

• Family income between 40% to 80% of area median income;
• Currently living in one of the following substandard conditions: 
• deteriorated, unsafe, or overcrowded housing;
• transitional housing; 
• paying over 50% of total annual family income for rent;
• Ability to make monthly mortgage payments designed to fit within 34$ of the family's income; 
• Willingness to partner with Habitat and invest 250 hours per adult of their own "sweat equity" into their houses, along with attending family partnership curriculum classes that address topics such as mortgages, insurances, and other homeowner responsibilities. 
• Legal resident of the U.S. and have lived or worked in Southern Santa Barbara County for the past year. 

Vandenbeg Air Force Volunteers help in the Habitat ReStore

On Tuesday, January 24th over 25 Vandenberg Air Force Bank volunteers helped in Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. We love it when groups of volunteers come down from Vandenberg because they are always a fun group, and extremely hardworking. We often set aside larger projects for them to complete and are always amazed by how quickly they are able to complete the projects.

What's for Sale at the ReStore

ReStore Inventory, a set on Flickr.

Want to see a selection of what is for sale at the ReStore before you drive out to our location at 6725 Hollister Avenue? You're in luck, we post photos almost daily of the appliances, doors, windows, cabinets, and oather new inventory that comes in. As all items at the ReStore are donated from companies and individuals, we carry mostly one-off or one-of-a-kind items. This slideshow isn't everything, but it will give you an idea of what is currently on the sales floor. We do try and take down items that have sold, but do call or come see it for yourself to make sure it is still available.