Habitat Helping Bradley County Residents To "Be Smart About Money"

by Brenda Palmisano Habitat’s Be Smart About Money program recently launched and provides a 10-session experience centered around the management of personal finances, teaching the program participants how to decrease their debt, improve their credit scores, and build up their savings. In order to qualify for the program, residents of Bradley County must fall into the 60% area median income or below, pay a $25 participant fee and open a savings account with a partner bank.

Be Smart About Money Program Manager, Amanda Gouveia, believes this program will have a great impact on class attendees.  “By participating in this class, Bradley County residents will have a better understanding of the importance of good financial management and they will have the opportunity to pay down a significant portion of debt.”

As an additional incentive to complete the program, participants who show proof of their financial savings over 12 months will have their savings matched up to $1,000. This money can be used one of three ways: toward a down payment for a house, to pay off debt, or to pay tuition for education. To find out more about the program, visit: habitatofcleveland.org/smartaboutmoney

This program is sponsored by United Way of Bradley County and Atlantic Capital Bank.

Toyota of Cleveland leading the charge...

Toyota of Cleveland leading the charge to build two homes through Women Build 2017 Toyota of Cleveland has been partnering with Habitat for many years, but four years ago they kicked their partnership into high-gear by becoming the presenting sponsor for Habitat’s major fundraiser, Hard Hats & Heels. Toyota of Cleveland has donated $20,000 every year since 2013 to the Women Build initiative. Because of the support from partners like Toyota of Cleveland, we are able to build two homes through the Women Build initiative and Hard Hats & Heels fundraiser.

Toyota Motor Corporation’s mission is to build more than just great cars; they want to help build great places to live. “Any way we can use our platform to garner exposure for a great cause we will; it’s all about being a great steward of the resources you’ve been blessed with in order to help others,” said Monté Burney, Toyota of Cleveland General Manager.

All of the proceeds from Women Build and Hard Hats & Heels are going toward purchasing building materials for the homes of Sheila Bell and Jose and Rhina Basora. Both of these families have worked extremely hard to provide the best life possible for their families. “I believe Habitat is important to any community,” said Burney. “Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland is doing a great work within the community and that’s evident in the passion and amount of work they poured into this fundraiser.”

Whirlpool Continues Support of Habitat With Full Home Sponsorship

by Brenda Palmisano Over the past 17 years, Whirlpool has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, committing more than $101 million to programs in over 45 different countries. Through this partnership, Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland recently received a $90,000 grant from Whirlpool to sponsor the building of a new home. This generous donation will help propel the mission of Habitat for Humanity by providing another family with a home and hope for the future.

Habitat of Cleveland's Family Services Manager, NaCole Harris-Massengill, believes Whirlpool has set an invaluable example of being a community-minded corporation. “When you talk about a great partnership and continuing to help families leave a legacy and become stable, independent and sustainable themselves, Whirlpool is at the top of doing that,” Harris-Massengill said. “This grant for a full home sponsorship will only help to strengthen their ties in the community, helping another family along their way of achieving the American dream of being a homeowner.”

Through this donation, Whirlpool continues to be actively involved in the neighborhood revitalization effort in Bradley County, helping to leave a positive imprint of hope and restoration. Chip Willis, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland was thrilled at the news of the Whirlpool grant. “Whirlpool and Habitat of Cleveland have enjoyed a longstanding partnership both in monetary support as well as volunteer participation,” Willis said. “Whirlpool has committed to help revitalize the area around the site of the former Whirlpool manufacturing facility; this new grant will allow us to build a new home in the Blythe Oldfield neighborhood and contribute to the remarkable transformation currently taking place in that area.”

The staff, volunteers and homeowners at Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland are extremely grateful for Whirlpool’s support and involvement in the community and are looking forward to many more years of exciting partnership with the corporation!

Staff Spotlight: LaManda Bowers

by Brenda Palmisano LaManda Bowers has served as the Volunteer Services Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland for the past six years. Throughout the years, LaManda has focused on Recruitment, Recognition, and Retention of volunteers, while also focusing heavily on community outreach and assisting with special events, all while advocating the mission of Habitat to everyone she meets.

Before beginning work at Habitat, LaManda had recently divorced and was working in the school system, but after hearing about Habitat from a friend, LaManda soon realized there was something special about Habitat. “I fell in love with the mission of Habitat and knew this is where I needed to be full time,” LaManda said. “The way everything fell so perfectly in place was as if God had hand-picked this organization for me.”

LaManda quickly fell in love with Habitat and her position within the organization. There are many aspects of Volunteer Services that LaManda enjoys, but a few stuck out to her as being the most impactful. “One particular part of my position that sticks out is witnessing first-hand the generosity and passion of individuals in our community,” LaManda said. “It's truly amazing to see such dedicated volunteers, donors, and staff unite to make the dream of homeownership a reality to so many deserving families.”

When she is not working with Habitat volunteers, LaManda enjoys several pastimes outside of work, such as picnics, hiking and crafting with friends. LaManda also serves as the Director of Children's Ministry at her church where she enjoys pouring the word of God into the lives of future leaders.

Throughout her many activities working with Habitat in the local community and serving through her church, LaManda has shown her genuine passion for helping people through all her hard work and dedication to her job. “To me, Habitat is not a job, it is a ministry and I am so thankful that I get to have a hand in it all.”

Sponsor Spotlight: First Cumberland Presbyterian Church

by Brenda Palmisano First Cumberland Presbyterian Church has been a part of Cleveland for over 100 years. The mission of the church is “Lifting up Christ, Building up people,” a mantra that drives their work in the community.

As a long-standing institution of Cleveland, First Cumberland has partnered with Habitat of Cleveland for over 13 years, during which they have helped sponsor over 10 homes, while donating over $200,000 to Habitat throughout the years. Reverend Jen Newell of First Cumberland Presbyterian loves  to partner with Habitat as an outlet to bring love and hope to members of the community

“People recognize the love we have for God by the love that we show for other people, especially people who have nothing to give in return,” Newell said. “The Habitat model encourages families to take responsibility for their lives, to be advocates for themselves and their neighbors, and to walk down a path toward stability and strength, and that's a win for the entire community.”

The congregation of First Cumberland Presbyterian is the true image of servant-hood; never hesitating to fill a need and always finding a creative way to do so. Over the years, they have sponsored houses, volunteered on the job site, provided food for other volunteers, and even hosted fundraisers on behalf of Habitat. The members of First Cumberland Presbyterian simply love to love people, and by partnering with Habitat, they help spread that love throughout our community.

Volunteer Spotlight: Vivian Williams

Vivian Williams, heard about Habitat for Humanity after her retirement from the public school system in San Diego, California. She volunteered with different organizations in Cleveland such as the police department and the hospital for several years before coming to Habitat but found that Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland was the right fit. Vivian volunteers for the purpose of looking for a meaningful way to spend her extra time. What she enjoys the most about being a volunteer at Habitat is the people and the relationships she has built through volunteering with the organization.

Vivian has been a tremendous help and asset to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland through the outstanding customer service and knowledge she provides to individuals who walk through our doors. She is a cashier at our North ReStore location on Thursdays and Saturdays and she also helps on the sales floor assisting customers. She has been advocating for Habitat's mission for 8 years.

Vivian enjoys traveling on a regular basis with her friends and travel clubs. Her laugh is contagious and she adds a unique twist and extra splash of joy in the lives of her Habitat family.

SERVPRO partners with Habitat to create restoration

by Brenda Palmisano Servpro is a Tennessee based company, operating out of Gallatin, TN with individually owned and operated franchises across the nation. Our local Servpro has been a part of the Bradley County community for more than 10 years, ranking in the top 25 as a Servpro disaster recovery team. Through the years, our local Servpro has grown to include three franchises total in Chattanooga and Cleveland.

In addition to their own restoration and recovery efforts, Servpro holds a national partnership with American Red Cross and also lends support to fire fighters and emergency responders by participating in Mutual Aid.

Servpro has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for over two years, offering maintenance classes for future Habitat homeowners. Through this relationship, Servpro has gone above and beyond to provide knowledge about the hazards that can come with owning a home, such as  fire, mold and water damage.

In partnership with Habitat, Servpro shares a passion for helping people achieve their home ownership dreams, while preparing them to protect their homes by investing resources, time and talent.

Through their many different avenues of outreach, Servpro strives to offer excellent service, fairness and mutual respect with hopes of being the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world.

“We not only restore damaged homes and businesses, we restore people back to their way of life,” said Jeff Gregory, sales and marketing manager for Servpro of Chattnooga and Bradley County.

Sponsor Spotlight: WACKER POLYSILICON North America

by Brenda Palmisano WACKER POLYSILICON North America donated $10,000 in support of the Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland ReStores. The gift will be used to purchase a truck that will be used to collect donations from the community that are sold to fulfill Habitat’s mission in Bradley County.

“Habitat for Humanity works in many ways to support families in this community who are in need of a place to call home,” said Mary Beth Hudson, vice president and site manager of WACKER POLYSILICON North America. “We are proud to support the great work they do in Bradley County, and look forward to future opportunities to grow our partnership.”

The ReStore accepts gently-used donations in sellable condition and then sells them at up to 80% below retail value. The profits from the ReStores allow Habitat to fulfill the mission of building homes in Bradley County.

“We are so grateful and excited to partner with WACKER POLYSILICON,” said Chip Willis, Habitat for Humanity executive director. “Our current donation pick-up truck has over 225,000 miles on it, so this gift to purchase a truck was very much needed. Without a reliable truck, we cannot keep enough inventory in our stores to support the Habitat of Cleveland mission.”

Whirlpool donation of brand new appliances just for you!

by Brenda Palmisano The Restores have received a generous donation from Whirpool Corporation in Cleveland! Both ReStores have been supplied with over four hundred fully equipped electric stoves. The ReStores have double ovens and stove tops in various finishes. These brand new stoves are beautiful, high-quality appliances ready for you to take home today! The North and South ReStore addresses can be found to the left.

Staff Spotlight: Michelle Haas

By: Brenda Palmisano Michelle Haas has been manager of the ReStore since 2015, but her journey with Habitat for Humanity started much earlier during a difficult time in her life. Michelle visited the ReStore as a customer when it first opened and after finding out more about Habitat's mission, she was instantly captivated by the heart of the organization. “After I found out the story behind Habitat and what it did, it inspired me,” Michelle said. “Everyone has such a great work ethic and everyone is after one goal.”

After joining the ReStore team, Michelle continued to share Habitat’s passion for people, which has become her favorite aspect of working at the ReStore.“They really make it a lot of fun to work here and everybody works really well together,” Michelle said. “Working here was probably one of the smartest decisions I have made. I love the staff, and the volunteers; they are like a second family to me.”

Outside of work, Michelle has a secret hobby and skill: she is very skilled with DIY and craft projects. “Most people don’t really know how crafty and artsy I am. I’m kind of a DIY MacGyver; I enjoy creating and fixing things,” she said. In addition to her secret hobby, Michelle also likes to spend time with her kids, who she claims as her main hobby.

“One of the best things about Michelle is that she treats each of her employees with respect,” said JK Barrineau, South ReStore Floor Supervisor. “She values our ideas and opinions and makes us feel like we are each important members of  the team. She is a such a team player and  is always a pleasure to work with!”