Wellness/Get Organized Day at the Habitat ReStore

WHO: Habitat for Humanity Restore, Gold’s Gym, Simplify for Life

WHAT:          Wellness/Get Organized Day at the Habitat ReStore

WHERE:        7770 Richmond Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306 (behind the Gold’s Gym) – Google Map

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 23, 2010

WHY: Start the year off right by learning organizing tips and strategies to keep you and your home organized, speak to wellness professionals about your fitness and wellness goals, and shop for great deals at the Habitat ReStore of Northern Virginia.

ReStore sells new and used building materials and home improvement items to the general public. All materials are donated by local retail businesses, building contractors, suppliers and individuals, and are made available for sale to the public at 50 to 90 percent below retail prices.  All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia.

The purpose of ReStore is to provide homeowners, particularly those on tight budgets, access to quality goods at deep discounts. ReStore is committed to helping homeowners upgrade the condition and value of their property through its community outreach efforts. In today’s real estate climate, more homeowners are looking for ways to improve their property values without stretching their budgets. Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores is one way to meet that need.

For more information about the Habitat ReStore please visit:  www.restorenova.org

Simplify for Life is an organizing company providing residential and business organizing services to individuals looking for clarity and time.  The company’s mission is to assist clients in gaining control of their work and personal lives by editing out the physical and mental clutter in their spaces and schedules.  Through thoughtful organization, an individual can gain time, increase productivity, reduce stress, improve health and become more effective.

Northern Virginia Real Estate Times

Northern Virginia Charities & Non Profits

Attention Northern Virginia Non Profits and Charities.  If you are a local Charity or Non Profit located in the Northern Virginia area, a 501c, you may be able to advertise your Charity and Non Profit Organization free of charge in our Northern Virginia Charities & Non Profits section of the Northern Virginia Real Estate Times.  Thi is just our way of giving back to our community.  Real Estate isn’t just about Buying and Selling Homes, but rather the people and communities that make Northern Virginia a place people want to live and visit.  If your having an event we can even promote your event on our Northern Virginia Events & Tourism section of our newspaper.

To find out more please contact us at Advertising@NVRETimes.com or call us at 703 269 0599

Luella and Orlando Brown at the future site of Maple Ridge Condominiums in Fairfax, VA. They will dedicate 300+ hours of sweat equity at the worksite toward the purchase of their home.

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia announced at a press conference on Wed. June 18 that Luella Brown and her son Orlando will become first time homeowners. The Browns are the first family to go from homelessness to homeownership under the Fairfax County ten-year plan to end homelessness.

The road to homeownership has not been an easy one for Luella and her son. Luella lost her mother at the age of three and grew up in an abusive home with her grandmother. At seventeen, Luella, ran away from home to get away from the abuse. Luella became pregnant with her son, Orlando, at the age of 21 and was determined to give him life she never had.  In her words, “I wanted to give him the love I couldn’t get”.

Despite steady employment at Sunrise Nursing Home, the Browns found themselves filing for bankruptcy as a result of a defaulted apartment loan. As a result, Luella and Orlando spent more than one year living in a homeless shelter in Reston, Virginia. They then joined a transitional living program, for more than one year, through the Reston Interfaith Community Housing Resource Program before being accepted into the Permanent Partnership Housing program with Reston Interfaith.  Ms. Brown was later accepted as a Habitat for Humanity condominium homeowner.

“I was at a credit smart seminar when Habitat came, I wasn’t sure if I would apply, but when I talked to Orlando he said we had nothing to lose. I was so used to being let down, but I went ahead and took a chance. When Habitat called [about being accepted into the program] it was a Wednesday, I will never forget, I was so excited that I cried.” – Luella Brown, future Habitat home owner.

Both Luella and Orlando enjoy working with Habitat volunteers and staff to build the Maple Ridge Condominium Complex as a part of their 300+ hours of Sweat Equity. The Browns along with eight other future homeowner families work side by side to help construct their future homes as a part of the Habitat program.

Currently, Luella is working on receiving her GED, and hopes to be a private duty nurse for the elderly in the near future.

A Press conference was held yesterday at the Maple Ridge Condominium Work Site to honor the Browns and the partnership of Fairfax County and Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia. The Executive Director of Habitat NOVA, Karen Cleveland, Chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Sharon Bulova, Joanne Weiss of Reston Interfaith, and the new homeowner Luella Brown all spoke about the impact of this program on the community.

“We are thrilled to be a part of monumental event of the first person to go from homelessness to home ownership under this new program.” –Karen Cleveland

During her speech, Sharon Bulova stated, “I live right there… I am looking forward to having you as a neighbor.”

Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia has been a partner of Fairfax County for almost ten years. During this time they have worked on many projects together. Their most current project is the development of Maple Ridge Condominiums. Maple Ridge was purchased with Community Development Block Grant money from Fairfax and will soon house nine, including the Browns. In addition to constructing the housing units, Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia and Fairfax County work with the home owners to offer homeownership training and guidance throughout their relationship. Construction began on Maple Ridge in January 2009 and will be completed by the beginning of 2010.

Karen Cleveland, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia, said of the partnership with Fairfax County, “In order for us at Habitat to serve those in our community, it is imperative for us to find partners to accomplish this goal. Fairfax County has become not only a financial partner, but also a partner in finding programmatic solutions.”

Fairfax County adopted a plan in 2008 to end homelessness in the area within the next ten years. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chair, Sharon Bulova, recently announced the formation of the office to end homelessness. Dean Klein has been appointed as director of the office.

About Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia has built 73 homes since founding in 1990 consisting of single family homes, town homes and condominiums. Habitat families earn 300-500 hours of sweat equity hours toward the building of their homes and make a one-percent down payment, earning zero interest mortgages. For more information on the work Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia is doing in its community, visit www.habitatnova.org.