Havitat for Humanity of Omaha

Habitat Omaha's 13th Women Build
Nearly 1,000 Habitat for Humanity houses have been built around the world by women crews. This year one of those homes will be built right here in Omaha. It will mark Habitat Omaha's 13th Women Build.

Volunteers working on the 2009 Habitat Omaha Women Build house (Photo by James Nedresky)The mission of the Women Build program is to recruit, educate and nurture women to build - and advocate for - simple, decent and affordable houses in our community. Women Build brings together women from all walks of life to address the housing crisis facing millions of women and children worldwide.

Preparations for the Women Build house are already underway. This year the build will kick off on Mother's Day weekend--Friday, May 7. Build days will be most Fridays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; May through August. For those who would like to volunteer no construction experience is necessary so come out as an individual or bring a group.

If you would like to sign-up to volunteer with the Women Build project visit our new Volunteer Calendar and search for days marked "Women Build". To stay updated about this build take a moment to join the "Women Build" mailing list. If you would like to help to complete this home through an online fundraising effort visit Habitat Omaha's Firstgiving page, click "Get Started" and then select "Women Build 2010" or for a one time donation Donate NOW. (Back to homepage)

Habitat Omaha's New Volunteer Calendar Donate NOW Firstgiving online fundraising

Three New Habitat Homes in Less than One Week
Three Omaha builders built three new Habitat Omaha homes in less than seven days during Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's 2010 Builder's Blitz. Area builders, The M Group, Kiewit Building Group and Vantage Design & Construction partnered with Habitat Omaha for the special build which started Saturday, July 17 and ended with a dedication on Sunday, July 25.

The three Omaha homes are located near 18th & Ohio Streets. Crews started every morning at 6 AM and often worked until the evening. Each of the homes had finished exteriors and complete roofs by the end of day one. The homes were move-in ready by Thursday night.

Amanda Brewer, Habitat Omaha's Executive Director, said that this build could not happen without the support of the builders involved. "It's really an amazing sight to see the dedication of everyone involved and how quickly a block is transformed. Three new homes in this 18th street neighborhood will make a huge difference."

The three Habitat Omaha Partner Families who will soon be living in these new homes will sign mortgage documents and prepare to move the coming weeks.

Habitat for Humantiy of Omaha's 2010 Builders Blitz
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2010 Builders Blitz Site (Day One) Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day One) Blitz homes on the afternoon of day one (Photo by James Nedresky) Jim Siedlecki passing out water at the kickoff lunch (Photo by James Nedresky)
Volunteers from Darland Construction Co. (Photo by James Nedresky) The Morning Brew's Mary Nelson and Darland volunteers at the kickoff lunch (Photo by James Nedresky) Volunteers from Darland Construction Co. serving at the kickoff lunch (Photo by James Nedresky) Mayor Suttle at the Builders Blitz kickoff lunch (Photo by James Nedresky)
Mayor Suttle and 2010 Builders Blitz Chair Ralph Marasco (Photo by James Nedresky) Mayor Suttle at the Builders Blitz kickoff lunch Mayor Suttle and Habitat Omaha Executive Director Amanda Brewer (Photo by James Nedresky) Builders Blitz 2010 kickoff lunch event (Photo by James Nedresky)
A few members of the 2010 Builders Blitz Partner Families (Photo by James Nedresky) Work being done on day one (Photo by James Nedresky) Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day Four) Trim going into The M Group's house (Day Four)
Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day Four) Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day Four) AmeriCorps*National member Kristin working with professional builders at the Vantage home Builders Blitz: Day four, afternoon
Sidewalk underway (Day Five) Concrete being poured at the Blitz site (Day Five) Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day Six) Sod in at The M Group's house (Day Six)
Kiewit Building Group Volunteers (Day Six) Almost finished A tree being planted (Day Seven) Builders Blitz Dedication (July 25)
Builders Blitz Dedication (July 25) Rev. Eric Elnes balancing a feather at the dedication Partner Family members with feathers passed out by Rev. Elnes Builders Blitz Dedication (July 25)
Robb Steffes (with his daughter) and Ron Duce of Kiewit Building Group Joe Rongisch and Patrick Wilson of Vantage Design & Construction Recieving the keys to their new home People heading to the Vantage House Blessing
Ralph Marasco and his son Nico heading to the House Blessing Heading one of the House Blessings at the Dedication House Blessing at the Dedication
 The Kiewit Building Group house on Dedication day
Before the build began (July 16) Builders Blitz: Day one, early morning Builders Blitz: Day one, mid-morning Builders Blitz: Day one, mid-morning
Builders Blitz: Day one, late morning Builders Blitz: Day one, early afternoon Builders Blitz: Day four, late morning The Builders Blitz houses on dedication day


Powerful Lunch for Powerful Women
On April 29, 2010 Habitat for Humanity of Omaha held the Women's Power Lunch. More than 375 guests were in attendance and more than $80,000 was raised. At the event the Power Women of the Year were recognized. Norma Fletcher and Ro Simpson received the honor. Both women have been involved with Habitat Omaha's Women Build for more than a decade. (Read more about the 2010 Power Women of the Year.)

The Honorary Chairs this year were Mary Jo Langdon and her daughters: Jessica Bagley, Emily Jung, Alison Dobleman, Claire, Hannah and Melissa Langdon. (Read more about the 2010 Honorary Chairs.) Former Habitat Omaha homeowner, Terry Thompson who is now a current Habitat Omaha board member delivered a speech about the power of homeownership. And as a special treat Habitat Omaha homeowner Latecia Grixby burned the mortgage she had just paid in full. The event was emceed by Jack Wilhelmi.

Part of the proceeds from the luncheon will help fund the 13th annual Women Build. The house is currently under construction and should be finished in August of 2010.
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Photos from Habitat Omaha's 2010 Women's Power Lunch
Click to enlarge. (All photos by James Nedresky)

2010 Women's Power Lunch
 Danna Plummer, Norma Fletcher, Ro Simpson and Amanda Brewer
 CSG Systems Carla Patton, Amanda Brewer and Kathy Wells of Habitat Omaha
John Ewing, Jr., Kathy Wells and Viv Ewing Peg Heck, John Heck, Danna Plummer and Amanda Brewer
 Father Fangman and the Langdon Family Event emcee Jack Wilhelmi
Jack Wilhelmi Richard Schenck at the Wells Fargo table at the 2010 Women's Power Lunch
 Norma Fletcher and Ro Simpson, 2010 Power Women of the Year
 The Langdon family and Amanda Brewer
Latecia Grixby setting fire to her paid in full mortgage
 Latecia Grixby, Amanda Brewer and Margaret Gilmore burning Latecia's paid in full mortgage Latecia Grixby celebrating after burning her mortgage The TD AMERITRADE table at the 2010 Women's Power Lunch
Norma Fletcher and Ro Simpson, 2010 Power Women of the Year

 Norma Fletcher and Ro Simpson, 2010 Power Women of the Year
 Norma Fletcher, Power Woman of the Year

 Ro Simpson, 2010 Power Woman of the Yeara
Terry Thompson at the 2010 Women's Power Lunch
 Mayor Jim Suttle at the 2010 Women's Power Lunch
 Women's Power Lunch 2010
 Signing a stud for the 2010 Women Build house
Women's Power Lunch Rhonda and Howard Hawks Table at the 2010 Women's Power Lunch Event Honorary Chair Mary Jo Langdon Norma Fletcher, Patty Luna, Margaret Gilmore and Ro Simpson

 


Habitat for Humanity of Omaha's 25th Anniversary Raise the Roof Gala
This event was held on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 at Creighton's Harper Center. Learn more about the Habitat for Humanity of Omaha FRIENDS. (Photos by James Nedresky)

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Habitat Omaha's 2009 Raise the Roof Gala Habitat Omaha's Raise the Roof Gala An event attendee looking at silent auction items
Habitat Omaha's Amanda Brewer and Carla Patton with Board Chairman Steve Lindsay Attendees at the Raise the Roof Gala Habitat Omaha's Raise the Roof Gala
Raise the Roof's Deal or No Deal models Habitat Omaha's Raise the Roof Gala Habitat Omaha's Kathy Wells and Event Co-Chair Peg Heck
Rev. Ewing giving the opening prayer at the Gala Attendees at the 2009 Raise the Roof Gala Attendees enjoying strawberries and Champagne
Duchesne Students helped at the Raise the Roof Gala Habitat Omaha's 25th Anniversary Gala was held at the Harper Center  Habitat Omaha homeowner Jorge
John Heck, Event Co-Chair Habitat Omaha's 2009 Raise the Roof Gala Peg Heck, Event Co-Chair
Raise the Roof Oral Auction HFHO Board Members Lisa Lackovic and Rhonda Distefano Pat Manion, Event Honorary Co-Chair
Habitat Omaha's Viv Ewing and Tracie McPherson Habitat Omaha homeowner Jorge's daughter at the event Kelly Brewer at Habitat Omaha's Raise the Roof Gala
 Emcee of the night Travis Justice Habitat Omaha's 2009 Raise the Roof Gala  Habitat Omaha homeownerJorge and his family

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Habitat Omaha's 2009/2010 AmeriCorps*National Service Members

Habitat Omaha's 2009/2010 AmeriCorps*National Service Members
Back Row (Left to Right): Dan Andersen and Stephen Manh. Middle Row: Robert Phillips, Blake Johnson and Analynn Fassler. Front Row: Ryan Paul Underwood, Amelia O'Donnell, Kristin Underwood and Rebecca Morrello. (Not pictured: Samantha Kafka)
Habitat Omaha AmeriCorps*National Service Member Amelia O'Donnell Habitat Omaha AmeriCorps*National Service Member Stephen Manh Habitat Omaha AmeriCorps*National Service Member Ryan Paul Underwood
Amelia at Habitat's 2010 AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. (Photo by Steffan Hacker/HFHI) Stephen at Habitat's 2010 AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. (Photo by Steffan Hacker/HFHI) Ryan at Habitat's 2010 AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon. (Photo by Steffan Hacker/HFHI)