Meeting Notes for September 29

Shown in the adjacent photograph club member Doug Heim and Amanda Brewer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (and Waterloo).  Amanda is a native of Norfolk, Nebraska, a graduate of Norfolk Catholic High School and DePaul University.  Amanda gave us high lights of the Habitat's functions in Omaha.  In the North Omaha metro area, six out of ten children are living in poverty, and the problem is growing even faster during these times of economic uncertainties. The lack of decent and affordable housing in our area creates tremendous instability in our communities, weakens our economy, and even impacts our health and educational success.

In North Omaha, nearly half of the families with annual incomes less than $20,650 are paying more than they can afford for housing, not leaving enough for other necessities like good nutrition, health care, transportation, education or saving for the future.  Some of the major projects in Omaha area include building homes for eligible families utilizing volunteers and materials purchased by Habitat from fund raising  donations and other sources.  The homes are not "given" to families but sold to them with little or no interest funds.  Another program includes low interest loans for home repairs to make homes liveable.  Habitat also maintains RESTORE retail stores that sell home building supplies that are donated by individuals and companies.  There are stores at 24th and Mason and 108th and Maple area.

Amanda discussed their work with blighted properties, primarily in North Omaha, and discussed their efforts to gain legal possession of the properties for construction sites in the future.  She told us that they already have about 500 properties and have to mow a lot of lawns.

Amanda discussed their project proposed for Waterloo Nebraska by a coalition of Elkhorn area churches.  They are looking for land in Waterloo and contractors in the area.

OTHER MEETING ITEMS:

Thank you, Ron, for filling in the secretarial duties last week!!

Our speaker for next week will be Judith Ackland who will tell us about her mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Rita Kleeman reported the bank balance is $8,535.59.

President Dan reported that speakers are needed for October 20 and 27.  Dan also reported the lunch bunch will meeting on October 12th.