Concret Build

Sponsored by Salt River Materials Group

About Project:

Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) has sponsored the construction of a home at 11 N 28th Ave. This home will seek LEED Platinum certification, and achieve net zero energy consumption. The home’s design and construction techniques were developed in partnership with SRMG and many generous in-kind donors.

Certifications:

• Seeking LEED® Platinum Certification
• Seeking Environments for Living Certification
• Seeking Energy Star Certification

Dedication

Today I started off at the job site like normal getting everyone checked in and where they need to be. We have a dedication for our legacy build and concrete build today so i had to leave the site and go check that. During the dedication we thank the sponsors on the house, the team leaders, and volunteers. This dedication was a but more special than others just because it was our Net zero Legacy build that we did in five days.

This was actually pretty awesome to be at, the mother couldn't even bring herself to say anything because she was so emotional. But her High school aged son got up to thank the sponseers and volunteers and he was so well spoken, and our go green guys did so well on this project it turned out amazing. There may be a link of the video up on the habitat website sometime soon, ill keep ya posted.

Last Sat. Build Day

I know this is a little late to post about last Saturdays build, but better late than never. We were short site host(a volunteer that comes every Saturday to sign in volunteers and get waivers at each house) that Saturday so i had to fill in at that house. Just my luck the group we volunteering that day was ASU's pre-law frat and sorority. And even pre-law students can't get to the build site on time. I can't remember if i have mentioned that every ASU group that comes out is at least 30 mins late if not more. Not only were they late they all rolled up with their own red bull cooler filled to the brim. Well, i guess its better than the group that showed up in flip flops.

It was also a every cold day that drissled on and off throughout the whole build day. Because of the rain we had to stop all of the roof work because it is a safty issue to have poeple on the roof while they are wet because it gets so slippery. But i do have to say i have been learning a lot lately on building a house, i am becomin quite handy :) Do i see toolbelt purchase in the future, i think so.

Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona has been selected as one of the Legacy Projects for the 2009 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo.

Habitat will build a Net Zero Energy Affordable home during the five days of the conference, November 9 - 13, 2009. Habitat will pursue LEED Platinum Certification for the home, located at 20 N 27th Drive, approximately 3 miles from the Convention Center.

“This project shows that the LEED for Homes Rating System is successfully being used for low income housing and can be duplicated affordably by other organizations as well”, said Roger Schwierjohn, President and CEO. “Through hands on building, touch and feel tours and educational materials, Habitat is bringing green building to the everyday person.”

The home will be open to the general public for tours during the conference. If you are interested in volunteering on the construction of the home please contact HFHCAZ in early September to check availability.

GreenBuild Confrence

This week instead of working in the office i worked our booth at the GreenBuild Conference. It was pretty cool to go to and a good change from office work, but i noticed it was mostly just green trades like wood floors, counter top venders which was cool to see all the different products you could use if you were in development.

I'm not sure how much it coast to get into the show but it was more than what the volunteer for habitat wanted to pay. He owners a solar panel company i guess and he donates them to Habitat but the whole time he was hacking his company to people that came into our booth. It was so annoying, i did not enjoy and really your volunteering to help out why did you bring all your business cards with you? Also i would just like to say there were about five people that came up to me asking what Habitat does????!!!WOW, REALLY??? What rock have those poeple been living under.

Wall Raising

Today we started the last house in our 32 house community off of 7th street and Baseline. This wall raising was probably my favorite so far. The future Home Owner is a single mother and her six year old son, who is completely blind. At every wall raising the home owner is able to say a few words to the volunteers and sponsors before the first wall is raised. This little boy was the most polite and well spoken kid i have heard at the wall risings. It was really touching to see how excited he was and to watch his mom run his hands over the walls so he can see how far along the house is.

Not only is this family getting a new house with habitat but the little boy made a wish with the make a wish foundation to have a nice backyard. His wish was answered and when habitat hands over the keys, make a wish foundation will come in and give him a backyard that every little boy would want. This habitat build really does stand out from the others.

Another week

This week was pretty uneventful i was basically doing office work for my days at habitat. Some time last month the one of the other volunteer coordinators left habitat and I've been thinking that because of that my internship has suffered because it seems like I'm stuck doing the petty office work instead of learning about the non profit and how it runs. Hopefully this will change soon, im just not sure how to address this if it doesn't.

In the field on Saturday, we have started our new schedule of starting the build day at 6:30, woooHooo, one extra hour of sleep. But, i have been noticing that there have been a lot of ASU groups coming out to the build such as frats and sororities but no groups with any interest in affordable housing or non profits. It really is interesting to see what groups come out for these builds for som houses it changes weekly .