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Laredo, Webb County
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HFH of Webb County Marks 10 Years in the CommunityOver the past ten years Habitat for Humanity of Webb County has evolved from a small organization working out of the homes and garages of volunteers to a bustling charity with plans to build 53 homes over the next two years. More than 12,500 hours of volunteer service were logged in 2003-2004 — that is the foundation for all the success that HFH enjoys. The HFH now has an office, which was built with a Meadows Foundation grant inside the South Texas Food Bank. Texas Mexican Railway donated warehouse space for six years and funds from United Way venture grants have provided tools and equipment needed for building. Habitat has not requested agency status from the United Way, due to the UW restrictions during their campaigns concerning the solicitation of funds in the fall when our building is at its peak. The tools that were purchased from the grants have provided a more professional and efficient manner in which the homes are constructed.
Volunteers continue to learn marketable skills through on-site training. The emphasis for keeping the administrative costs at a bare minimum continues to be a priority so that funds are available for building homes. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a good business structure, board members have taken daily duties to insure that all business functions are addressed and that the needs of our homeowner partner families are monitored. In January 2003, the affiliate received a one-of-a-kind Habitat International grant to assist in a colonia alternative project. The goal is to build 53 homes on a ten-acre tract of land by the end of 2006. This grant has provided the funds to hire a special projects director and to pay for professional fees and other development of infrastructure within those designated communities. Plans to build the first ten homes in Rio Bravo for people who are in the 25% of median income (extremely low income) are underway. Over 300 collegiate volunteers arrived in the spring of 2004 to erect six of the homes during spring break. The affiliate plans to complete these homes by the end of the Fall of 2004. Additionally four new foundations are being constructed so that during the month of October, the exterior structures will be erected during a three day blitz with representatives of Bank of America.
Habitat for Humanity continues to assist families in achieving goals of education, skill development, and counseling after their homes are completed. Our Family Support service provides food, clothing, and encouragement through our volunteer base to homeowner partner families to assist them as they transition into their new homes and on an as-needed basis. Five homeowner partners have achieved their G.E.D. certificates and two homeowner partners are enrolled at Laredo Community College. At Texas A & M International University, one of our first homeowners completed his bachelor’s degree in December 2001. His dream during his pre-selection interview of going back to school was realized and he became the first homeowner to graduate from the University. After graduating with honors, he enrolled in the Masters program at TAMIU. Habitat is providing hope and home ownership to Laredo families in need, but the organization also sets the stage for them to achieve other goals and personal aspirations. Our belief is that all of God’s children deserve a simple, decent home in which to live. Our mission is to assist in the elimination of substandard and inadequate housing in our community. Our future is dependent upon the many volunteers and donors who make dreams come true through Habitat homeownership. |
E-mail questions or comments about this web site to habitatlaredo@aol.com.
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