Apostles Build Project
APOSTLES BUILD PROJECT
“Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love,
which shows itself in action.” 1 John 3:18
In partnership with:
· WHAT IS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY?
Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity is a Christian based, volunteer, non-profit housing ministry making home ownership possible by drawing together people of all faiths and backgrounds to build affordable homes in partnership with those in need.
Rogue Valley Habitat for Humanity:
· Has built 41 homes, housing over 216 individuals (over 134 children).
· Has 4.5 full-time staff in the administrative office, the ReStore utilizes 4.5 full-time staff members.
· Utilized the efforts of over 800 community volunteers in 2010.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
· Habitat builds homes with the help of the selected homeowner family, community volunteers, and tax-deductible donations of building materials, land, and money. Over 2,000 hours of work goes into each Habitat home.
· Houses are sold at no-interest, 30 year mortgages. Monthly payments including taxes and insurance range from $500-$600.
· Mortgage payments are placed in a revolving fund used to help support future home construction.
· Homes are simple and decent: 900 square feet for a 2 bedroom; 1050 sq. ft. for a 3 bedroom and 1200 sq. ft. for a 4 bedroom.
HOW DOES THE PARTNERSHIP WITH HOMEOWNERS WORK?
· Each homeowner family is required to invest 500 “sweat equity” hours into their house construction.
· Participating in building their house and becoming a homeowner increases the pride of ownership among family members and fosters development of positive relationships with other people.
HOW IS THE PARTNER FAMILY SELECTED?
· To be eligible to apply for a Habitat home, the family must be a resident of Jackson County for one year, income must be between 30% - 60% of the Federal Median income for Jackson County, and must be currently living in substandard housing.
· Family applicants are selected based on their housing need, their ability to pay the mortgage, and their willingness to partner with us and complete the sweat equity requirements.
· The Family Partnership committee volunteers support each new family through the building and home purchasing process.
WHY BECOME PARTNERS WITH HABITAT?
· Housing costs in Oregon have continued to rise over the last decade. One out of every four people in Oregon cannot find affordable housing.
· Habitat for Humanity has shown that building homes does more than put a roof over someone’s head. In clean, decent, stable housing:
o Families can provide stability for their children.
o A family’s sense of dignity and pride grow.
o Health, physical safety, and security improve
o Educational and job prospects increase.
· Working with Habitat gives individuals the opportunity to put their faith into action – sharing God’s love in a tangible way.
APOSTLES BUILD
The work of Habitat for Humanity is driven by the desire to give tangible expression to the love of God through the work of eliminating substandard housing. It is appropriate that the church – Christ’s body in the world – is Habitat’s primary partner in its work.
The Apostles Build is a partnership that allows twelve (or more) individual churches to join together to build and fund a home for a local family. As Jesus’ original apostles were charged with spreading the word about Him, our twelve apostles are charged with assisting in Habitat’s mission to provide shelter for God’s children.
THE CHURCH AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Many churches begin their partnership with Habitat for Humanity out of a desire to help other people. They are delighted to discover how working with Habitat benefits them. Being a Habitat partner:
§ Provides a way for churches to engage in ministry with an established Christian housing organization and come to a new understanding of poverty housing.
§ Allows a church to participate in a ministry that has a beginning and an end.
§ Provides church members with a tangible opportunity to put faith into action both locally and globally.
§ Leads many people to grow in their faith and desire to serve God and others. Giving time and talent makes faith come alive!
§ Builds community within the congregation and among all who work on a Habitat project, providing important and meaningful connections among congregations.
§ Gives people with a variety of skills the chance to respond to the needs of others.
§ Often attracts new members and involves inactive members by providing people with an opportunity to see tangible results of their faith efforts as they work side by side with other people.
§ Communicates the message of being a caring and compassionate congregation called to action.
§ Allows a congregation to step out in faith and rely on God when the inevitable and unforeseen challenges arise.
§ Helps generate a healthy pride within congregations.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am; send me!” Isaiah 6:8
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF AN APOSTLE BUILD PARTNER?
1) PRAYER: We believe in the power of prayer to help us build on faith. We ask that our Apostle partners keep Habitat’s ministry, partner families, and volunteers in their prayers.
2) LABOR: Over 2,000 hours of volunteer labor goes into the building of one Habitat home. Apostle Churches are asked to provide volunteer construction and meal crews. Construction volunteers can be skilled or unskilled. There is an age limit for the jobsite – please check with the Habitat office for youth policies and waiver/release forms.
Habitat builds Wednesday through Saturday from 9am – 3pm in the winter/spring and 8am – 2pm in the summer/fall. Each Apostle Partner will have the opportunity of dedicating at least one Saturday (8-12 volunteers) throughout the course of the build. Individual volunteers are welcome Wednesday through Fridays.
3) MEALS: We would prefer that the church for the crew provide the Saturday meals for their workers. This has a double benefit – meals give volunteers the energy to work through the day, and mealtime provides a great time of fellowship. Meals can be as simple or fancy as you like. Ask the office for meal recommendations.
Rogue Valley Habitat does not routinely been provide snacks on the weekdays, but if coffee and pastries were provided in the morning, arriving workers would enjoy it.
4) SUPPORT: The Apostle Build ministry is an opportunity for Jackson County churches to use their gifts, talents, and pledges to house families in the area. We understand that congregations range both in size and their ability to financially support this mission. Habitat for Humanity wants to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in supporting our ministry. It is crucial for Apostle Partners to be well organized, in good communication with Habitat, and to be dedicated to each step of the process. Providing a liaison to work with the church and Habitat, plus 2-4 committed volunteers will ensure a successful experience.
Previous and Current Partners
Jacksonville Presbyterian Church St. Mark’s Episcopal Parish
Helping Hands, Int’l Trail Christian Fellowship
Ashland Presbyterian Church Table Rock Christian Fellowship
First United Methodist Church of Medford Knights of Columbus
United Congregational Church of Christ LDS- Medford Stake
Ascension Lutheran Church Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
THE FOUR LEVELS OF APOSTLE PARTNERSHIP
Level 1: Full Apostle Partner: An Apostle Partner will commit to $5000 in monetary donations. The congregation will also commit to two build days (more upon availability) with 8-12 individuals for each build day. At this level of partnership, Habitat will provide:
ü T-shirts to each individual volunteer
ü Your congregation’s partnership recognized on our website, newsletter and in our Annual Report
ü Your congregation’s name on the 4X4 build sign located at current jobsite and acknowledged in all published Habitat material for sponsored house.
ü Your congregation will also receive a partnership poster of appreciation for your support.
ü In addition Habitat will be announcing praise of your congregations support for one month advertisement on the ReStore’s electronic sign.
Level 2: Associate Apostle Partner: An Associate Apostle Partner will commit to $2500 in monetary donations. The congregation will also commit to two build days with 8-12 individuals for each build day. At this level of partnership, Habitat will provide:
ü Habitat for Humanity hats
ü Your congregation’s partnership recognized on our website, newsletter and in our Annual Report.
ü Your congregation’s name on the 4X4 build sign located at current jobsite and acknowledged in all published Habitat material for sponsored house.
ü Your congregation will also receive a partnership poster of appreciation for your support.
Level 3: Mini Apostle Partner: A Mini Apostle Partner will commit to pledge $1000 in monetary donations. The congregation will also commit to one build day (more upon availability) with 8-12 individuals for each build day. At this level of partnership, Habitat will provide:
ü Habitat for Humanity keepsakes
ü Your congregation’s partnership recognized on our website, newsletter and in our Annual Report.
ü Your congregation’s partnership on a 4X4 build sign located at current jobsite and acknowledged in all published Habitat material for sponsored house.
ü Your congregation will also receive a partnership poster of appreciation for your support.
Level 4: Volunteer Partner: A Volunteer Partner will commit to one Saturday build day with a commitment of 8-12 volunteers. At this level of partnership, Habitat will provide:
ü Your congregation’s partnership recognized on our website, newsletter and in our Annual Report.
ü Your congregation’s partnership on a 4X4 build sign located at current jobsite and acknowledged in all published Habitat material for sponsored house.
The cost of building a Habitat home is determined by the cost of building materials and expected donations of material, etc. This money can be raised through individual contributions or congregational [1]fund-raisers. It is also helpful when the church can secure donations of skilled labor, building supplies, or land. However, all in-kind donations must be approved by the Habitat office. The first donation (amount agreed upon by RVHFH and the Apostle Church) will be requested at the beginning stages of construction. The remainder will be due before the dedication ceremony. Donations can be made at any time before or between these dates.
Although dedicated levels of partnership have been established, Habitat is willing to work in partnership with any size of budget and is more than willing to make payment arrangements. The deadline for commitment is February 15, 2012. Habitat must have collected funds in the amount of $25,000 to begin the project. Without the support of so many local faith congregations Habitat will not be able to begin construction or build a house for Rosa and her children.
If your congregation needs ideas about fundraising please contact our offices. We are more than willing to help you in your efforts.
WHAT DOES HABITAT PROVIDE?
· A building site, house plan, and building materials.
· A carefully selected homeowner family (Selected according to need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay)
· Construction supervision, instruction, and training on the job site.
· Administration of the mortgage, recycling homeowner payments into future Habitat for Humanity homes.
· Coordination, communication, and support for organizing construction and meal volunteers.
· Assistance and support with church awareness and fund-raising efforts.
· A group picture at the job site.
HABITAT RESOURCES AND SUPPORT:
· Coordination support. Our volunteer coordinator will work closely with your congregation to help with volunteer sign-ups and any other needs that arise.
· Updates. We will keep your congregational liaisons up to date with the status of the build. Photos will be made available and posted on the website.
· A speaker can readily be made available for groups from the entire congregation to Sunday school classes. Sermon materials are also possible.
· A visit by a current or future homeowner can be arranged.
· Fund-raising support: See our “Fundraise for Faith” manual to use as a guide.
· Sunday School materials: A youth lesson with leader guide and student handout, a lesson plan for an Adult Sunday School class, a week-long daily devotional plan, and children’s activities are available. A PowerPoint presentation with Habitat pictures for use when making presentations can be arranged.
· Brochures. Our Apostles Build brochure, affiliate brochure, and volunteer brochure are available.
· A summer VBS curriculum called “Under Construction” is available. Visit http://www.helwys.com/uc
APOSTLES BUILD 2012
The Plan
THE PLAN – Building a house as a faith coalition with a family in need
WHEN? We expect to begin framing the Apostles Build home in late spring 2012 and dedicate it in the fall of 2012. Rogue Valley Habitat homes usually take 4-6 months to complete. Build days are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Congregations can choose group Saturday workdays as well as come out on an individual basis.
WHERE? The location for this home will be at the Apple Farm Estates, located off Orchard Home Dr, which is South off Stewart Ave, in West Medford.
WHO? The family selected is a single mother with three children. Rosa Gonzalez has already begun her sweat equity and partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
2012’s Apostle’s Build Family
Meet Rosa Gonzales
Rosa is a single mother with three
children, Christian (11), Kevin (10),
and Alan (5).
Rosa and her family currently live
in Medford in an old trailer in desperate