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First UU Partnership in Huron Valley Habitat for Humanity

Something *NEW* for 2009 -- We did not build a home this year. We provided TWO homes
thru HOME REHABILITATION PROJECTS!

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OCTOBER 19th Special NOTE-- We need more work site volunteers for Good News House #2 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until the dedication on November 8th. If you are available to help please stop by the Habitat for Humanity table in the Social Hall or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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The  Aveline Street home was dedicated on August 9th, including a house blessing from our own Rev Geisenhainer. Click to see photos from the dedication. (More are also available on www.GoodNewsHouse.org )

 Our congregation is one of more than 20 area churches that sponsor the Good News House ‘build' each year.  Since we joined the Good News House group in 2000, we have helped provide homes for nine families - ONE each summer.  But in 2009, we hope to provide TWO homes for TWO families with the same amount of volunteer labor and financial support that we have provided in years past-this year the First UU financial commitment is $6500. None of the money we raise comes from the church operating budget. We need donations from those who can contribute to make this project work.

Download the volunteer/ donation form if you can pitch in to help.

Yes this year's project is very different -- reflecting the new economic state of our community. Instead of building a new home for a single family, this year the Good News House group will rehabilitate two existing houses for TWO families, doubling our impact on the community! Falling housing prices have made these rehabilitation projects an affordable and sensible approach.

Rehabbing existing homes provides an opportunity to take the negative situation in our housing market into a positive for our community.  In addition to serving twice as many families for the same amount of money, rehabbing: preserves existing resources; builds up existing neighborhoods; keeps houses from sitting vacant and deteriorating surrounding home values.

The houses that have been purchased for this project are near each other in Ypsilanti. Click here for a map. Workers should meet at the Aveline house.

The Aveline house will belong to the Hamdan family. They have already put in many of  their 'sweat equity" required by Habitat for Humanity. They are very much looking forward to moving into more space and a great back yard. Maybe you will meet them at the site.

LOTS OF CHANGES THIS YEAR! Since we are not breaking ground on a new house, the project will begin earlier and probably end earlier as well.

SCHEDULE FOR 2009

April 19th - Kickoff at First UU - Sign ups & pledging begin

April 21st - Work on the houses begins

APRIL 28th - FIRST UU WORK DAY*****

May 15th (Friday) - First UU Work Day

Jun 6th (Saturday0 - First UU Work Day

Jun 9th (Tues) - First UU Work Day

 We need your help!

* Sign up to work on the house construction. ESPECIALLY NEEDED - volunteers willing to be "on call" for short notice needs. Everyone over 14 years of age is welcome to participate. Work sessions take place during the week and on designated First UU Saturdays. Sign-up sheets are available during Social Hours (following each service) April - August.

* Contribute money to help purchase building materials ($6500 goal).

* Make lunches to feed the hungry crew at the work site.

About the 2008 Build

2008 Build: On August 24, 2008 we dedicated another Habitat for Humanity home in our community! 2008 was our 9th year joining in partnership with 22 local religious communities (many smaller than ours) to build a “Good News” house in the Ann Arbor / Ypsilanti area for a qualified family sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.

The Toosen family now has a home located at 374 Firwood near a previous Habitat for Humanity home we helped build. The house dedication was August 24th. View July 17, 2008 UUAA Work Day photos...

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing organization whose mission is to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need. Homeowner families are carefully selected based on income and other guidelines. The families are required to contribute hundreds of hours of “sweat equity” in their homes and other Habitat projects. You can read more about the Good News House on their web site.

Links to more information:

Good News House web site (carries the most current information when a build is in progress)

Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley.

Habitat for Humanity International.

 Please stop by the Habitat for Humanity table in the Social Hall, during Social Hour May- August to learn more! The table provides information and receives your contributions.