About Syracuse Habitat for Humanity

• 2010 marks the 26th anniversary of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc. During the past 25 years, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity has built or renovated almost 60 non-profit houses that have been sold to selected families through interest-free mortgages.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a non-profit ecumenical agency whose mission is to eliminate substandard housing in the world. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which people can live and grow into all that God intended. We create partnerships within the community by crossing racial, cultural, political and economic barriers. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or disability.

  Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 300,000 houses in more than 90 countries, with more than 50,000 of those having been constructed in the United States. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity was incorporated in 1984 and our first house was completed in 1986. Since then, we have built over 56 new homes, and has contributed an estimated $25.5 million in cummulative direct economic impact in the Central New York region. Most recently, the organization has focused on eliminating substandard housing in the Near Westside, and to restore quality of life. The organization has this year, SHFH finished the 25 house on the Near Westside, fullfilling its committment to building 25 houses in the Near Westside neighborhood.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity "lends a hand up, not a hand out." Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homes are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with no interest loans for 30 years. To ensure commitment, Syracuse Habitat for Humanity requires homeowners to invest 300 volunteer "sweat equity hours" in labor, as well as provide a $500.00 down payment. Our houses are sold at 0% interest; therefore the first mortgage payment begins to build equity and credit for families who would not otherwise qualify for a mortgage due to income level.

  The homes that Syracuse Habitat for Humanity builds are transformational! Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homeowners are building communities. Our focus has been on the Near Westside of Syracuse, and as such, our homeowners are part of rebuilding a community that has struggled for years. In addition, many of our homeowners continue to have an active role within Syracuse Habitat for Humanity through participation in Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors or committees, and representing SHFH publicly by championing the power of first-time homeownership.

  Syracuse Habitat for Humanity fosters leadership, education and economic self-sufficiency in our homeonwers. And this is particularly true for women and girls. Our homeowners are made up of 97% minorities, 80% of homeowners are single mothers and 90% of our homeowner applicants are women. We do not target single mothers; however, more low-income, minority single mothers apply and qualify for our homes in Onondaga County than any other group.

  Our homeowners must complete a required training course sponsored by Home Headquarters on homeownership, maintenance and continued home care. 300 "sweat equity hours" allow hands-on training on home repair and maintenance. Further, because of their homeownership, several of our female homeowners advanced their academic education. This would not have been otherwise possible had they not been homeowners.

  Homeownership builds personal equity; owning a home is the most effective way to regain economic self-sufficiency and independence. Our homeowners change their socioeconomic status simply through homeownership. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity provides continued training and counsel for homeowners on personal budgeting; and the ability to maintain home cost-effectively through working knowledge of repairs and potential costs.

  Not only does every dollar empower another family to break out the cycle of poverty, but it also boosts the CNY economy. Each house that Syracuse Habitat for Humanity builds impacts the CNY economy by an estimated $490,000. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homes improve property values and generate property tax revenues. During the construction process our homes support local business through the purchase of materials and license contractor services. And Syracuse Habitat for Humanity homeowners spend more money in the local economy with the extra disposable income that our homes provide them when they discontinue paying 60% of they income on housing and utilities.

Our Staff

• Executive Director - Suzanne Williams
• swilliams@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• Resource Development Director - Kristin Earle
• kristin.earle@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• AmeriCorps VISTA - Patricio Chile
• pchile@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• Adminstrative Assistant - Lisa Gibson
• adminassist@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• Construction Manager - TBD
• adminassist@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• ReStore Manager - Greg Wright
• restoremanager@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-374-9054
• ReStore Assistant Manager - Alicia Sierrawolf
• sierrawolfe@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-475-9172
• Volunteer Coordinator - Carl Sharak (volunteer)
• volunteercoordinator@syracusehabitat.org
• contact via email
• Construction Assistant - Toby Dornton
• tdornton@syracusehabitat.org
• 315-422-2230
• Women Build Coordinator - Brenda Muhammad (volunteer)
• womenbuild@syracusehabitat.org
• Syracuse Youth United Coordinator - Maria Miller (volunteer)
• yuvolunteers@syracusehabitat.org

Board of Directors

• Position	President
  Name	Michael LaValle
  Title	Principal
  Employer	Falcone Dominick Agency, Inc.

• Position	Vice President
  Name	Scott Matukas
  Title	VP Finance
  Employer	Byrne Dairy

• Position	Recording Secretary
  Name	Helene Winnewisser
  Title	Vice President
  Employer	Area Retail Leader

• Position	Fundraising
  Name	TBD

• Position	Treasurer
  Name	Sean Daughton
  Title	CPA, Audit Manager
  Employer	Dannible and McKee LLP

• Name	Charles Anderson
  Employer	Recent Syracuse City Council Member

• Name	Michael Centore
  Title	Account Executive
  Employer	Lamar Outdoor Advertising

• Name	Melissa Perry
  Title	Director of Sustainability
  Employer	Destiny USA

• Name	Brian Moore
  Title	Program Director for Foundation Initiative
  Employer	Rosamond Gifford Charitable Corporation

• Name	Todd MacIntosh
  Title	Vice President
  Employer	C&S Companies

• Name	Jeffrey Rogers
  Title	Principal
  Employer	Mueller Farms Landscaping Company

Syracuse Habitat for Humanity Executive Staff

• Name	Suzanne Williams
  Title	Executive Director

  Name	Kristin Earle
  Title	Resource Development Director