December 2005
A Letter from the Executive DirectorDecember 2005
Season's Greetings from Habitat for Humanity! We are blessed to be a part of this caring community. After Hurricane Katrina, many people in Santa Barbara joined together to fund and build a home sponsored by Allen Associates. Additional funds were sent to Habitat for Humanity's New Orleans office. These projects stand as a reminder of how one community can reach out to another.
Now we have the opportunity to reach out locally. In Santa Barbara, one of the nation's most beautiful and affluent communities, hundreds of families live in unhealthy, overcrowded conditions due to the lack of affordable housing. And while many of us take for granted having shelter and a safe place to sleep, many children here long for food, beds and a place to call home. With your help, Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County is making a difference in the lives of three deserving local families.
The families who will live in our Via Lucero homes have been selected, and have begun working their 500 required hours of sweat equity. Here's what the children of these families told us about their new homes and being part of Habitat for Humanity:
What will be the best thing about living in the house?
"I won't be able to get kicked out." James, 12
"It will be bigger, now I sleep on the ground." Nahum, 6
"I'll get to play with the neighbors." Rose, 11
What do you think your sister or brother will like best?
"They will have a place to live." James, 12
"That it will have stairs and doors." Wendy, 5
What is Habitat for Humanity?
"It makes people’s lives better." Danielle, 10
If you could say something to all the people who helped
you get your new house, what would you tell them?
"Thank you!" All the children
One of the hallmarks of Habitat for Humanity is the way communities come together to provide homes for children such as these. Thank you for providing hope for these children and for their parents. Thank you for providing hope for the future of Habitat for Humanity in Santa Barbara. Because of you, we will continue to provide stable, decent, affordable housing for families in need. Because of you, we will one day be able to help these kids celebrate the holidays in their new homes.
Thank you, and may your holiday season be filled with peace and joy.
Joyce McCulloughExecutive Director
P.S. For more information on these children or their families, to sign up for our volunteer newsletter, or to donate online, please visit our website at www.sbhabitat.org.
Photos courtesy of Sarah Mayer Photography