Revitalizing Neighborhoods
One House at a Time
Since her arrival in Gifford as a teenager, in 1943, Annie Jones has seen a great deal of change in the small community. In 1977, she and her husband moved into a typical wooden “Florida house” where, widowed 20-some years ago, she now lives alone. Far away in Minneapolis, Annie’s daughter and family do not get down to Florida much.
Annie’s friendly, outgoing demeanor and sparkly brown eyes do not reflect the issues with which she has to contend. Complications from diabetes and injuries resulting from a serious fall have seriously limited her mobility, and necessary repairs on her aging home frequently prove impossible for her to accomplish alone.
Through Indian River Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Annie Jones was able to qualify for repair work and repairs, including fixing a leaking toilet (pictured above) and her roof, which were completed this past February.
Habitat is privileged to be able to help Gifford residents like Annie Jones, who add so much to the true character of the community they call home.
To learn more about the Neighborhood Revitalization Program, click here>>
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Indian River Habitat Receives Affiliate of the Year Award - for Sixth Time!
For an unprecedented sixth time in the last seven years, Indian River Habitat for Humanity has been named Affiliate of the Year by Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI.) HFHI recognizes affiliates in three categories – Small (less than 50,000) population; Medium (50,000-250,000); and Large (over 250,000). Indian River Habitat is in the Medium category, in which there are approximately 650 affiliates. This prestigious award is based on total families served by the affiliate, both in its local area, Indian River County, and around the world.
According to Indian River Habitat CEO Andy Bowler, the local affiliate, during its 22 years in existence, has served a total of 372 families within the County through the construction of 287 new homes, the rehabbing of 39 existing homes, and the repair of approximately 60 homes belonging to the elderly, the infirm and veterans.
Pictured above: IRHFH staff with the prestigious Affiliate of the Year Award during the 2013 Habitat for Humanity Global Conference in Atlanta. From Left: From left to right: Family Services Support Coordinator Debbie Parcher; Financial Controller Sara Mayo; IRHFH President/CEO Andy Bowler; Family Services Manager Lindsey Smith; and Habitat Home Center ReStore General Manager Sheradi Monroe.
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Florida State University Student Thanks IRHFH for Scholarship Program
Kasey Valle shares part of his college journey thanks to the assistance he received through Indian River Habitat's Scholarship Program.
As I sit here in the beautiful southern Rockies in New Mexico attending my final core class, Field Geology, I look back at my journey through college and realize I could not have done it without the help of Habitat for Humanity's scholarship program! We all know attending college is expensive, and that very fact almost deterred me from attending Florida State University. But having the financial support from family and Habitat for Humanity made me reconsider, and boy am I glad I did.
To read full story, click here>>
The Scholarship Program assists Habitat homeowners and their children who are committed to advancing their education beyond a high school diploma and/or GED certificate, as well as providing financial assistance toward education-based after school and summer care programs.
To learn more about the Scholarship Program, click here>>
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