Featured news

Hello fellow Care-A-Vanners,

This month I want to talk a little about safety. Some of you may say I am really harping on about safety, but I don't think we talk enough about it. If you have been paying attention in recent months, you might have heard that OSHA has tightened up their regulations considerably for residential housing builders and Habitat being the sixth largest builder in the country has gotten OSHA's attention. It is easy to say that it's "big government" telling me what to do, but OSHA regulations are determined from past experiences. The reason there are so many strict rules on fall protection now is that the number of falls continues to rise on residential construction sites. OSHA stepped in and said we will protect workers and here are the rules. It is not up to us, meaning Care-A-Vanners or HFHI, to determine whether these new rules are right or wrong, but it is our obligation to abide by them. Would you want an affiliate to receive a costly fine because you don't like wearing safety glasses or a hard hat? These fines could amount to a significant chunk of an affiliate’s build budget or in safety terms, enough money to buy scaffolding to surround a house. Or how about an expensive fine for not using personal fall arrest systems when indicated? Even worse, think of how that partner family we grew close to on a build would have to deal with the fact that someone was seriously hurt while working on their house. I wouldn't want to saddle a partner family with that burden.

So what can we do as Care-A-Vanners to help in this initiative? Many of you have applied to become Master Safety Trainers to help HFHI educate our affiliates on how not only implement the new OSHA regulations, but more importantly, how to protect our more precious asset: our volunteers. We will be offering this course on a yearly basis, so if you don't get in this year's class, go out and get some more building experience and apply next year. Another thing we can do is to not argue with the messenger. If you follow the OSHA regulations, yes it may take longer to get the job done, but you and your fellow builders will be safer. Finally, consider donating to the Care-A-Vanner program (see below) so we can continue this important ministry. Please stay focused on the mission to end poverty housing and do it safely.

Mary Vandeveld
RV Care-A-Vanner coordinator
[email protected]
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All Hands Volunteers

I recently made a site visit to Colorado where I met a group of All Hands Volunteers along with the All Hands Director of US Recovery and Rebuild, Monique Pilie. Monique and I spent some time sitting outside at an old broken down picnic table talking about how our two organizations, All Hands and HFHI, can better interact to provided needed rebuild efforts for affiliates after a disaster. For those of you who have worked in Disasters, you know how things can become political. Monique and I saw what we both had to bring to the table agreed to encourage both of our organizations to sit down together and hammer out an agreement on how we would work together in future disasters. As a part of that, I asked Monique to write an article for our newsletter sharing what her organization is about and what great work they are doing.

The All Hands Story by Monique Pilie
Our story begins in 2005, after the devastating Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami in December 2004. Business professional David Campbell spontaneously headed to Thailand to see how he could help. His intended one-week volunteer visit turned into a month, during which he co-founded HandsOnThailand, bringing in more than 200 other spontaneous volunteers to rebuild five fishing villages in Phuket. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the U.S. in late 2005, David and several other HandsOn volunteers established HandsOnUSA, bringing in another 1,500 volunteers to help the survivors of the storm. In 2010 HandsOnUSA became All Hands Volunteers.

Dedicated to connecting those who need help with those who want to help, over the past 9 years All Hands has mobilized over 13,000 volunteers from 42 different countries on 36 disaster response and rebuild projects in eight countries around the world. During this time All Hands Volunteers has had the honor of partnering with Habitat for Humanity both domestically and internationally. Our first time working together was in Japan in 2011 after the Tsunami where we worked together coordinating volunteers. In 2012 and 2013 we served as the implementing partner building permanent homes for the survivors of Typhoon Sendong.

Our first opportunity to partner on a domestic project was in 2013 in Hood County, Texas. All Hands helped the local affiliate set up a volunteer reception and management system after the tornadoes that devastated that area. And since June of 2014 we have been working with Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley in Colorado helping the affiliate repair and rebuild homes after the flooding in the fall of 2013. Through this partnership we have repaired/rebuilt 14 homes for residents affected by the flooding. We look forward to continuing our partnership both domestically and internationally to help residents and communities affected by natural disasters.

RV Care-A-Vanner program awards more safety grants:

The RV Care-A-Vanner program recently awarded three of its partner affiliates safety grants of $5,000 each. The affiliates who received the grants are Port Townsend, Wash., Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Macon, Ga. The grant is a matching grant, with the grant money purchasing 40 feet of scaffolding and some personal arrest systems and the affiliates raising money to purchase an additional 40 feet of scaffolding.

The criteria for receiving one of these grants was based on four benchmarks:

The affiliate's support of the RV Care-A-Vanner program and regular use of Care-A-Vanner teams.
The need the affiliate had for scaffolding as reported by Care-A-Vanner teams who have built there.
The affiliate's willingness to learn safe building practices.
The affiliate personnel taking the HFHI Competent Person Safety Training course.

Congratulations to these three affiliates and thank you for your support of our program over the years. Care-A-Vanners, please take good care of this new scaffolding and don't lose any of the parts!

Why we build

Building Together by Kelli Regan

Last August my parents sold their house and set off in their motor home to live a full time life on wheels. While my husband, children and I were happy for their grand adventure, we felt sad for the distance that would separate us. We wondered about this "strange" life they had embarked on.
"What's gotten into Nanni and Poppy?" we asked each other.

During a winter phone call, my mom shared their itinerary for the coming months. In the spring they planned to spend two weeks in Savannah, Georgia, working on an FMCA Habitat for Humanity build. They'd done other FMCA Habitat builds and had raved about their experiences.

The idea of joining them intrigued me for several reasons. I always wanted to visit Savannah, I hadn't seen my parents in a while, and I have a love for missions that I nurture with frequent trips to Haiti where I help build churches and schools. Joining my parents would be like a mission trip but closer to home and a little more comfortable!

A few weeks before the Habitat build, my sister called to say her schedule cleared and she planned to go. It was the nudge I needed to commit to going too.

Then I started to get anxious. I'm generally comfortable on work sites, but didn't know what to expect from this one. My sister and I would be outsiders — non-RVers — jumping into the middle of a two-week build. Would we fit in? Would they accept us? Would they let us do work?

We arrived in Savannah on Friday night and spent the weekend touring the area with my parents. When we arrived at the work site Monday morning — the start of the second week of the build — we were promptly name-tagged and introduced to "the gang." Immediately my fears dissipated as they warmly welcomed us and put us to work.

My sister and I easily blended into the group as we helped nail top plates, attach hurricane straps, install plywood sheathing, put up trusses and do whatever else needed doing. My father even signed me up to lead one of the morning devotions!

Amid the hard work, sweat, joking, camaraderie and teamwork, boxes of nails and piles of lumber started to become a home.

While working side by side with my parents and the other RVers, I got a glimpse of this full time motor home lifestyle they'd chosen. To my relief, I realized they actually aren't all that crazy. In fact, I discovered they are part of a vibrant community of energetic, caring, fun-loving, interesting people — people who I very much enjoyed being around.

My time on the Habitat build was filled with blessings — spending time with my family, meeting wonderful people, being outdoors in beautiful weather after a wretched winter in Philadelphia, experiencing the joy of serving and most of all, helping a single mother and her children achieve the dream of home ownership.

One of the most surprising blessings I experienced was seeing how happy my sister and I made my parents by being with them. The trip instantly became a precious family memory.

My parents' new lifestyle will certainly alter our family traditions, and I've been sad about that. But reflecting on our special time together in Savannah, I see we didn't just help build a new house for another family, we helped build a new tradition for our family.

Hours needed:

We need everyone to report their hours to the Care-A-Vanner desk. If you are on a build without a team leader, be sure that someone is assigned to keep the hours. If you are on a drop in, those hours count too. Affiliates, do not report your hours to the desk. I need hours worked and number of houses worked on. This data is very important for grant applications and grant reporting. You can send them to [email protected].

Donations – Smile with Amazon
How many of us order from Amazon.com? Did you know that Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice? I hope that is Habitat for Humanity. All you have to do is log into your account through this portal: www.Smile.Amazon.com. Thanks for the tip, Greg!

Accomplishments

Remember: Send Mary Vandeveld photos of your builds and newspaper articles. You have been lax lately and I want pictures! If you would like to submit anything to the newsletter — a good story, a new way to do things, a construction tip or an update on a build — please do. I love to get homeowner stories. This is your newsletter, and we welcome your input. Besides, you have got to be getting tired of hearing from only me! Send your contributions to [email protected]. I want to hear from all of you!

Team leader corner

Hello from Maine,

We are expecting snow this weekend. It's definitely time to head south!!

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our October team leaders. They are: Bill and Gae Bradley; Jeff and Karen Greenstreet; Rick and Paula Huls; Tom and Peggy Wilcox; Bill and Ardelle Pickering; Dyana Todd; and Steven Gullette.

Remember, if you've been thinking about becoming a team leader but are not sure what's involved, contact me at [email protected] and I will send you the guidelines. Lack of construction experience is not a reason to pass on being a team leader. Organization and people skills are what are important. So, don't forget to check the "team leader interest" box on your registration if you are willing to lead the build.

If you are unable to read the roster I send you, or things appear to be on the wrong lines, chances are you have a Mac or iPad and Word documents do not format correctly. Just let me know and I will send them in PDF.

Finally, team leaders are needed for the following builds. If you are available and willing, please contact me.

Dec. 7-21	Mandeville, LA
Dec. 7-14	Sebring, FL
Dec. 14-23	Hobbs, NM
Jan. 4-18	Sebring, FL

Thank you and happy hammering!

Brenda Sawyer
Team leader coordinator
[email protected]

Spread the word
Send your RV friends a Care-A-Vanner brochure about this wonderful mission by just pasting this link into an email or just print out and give to fellow RVers in campgrounds.

Disaster Response

West Liberty, Ky.: By the time this newsletter comes out, our rebuild efforts in West Liberty will be complete! We have helped rebuild 23 homes. Job well done team! Watch our build list for regular CAV builds there next season. This is an area that had a tremendous need for low-income housing prior to the tornado. The affiliate has built its capacity from one house per year to four or five houses per year as a result of this disaster rebuild. So, we still need to have a presence in West Liberty to help the fine folks of Eastern Kentucky find affordable, safe housing.
Superstorm Sandy: Recovery efforts from Sandy continue to be slow. Funding is the struggle for the affected affiliates. I have listed a build in Toms River for next spring. Toms River was ground zero for Sandy and they really need volunteer help, so consider signing up. If you would like to be on my email list for Sandy recovery, please send a note to [email protected]. I will notify Care-A-Vanners on my list first about build opportunities for Sandy recovery.
Colorado 2013 floods: We had six affiliates in the flood affected areas in Colorado. There was a huge need for low-income housing in the area with a rental vacancy rate of 1 percent before the floods. There were also some mobile home parks that were destroyed in the floods. The six affiliates are working closely with the Colorado State Support Organization and they already have a plan to work together and rebuild 100 new construction homes and do 100 Critical Home Repairs. I recently did a site visit to Colorado and met with representatives of two affiliates and the SSO. We are in the process of lining up some projects to start next spring, so watch the newsletter and our website for updates. I have an email list for the Colorado flood rebuild effort, so if you would like to be on the list and hear about build opportunities first send a note to [email protected].
Tuscaloosa, Ala.: Tuscaloosa is still building homes for people who lost their housing in the 2011 tornado. Tuscaloosa loves the Care-A-Vanners and has builds listed throughout the year. It is a very nice place to work.

Safety corner

Quick tips on ladder jack scaffolds
When working on the sides of houses, especially two-story townhouses, keep in mind that fall protection of some type is required above 6 feet. The exceptions to this are the various types of scaffolding that require fall protection over 10 feet above the ground level. This can be a railing, safety net or personal fall arrest system. Normally we will see railings around scaffolding. Another form of scaffolding that we don't really think of as such is working on ladder jacks. Technically ladder jacks are "ladder jack scaffolds," so the 10-foot rule applies for some type of fall protection. Because ladder jacks don't have a railing and normally no safety nets, you must have a fall protection harness on tied off to an anchor point above your work level. These are just some points to be aware of if you are using ladder jack scaffolding. Ladder jack scaffolds can be used up to 20 feet above the ground, but not above 20 feet.

If you are using wood planks, the ladders can only be spaced 8 feet apart. When using aluminum planks, you can extend that distance to 20 feet. The plank must overhang the ladder jack support by 6 inches.

Look at the capacity of the ladders you are using to determine if the ladder jack plank with the addition of you and tools and material are above the weight rating of the ladders. For example, if you are using two ladders rated at 250 lbs each, you have a total weight of 500lbs you can handle. Assuming the planks weigh 60 lbs, that drops the allowable load down to 440 lbs for you, tools and material. This ordinarily is sufficient for one person, but if two of you are on the plank and weigh in at 200 lbs or more with a total of 400 lbs, this leaves you only 40 lbs for tools and material before you are overweight on the ladders.

Look at how the ladders are secured to the ground. If the ladder feet are on dirt, make sure the pointed ends of the feet dig in on hard packed soil. Check that the tops of the ladders feel stable against the structure and also be sure to have your fall arrest gear on.

Remember, on ladder jack planks you don't have anything to hold on to so the personal fall arrest gear is imperative to keep you in a margin of safety.

Work safe,

Frank Peccia
Care-A-Vanner safety coordinator
[email protected]

Windows to Washington

Serving those who serve

As you may know, upon returning home, many veterans face severe economic, mental and physical hardships. Nearly 4 million veteran households pay more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and 1.5 million veteran households spend more than half of their income on housing. Our military families deserve better.

Many Habitat homeowners are current or former members of the military, but that is only one of many ways that Habitat aims to meet the needs of those who have served our country. Through our Veterans Build Initiative, we build, mobilize, employ, honor and educate. Habitat recognizes the specific needs of this important community when it comes to housing, employment opportunities and ways to integrate into local communities.

More people would be served, however, if the Veterans Administration would address the thousands of home foreclosures on VA-guaranteed loans. As of fiscal year 2013, the VA held more than 9,500 vacant homes in its REO (Real Estate Owned) portfolio at the cost of tens of millions of dollars to the American taxpayer for maintenance each year. Only a fraction of these homes are available for purchase. With more than 100,000 U.S. troops expected to transition to civilian life over the next decade and high rates of Veteran unemployment and underemployment, Veteran housing needs are expected to spike. Why not allow nonprofits with a proven track record in housing to turn those vacant properties into livable homes?

That's exactly what we're asking the VA, White House and U.S. Congress to do. By working together, our leaders could – and should – find a way to sell the homes in the VA's REO portfolio at a discount to nonprofit organizations that provide homeownership opportunities to lower-income Americans, including Veterans and their families. Add your voice to this petition and invite your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.

We honored our men and women in uniform this Veteran's Day, November 11. Now let's remember that their service and their need for housing are both year-round.

Collegiate Challenge and Care-A-Vanners

Good news for anyone interested in Delray Beach, Florida's Collegiate Challenge builds and were put off by the high RV parking fee. The rates for RV parking have been lowered to $10/night. There were still a couple of slots open early in November, so check it out if you want to spend part of March in sunny Florida working with students.

Diane Gravlee
Collegiate Challenge coordinator
[email protected]

Welcome new Care-A-Vanners

Scott and Linda Beeby, Rob and Lyn Cole, Michael and Carol Greve, Larry and Nancy Keiser, Marcy Magness, Rob Morrill, Harry and Nancy Olthoff, Jim and Julie Painter, Shelley Parkes, Joan Thompson, Dave and Mary Anne Verstraete.

Our apologies if we have included a seasoned Care-A-Vanner, or if this is duplication. Habitat for Humanity is grateful for the work that you do!

Questions, cancellations or concerns?
1-800-HABITAT, ext. 7534
1-229-410-7534 (direct)
[email protected]
RV Care-A-Vanner staff contact info

Current list of active builds
Builds list

How to register for a build online
Step-by-step instructions

Roster updates
Please email updated roster information to [email protected] or [email protected], or call 1-229-410-7534.

Report Care-A-Vanner hours
Help us keep track of total volunteer hours contributed, and partner families served. Please email these stats from your drop-in or ongoing builds to [email protected].