We’d like to congratulate our board member, Erin Glock, for being awarded to the Albany Business Review’s 2013 class of 40 under 40! Erin has been on our board almost 2 years, and we are so fortunate to have her. Click here to see the full article:

Introducing Albany’s 40 under 40 

                                                  Melissa, Volunteer Coordinator

David, Finance Manager

                                                      Hannah, Executive Assistant

We are looking forward to the next one!

Sometimes, success isn’t a straight line.

Travis Pinckney moved into a Habitat house in Jacksonville, Florida, when he was in middle school. Still, he struggled as a young student. His involvement with a Habitat prep club — which encouraged college plans and, thanks to the generosity of local philanthropists, held out the promise of a full scholarship — competed with the temptations of darker influences. But with hard work and his family’s help, Travis discovered a new path, never giving up until he passed his college entrance exams and claimed his tuition assistance.

As an undergraduate and then graduate student, Travis taught and mentored area youth — using, he says, lessons learned from his local Habitat. Today, he works for Florida’s Duval County school system, coordinating career and financial aid workshops and tutoring at-risk students.

Travis’ journey to success wasn’t a straight line. But he looks back and sees mile markers. He sees, he says, the fulfillment of promises planted in his young life many years ago by people who cared enough to help. And now he just wants to do the same for others.

Actions taken on a Habitat build site reach far beyond — for Travis and so many like him. When we come together to build houses and community, hope follows.

Read Travis’ full story here.

Hi!

Habitat staff (from left) Hannah, Kelly and Christine, embodying Habitat’s goal of building GREEN. Did you know that all of homes on Alexander St. are Silver Level LEED certified?

Read more here: http://www.capitaldistricthabitat.org/blog/2012/03/building-green/

Once we actually started the work, the trip got 100x better.  Just knowing I was helping a family in need in almost the same way Habitat does everyday felt amazing.  The families were so grateful and could not stop giving smiles, tears, and any types of gifts they could afford.  One man tried giving us all of his food, which included sugar cane, eggs, cocoa beans, and squash.  We had to say no, although refusing someone’s kindness is very much against Dominican culture.  The differences between the Dominican way of life and the American way of life is quite drastic.  Dominicans have an “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mentality, regardless of the toll it takes on their health to be so active.  They relax and enjoy life, and in my time there, I did not meet one person who I could describe as selfish.  The language barrier was difficult, although we all made the best of the situation and relied on signals to communicate and complete the projects we needed to get done.  I cannot believe how much Spanish I picked up in just one week!  I would highly recommend not only visiting a foreign country and doing community service, but to do it whenever and wherever you can.  The satisfaction and karma you receive from doing such selfless tasks is indescribable, and I love that I get to come back to the States and continue my own little community service work by being here at Capital District Habitat for Humanity.  It’s great to be back!

Meet Mike Jacobson, our Executive Director! After a successful 30 year career as a Senior Human Resources Executive for some of America-‘s leading companies, it became time to consider how to give back and think about how he and his family truly want to be remembered. As a result of his wife’s life-changing experience as a Habitat volunteer, Mike decided to give it a try as well. The rest they say is history.

Bitten by the Habitat bug, and emotionally moved by the plight of our hard working families in need, Mike became immersed in the operations and became the Executive Director of our Sarasota Florida affiliate. After six years and leading the transformation to top 50 in the U.S. status, the opportunity to return “home” to New York and lead our Capital District affiliate to new levels was too exciting to turn down. He joined the organization in October of 2010, and he and his wife Susan currently reside in Cohoes.

Mike is leading Capital District Habitat for Humanity’s mission to eliminate substandard housing in our area by building world-class simple, affordable homes and bringing about innovative, holistic community development to our neighborhoods in need. If you haven’t had the chance to meet with Mike and hear his vision, now is the chance to reach out and become a partner of Habitat!

Meet Ericka Small, our Development Director! Ericka has over eleven years of experience in the non-profit sector, leading donor relations, direct mail programs and fundraising events for numerous organizations including Environmental Advocates of New York and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region. Since 2004, Ericka has been responsible for managing grantwriting, special events, public relations, direct mail, donor relations and corporate sponsorships at CDHfH.

Ericka graduated from Siena College with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. She has since earned several certificates from Indiana University’s Center on Philanthropy.  She also graduated from the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce’s Capital Leadership Program in 2006 (now Tech Valley Leadership). Ericka’s community service includes a seat on the Stakeholders Foundation Board of Directors from 2008-2010 and volunteering for organizations such as Animal Lovers, The Humane Society, The Regional Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House.

In her spare time, Ericka enjoys watching football, boating, playing pool and cooking. She and her husband live in Albany with their two German Shepherds, Captain and SoCo, and their two kitties Bailey and Padz.

Meet Christine Hmiel, our Development Associate! Christine assists Habitat with fundraising, including grantwriting and special events, and manages the organization’s communications and public relations. Christine started volunteering with Habitat in 2002 as a college student and was hooked! She joined the Board of Directors in 2003 and is now thrilled to be a part of Habitat’s incredible team of staff.

In her own words:

“The experience of building alongside hard-working families to construct safe, decent and affordable homes inspired me to focus my education and career on affordable housing and the concentration of poverty. I am privileged to be able to use my skills and experience to advocate on behalf of disadvantaged families and neighborhoods.”

In Christine’s spare time, you can find her buried under a stack of library books, running along the sidewalks of Albany, doing yoga, or cooking up a storm in her tiny kitchen. She also writes for several local and regional blogs with a focus on home-cooked meals, DIY projects and the resurgence of the handmade, homegrown movement.

Stop by and welcome Christine into her newest role with Habitat!