Older Americans Month 2018

Everyone deserves to live in their home with dignity.

This month of May is also known as Older Americans month. This year’s theme is Engage at Every Age. From the Older Americans Month official site, it states that this month’s theme was to “emphasize that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being”₁. This month of May, we celebrate the many ways that older adults can make a difference in their local community, while also bringing awareness to those who are living in poverty and how our affiliate helps those in need.

In 2016, from Statistica.com, it showed that over 58.47% of Americans 55 years of age and older are in poverty levels₂. Of that statistic, it shows the females are more likely to be in poverty. To show the immediate impact of poverty in our local counties, DataUSA.com showed data for Weber and Davis Counties in Utah.

From DataUSA, researched showed that there were roughly 583,609 residents in Weber and Davis Counties in 2016. 10.1% of the residents in Weber and Davis Counties were 65 years and older. 3.73% of the population living in Weber and Davis counties were in WWII and the Vietnam war and would be considered as veterans. To express the importance of poverty in our local areas in Weber and Davis Counties combined, 18.23% of men and women of all ages were living in poverty in 2016. 7.1% of the population in Weber and Davis Counties were men and women 55 years of age and older who are living in poverty. Females in Weber and Davis Counties seem to be prevalent to being in poverty. The majority of those in poverty are White, followed by Hispanic ethnicity in Weber and Davis Counties ₃.

From the AARP foundation, “one in every five Americans will be over age 65 by 2030 and our nation will face a severe shortage in appropriate housing to meet their needs”₄. The AARP Foundation did a study and reported it in their research report, “What is Livable? Community Preferences of Older Adults”. From this research report, the foundation discovered that those 50 years and older want to be able to age in their homes and communities. One of the surveys the AARP Foundation conducted found that those 50 years and older ranked increasing police presence as a number one priority in their neighborhood, while implementing or increasing funding for affordable housing programs was ranked sixth. Building more stores and shops was ranked on the bottom of the list for those who were 50 years and older.

The AARP foundation discovered that there was a direct correlation between household income levels and ranking funding for affordable housing and home modifications as a higher priority. “As income levels increase, the ranking for housing-related funding priorities decreases”, stated in the research report. For those who had an annual income of 30K or less, implementing or increasing funding for affordable housing was ranked as the top three priorities. For those who had an annual income of 50K or less, implementing or increasing funding for home modifications for people with disabilities was ranked as one of the top five priorities ₅.

Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties partners with volunteers and community members to make a difference in the local community.

We believe that everyone deserves a decent place to call home. We help people of all ages build and repair their homes while building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter.

Mrs. Odessa’s newly painted home worked on by the IRS volunteers August 2017.

At our affiliate, we notice that we help a large majority of seniors and elder persons. From our reports, nearly 49% of our projects were done for persons over the age of 56 years old in 2017. These projects were from our A Brush With Kindness Program, which repairs the exterior of the homes in Weber and Davis Counties. Because many elders live on fixed incomes with few resources to make modifications or critical repairs to their home, this population faces very serious housing issues that pose significant risks to their health and well-being. At our affiliate, we make it one of our priorities to give these families a way to be self-reliant while being safe in their own homes. We have the ability to help those in need of being safe in their homes while providing them a place to call home.

Main Office
2955 Harrison Blvd. Suite 202 Ogden UT 84403 | 801-475-9821 | info@habitatwd.org

About Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties
Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties (HFHWD) is a nonprofit organization that strives to create “a world where everyone has a decent place to live”. Our affiliate has built over 14 homes since 2004. We build and repair homes for local low-income families. For more information, visit www.habitatwd.org.

About Habitat Ogden ReStore
Habitat Ogden ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement thrift store and donation center. Proceeds from the Habitat ReStore goes towards the affiliate, HFHWD. When you shop at the nonprofit store, you are helping families who need repairs and decent homes. Every ReStore is owned and operated-independently.

Media Contact:
Maria Rague | 801-475-9821 | maria@habitatwd.org

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WORKS CITED

1. Older Americans Month 2018. Administration of Aging; Administration for Community Living. https://oam.acl.gov/. Accessed 15 May 2018.
2. “Poverty Rate in the United States in 2016, by age and gender.” Statistica. https://www.statista.com/statistics/233154/us-poverty-rate-by-gender/. Accessed 15 May 2018.
3. “Weber County & Davis County.” DataUSA. Deloitte; Collective Learning; Datawheel. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/weber-county-ut/?compare=davis-county-ut. Accessed 15 May 2018.
4. “Improving Access to Safe and Affordable Housing.” AARP Foundation. Berne and Pan American. https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/housing/?intcmp=FDN-FTR-LINKS. Accessed 15 May 2018.
5. Harrell, Rodney, et al. “What is Livable? Community Preferences of Older Adults.” AARP Foundation. https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/public_policy_institute/liv_com/2014/what-is-livable-report-AARP-ppi-liv-com.pdf. Accessed 15 May 2018.

Pictures from the Volunteer Recognition Breakfast

Come check out the fun we had at our
1st Annual Recognition Breakfast

May 4th 9 AM at Jeremiah’s Restaurant

AWARD RECIPIENTS:

PHOTOS

Volunteer Recognition Breakfast

First annual event to recognize those who helped
the Habitat for Humanity affiliate this past year.

Ogden, UT (May 4th, 2018) — Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties (HFHWD) is a nonprofit organization that strives to create “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” This affiliate decided to create an event that would recognize volunteers and donors each year.

The event for this year was held on May 4th, 2018 at 9 AM. Volunteers and donors met at Jeremiah’s restaurant for a morning breakfast. There was an opportunity drawing for a five-day cruise, donated generously by Ron Franklin from Larry H. Miller Chevrolet. In addition to this, there were over 16 different silent auction items.

Volunteers, donors, and staff were able to bid on items donated generously by businesses in the area. Gifts were donated by Black Bear Diner, Boondocks, Cold Stone Creamery, Cherry Hill, Dartside, Deer Valley Resort, Utah’s Hogle Zoo, The Great Escape, Great Harvest in South Ogden, Gina Gonzalez Group Realty, Kneaders in Ogden, Megaplex 13, Menchies in Ogden, the Natural History Museum, and Utah Jazz.

Jeannie M. Gamble, Executive Director of HFHWD, along with Tim Taylor, Vice-President of the Board, Sherri Jones, the ReStore manager, and Neyla Hadfield, Volunteer Coordinator, announced the individuals and groups that won different awards.

The first recipient to win the Story Award was given to Dixie Story. This award is named after her, due to the number of years being with the organization and being a big part of the Habitat family. The second award was the Greger Award. Jeannie Gamble wanted to award Paul Starkey, past Board President, as the 2018 Greger Award recipient. Paul Starkey was unable attend the event, and was represented by his wife, Gloria. Sherri Jones awarded the ReStore Volunteer Award to Gregory Bennet, who worked long and hard at the ReStore for many hours. Tim Taylor announced that Patti Hancock, better known as “Pickleball Patti”, would receive the award for the most individual hours volunteered at the Habitat affiliate. Neyla Hadfield gave the Most Volunteer Group Hours Award to the Hill AirForce Base. Wells Fargo was given the Business of the Year Materials Award by Jeannie Gamble. UMB was awarded the Business of the Year Volunteering Award. The American Red Cross was represented by Madeline Mcdonald and was awarded the Non-Profit Support Award.

At the end of the program, the silent auction items left with the different individuals that bid for them and the five-day cruise opportunity drawing was given out.

Jeannie M. Gamble stated that “the affiliate raised over $1500 at the end of the event”.

The funds are dedicated to the Guzman family and their new Habitat home. The Guzman family is a single mother with six children living in a small trailer in Ogden. Their new Habitat home will be built at 450 15th Street, Ogden, UT 84404. If you would like to donate funds to this family and their new home, please click here habitatwd.org/donate/

Main Office
2955 Harrison Blvd. Suite 202 Ogden UT 84403 | 801-475-9821 | info@habitatwd.org

About Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties
Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties (HFHWD) is a nonprofit organization that strives to create “a world where everyone has a decent place to live”. Our affiliate has built over 14 homes since 2004. We build and repair homes for local low-income families. For more information, visit www.habitatwd.org.

About Habitat Ogden ReStore
The nonprofit home improvement thrift store and donation center is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. The nonprofit ReStore is in affiliation and is operated with the local Habitat for Humanity (HabitatWD). The store accepts new and gently-used items. Located at 3111 Wall Avenue Ogden UT 84401.

Media Contact:
Maria Rague | 801-475-9821 | maria@habitatwd.org

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Family starts work on Habitat for Humanity home after losing trailer in tornado

Article from http://www.standard.net/Community/2018/04/15/Family-starts-work-on-Habitat-for-Humanity-home-after-losing-trailer-in-riverdale-tornado by Janae Francis, Standard Examiner Reporter.

JaNae Francis

Standard-Examiner  

OGDEN — Brenda Guzman was so excited to break ground for her family’s upcoming Habitat for Humanity home that she couldn’t keep her hard hat on.

The 13-year-old jumped onto her shovel several times, spilling her hat during a groundbreaking ceremony in a vacant lot at 450 15th St. in Ogden Saturday, April 14.

Brenda and her sister, Ariel Guzman, 15, said the hardships they’ve overcome living in a drafty trailer during the winter months were difficult and that they were very grateful to leave those problems behind.

“We would all go to the living room,” Ariel said, explaining how the family of seven coped on those cold nights. “The living room is the place that wasn’t so bad. We would all cover up in blankets together and try not to be cold.”

Sometime in early summer, all of those trials will be well behind the family of six children and a single mother when their new home should be complete.

The new home is expected to be one of four completed by about the end of the year by Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties.

The house will be the 13th completed by the agency since it started in Ogden in 2002 and the first in a year of exponential growth for the organization.

This year the nonprofit will repair 100 homes in addition to building the four homes, said Jeannie Gamble, executive director of Habitat for Humanities of Weber and Davis Counties

Last year, the organization built two houses and completed 72 repair projects, she said.

Previous to last year, Gamble said, the nonprofit built about one house every 18 months and completed 10 to 14 repair jobs each year.

Related: Weber State student designs Habitat for Humanity house for fellow student

“Over the last two years, we have dramatically increased what we are doing in the area,” Gamble said.

Gamble took over the reins of the agency two years ago and has been growing the staff and its resources ever since, she said.

“We’re on a four-year accelerated growth plan,” she said. “We want to be rocking and rolling within two more years.”

She defined her goals over the next two years as recruiting a full-time staff of 25 or more, compared to a staff of 13 now. Two years ago, she said the organization mostly was run by volunteers.

Gamble also plans to open another Restore — the agency’s home improvement thrift stores — in Davis County. It already has one on Wall Avenue in Ogden.

Related: Ogden’s Habitat for Humanity ReStore officially opens for business

“We want to be building as many homes as we can and repairing as many as we can,” Gamble said.

Those involved said their efforts will improve the lives of many more than those families directly served.

“We really notice that as we build, other neighbors clean up,” said Kent Jorgenson, resource development officer for Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties. “It just kind of revitalizes and kind of makes the whole neighborhood improve.”

The ceremony Saturday included a prayer by Tim Taylor, a member of the organization’s board of directors.

He asked for divine help for the family and expressed gratitude for volunteers willing to serve them.

As the Guzmans dug into the ground Saturday morning, the children discovered an old, buried wrench and what looked to be a piece of pipe.

“Isn’t that a sign of good luck when they dig and find artifacts?” Taylor asked.

Such luck is a contrast to the type the family appears to have experienced in the past.

In September of 2016, a rare Utah tornado touched down and took the roof off their trailer in Riverdale.

Aurora Guzman, the mother, already had faced hardships in repairing the home, according to information released by Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties.

With no money to fix the home after the tornado, the family was forced to split up. Aurora Guzman took care of her youngest four children in a hotel room until she could afford to fix her trailer, according to the news release.

Photo taken by Dave Brewer from DaveBrewerPhotography.com

With the Saturday groundbreaking for a future home provided to the family, Aurora Guzman said she was happy knowing she and her children soon would be more secure.

Facing economic challenges even before her trailer lost its roof, Aurora Guzman had set out to make extra money to feed her family and pay rent by making and selling food, starting a sewing business and babysitting, according to the news release.

Previously, she had lived in small apartments with her children. She had twice been evicted, reportedly because of complaints of having too many children in a small apartment, according to the news release.

Related: After $6,000 in tools were stolen from Habitat site, community steps up to help

Some of her children had lived apart during those times too, the children said.

The 500 hours of “sweat equity” the family will have to provide in order to receive their new home did not seem to be a sacrifice for them Saturday.

Aurora Guzman’s oldest son, Abraham Guzman, 20, spoke to Matt Alexander, assistant manager at the Ogden Restore, about the next time he’d be able to work at the store that sells donated items and raises money for the local Habitat for Humanity.

Brenda and Ariel talked about their opportunities to work in the Habitat for Humanity office.

Dixie Story, office manager at Habitat for Humanity of Weber and Davis Counties, teased them about the work involved in helping to build the house.

When the family was breaking ground, Story hollered in jest: “You only have to go 12 more feet down and 37 feet wide,” she said referring to the size of their future basement. “We’ll check on you tomorrow morning.”

Story later explained to the Standard-Examiner that she was having fun when she made the comments and that usually, families receiving houses put in far more than 500 hours in helping volunteers to build their homes.

You may reach reporter JaNae Francis at jfrancis@standard.net or 801-625-4228. Follow her on Twitter at @JaNaeFrancisSE or on Facebook at Facebook.com/SEJaNaeFrancis.