Heartland Habitat's 2010 WomenBuild will soon begin construction! WomenBuild is an annual event where women from all over the Greater Kansas City area come together to build a Heartland Habitat home. WomenBuild is a great opportunity to build teamwork, learn a new skill, and make a difference in the community. To learn more about volunteer opportunities with WomenBuild, visit www.heartlandhabitat.org/volunteer/women-build. The WomenBuild home will start construction in the early fall at 2755 N.

For many of Heartland Habitat for Humanity’s homeowners, the journey to homeownership began with one simple desire: to leave a legacy for their children of perseverance, dedication and the determination to overcome all obstacles to providing a safe, decent and affordable home for their family. However, their journey would not be possible without the financial investment of donors like you.

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet the country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, and the environment. Heartland Habitat for Humanity is thankful for its partnership with the AmeriCorps program, which helps to provide additional support for the organization's staff. Members serve with Heartland Habitat for one year, during which time they have the opportunity to impact Heartland Habitat in a variety of ways.

For three families, the dream of homeownership was fulfilled as volunteer construction crews completed new Heartland Habitat for Humanity homes at 1205 Hasbrook and 3032 N. 29th Street in Kansas City, KS and 3603 NE 82nd Terrace in Kansas City, MO. Two house blessings were held in July and one will be held on August 28.

Heartland Habitat for Humanity has been selected as one of 163 affiliates nationwide to participate in Habitat for Humanity International's initial phase of its Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. That effort will focus on improving housing conditions while partnering with other community organizations to provide services that enhance the overall quality of life across struggling neighborhoods.

Heartland Habitat's former offices at 1103 Osage in Kansas City, Kansas are up for sale. The building is solid with great character. It's a 7,000 square foot former fire station with two drive-in bays and a second floor loaded with natural light and ideal for office or living space. Total square footage of the lot is 9,161. This is a great location for a work/live situation! For more information, download the flyer here.

Heartland Habitat's 2010 WomenBuild Project is off to a great start, thanks to the support of those who attended the kick-off events last month. The events, including an evening of food and fashion at Soho 119 on May 6 and the bachelor auction at the Just for Her Expo on May 21, raised over $6,000 for WomenBuild.

Heartland Habitat and Olathe School District Partner to Provide Students Skills, Community Awareness

An innovative new partnership between Heartland Habitat for Humanity and the Olathe School District’s Trades Program will offer students enhanced educational opportunities and hands-on experience during the 2010 school year by engaging youth in the building of a home for an Olathe family in need. The construction project will kick-off in August and is designed to help students put their classroom learning to use while exploring career possibilities.

On Saturday, May 15, approximately 30 volunteers converged in the Armourdale district of Kansas City, Kansas to participate in A Brush with Kindness, a new Heartland Habitat for Humanity program that helps to beautify the neighborhoods surrounding Heartland Habitat build sites.

Heartland Habitat's youth involvement programs capture the imagination, energy and hope of youth ages 5-25 by engaging them in supporting Heartland Habitat's mission through volunteerism, advocacy, fundraising and collection drives. If your young person is looking for a way to stay active and involved this summer, consider getting involved with Heartland Habitat.

Although volunteers on the construction sites must be age 16 or older, there are plenty of opportunities for younger youth to get involved, including: