The end of my summer internship at Habitat

After two months of enjoyable work at Habitat, my summer internship is coming to an end. I will return in the Fall to pick up where I left off; but in the meantime, I want to share a few words about my summer with this organization.

Theodore Roosevelt said "Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." My experience at Habitat embodied that quote. When Executive Director Jessica Lindsley offered me the summer associate position, I was excited to get started. I already believed in Habitat's mission, and knew it would be a joy to work for Jessica; but I didn't know what an incredible pleasure it would be to work with all of the amazing groups of people and individuals that I've connected with during the season.

There is truly something special about the concept of home ownership and a community that believes in it so wholeheartedly that organizations like Habitat can thrive. As a Sheridan native, who has lived elsewhere and traveled back to the great state of Wyoming, I am thoroughly impressed with the monetary and volunteer support I've seen in our little town. The community's incredible willingness to partner with Habitat has made me proud to live in Sheridan!

So thank you all! I look forward to reconnecting with Habitat in the Fall. Enjoy the rest of your summer!!!

-Melissa

What started out as the skeleton of a house has been transformed into the beginning of a home!

Bank of the West presents a charitable donation of $1000 to Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns!

On Thursday July 29th, Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns (HFHEB)received a charitable contribution of $1,000 from the local Bank of the West branch.

Sheridan branch President, James “Hoot” Bohnsack, said the decision to allocate funds to Habitat for Humanity stemmed from the Bank’s directives to support those who are underprivileged in local communities.

“It’s tough to get by given the current economy,” Bohnsack said. “I think it is an important service that Habitat for Humanity offers to those who qualify in Sheridan.”

The generous donation will be used through “A Brush With Kindness,” a Habitat program that refurbishes about 12 houses a year for low-income homeowners.

“Habitat for Humanity is honored to be recognized by Bank of the West as a community partner providing every Sheridan citizen a safe place to live,” said Jessica Lindsley, HFH Director. “We look forward to partnering with them in the future.”

Meet David and Juliene Schoenfelder!

David and Juliene Schoenfelder have been selected to occupy the third new home on Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorn’s construction schedule.

David was born and raised in Sheridan, and his wife Juliene moved to Sheridan from the Philippines 10 years ago. The couple, who’ve been married since 2000, has five children between the ages of three and eight, and the family of seven currently lives in a two bedroom, one bathroom house on North Main.

“We’ve outgrown the house,” said David, and Juliene added, “With five kids in the house, it gets claustrophobic.”

Not only are they cramped, but the house that they've lived in for the last 5 ½ years is not in the best condition. The floors are uneven, and the children trip; the ceiling is falling apart and leaks; the swamp cooler doesn’t keep the house cool enough in the summer; and the heaters get so hot in the winter that they are a safety hazard for the children.

Right now, the family cannot afford to make the repairs themselves with David’s hourly pay from the City; and on top of the repairs, the location of the house guarantees lots of noise. The house is right next to the Buggy Bath Car Wash, and the noise from the vacuums, along with the noise from traffic on North Main, has been difficult.

The family said that having their own home will change their lives greatly. They will have “breathing room” and space to organize their life.

“A lot of people take these things for granted, but it’s the little miracles in life,” David added, giving the example of turning on the thermostat and the house actually reaching the correct temperature.

“This is the first house we’ve ever owned,” he said. “I get to build my own house – it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”

Both Juliene and David noted that they are also excited to be involved in the volunteer aspect. They think volunteer work is important and they’re excited to meet new people.

“This is really a sweet system Habitat has put together,” David said. “You build your house and help others build their houses. Plus, they have other volunteer organizations helping out. It really is a wonderful system.”

The couple said they understand the hard work they will have to put into building their own house and the required volunteer labor they will give to support other habitat homeowners.

They are both looking forward to taking pride in something they own.

Care-a-vanners have helped us build all summer. Below: The crew works on a house in Buffalo!

Photo Update of the Longoria's House!!!

A BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO HABITAT'S VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION EVENT AT THE 3RD THURSDAY STREET FESTIVAL ON JULY 15TH!

Habitat Executive Director Jessica Lindsley thanks the community at Habitat's Volunteer Appreciation Event at the 3rd Thursday Street Festival

Homeowner, Kat Deeds gives a "Thank You" message to the community at the 3rd Thursday Street Festival

Meet Four of our Summer Associates!!!

Below you can learn about our four construction-site summer interns. They work on site from 8am - 4pm Tuesday through Saturday, and have already contributed greatly to Habitat's successful summer season.

Jessica Myers

Jessica Myers migrated all the way from Missouri to work on the construction site. She is a sophomore in engineering and said she applied for the program in Sheridan after completing similar volunteer work in New Orleans.

Her responsibilities include communicating between the traveling volunteers and the Habitat construction staff, organizing a volunteer day, and working directly on the build!

“It’s a blast!” she said of her work at Habitat. “The habitat environment is relaxed and fun. Everyone is happy about what they are doing. Everyone is excited to be here.”

Geoff Scott

Geoff Scott is a local associate from Dayton. He said he applied for the program because he has volunteered through Habitat before and always enjoyed his experience.

"I believe it gives people a hand up instead of a hand out," he said of Habitat. "You get to work alongside the homeowners, and they earn it."

Geoff added that there are also challenges that arise because the construction team relies on volunteers.

"It's volunteer labor, so you have to go back and fix things later," he said. "But you're continually learning new things and putting them to use."

Dave Komoroski

Dave Komoroski traveled to Sheridan from Pennsylvania where he is a junior at UPitt Johnstown. He said he’d been looking into AmeriCorps for awhile and this program allowed him to learn important skills he could use in the future.

"I've learned a ton," he said, "and really enjoyed my experience here so far."

He said he is especially impressed with the community of Sheridan for putting so much money back into programs such as Habitat.

And as for the hard work he's been doing on the construction site, he said, "Sometimes you get these days when it’s tough work and you can’t stand it, and those days when it just flies by and you don't want to stop!"

Lauren Miles

Lauren Miles is originally from Mississippi, but recently traveled from Arizona to be with us in June. She said she has really enjoyed being in Sheridan because of the “good people and scenery.”

“Working construction is a learning experience because I know nothing about what to do!” she said. “There’s a new challenge every day.”

But Lauren said she is enjoying her time thoroughly.

“I would definitely work with AmeriCorps again,” she said. “It has been a very positive experience.”

I think this sums up our mission!

Meet Recent Homeowner, Paula Crosley!

“I cry every time I think about having a home of my own!” exclaimed recently selected homeowner, Paula Crosley. “My son will know what it’s like to live in a normal place.”

Crosley, a network computer specialist at Sheridan College, has been living in an apartment complex that she feels is unsafe. The soot in the heating system affects her asthma and gives her sinus headaches, and she said the dust is so bad that she must wear a mask whenever she cleans.

She and her son, Buzz (14), have lived there for seven years and are excited to finally have a new home.

“My son will be able to play outside,” she said, “and all I can think about is a garden! I want herbs, and my son wants to plant roses.”

Crosley added that she is also excited for the increased privacy she will have in her new home.

“I want to get out of the fish bowl,” she said. “It will be nice to not share a wall.”

She currently pays $640 a month for her apartment and has $35,000 in student loans. Her life has also not been an easy one. She has suffered parental and domestic abuse, but said she has overcome a lot of obstacles and liberated herself from those unhealthy situations.

Crosley said she is so excited about starting the building processes that she keeps driving by the lot on Parker Street that will eventually be hers.

“Maybe I’ll just pitch a tent up there!” she said.

She added that she is particularly proud of the work she will be doing to make this house possible; including the sweat equity hours she will be putting in and the mortgage she will eventually pay off. She wants people in the community to understand the part she will play.

“Most people don’t know that you don’t just get a house handed to you,” she said.
She also said she wants to give back to the community and has been participating in other volunteer opportunities around Sheridan.

She said, “When I’m having a bad day, I think of the other people who have it worse.”

My day on the construction site. If I can do this - anyone can!!

There I was…looking at the 4X8 sheet of siding in my hands…and seriously doubting my ability to attach it to the house in any meaningful way. I mean, I’d like to think that I’m not totally incapable when it comes to construction. After all, I DID set up my own Target furniture in college, and I DO know a Phillips head from a flat head! I fully understand that there are many women who are very capable when it comes to these activities, but that said…let’s just say that if I were buying a tool set, I would definitely skip over those mundane details regarding the quality of the tools and buy the one I deemed “cutest!” I hear they make these adorable ones with flowered handles! My apologies…I digress!

As a summer associate at Habitat for Humanity, my job is to carry out tasks from the comfort of an office. I’d had plenty of opportunities to observe construction, but I hadn’t gotten my hands dirty yet. My great fear was that I would be 100% useless as a carpenter and simply be more of a nuisance than a help. But when I asked Habitat construction manager, Eliza Evans, if she thought I could help out, she was confident in my abilities.

“If you can use a tape measure,” she said, “then you’re ahead of the curve.”

With that tidbit in mind, I arrived onsite and was placed in a team to nail siding onto the front of the house. I’ll be honest, the first hour I was fairly unproductive. It took a lot of initial teaching to get me started: How do I use the nail gun? How do I measure and cut the sheets of siding? How do I use the nail gun without putting others in danger? How do I problem solve so that the siding will fit around the window? How do I learn to stop using the nail gun to pretend I’m on a SWAT team?

But once I learned the tools of the trade, I was off! Up on the ladder, I shot nails into the siding with just the right touch. I helped measure the angles of the triangular piece of siding that would peak at the house’s eave. I screwed in boards that would become the studs for our siding. I guided the sheets that were cut by a power saw. And when it was all said and done, I could look back at the house and delight in the progress I had helped achieve. What once looked like the skeleton of a home covered in Tyvex ®, had become the full structure of a house with blue siding. It felt good.

I’m not going to lie, the tools weren’t the cutest…but I had a blast! I think there’s really something to be said for the feeling I got - just knowing a few of my nails and screws will provide a family with a roof over their heads.

We are always pleased to have volunteers help us on site. Anyone is welcome to join us for a few hours, a day, or even an extended period of time. And let me guarantee you that if I can do it, so can you! If you are interested, contact the Habitat office at 672-3848.

-Melissa

Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc. presented the Wyoming Habitat for Humanity affiliates with a charitable contribution of $35,000!

Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns (HFHEB) announced that they have received a charitable contribution of $35,000 from Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc. (MPEG) to be distributed between all Wyoming Habitat affiliates. The contribution is unrestricted and may be used at the discretion of the foundation. "This sizeable contribution is a tremendous boost for our organization, especially in today’s economy when the need for affordable housing is increasing. We are honored that Mountain Plains Equity Group chosen to support our mission.” noted Jessica Lindsley, Executive Director of HFHEB. “These funds will help us to continue our efforts to provide safe, affordable housing for the Sheridan community."

Steve Grimshaw, a resident of Sheridan and Member of MPEG’s Board of Directors, underscored the company’s desire to help the HFHEB organization. “MPEG’s mission is to develop quality, affordable housing for those on a limited budget. This whole effort works to build pride and a certain quality of life in our local communities. We know that HFHEB shares similar goals in promoting well-being in our local communities and we’re sure these funds will be put to good use.”

MPEG was originally founded in 2003 by the Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) in collaboration with the State Housing Agencies in Montana and North Dakota. Since that time, MPEG has provided equity investment capital and other key resources to developers of housing projects. MPEG has achieved great success over the last several years, sponsoring 22 projects and creating 830 rental units. “We’re very pleased to see this kind of result”, said David Haney, Executive Director of the WCDA. “MPEG has not only become a key player in low-income housing, but now they’re reaching out to other organizations like HFHEB to help them be successful as well.”

HFHEB focuses on creating healthy, safe, and affordable housing in our communities. In a spirit of collaboration and fellowship, the organization works with individuals, institutions, businesses, and the Habitat families themselves to eliminate poverty housing thereby making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Steve Grimshaw presented the $35,000 check to HFHEB with brief words of encouragement, stating “In fostering our relationship and our common goal to enhance and promote our communities, it is MPEG’s sincere pleasure to contribute to the worthy cause of the HFHEB organization as they strive to carry out their mission. MPEG has great confidence the donation will have a positive impact not only to the organization, but also to the communities of Wyoming.”

Habitat for Humanity accepts a check for $35,000 from the Mountain Plains Equity Group!!!

Meet Misti Ruiz - Newly Selected Homeowner

Habitat is happy to introduce one of our newly selected home owners! Misti Ruiz is the mother of three girls and a supervisor at ACE Knecht Home Center. She said she is very excited to receive a home.

“This is a new start for us,” she commented. “We are happy to have a home of our own!”

Ruiz has been on her own since she was 16, and many things in her life have not come easily. She admitted that she made some unhealthy decisions in her early life, but eventually realized how much more important her girls are than anything else.

“It’s always been us,” Ruiz said about her relationship with her girls. “We’ve stayed together and stuck through it all.” “The girls think I’m it,” she added, “and I think they’re it.”

Ruiz’s daughters, Valentina (14), Victoria (12), and Veronica (9), all go to different schools, and Misti said that her life can be pretty hectic. She works full-time and said she’s usually running errand s during her lunch break. To make life even tougher, Ruiz lost both her mother and brother in the last few years, and she added that this has been hard on everyone. She admired her mom a great deal and said she wants to be just like her.

“I think she’s proud of me looking down,” she said.

One thing that Ruiz is particularly proud of is the fact that she is almost totally off of government support programs and striving to be completely independent. She said, “I don’t want to be one of those people who live off the state.”

Ruiz sees this opportunity as a change to increase her independence and bring her family even closer together.

“We’ve been on top of each other in the trailer and it will be nice to have our own space,” she said. “We can sit down and have dinner together!”

Ruiz has already begun the process of completing her sweat equity hours and said she’s excited to build her home.

A Day in the Life of a Corps Member

As the youngest of a family of three, with siblings both eight and fifteen years older than myself, I’m used to peace, quiet and most often getting my way. Since I joined AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), my life has been flipped upside down; I gained a team of four new brothers, five new sisters, a sense of adventure and an appreciation for service. Here’s a typical day in my life as a Corps Member in Sheridan, WY.

At 6:45am, I am awakened, not to the sounds of my soothing alarm, but to Robby running down the hardwood hall, shouting and jumping on Leah because of her latest quip on his hair. I groggily roll off my cot, trip over Casey’s books and fall to the ground to avoid Hannah’s already cracked iPhone that is charging on the floor of our tiny bedroom. I open the door and stumble down to the kitchen where I grab a box of cereal to find it empty. I blindly grab for another box and smile when I’ve found one that actually has substance. I struggle to get a bowl and milk, but with Tim continuously in the way of wherever I need to be, I eventually give up.

As 7:45am approaches, we all pile into our 15-passenger van and we bump and bounce our way down Sheridan Ave and arrive on time to the Timberland site. We are greeted by our site supervisor Eliza, handed down tasks, and then we get to work. At this stage, there’s a bit of everything going on. Teammates are working on the roof, cutting on the saws, spackling siding, building the deck…but there’s so much more than that going on. Casey is battling her fear of heights by climbing up on a ladder to hammer some nails. Injured Dana is inside doing measurements because she doesn’t want to let her team down. Matt, the college city boy from Philly is learning his way around a hammer and nails in small-town Wyoming. Nineteen year old Robby is learning and teaching with a sixty year old volunteer.

Around noon, my stomach is grumbling from my misfortune at breakfast. But like clockwork, volunteers from the community have come and donated lunch to us volunteers. Instead of dropping off sack lunches, these volunteers bring the most amazing food and spend time talking to us, asking about our program, and who we are as people. It’s that simple kindness that keeps me motivated when things get tough.
We plug along in our projects in the 90 degree heat, taking water breaks where Amanda plugs her roller-skating birthday party and the AmeriCorps VISTA boys try to rile up the AmeriCorps NCCC boys whenever they can.

By 4:00pm, we are dirty, sweaty and exhausted…but it doesn’t end there. We’re piled in the van once again, onto the YMCA where we have our tri-weekly physical training (PT) as required by our program. Leah and the boys go to the weight room to “get their swell on”, Amanda hits the pool as if it were her natural habitat, and the rest of us girls take the cardio room by storm armed with our iPods, water bottles and the latest copy of either Self or US Weekly (depending on how much grief one can take).

We return to our little duplex (which is a toasty 85 degrees as we keep forgetting to install the air conditioners) and descend on the kitchen like vultures on a fresh carcass. I watch in awe as Leah, Tim and Robby start their vegetarian bean masterpiece with the extensive use of spices as Hannah hurdles over their work to throw her Hot Pockets in the microwave before it’s in use. Matt and Jeff are overwhelmed by the site and slip into mini-comas in their room until the carnage is over. Casey and I settle on the same pasta, sauce and garlic bread that we make every night. Once everyone has some kind of meal in front of them, it’s time for Service Learning.

Service learning gives us a chance to learn about our current project, the town around us and/or important social issues of the time. Our team is a great mix of ages (youngest is 19; oldest is 25) from a diverse mix of places (from New York to Minnesota) which makes for interesting and exciting debates.
Around 9pm, the night starts to wind down. People are reading in the living room, making phone calls on the hill, doing team position work around the table or sharing a laugh on the porch and watching the sunset.

By 11pm, I am back to my cot thinking over the day. In one day, I have helped build a house for a family in need, conquered my own fears and faults, worked on my physical health, learned more about the community around me and bonded with my new family with members from different backgrounds and beliefs. Because of the NCCC program and the various organizations like Habitat for Humanity, I am not the same woman I came here as. Thank you, Habitat, for giving us the opportunity to volunteer with such an amazing group of people and for such a great cause.

Vaya Kiel
AmeriCorps NCCC - Green 1

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