Habitat Newsletter

Idaho Gives – a program of the Idaho Nonprofit Center – is designed to bring the state together, raising money and awareness for Idaho nonprofits. By donating to our campaign, you will help ensure we receive the necessary funds to purchase land, permits, professional services, and building materials for our homes. Helping us helps Ada County families.

In recent months, a lot has changed about how non-profit organizations operate. One thing that remains consistent is the need to raise money to fund the mission. This month Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity will participate in Avenues for Hope, a statewide, online program to raise awareness and enhance resources for those nonprofits addressing housing needs and related services in Idaho.

As a result of COVID19, more than 300 million people in 42 states have been asked to “stay at home” — and now more than ever, home is everything. Home is the place to stay safe from a global pandemic. And for many of us, our home also has suddenly become our school, our barbershop, our restaurant, our office, our movie theater. For many, “stay at home” has meant the inconvenience of a changed routine. But for more than 19 million U.S. families sheltering in place, the substandard, overcrowd...

Jason Welch’s Habitat home was unique even before it had the unexpected distinction of hosting our first “Drive-thru” Dedication. The Welch home also happened to be the first BVHfH house built in Kuna and it was our first Veterans Build.

On June 30, after twelve years, I will be leaving Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity. I am retiring with plans of becoming a bad golfer, an okay skier, and a professional Grandad. Following an unusual transition period due to COVID-19 issues, Janessa Chastain will be the new Executive Director. An excellent choice for future leadership of this affiliate. In place of a good-bye I would like to express my thanks for twelve very interesting years and countless valuable lessons.

It’s a busy time in the Habitat office as we begin planning and preparing for our annual fundraising event Evening in the Garden. Each year the June event gets a little bigger and better and 2020 promises to be no different.

Two years after I last wrote about it, affordable land for affordable housing is still tough to find. Every day we work our way through the maze of traffic cones, detours, and flaggers which seem to be a permanent part of the typical Ada County streetscape. Construction detours, and cranes on the horizon all mean that the economy is strong and business is booming. Combine a vibrant economy with one the “Best Places” to live in the United States and the result is booming land prices as well. Al...

Donya Webb has joined Boise Valley Habitat for Humanity as Development Director. In this role Donya will be responsible for fundraising and events in support of the BVHfH Mission. Donya’s extensive non-profit experience includes 22 years with the YMCA of Greater Long Beach (CA) where she held positions of Executive Director and Vice-President of Development. The YMCA of Greater Long Beach serves over 38,000 people in Long Beach and 11 partner cities. Her development work included a $13,000,000 ...

Mike Williams, a frequent ReStore customer, came into the Collister location recently and asked General Manager Jake Crist if Habitat would be interested in some lumber, plywood, and other building products. When Mike explained that the materials were in New Meadows, Jake asked him to send a photo or two. He needed to determine if and when we could commit the resources to retrieve this donation. When Jake received the photos his first thought was “We’re going to need a bigger truck”.

The BVHfH Board of Trustees has a new look with the recent addition of three new members. Kimber Russell, Diana Telford, and Shirley Naccarato were introduced in September and will begin their first two-year term at the October 21st meeting. Each new member brings a wide range of business and non-profit experience to the board which now numbers eleven.