Pikes Peak Habitat Monthly e-News
February 2025
4th Interfaith Dialogue Focuses on Unity
As part of Pikes Peak Habitat's 2025 U.N. World Interfaith Harmony Week celebration from Feb. 1-7, we hosted our 4th interfaith dialogue, “United We Build: Together Building Homes, Building Lives,” on Sunday, Feb. 2. The event, held at Berger Hall on the UCCS campus, drew 55 community members from more than 10 faith traditions.
Victor Reyes of the BodhiMind Center opened the event with an interfaith prayer. Then Dr. Jeff Scholes -- UCCS chair of the philosophy department and director for the Center for the Study of Evangelicalism -- provided a welcome on behalf of the university. Rev. Dr. Vaughn Mcternan, a Pikes Peak Interfaith Coalition board member, and Rev. Paula Stecker, representing Faith Table, the local branch of Together Colorado, shared about their organizations' approaches to interfaith work and affordable housing. You can read highlights from the opening remarks on our blog.
On the Pikes Peak Habitat side, Feda Jodeh, interfaith program coordinator, spoke about the Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU), and participants saw a short video featuring Pikes Peak Habitat's silver medal in the 2024 H.M. King Abdullah II U.N. World Interfaith Harmony Week competition. Chief Strategy Officer Iain Probert also shared remarks about the state of affordable housing in El Paso County.
Before participants engaged in facilitated discussions at their tables, Jodeh moderated a panel discussion featuring Jeff Ader, board member and IBU subcommittee chair; 3rd IBU homeowner Jessica; and Alex St. Clair, Pikes Peak Habitat construction supervisor, who often works with IBU volunteer groups on the construction site.
Addressing the lack of affordable homeownership opportunities, Jessica said, "This is not just an issue in Colorado. This is in America. This is not a need or a want. Affordable housing is a must." You can read other highlights from the panel discussion on our blog.
The event concluded with assembling the Unity Bench for Isxel, the 4th IBU homeowner, who will celebrate her home dedication Feb. 22. Children under age 16 can't volunteer on our construction site, so faith communities participating in the IBU involved children and others in their congregations in decorating boards with blessings, prayers, and sacred verses. At the dialogue event, representatives carried the boards onstage, where IBU subcommittee member Jeff Mawhirter assembled the bench. Afterward, dialogue participants could add their own blessings if they wished.
Check out Action Steps to Building Bridges Across Lines of Faith >>
Join Four Families Celebrating Milestones on Feb. 22
Saturday, Feb. 22, will be a big day at The Ridge at Sand Creek! Please join us as we celebrate with four families.
First, at 9:30 a.m., we will hold the joint ground blessing for Willie and Barbara and Misty, David, and their children.
Willie and Barbara are our 6th Veterans Build future homeowners. He is a U.S. Army veteran, and she grew up in a military family. When they move into their new home, Willie's excited to cut his own grass, and Barbara says, “What I look forward to enjoying in the house is sitting in my backyard, feet up in my little itty bitty swimming pool! Kick back with the lemonade and the straw, and actually make lemon sun tea…”
Misty and David are the parents of three children, and their future home is our 2025 Apostles Build.
“It’s been a wild ride of emotions. We are just so thankful every day,” says Misty. “I literally wake up and just smile, because it’s really happening for us! We waited so long for something like this to happen, and we’re still in shock.”
At 10:30 a.m., we'll rejoice with our two latest Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) families! We'll hold a ground blessing for Amanda, our 5th Interfaith Build for Unity (IBU) future homeowner, before celebrating the 4th IBU home dedication with Isxel and her family.
“I can’t believe this is happening to me!" says Amanda. "I’m just truly grateful that you and God have chosen us for this house and that I’m going to have somewhere for my kids to grow up, and we’re not going to have to move. It’s just amazing.”
Isxel, a paraprofessional in special education, has two children. After the dedication, visitors can tour the family's new home.
“I feel really like God loves me. And you are like angels for me!” she says. “It’s really a blessing. This opportunity is really, really good for people that need it. I feel blessed and grateful, so positive. It’s something really good for me and my children!"
Add the Veterans and Apostles Build ground blessing to your calendar >>
Add the IBU ground blessing and home dedication to your calendar >>
Misty and David and their children, the 2025 Apostles Build future homeowners
Barbara and Willie, the 6th Veterans Build future homeowners
Amanda and her family, the 5th Interfaith Build for Unity future homeowners
Isxel and her children, the 4th Interfaith Build for Unity future homeowners
Attend Our February Book Club Discussion This Week
We're reading Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond for our Book Club this month.
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
In March, as a follow-up to the interfaith dialogue, we'll discuss My Neighbor's Faith: Stories of Interreligious Encounter, Growth, and Transformation edited by Jennifer Howe Peace, Or N. Rose, and Gregory Mobley.
Check out our upcoming titles >>
Nominations for George Hammond Award to Honor Outstanding Volunteer
From Feb. 19-March 21, Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity will be accepting nominations for the George Hammond Award, which honors the legacy, extraordinary service, and outstanding contributions of longtime volunteer George Hammond.
The George Hammond Award honors individuals who, through their tireless service to Pikes Peak Habitat, have exhibited qualities of leadership and an unwavering belief in Habitat’s ministry, as well as demonstrated a deep devotion and passion to serve the community and people of El Paso County, Colorado.
A recipient of the George Hammond Award is a volunteer who truly is noteworthy for their constant
contributions to the mission of Pikes Peak Habitat - a constant supporter, a constant advocate and, most importantly, a constant leader.
A Pikes Peak Habitat volunteer and staff member, who are both respectively currently volunteering or employed in good standing, may jointly nominate a fellow volunteer who is also current and in good standing with the affiliate (recently deceased volunteers included) for consideration for the George Hammond Award.
This nomination form must be received at the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity Business Office (2802 N. Prospect St., Colorado Springs, CO 80907) by 4 p.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025. If the nomination form is mailed, the envelope must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Adhering to these dates will ensure that the nomination form is reviewed. Any form received after the deadline will not be considered.
Nomination forms will be available at both ReStores, the build site, and the business office, as well as online.
Sign Doors Honoring President 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.
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 doors available at our construction site at The Ridge at Sand Creek, 868 Bidwell Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80915, and at both ReStore locations -- Northeast, 6250 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80923, and South, 411 S. Wahsatch Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Doors will be at the ReStores through President's Day Feb. 17, and guests at the ground blessings and home dedications on Feb. 22 will also have the chance to sign the doors at the construction site.
Anyone is welcome to sign with memories, prayers, and thoughts. We respectfully ask that comments focus on President Carter's humanitarian work. No politics, please.
Paint with Pikes Peak Habitat
Join Pikes Peak Habitat on Sunday, March 9, from 2-4:30 p.m. as we create art, have fun, and raise funds to support affordable homeownership here in El Paso County!
We’re teaming up with Painting with a Twist, Colorado Springs East, 2834 N. Powers Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80922, for a Painting with a Purpose event. Participants will receive step-by-step guidance in painting Wildflower Hike on a 16-by-20-inch canvas. Cost is $39 and includes the canvas, paints, and instruction from an artist!