Americorp VISTA

Are you looking for a way to change the world around you? Want to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or some other charitable organization but not sure how? Really want to spend the year before college, grad school, or the "real world" doing something worthwhile that will look good on a resume or transcript but can't afford to take a traditional internship? How about getting involved with Americorp VISTA. Americorp is a government volunteer program that sends people like yourself into underprivileged neighborhoods, to help the residences help themselves. Habitat for Humanity works extensively with this program, and you can work with Habitat through Americorp in a number of ways. Of course, you could volunteer to be on a work crew, or if you aren't handy with a hammer, there are other assignments available.

The best part of getting involved with Americorp is that they will pay you a small living stipend during your year of full time service, and when your stint is up you are eligible to receive an education award of $4,725 or a $1,200 end of service stipend. Americorp also affords you the opportunity to see this great country because they will help you to relocate if you accept a position somewhere other than your home town or state. Americorp is sending many people to the Gulf Coast to help with the post-Katrina rebuilding, or you can volunteer closer to home. If you are not in a position to donate money, or to take a year off to volunteer, look into an Americorp VISTA assignment. You must be at least 18 years old, but many of the programs have no upper age limit, so nearly anyone can become involved.

Where your donation goes

I've been entreating you for the last couple of posts to donate money to Habitat for Humanity, Indiana so today I thought I'd show you where that money goes. First, another suggestion of how you can help. May 11-17 2008 is the 5th Annual Cover Indiana Bicycle Tour. This is a pledge driven, multi day bicycle tour across the state to raise money for Habitat. Each rider will get pledges for each mile that they ride, and this money will go to Habitat for Humanity Indiana. Keep in mind that monies raised by Habitat Indiana does go towards local families. To find out more information go to the Cover Indiana website at http://www.habitatindiana.org/biketour/.

On this same website, there is a link to a pdf file that gives a run down of how much each Habitat house costs to construct. This cost includes the materials and the cost to buy land, but not labor since hopefully you are providing that! You can see exactly where all of your donated funds are going to at http://www.habitatindiana.org/biketour/Scan0001.pdf . There is also a partial blueprint of a Habitat home.

Christmas Donations

It's that time of year again! While you are online shopping for those perfect gifts for your friends and family, keep in mind that you can donate to the Indiana Habitat for Humanity through their website http://www.habitatindiana.org/ On the home page their is a Paypal badge where you can make your donation. It's that simple! We all worry about not having enough funds to get us through the holiday season, but what better time to remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Every little bit helps, so give what you can.

Habitat for Humanity Restore

Did you know that Fort Wayne has a Restore location at 1111 E. Wallace St.? A Restore is a retail outlet that sells all kinds of new and gently used building materials; doors, carpet, paint, windows, and lighting are just a few of the items you can find at a Restore. The advantages to shopping at a Restore are 3-fold. You get DEEP discounts over regular retail prices for the same items. You are helping out Habitat for Humanity when you purchase at a Restore, and you are also helping out the environment. Items found at a Restore would otherwise end up in a landfill, adding to the problems plaguing our planet. So, do yourself and your community a favor. If you are going to be doing a little sprucing up around the house for the holidays, take the short drive to Fort Wayne and take a look at the goods at Restore.

More information, and a map, can be found at the Fort Wayne Habitat for Humanity website:

https://63.246.19.12/cd/frame/frameset.aspx?url=www.fortwaynehabitat.org

Habitat License Plates Available

This information comes from the Indiana Habitat for Humanity website http://www.habitatindiana.org/ :

Habitat for Humanity license plates are now available in the state of Indiana. Habitat for Humanity Indiana will receive $25 of your $40 purchase price. The plates will look like this

These plates can be obtained by sending your $25 fee to the address below, and an authorization form will be sent to you

Habitat for Humanity

Attn: License Plates

213 East Kirkwood Avenue

Bloomington, IN 47408

Or, you can go to the Indiana Habitat for Humanity website using the link provided above and download an authorization form. Either way you prefer, please consider buying one of these plates. The money goes to this excellent cause, and everyone will know that you support Habitat!