November 2023 Newsletter
Mason Street
Upcoming Community Forum
Planning is ramping up for a new neighborhood in Port Hadlock at the site of the old airstrip. You are invited to join us at the Jefferson County Library, on Tuesday, December 12, at 5 pm, for an update from our planning team and a chance to provide input. An online option will be available; please email info@habitatejc.org to request the link.
Executive Director of Habitat EJC, Jamie Maciejewski shared, “The Mason Street neighborhood will add more than 120 homes in Port Hadlock. A combination of owner-occupied and rental homes will be built, with green spaces, paths, and common areas. All homes will be permanently affordable to people working a wide variety of local jobs with a wide range of incomes.” Stay tuned for more information.
Gratitude Spotlight
Kendra Golden – Volunteer
Jim and I left New Jersey in 1999, having decided to quit our jobs and travel the country in a 32-foot RV. We traveled for 1.5 years and during that time we volunteered as Care-A-Vanners for Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Billings, MT, Charlston, SC, and Olympia, WA. This was our first introduction to Habitat for Humanity. After living on the road for a while a friend encouraged us to look at Port Townsend, so we spent some time here during a rainy October and fell in love with it. We came back for the summer and by the end of 2000, we had returned to New Jersey, collected our stored furniture, and moved to Port Townsend.
In 2001, Habitat EJC invited my husband and me to be support partners for an early homeowner named Karen. We helped her through the process of buying her home with Habitat and advised her about the mortgage and other aspects of home ownership. Our work with Karen gave us insight into how important home ownership is in creating the stability that makes so much more possible.
In recent years, I have enjoyed working in the store with its wonderful staff and feeling like I’m being helpful. I also joined the Resource Development Committee. This committee supports Habitat’s efforts with the annual appeal, legacy giving, etc. and serves as a sounding board for giving and engagement. And because we had been RV Care-A-Vanners, I enjoyed organizing welcome dinners for them in 2022.
A highlight for me this past year was co-chairing the 25th Anniversary Committee. The Celebration, held on Sept 21, brought many homeowners, donors, volunteers, and staff together to celebrate the incredible impact that Habitat EJC has had in our community. I am still open to finding new ways to support Habitat because, overall, I’m grateful to be able to volunteer and be active in so many different ways. I would say gratitude for me is when I’m able to appreciate what I have and to appreciate the many skills of others.
Tessie Taylor – Business Support Manager
In 2014, I had my first baby and was grateful to stay home but as time passed, I wanted a decent job and saw myself working in an office. This inspired me to sign up for a work training and placement program through OlyCAP and this is how I first came to Habitat EJC. I gained valuable experience working three days per week in the office, on job sites, and in the store. Working alongside staff and volunteers, I was a great fit with the team. My time with Habitat was extended until they invited me to join as an employee working in the office as a Program Assistant in the winter of 2015.
From there, I worked my way up to becoming the Volunteer Coordinator until the birth of my second child. A year ago, I returned as the Office Administrator. Today, I have been promoted to a new position as the Business Support Manager and am responsible for customer service across Habitat, both internally and externally, and overseeing all administrative needs helping make sure Habitat does its work well.
I really enjoy my work because I like feeling like I’m making a difference and love being a part of an organization that I and so many others can believe in. I also enjoy working with the other office staff and feel so inspired by Jamie – it’s an excellent group of people!
Gratitude for me is about being a part of an organization that is improving so many lives – in diverse ways – not just building homes but creating a community through the store, programs, and events. Since starting with Habitat, my life has been about, “see better and do better constantly,” and as we change the community for the better, being a part of that growth has changed me for the better.
Habitat EJC Founder’s Video
Each November, we give thanks to the people who help make our dream of affordable housing possible. We express gratitude to our volunteers, partners, donors, and community members. However, without one special group of volunteers, our organization would not be able to exist. Our affiliate was founded in 1998 by our first board of directors. Now, in our 25th year of serving East Jefferson County, we are looking back and sharing that story with you. By utilizing the strong foundation our volunteers built together, we’re reaching incredibly ambitious heights. Please enjoy this video detailing the founding of our affiliate by Habitat EJC Program Coordinator Emily Holmes here:
Monthly Donor Steady Increase
Thanks to your generosity and participation, Habitat EJC has experienced a significant increase in monthly donors over the past four years. We are learning that many folks sign up in the fall as a commitment to their ongoing support to house families for the holidays and launch new build projects like the one planned at Mason St. in Port Hadlock.
Habitat EJC’s monthly donors have increased from 27 to 48 over the past four years – almost doubling the number of donors – and the monthly amount donated has increased from $20,123 in FY20 to $35,333 in FY2023.
As we double our community building goals in 2024, we’re asking all supporters to consider a monthly donation to help us reach them. Will you help us to increase our monthly donors to 75 participants in 2024? Any amount toward this effort will be greatly appreciated. If you are interested in becoming a monthly donor, please contact Maria at maria@habitatejc.org.
Kim’s Dedication Ceremony
Please join us as we celebrate the final milestone of Kim’s journey towards becoming a homeowner and hand over the keys to her new house! We will be hosting a home dedication for Kim and her children on Friday, December 8, at 2 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend, and there will be refreshments provided by Habitat EJC’s Homeowner Services Committee. Contact the office for the event address and additional information. We look forward to seeing you there! Kim’s Home Dedication Ceremony
Get Involved
Get In Touch
Thank you for being an essential part of this journey and for sharing in our vision of building a better and more inclusive place for everyone. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and create a community that thrives on compassion, support, and unity.
For updates on Habitat building progress, events, volunteering and more, sign up for our newsletter here.
If you have questions, please reach out using the phone and email address at the bottom of this page and we look forward to seeing you soon!