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Gather your whole family to make these simple, inexpensive summer projects. Start by shopping together for materials, then plan time to measure, cut, drill, assemble the project and paint. Select a family photographer to document the project.

Potting Bench A potting bench is practical and convenient for any kind of hand gardening. Create potted arrangements for your patio or deck, transfer seedlings to larger containers or divide overgrown indoor plants.

Make a potting bench with a door—solid or with windows—attached to a table made of scrap lumber, the top of which should be at counter height. Add a shelf or two to the door and hooks to sides of the table for hand tools. Scale down the bench for little gardeners. ReStore doors start at $5, scrap lumber $1.

Adapt the potting bench to make an outdoor sink to rinse garden vegetables, hand tools, muddy boots or sand toys. Select a faucet tall enough to fill a watering can. You may connect it to an outdoor faucet using a washing machine hose and adapter. Attach PVC pipe beneath the sink to drain away water. ReStore kitchen, laundry and bar sinks start at $10.

Shutter Flower Box Building a flower box from a shutter is one way to add bright blooms to small spaces. Use scrap wood for the box sides, back and bottom, line it with a planting tray and paint it a sunny color.

To make a shutter screen for a deck, build a wood frame and secure it to the deck.

Screw tall shutters together then attach them to the frame. ReStore shutters start at $3.

Sandbox Let the kids build a simple sandbox. Help them measure, cut and join the sides. Line the bottom with landscape fabric. For a cover, hem a piece of patterned outdoor fabric, add grommets or ties, and attach it to posts at the sandbox corners. A 4’ x 8’ lattice cut to size also makes a good cover.

For more inspiration, check out the Family DIY photo album on our Facebook page – While you’re at it, “Like” us to stay updated on our latest products and sales.

And remember—ReStore appreciates donations of surplus materials from outdoor projects: brick, pavers, lumber, planters, mulch, landscape materials, tools and working lawnmowers.

By Barb Machowski, Communications Intern, Twin Cities Habitat ReStore

Potting bench photo courtesy of Robojunker.com; Flower box photo courtesy of Sandflatfarm.blogspot.com

This week in the news we see several stories highlighting the different challenges individuals face in obtaining safe and stable housing. And we see that the solutions are not one size fits all. Building communities where everyone can afford to live requires us to understand the unique situations faced by different populations:

• Eleanor Smith, who has polio and has used a wheelchair all her life was once told by a potential landlord, “I don't want to rent to someone who has a disability,” This statement was made over 30 years ago and while housing discrimination is now illegal, many individuals still are challenged by this issue today.
   


• Recent Wilder Foundation research found that today’s economy is impacting homelessness on Minnesota’s Indian reservations. It discovered that on eight of the state's 11 reservations, nearly 2,100 people were homeless or doubled up with friends or relatives.
   


• A new emergency youth shelter in St. Paul, The Booth Brown House, will add 11 shelter beds to the already existing 16 available for youth in Ramsey county. This is one step towards addressing the fact that on any given night, there are 1300 homeless youth in the metro area alone.

If you liked these articles, visit our Housing Matters! interactive online housing education resource center, and see our Housing News section for more articles. 

Solutions will only happen if we bring enough attention to this issue. Please share this post and help create dialog about housing solutions. 

Shari Hemmingsen, Housing Matters! Intern, and Jill Kilibarda, Education and Civic Engagement Program Manager, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Thanks to the volunteers from Energizer and Target who came together earlier this month to help Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity repair two homes in North Minneapolis. The morning was mostly a washout due to heavy rains, but the crews got a lot done in the afternoon. Energizer donated $12,000 to support Twin Cities Habitat's work. Thank you!

During the lunch gathering there were a couple special guests as on hand - the Energizer Bunny and former Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon. This project was part of Energizer's nationwide initiative called "Now That's Positivenergy" aimed at improving communities through partnerships. Around the country, Energizer has given Habitat for Humanity donations totally more than $300,000 and 1,000 volunteer hours during this campaign. 

The first project for the Energizer volunteer crews was with the Habitat affiliate in Joplin, MO, where a tornado devastated the community a year ago.

Scott Dixon, who drives for the Target Racing Team, thanked the volunteers and said he was excited to do a little handy work. Earlier in the day Scott appeared on the local FOX 9 Morning News to talk about partnership and his preparation for this year's Indy 500 race.

Twin Cities Habitat is looking for more volunteers in Minneapolis to help repair homes damaged by the local tornado that was part of the massive storm system that also hit Joplin.

Your votes will help make three ideas a reality.

Join Minnesota Idea Open in deciding the three Challenge III Champions! We received more than 600 ideas in response to the question: What is your best idea to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths in your community? The ideas have been narrowed to the top five finalists. Your votes will make three ideas a reality! Each winning idea will receive a $15,000 grant for implementation. Vote online for your favorite finalist May 15 – 25.

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is proud to have been an important partner in this initiative. Our special Building Together construction days focused on engaging volunteers from diverse backgrounds to build together – and served as the catalyst for 70 of the 600 ideas submitted.

Looking for more ways to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths? On Thursday, May 17, the Idea Open and the YWCA of Minneapolis are offering a free facilitator training for entrants and friends of the Idea Open! Leading the conversation about race and racism in your community is difficult.  The YWCA’s facilitator program gives you the tools and opportunities you need to navigate through what are often challenging and emotional conversations to help bring people from understanding to action. Join us from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the YWCA of Minneapolis, 1130 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403. RSVP by Tuesday, May 15, to apatel@ywcampls.org. In-person voting will also take place at this event.

The Idea Open Challenge III: Working Together Across Cultures and Faiths is made possible by the One Nation Foundation and three affiliates of Minnesota Philanthropy Partners: Minnesota Community Foundation, Facing Race and the Multicultural Endowment.

Read more about the partnership between Twin Cities Habitat and the Minnesota Idea Open.

For years, Heather Brierly was on the move.

Apartment to apartment, even moving in with family and friends when the safety of her living situation was unsure.

“I was calling the property manager and the police to complain about crime that I was witnessing right outside my door,” said Heather. “I felt like I was in this never ending cycle of bouncing around from place to place.”

At the suggestion of a friend who had visited the apartment, she went through the application process in hopes of partnering with Twin Cities Habitat. Within a year, Heather received word she had been selected for a home in Woodbury.

“When we were first told that we were chosen for a home in Woodbury I was overjoyed,” said Heather. “I was very familiar with the wonderful reputation the city had and it seemed like a solid place to raise a child.”

Heather worked diligently to complete her sweat equity hours. She attended the required homeowner training classes and volunteered during the construction process.

“Working with volunteers was really fun,” said Heather. “We especially enjoyed their interest, motivation, dedication and willingness to teach.”

With an affordable mortgage payment Heather has been able to put herself through school. She earned a degree in Construction Management from the University of Minnesota last April and is currently taking classes toward a Master’s in Architecture.

“My ideal job after I’m done would be doing the exact kind of work Habitat is doing,” says Heather. “Whether it’s in the office drafting the plans or being out on site, I enjoy it all.”

Heather spent the majority of this past summer volunteering with Twin Cities Habitat in Woodbury. She especially enjoyed working alongside the 3M CARES retiree volunteer group. A long-lasting bond formed between Heather and the members of the crew. Heather not only started getting invited to the group’s functions, but actually went and spoke at 3M to encourage current employees to give of their time and resources.

“I felt honored that the crew invited me to speak and tell my Habitat story,” said Heather. “It’s just something little I can do to an organization that’s given me so much.”

By Patrick Dunn, excerpted from the Habitat Herald, Spring 2012

On May 22, 2011, North Minneapolis was struck by disaster. Three tornados touched down in the area, killing one person, injuring 30 and leaving thousands without electricity and with severe damage to their homes.

Following the storm, many homes were beyond repair and got abandoned. On top of this, foreclosures continue to be a major problem for the community. 

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has been working with the North Side of Minneapolis for years, and in light of last year’s tornado, we have extended the amount that we are reaching out to the community. This year, Habitat is hosting a special event on NorthSide to kick off the our Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI) work in the area and celebrate the finished repairs to 30 homes in the area. The NRI project will focus on rebuilding an eight-block area in the community.

JACC (Jordan Area Community Council), Rebuilding It Right and the City of Minneapolis have joined Habitat in planning the event, which will include free food, live music and resources for the community. This has become THE event to celebrate the survivors of the North side tornado and all of their accomplishments.

Local Hip Hop artists Zac H-B, Irenic, Dj Episteme and Ackronem will be playing a free show during this event to support the community. There will be a free lunch including hot dogs and other food donated by local grocers.

Event Details:

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, May 19
30th Avenue North and Logan Avenue North, Minneapolis

Please join us as we celebrate rebuilding our community and come together for a great time with friends!

By Misha Hemmingson, Communications Intern, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Have you helped with the Disaster Recovery efforts in North Minneapolis? Tell us about it below!

Update: Advocacy Continues ...

In the Final speeches on the House Floor the Housing Advocates were recognized by Rep. Hausman for our continuous advocacy work to ensure that Housing was included in the final bill (View it here). Once the final vote Passed and Legislators left the House Chambers several more greeted us with gratitude as we were encouraged to continue being citizen advocates, to continue fighting to end poverty housing and making housing a priority. The $37.5 million will be spent quickly as it only meets a portion of the need in Minnesota and we were encouraged to come back again next session to request more funding to continue to do our great work.  We will heed this great advice and are already planning our work for the summer around educating candidates and voters alike about what the needs for housing in Minnesota are and how we all can be part of the solution.

Original post:

A big thank you goes out to housing advocates!  It is you who made the difference! Housing is in the bonding bill!

After weeks of the bonding bill being tossed around, both the House and the Senate passed the bill on Monday, but not without lengthy debate and numerous amendment proposals.  Members went back and forth about projects that should and should not be in the bill, but housing got a special mention. Representative Alice Hausman (DFL – 66B) acknowledged housing advocates during the floor debate, noting that their hard work has made an impact this session. “They have been here every day. I’m voting yes,” she said.  Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL – 60B) also said he was glad to see housing in the bill. See Alice Hausman’s thank you to housing advocates here

The Senate did end up passing the bill with two amendments ($500,000 to rebuild a flood wall in South St. Paul and $2 million for Tubman Center East). Since the House adjourned without taking action on the amended Senate version, a final vote was necessary on Tuesday afternoon. The House passed the amended version and now the bill heads to Gov. Dayton.

However, a Star Tribune article that ran Tuesday morning contained a myriad of inaccurate information, including stating that housing was left out. This is untrue and is based on an earlier version of the spreadsheet which only listed general obligation bonds (and did not include the housing infrastructure bonds). The current number for housing in the bonding bill stands at $35.5 million -- $37.5 million with the addition of Tubman Center East, an organization that helps provide shelter to families in need, including affordable transitional apartments. These numbers are great news for housing advocates and for those who need an affordable place to call home!

For a full recap of Monday’s activity with the bonding bill, go here.

Again, thank you to all who called or wrote your legislators, participated in Action Alerts, came to Habitat on the Hill and all who contributed to the housing discussion. Without your voices, this would not have been possible. 

Brittany Richardson, Advocacy Intern, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity

Were you involved in the affordable housing debate this year? Leave a comment below!

ReStore is pleased to announce that Professional Performance Exterior Painthas arrived just in time for the outdoor painting season. This quality product, created especially for Habitat for Humanity, is the newest addition to the Professional Performance line that includes interior paint.

The exterior paint, which is available in white, is formulated for aluminum and vinyl siding, as well as wood, stucco, primed metal, cement block and most other surfaces.  It is suitable for brush, roller or spray application.

Select Professional Performance Exterior Paint in the one -gallon or five-gallon size. Coverage is 400 sq. ft. per gallon and 2,000 sq. ft. for five gallons, depending on the porosity of the surface painted. Follow directions on the container for surface preparation and cleanup.

One gallon of Professional Performance Exterior Paint is $13 for flat, $15 for semi-gloss.  The five-gallon size is priced at $55 for flat, $65 for semi-gloss.

When you shop at ReStore, stock up on Professional Performance Interior Paint which comes in White, Dover White and Antique White, both flat and semi-gloss.  It is priced at $12 per gallon, $50 for five gallons.

When you choose this quality paint, your purchase supports decent, affordable housing in your community.

By Barb Machowski, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore