For Amelia, volunteering with Habitat sets the stage for a new career
Little girls often dream of becoming princesses, ballerinas, fashionistas and movie stars. Amelia Byko wanted to build houses. As a child, Amelia built houses out of anything she could find. She fashioned her first one out of a jewelry box with the drawers rearranged to represent bedrooms. She makes these miniature dollhouse-like projects in all […]
Read MoreStatement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling to reverse affirmative action in higher education. Habitat for Humanity Portland Region reaffirms our commitment to our DEI strategy and more specifically, anti-racism and the importance of advancing racial equity in working to achieve our mission. As a global housing organization, we know the crucial role both stable […]
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Mother and son volunteer duo make a great team at Foster Commons
Habitat volunteers Sandi and Spencer have taken family bonding to a whole new level. The mother and son duo volunteer at the Foster Commons site every Thursday, helping to construct what will eventually be a thriving 40-home community in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood. They have each dedicated more than 65 hours of volunteer work […]
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From homeless to homeowner: Renatta’s Story
Renatta grew up in the Pacific Northwest, bouncing from apartment to apartment with her grandmother. “I’m the oldest of five, but my mother just couldn’t mother, so we were all separated in the foster care system and sent to various relatives,” Renatta said. “Thankfully, my grandmother took me in.” Living with a disability, Renatta’s grandmother […]
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Volunteer Spotlight | Ray shines as a true ReStore treasure
You could say Ray Williamson “saw a sign” a decade ago that led to him becoming one of the Beaverton ReStore’s most dedicated volunteers. Ray and his wife Brenda were driving near their home in Brennan, Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula, when Brenda “spotted something shiny in the window” of a Jefferson County Habitat for […]
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Construction update | Wet winter makes way for a spring push
Habitat homeowners, volunteers and staff didn’t let wild winter weather — including the most snowfall Portland’s seen since 1943! — slow them down on three of our most active construction sites. Here are the exciting developments happening at each. Foster In this 40-home community in Portland’s Pleasant Valley neighborhood, the first half of all […]
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Volunteer | How Stephanie makes the ReStore rock
By Monicia Warner, Volunteer Storyteller If you walk into the Gresham ReStore on any given Thursday, you’ll notice a line five or six people deep in the jewelry section. New customers might not think anything of it, but seasoned shoppers will recognize it as a sure-fire sign that volunteer Stephanie Payne — the ‘jewelry curator’ […]
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ReStore’s Pick-up Partnership Makes Donating Items Simple and Easy
Getting gifts feels great, but sometimes getting rid of things can be just as satisfying. Turning those things into a valuable donation to support affordable homeownership feels even better. But doing it all without lifting a finger? Icing on the cake. That’s Habitat for Humanity ReStores’ priority pick-up service, now serving the greater Portland Region. […]
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Statement on Governor Kotek’s Plan to Increase Supply of Housing from Habitat for Humanity Portland Region CEO Steve Messinetti
This week, Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency and signed an executive order calling on state government to help create 36,000 new homes a year — an 80% increase over current production. Following is a statement from Habitat for Humanity Portland Region CEO Steve Messinetti: “We applaud Governor Kotek’s commitment to addressing our state’s housing crisis. The housing challenges facing […]
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News Release: Habitat for Humanity Portland Region Celebrates 34 family-sized homes in Hillsboro and Beaverton
PORTLAND, OR (January 12, 2023) – Thanks to the support of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), Habitat for Humanity Portland Region broke ground on a new property located on Century Boulevard in Hillsboro and is finishing the final homes on Denney Road in Beaverton. One-time ARPA funds are in response to the […]
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