The Selection Committee has chosen the Conlin family to be Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity’s next partner to obtain the house we will build in the coming year (2012). Let’s all congratulate Jennifer, Madison, and Shianne Conlin as they now work with our Family Support Committee in selecting the plan and materials for the project. Jennifer, who is employed as a Nursing/Foster Care worker, will find time to contribute “sweat equity hours” to the undertaking, while she also cares for her children, ages 9 and 4.

Here are the exciting details about CCHfH’s venture to build the 24th house for a deserving family in our community: The building site is located on 208 James Street in Cheboygan, and the ground-breaking ceremony has already taken place. Ron Hart will work as Instructor and Oversight Manager. This is good news. The project will again signal our partnership with the Building and Trades Program at the Cheboygan Area High School. We can be sure that Ron’s upper-level students will construct the dwelling on school grounds, taking care that the home receives the highest rating for energy conservation, the Energy Star Rating.

Pictured: Gina Eustice (Family Support), Madison, Shianne and Jennifer Conlin

Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity started a housing repair program last fall. The program was a new experiment. We call it A Brush with Kindness. It is part of our service to help qualified homeowners obtain low-cost repairs on the exteriors of their residences. These repairs may cover far more areas than one thinks. Do your fences, porches, stairs, roofs, doors, or garages need fixing? We can do this outside work as long as you qualify.

Is your home’s paint peeling or siding missing? We can find the volunteers to do the job. Do you know of elderly neighbors who need their yards tidied? Check with us.

Here is how A Brush with Kindness works. The homeowner pays for materials, and CCHfH will provide the labor and expertise. We might even be able to clue you in on a low-interest loan at a local bank.

And yes, you have to fill out a form telling us who you are and what work needs to be done. To apply, get a form at the Habitat Office, 102 South Main Street, Cheboygan or phone (231) 597-4663, and we will mail it to you.

The Bolinger family can now make merry on Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in the new home it has purchased, thanks to Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity and its many volunteers. First of all, the Cheboygan High School Building Trades staff and students constructed the home on school grounds and then moved the dwelling to Wolverine. From that point, other volunteers joined the Oversight Supervisors to finish the interior and exterior. Building inspectors approved the building on site and thus certified it was up to code. Congratulations to Brady, Raven, and Remington Bolinger, who worked side-by-side with us. Think of us when you taste that roasted turkey and fixings and when you sit around the decorated tree on the next two great holidays.

Habitat for Humanity of Cheboygan County was recently (June 1, 2011) awarded state and national standards of excellence

Cheboygan, Michigan Habitat for Humanity of Cheboygan County has achieved statewide recognition for its excellent building and operational standards which have recently exceeded the Habitat for Humanity International standards by meeting the more stringent standards established by Michigan Habitat for Humanity.

Each year, Habitat for Humanity affiliates operating in Michigan are required to complete an annual
“Readiness File” if they wish to qualify for the resources and grants available through the state organization, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan.  Habitat Michigan affiliates must meet the requirements of Habitat International to continue their affiliation, but also the more in-depth requirements specified by the state organization that confirm the affiliate is actively planning for the future, adopting sound non-profit procedures and safeguarding the community’s resources and Habitat’s solid reputation.

Michigan affiliates use a unique model for non-profit organizations of building or renovating houses and then selling the houses to qualified low-income families at an affordable no-interest schedule the family can meet. These payments are utilized by the local Habitat affiliate to build more houses for low income families. The community benefits by stabilized neighborhoods and through the increased property tax revenues paid by the new homeowners.

“We have set a high standard for Michigan. Our donors and volunteers entrust us with their precious resources to do good in their local communities and we want to be sure we earn their confidence and trust every day,” says Sandy Pearson, President and CEO of Michigan Habitat for Humanity.

Pearson explains that Michigan’s additional requirements of the affiliate include those of establishing a strategic plan, an annual fund development plan and a board of director’s declaration that commits to meeting the new laws required of organizations that issue mortgages.

In addition, for the 40+ affiliates operating a Habitat ReStore as a fund raising activity, each store must meet the state level standards of operational excellence.  These standards include licensing, finances and solid retail management practices.

Last year, Habitat for Humanity of Michigan was able to re-allocate resources in excess of $5 million to the affiliates in Michigan who invested in this special effort to meet the qualifications of the Readiness File.

Cheboygan County Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, safe, affordable housing in partnership with those in need throughout the world.

The Cheboygan Area High School Building Trades Department began working on this 3 bedroom Habitat home the first week in December. They were able to close in the home before the holiday break. 60 students work six hours a day on this home under the direction of Licensed Builder Ronald Hart and his assistant Cory Surrault. This home is being built on blocks and then will be transported to the Burrows Road home site in Wolverine. It will be the future home of Brady, Raven and Remington Bolinger.  We anticipate this home to be completed by the end of May 2011.  We definitely appreciate the assistance of the Cheboygan Area Schools in building this Habitat house.

Click here to see pictures of the home being built.

We have just what you need,  our famous Habitat for Humanity Cookbooks.  There are over 600 recipes that are made with ingredients that you have in your own kitchen.  These recipes have been prepared by our local community members and are delicious.  The cookbooks cost $5.00 each.  Just call the Habitat office by dialing 597-4663 to place your order or you can purchase one at the Habitat ReStore located at 9385 N. Straits Hwy.