The past year was very successful due to the generosity of Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity supporters.

Five families were able to have their dreams of home ownership become a reality in 2006. During the summer three homes were dedicated.  Two of the homes were sponsored by churches: St. Francis Catholic Church and Meadow Park Christian Church. In November, the first Youth United home was dedicated. It was exciting to see the beautiful job done by the youth under the leadership of Arlan W.  Marta and her son moved into the house in November.  The final dedication for 2006 was held in December.  The perfect family, Naimo and her two daughters, was selected for the Zumbro Lutheran sponsored and built home.  Members of the Zumbro Church and other volunteers were there to celebrate with the family and to welcome the family to their new home. 

Best wishes are extended to all of the new homeowners. Thank you to the volunteers who made it all happened. May the homes be a beacon for God’s love filled with love, hope and joy.

Pictured above: Kevin W. and Pastor Gary B. welcome the new family and pray that the spirit of God’s love surround the home, bless the family, and bless all those who enter. Pictured to right: Naimo and her two daughters cutting the ribbon at their new home.

This professional engineer group volunteered in October	Youth group from Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield
A member of Christ Lutheran Church in Byron, who is also from Prime Time Painters, worked with Ibrahin to paint Thrivent Builds house #1	Think Credit Union had groups helping us build houses five days during October and November

Thrivent Builds house #3	Thrivent Builds house # 2
IBMer volunteer built house	Trinity Lutheran Church member from Hayfield installed the kitchen cabinets for Sahra’s house

The YU house was completed and dedicated to Marta's family on October 29.  The youth raised over $40,000 and are currently working to raise another $40,000 to build the second YU house next spring.  If you are interested in getting involved in Youth United, want to learn more about our fundraisers, or want to donate to the project, contact Cody Logsdon at 507-252-0849 ext. 5
or email her at vista@rahh.org.

YU Highlights:

TRICK OR TREAT:  The 2nd annual Trick-or-Treat for Change event took place on October 31. Groups participating in this event included youth from Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hosanna Lutheran Church, Peace United Church of Christ, and members of our Steering Committee, including Corrin S., Katie T., and Nour E.  The group that collected the most was the Mayo High School National Honor Society who raised $1,671.  A total of $2,248 was raised from this event.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  We hope you will join us again next Halloween.

RAKE-A-THON:  The 2nd annual rake-a-thon took place November 18.  The rake-a-thon was pushed back a week due to snow, but thanks to the dedication of our volunteers we still managed to pull it off.  Consider signing up your group to help next year.

CLASSES:  Youth United organized Community Education (CE) classes for school-aged youth. Those who participated made birdhouses, rugs, and benches which were given to Habitat families. This was a great way to get Rochester area youth excited about building projects.  Look for our upcoming January and February classes in the CE brochure.

EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT:  Check out the November/December issue of Rochester Women Magazine. Marta B., the YU homeowner, is featured.  Congratulations to Marta.  Copies of the magazine can be picked up at the Habitat office.
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JANUARY: Youth United will have a letter writing campaign at Taco John’s. Youth are invited to come to write letters about Youth United to family and friends.  Those participating will receive one token for a free taco.

FEBRUARY: On February 16, Youth United will be hosting a "Be Sweet to One Another" luncheon at Outback Steakhouse.  Bring your sweetheart and enjoy a full dinner including chicken or ribs, a side dish, salad, desert, and beverages.  Buy your tickets in advance to support Youth United.

APRIL: We will be having a 2x4 fundraiser in April.  Groups are invited to sign up beginning in March to help sell 2x4s to individuals and businesses.  Those who purchase 2x4s may write personal messages on them and they will be used in the next Youth United house.
 
 

Youth from Calvary Episcopal Church recently started participating in a number of activities aiding Habitat for Humanity Youth United.  Tasks completed by the youth were usually designed to be completed within one day.

The group has had a great time completing the projects that benefit Habitat for Humanity.  One of the favorites was the rake-a-thon.  Donations from the homeowners went to Habitat.  Calvary youth also turned out to be talented construction workers.  Building projects ranged from picnic tables to garden benches.  Simpler tasks such as posters explaining Youth United were also appreciated by Habitat.  All money raised by the youth group along with many other volunteers recently aided in completing a house! 

The final quantities of calendars are available. The calendar features pictures of the year’s activities, as well as coupons valued at $400 from 22 local businesses.  Proceeds from calendars will be used to build the 2nd Youth United house.  End of year sale price is $13.00 (quantities of 5 or more are $10 each).
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Energy Conservation Class

Two RPU employees presented information to Habitat families, friends, staff and volunteers. Karol G., a Business Service Representative, and Stephanie Y. , a Commercial Accountants Representative, presented energy-saving tips for people to use in their everyday lives. The tips that were shared for saving water and electricity will help us save money on our bills. They also educated us on rebates that RPU offers customers who purchase energy efficient appliances and light bulbs. The RPU billing, including even pay plans, was explained.  Not only did Karol and Stephanie educate our families but also our families were able to educate Karol and Stephanie on what Rochester Habitat for Humanity does for them.  Karol and Stephanie are looking forward to teaching more classes for Habitat for Humanity.  They welcome questions on how to save on your energy bill.  You may contact them at kgluth@rpu.org.  More information is also available online at www.rpu.org.

Crime Prevention Class

Officer Ken Plummer has been a police officer for 15 years.  He has been with the Rochester Police Department since 1995 and has been a member of the crime prevention unit since 2002.  A major portion of his time is spent on crime prevention education.  He shares information about personal, workplace, and home safety, as well as identity theft, gangs, and drug awareness.  Officer Plummer has taught several crime prevention classes to our Habitat families and has given our families valuable safety tips that can be used to make their homes safe.  He is always willing to answer questions on home safety.

You may contact him by e-mail at kplummer@ol.rochester.mn.us or call 281-6056 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity was recently awarded the "Meets All Standards" Seal by the Minnesota Charities Review Council, a statewide charity oversight organization. The "Meets All Standards" designation, which has currently been earned by fewer than ten Rochester nonprofits, indicates that we have met the Council’s criteria for excellence and ethics in four key areas: public disclosure, governance, financial activity, and fundraising Nonprofit organizations work to earn this seal in order to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, and transparency to their constituents. RAHH wishes to thank all volunteers, board members, and staff members, whose ongoing efforts in support of our mission have made this designation possible.

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Our mission is to partner with God’s people in need to build simple, decent, affordable housing.  We expand the meaning of the mission by also stating that we are: Building Homes, Building Lives, and Building Community.  It sounds simple but it means so much.  When we work together, each of us in God’s image, there is no limit to what can be accomplished.  Whether we are building with lumber or more efficient business practices or developing relationships with families, volunteers, or the community, it is the Lord’s hand that guides us.  Let our trust and faith focus on the higher mission of showing forth our love of God through action and service.  We are proud to introduce you to our newest partner families.  Each family has an interesting story which will be shared throughout the year.  This issue provides names and pictures.  We hope that you will be able to meet them on the work site. 
 

Guled and his wife Saido have four children	Rahma has seven children
Ibrahin and his wife Fadumo have five children	Ali and his wife Jamad have ten children

SupportOurSupporters

THANK YOU!

Arby’s	Bread Baker	Café Deli at the RAC
Culver’s	Daube's Bakery	Domino’s Pizza
Dunn Bros	Erbert and Gerberts	Famous Dave’s
Godfather’s Pizza	Jimmy John’s	Kwik Trip
Pizza Hut	Pizza Man	Subway
Valentino’s

As part of the IBM Rochester site’s 50th anniversary celebration, Mike Tomashek, vice president, Development, introduced a Habitat for Humanity project -- IBM Rochester employees building Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity’s 50th house.  It’s known to IBMers as Our House and since the groundbreaking, 600 IBM volunteers have contributed more than 2,200 hours.  As a result of this effort, Said, Saynab, and their family will soon have a place to call home.

The couple is the partner family who will be buying Our House.  Said is a nursing assistant at Mayo and also attends nursing school where he expects to graduate next May.  He previously worked at Celestica and IBM.  His wife, Saynab, works for Manpower at IBM during the last month of the quarter and cares for their five children ages 11, 5, 4, 3 and 1, as well as an elderly parent who lives with them.

Joan Rabe is an Our House core team member as well as a Rochester Area Habitat for Humanity board member.  She says Said and Saynab have both worked hard to each put in the 200 hours of sweat equity that is required, and she is grateful for those who’ve helped build Our House so far.

"The response from IBMers has been awesome.  Employees from all over the site have pitched in to help, and retirees have played a major role by coordinating the work at the construction site. Over and over again people have stepped in to get the job done when they were needed," she said.

Said says that he can’t really express in words what this Habitat home means to him and his family. He went on to say, "It is everything. This is the future for my family, to have a place to call home. It’s where my kids can play freely, where it is safe and where you can live neatly, healthy and with a good future."
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Group information sessions:  Have a group that would like to learn about Habitat?  Contact Patricia at 252-0849 ext. 4.

Join a speaker’s bureau?  We are creating a speaker’s bureau. Interested?  Contact Patricia.

Feb. 16 - "Be Sweet" Luncheon at Outback: More information above.

June 4 - First Annual Habitat Best Ball / Scramble Golf Event, Rochester Golf and Country Club. 
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