Pikes Peak Habitat Monthly e-News
January 2025
Pikes Peak Habitat Remembers Jimmy Carter
Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity joins other Habitat affiliates across the globe in expressing our sorrow at the passing of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter on Dec. 29, 2024.
With his late wife, Rosalynn, Carter was a longtime, high-profile supporter of Habitat for Humanity. The Carters began nearly four decades of involvement with Habitat in 1984, when they led the first Carter Work Project to New York City. The weeklong event has continued annually throughout the world (except for a hiatus due to COVID-19), with trips to work sites in the United States and 14 other countries. More than 108,000 volunteers on these projects have built, renovated, or repaired 4,447 homes alongside partner families. The couple's legacy will continue with the 2025 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, to be held in Austin, TX, in October.
Habitat was founded in Americus, GA -- near the Carters' hometown of Plains -- in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. They developed their concept of “partnership housing” while living at Koinonia Farm, an interracial community led by biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The Carters’ involvement helped raise Habitat’s profile, impacting countless lives and furthering our mission of ensuring that everyone has a safe, affordable home.
To honor President Carter, Pikes Peak Habitat is holding a memorial door signing in recognition of the many doors his work opened throughout the world. We have a door available at our construction site at The Ridge at Sand Creek, 868 Bidwell Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80915, and starting on Wed., Jan. 22, we will also have doors at both ReStore locations -- Northeast, 6250 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80923, and South, 411 S. Wahsatch Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Anyone is welcome to sign with their memories, prayers, and thoughts. We respectfully ask that comments focus on President Carter's humanitarian work. No politics, please.
Bernadette's Family Comes Home for Holidays
Just in time for the holidays, childcare teacher Bernadette and her three children moved into their new home, our 2024 Apostles Build! We celebrated with the family at their home dedication on Dec. 14.
Bernadette loves penguins -- a favorite memory of hers is swimming with them at a Kansas zoo -- so even before the dedication, she was excited to set up an inflatable Christmas penguin in her new front yard!
Two of Bernadette's children invited their teachers -- who came to the dedication and got to see the family's new home! And her youngest daughter turned seven the day after the dedication, so Bernadette noted that getting a home was a pretty fantastic birthday gift!
See the photo gallery from Bernadette's home dedication >>
Attend the 2025 Interfaith Dialogue
Pikes Peak Habitat is pleased to announce our 2025 interfaith dialogue, "United We Build: Together Building Homes, Building Lives," held in honor of U.N. World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The dialogue will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, from 3-5 p.m. at Berger Hall at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
We invite anyone, from young adults to seniors, to join us for an engaging and meaningful interfaith dialogue as we explore affordable homeownership programs with a guest panel and enriching, facilitated, small-group discussions. This is an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives, share personal experiences, and build connections.
Participation is free! Please join us!
Gingerbread Home Build Winners Announced
Pikes Peak Habitat is delighted to announce the winners of our 2024 Gingerbread Home Build fundraising competition!
First place: Adams Hammond Group
Second place: The Lara family
Third place: Jeanette Lee and Beryl Glass
This year, 19 participants -- individuals, families, groups, and organizations -- built and decorated gingerbread homes with kits purchased from Pikes Peak Habitat. Then they solicited "votes" in the form of donations. We appreciate everyone who participated and shared their creative, fun designs!
With your help, we raised almost $37,000 to assist with the construction of our 6th Veterans Build home for U.S. Army veteran Willie and Barbara.
We are also grateful to our sponsors:
Title Sponsor: Bank of the San Juans
Presenting Sponsor: Thrivent
Radio Media Sponsor: KDZA
Winners will be celebrated at the 6th Veterans Build ground blessing on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 9:30 a.m. at The Ridge at Sand Creek.
Adams Hammond Group
Lara Family
Jeanette Lee and Beryl Glass
Join Our February Book Club Discussion
In February, we’ll read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond for our Book Club.
This Pulitzer Prize-winning work chronicles the struggles of eight families and individuals living in low-cost apartments and run-down trailers in Milwaukee. Desmond analyzes the causes of poverty in the United States and identifies the importance of having a secure home -- which connects to Habitat's mission of ensuring that everyone has access to a safe, affordable, decent home.
Join us on Thursday, Feb. 13, to discuss the book!
11 a.m.-noon in person, ReStore Northeast, 6250 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80923. We’ll meet in the conference room (go to the cabinet area in the northwest corner of the showroom and look for the door!). Snacks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring lunch.
7-8 p.m. on Zoom
Meeting ID: 874 3162 2617
Passcode: 331586
Check out our upcoming titles >>
We're Seeking a Faith in Action Program Manager
Pikes Peak Habitat's Faith in Action Program brings people together to build homes (above) and work on special projects, such as the interfaith Unity Bench (below).
Are you passionate about affordable homeownership? Do you love working with people of faith -- both Christian churches and other faith communities?
Pikes Peak Habitat is seeking a Faith In Action Program Manager (PDF). The person in this role oversees
- The Apostles Build, an annual home build that brings together El Paso County churches
- The Interfaith Build for Unity, an annual home build that brings together volunteer groups from various faith communities and congregations
- Global engagement through tithe and Global Village trips
Pikes Peak Habitat has a vibrant, award-winning (PDF) faith program, and we're looking for the right person to help us build momentum as we serve El Paso County! Could this be you?