Annual Report for 2004
Executive Summary
Mission: Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people from all walks of life to build safe, decent, affordable housing for low income families in an effort to eliminate poverty housing�one family at a time.
The Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity Inc., built three homes and began a fourth during 2004. One of the three homes built was our first five bedroom home, for a family of one adult and five children. Another of the completed homes was a four bedroom for a family of one adult and three children, two of which are mentally handicapped. The third home completed in 2004 was a three bedroom home for a family of one adult and three children. These 14 individuals brought our total to 91 people served by our program.
The year was a continuation of the expansion practices adopted near the middle of 2003. Some of the expansions in 2004 were:
a. The Restore was expanded from two days a week to four days a week.
b. The recycle program was expanded. The recycle program had consisted of Cell Phones and Aluminum cans. The program was expanded to include all forms of scrap metal, newspapers, and printer/copier cartridges. Quadrupling the funds received.
c. Grant applications were expanded. In the first half of 2003 we applied for one grant. In the last half of 2003 we applied for 302. In 2004 we applied for 657. Total received from these grant requests was $108,500.00.
d. Email usage was expanded. Email databases were developed for volunteers, churches, local city officials and social services agencies.
e. �Volunteer Supervisor� program (complete with T-shirt) resulted in volunteer staff expanded in the restore, office and on the work sites. Volunteer staff positions in the restore were expanded from two to five. Volunteer staff in the office were expanded from two (volunteer hours and community service record keeper and volunteer accountant) to four, adding volunteer mortgage servicing and volunteer grant writer. Volunteer staff at the work sites was created by training and organizing two site supervisors and two crew chiefs.
f. Doubled the Social Worker Intern program from one social worker per school year to two.
g. Began an aggressive outreach program with other social service agencies. Obtained information from other local social service agencies, developed reference material on their programs, and conducted outreach visits with 26 of those organizations to educate them about our program. Developed an email database of social services agencies and include them in relevant press releases.
h. Developed an email database of local government officials and include them in relevant press releases.
i. Tripled our presence in print media from a high of 27 in 2002 to 86 in 2004 by issuing a nearly weekly press releases.
j. Expanded the website from the three pages it was in 2003 to over 70 pages in 2004.
Detailed Significant Activities
January
Increased our church contact list from 37 churches to 259.
Received a grant for $38,000.00 from a foundation who wished to remain anonymous. The grant was specifically granted to support the home to be built by the soldiers of 62nd Engineer Battalion.
Had a ground breaking ceremony for home # 22, located at 3620 Cranford Ave. This was the last of seven homes on a section of this street and marked the completion of a project begun in 2001
Began a new relationship with a private candy machine business. They donate to us $1.00 a month per machine (30 machines) for our stickers on their machines.
February
Had ground breaking ceremony for home # 23, located at 1306 Sherry Lane in Copperas Cove. This was the second home to be built in Copperas Cove and the second one to be built by the 62nd Engineer Battalion.
Ordered 50 Habitat for Humanity International Cookbooks as a fund raiser.
Translated our website into Spanish. Bringing the total pages on the website up to 70.
Began a new family selection process.
March
Completed 12 workshops for family selection process. Of 127 families invited to attend the workshop, 23 qualified and were given applications. Later in the year seven of these applicants were selected.
Restore set a new record high for a month, $3,429.91.
April
Executive Director attended the Executive Director�s Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
United Way of the Greater Fort Hood Area approved us for $24,000.00 of funding for 2004.
Tarlton State Social Worker Intern completed her school year.
Began looking into the 21st Century Challenge and identify potential partners in the effort.
May
City of Killeen allocated $26,000.00 for the FY 2004/05 year from HUD funds. We had requested $82,500.00.
Began a Deconstruction program on Fort Hood in partnership with Austin HFH.
Tarlton State agreed to provide two social worker interns for school year 04/05, doubling the number we�ve had in the past.
Did our first turn in of recycled Newspapers. We get a penny a pound for these.
June
Completed home # 22 at 3620 Cranford Ave, Killeen and had dedication ceremony.
Had a ground breaking ceremony for home # 24, located at 2306 Davis Avenue, Killeen.
Got a new trailer donated to us from the Girl Scouts.
Attended a United Way of the Greater Fort Hood Area Board Meeting. Briefed their board on our program and how we use their grant.
Received a digital camera donated by a local Doctor. Will dramatically enhance our program while keeping costs down.
During the month we surpassed our previous best year�s record of print media articles. Previously our best year had been 2002 with 27 articles. As of this month we had 31.
Received a Grant from the Gladys Emmons Life Estate for $35,000.00.
Developed an email list of volunteers.
Developed an email list of Churches.
July
Conducted two youth weeks for teens 14 � 17.
Put up two canvas storage areas and clean up the warehouse area.
Hired a construction Supervisor.
August
Restore set a new record high for a month, $6,460.13.
Conducted Bowl-a-thon fund raiser.
Sent out an appeal for funds for a �Home for Christmas� home.
September
Construction Supervisor left for a better position.
Received a lap top computer donated to us from a local lawyer.
Received a large safe as a donation from a local individual.
Expanded the restore hours to 4 days a week.
Two Tarlton State Social Workers interns began their school year with us.
Began an outreach program to other social service agencies using the interns.
Completed Home # 23 at 1306 Sherry Lane, Copperas Cove.
October
Received new computer systems using HUD Operating funds from City of Killeen.
Began a new partnership with Temple Iron and Steel. Began a new recycle program to accept all forms of metal.
Hired new construction supervisor.
November
Briefed Copperas Cove city council about 21st Century Challenge.
Sent out mass fund raising mailing to local area businesses, civic organizations, and individuals.
Completed Home # 24 at 2306 Davis Avenue, Killeen.
Had a ground breaking ceremony for Home # 25 at 1009 Santa Rosa.
December
Worked on 1009 Santa Rosa Tuesday through Saturday, beginning on Tuesdays through Fridays at 9:30 am. and at 8:00 am on Saturdays.
Joined the Home Of Your Own (HOYO) project, geared to finding homes for handicapped individuals.
Killeen City Council voted to waive our fees for the calendar year 2005 to a total of $13,950.00. If we need more than that we may apply for a higher ceiling.
Restore grossed $41,521.09 for 2004. A dramatic increase over previous years.