Habitat

News & Events

WOMEN BUILD WEEK 2022
March 7-10, 2022

Our Women Build event is in celebration of International Women’s Day. It provides the opportunity for women to take a proactive step in serving their community.
Anyone interested in learning how to build and construct a home is invited to join us. No experience is necessary. Volunteers work under the guidance of our construction site supervisors, and also alongside other volunteers and future Habitat Homeowners. Whether you are learning new skills or simply adding a few to your tool belt, this is a rewarding experience for all involved and improves the community that you share

WOMEN BUILD WEEK PACKAGES

GOLD

$100

Full Week (Includes a T-shirt)

BRONZE

$50

Full Day (Includes Lunch & a T-shirt)

SILVER

$25

Half Day (Includes a T-shirt)

5TH ANNUAL DREAM BUILDERS UPCYCLED DINNER AUCTION

Yakima Habitat’s Upycled Art Auction celebrates local and regional artist who have repurposed, recycled, reclaimed, or reimagined materials to create art. This fun event helps Habitat build decent, affordable homes and change lives in the Yakima Valley! Will you join us?

RSVP

May 5, 2022
5:30pm to 8:30pm

FR
Selah, WA

This unique, one-of-a-kind event includes artwork created by local artists. We are looking for unique works of art using recycled or repurposed materials. While our auction focuses on “upcycled,” recycled, or repurposed items; it is not a requirement. All forms of art are accepted. Art pieces will be put on display for a Silent Auction. This event will also include gourmet refreshments, a catered dinner, and a Live Auction presenting remarkable deals, including a weekend travel package and much more.

Upcycled Participation Form

Please answer the following questions as best as you can.
  • Max. file size: 300 MB.

THE VINE DEVELOPMENT

Our mission is to bring people together building community, homes, and hope, this project is a complete demonstration of that.  This is our first project to include infrastructure development with home construction.  Typically we purchase build ready sites, mainly because we currently do not have any grant funding to cover the cost of infrastructure.  This means we will need to fundraise for this expense; This cost is estimated at $300,000.   Infrastructure includes:

  • Cutting and paving the road
  • Installing access to city water and sewer, power, and any other utilities necessary for the homes
  • Sidewalks
  • Curbs
  • Streetlights

Additionally, this will be our first development to be solar-ready.  If we can establish adequate funding for panels, we will install panels as well.  Making our already Energy Star Certified homes even more affordable for our families.  This development will provide 10 homes in the affordable market for Yakima.  Habitat’s collaborative program helps to keep the cost of the homes at a minimum.  For more information on collaboration and partnerships please see Community Partners to learn more.

Having this development in Yakima is a win-win for everyone.  We will add much needed affordable housing to our housing market, improving the neighborhood -the location has been an empty lot for years, & homes add to the property tax basis for Yakima County.  Our homeowners go through an extensive process to be eligible to purchase a Habitat home.   This HomeBuild Program process includes a screening process, homeowner education, and community partnership. 

Condensed Press Release
Extended Press Release

The Dawson Project

We are building an addition for Maggie & Eugene Dawson.  They are the family who obtained “legal custody” of 7 out of their 8 nieces and nephews after a tragedy that ultimately resulted in the loss of both parents.  This tragedy hit the family just 2 months after Maggie and Eugene welcomed their 2nd child, the “typical family of 4”.  Eugene is an Afghanistan & Iraq veteran, having served in the Army.  He now works as a Nuclear Security Officer working for Energy Northwest- at Hanford Reservation in Richland Washington; Maggie is a stay-at-home mom.  They were living a modest but comfortable life, when the family was faced with a huge decision.  All they could think of after such a tragedy, was how critical it is to keep the children in one home, preferably with family.  As it turned out this young couple was the only family able to make that happen for the 8 children.  Instantly increasing this family of 4 to a family of 12!  This family is getting some local, state, and even national recognition for stepping up for the children in this case.  They recently received an Angels in Adoption award presented to them by Dan Newhouse.  

Since this tragedy, the family has been living in Eugene & Maggie’s home – a 3-bedroom 2 bath home in Zillah. This home was a perfect fit for their original family; however, they outgrew the home instantly when they took the additional kids in.  A number of community members have come together to help develop a plan to build an addition.  This will add 3 bedrooms, a bath, and a much-needed family/great room.  Habitat has accepted the challenge of building this addition, even though it does not meet our program requirements (being a first-time home buyer and new construction on land we own).  We accepted this project as a community project.  Since it is not a qualified Habitat project, we are not able to use the same funding sources to help with cost of construction.  The family has found it is critical for Maggie to remain at

home with the children, which means they are a one income family with 10 children.  3 of the children are young adults living outside of the home yet remain close to the family. The added space is an expense this family cannot reasonably offset without some help.  We are asking our community to join with us in helping this family through volunteering, material donations, and of course cash donations.  All partners will be recognized at the job site and in all publicity for their support of the build.

This family has impressed me and our staff with the grace and kindness they approach everyone and every experience with.  Eugene is passionate about teaching the kids to take care of themselves, self-discipline, and that they are special and loved.  Maggie is a nurturer and beams with pride and confidence when she speaks about any of the children (and her husband).  While they are not the natural parents of all the children, they enjoy living as one big family.  Maggie and Eugene honor their sister-in-law daily, striving toward the best interest of the children daily.    Their commitment to family, community, and faith is evident in all they do.  One demonstration of this is in the pride they have for the 3 adult children.  They make a point of sharing how they have moved out and are independent, making good, sound, adult decisions as young people.  The children are kind, respectful, and happy, ranging in age from 3 years-22years, 4 boys and 6 girls plus Eugene and Maggie.  It is a like a modern day “Brady Bunch” – The Dawson Family.  We feel blessed and honored to participate with this family in building their addition.  I am confident, you will feel the same way when you meet them.

If you are interested in learning more or helping out with the Dawson Project, please contact Meloney Rosen directly via phone: 509-453-8077, ext 1002 or email: meloney@yakimahabitat.org

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