Hello weekly readers, this is your summer VISTA reporting on my fourth week as a summer VISTA at Syracuse Habitat for Humanity. This week was definitely my most productive and I am really starting to recognize the importance of Syracuse Habitat for Humanity.

This week one of our future homeowners volunteered in the office with her children. While it was sometimes distracting, I was impressed by her eagerness to complete her sweat-equity hours. She has to do 300 hours of work for Syracuse Habitat before she moves into her new house, and she is only 50 hours away. She has spent her sweat hours building her new house, sorting mail, and filing papers. She never complains, but instead seems genuinely excited about Habitat homeownership. Two of her kids are spending their summer vacation helping out in the office in any way that they can. They cannot wait to move into their new red house in the Near Westside. It’s a new place to play, a new place to relax, and most importantly a new home.

I continue to work with the More Than Data database program and definitely feel satisfied with my progress. It will increase our volunteer capacity, and make us more able to effectively manage volunteers. I am starting to explore the Reports feature, which can pinpoint hour totals for volunteers and volunteer projects. This is essential for service awards.

That’s about it for this week. Be sure to check back on Tuesday for my next report.

This Sunday Syracuse Habitat for Humanity will be holding the Reese home dedication for Celesse Reese and her two children. Join us in celebration of our latest Women Build house and welcome the start of a new life for the Reese family. 

This house was completed in only 6 months due to the dedication and hard work of all of our female volunteers. Syracuse Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program started just 5 years ago and has already built several houses. Women Build empowers women by putting them in charge from fundraising to dedication. Women Build volunteers are already planning their next house and getting ready for their big Mr. Habitat fundraiser in October.

This is your chance to celebrate with us and meet our newest Syracuse Habitat homeowner. Celesse is really excited about her new house at 227 Elliot St. in the Near Westside. She has worked diligently to complete her sweat-equity hours and cannot wait to finally move in.

It is open to the public and we encourage anyone who is interested in Syracuse Habitat or has volunteered with Syracuse Habitat to check it out.