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Gulf Coast Update

June 2010


June will be the last month for the online Gulf Coast Update – though many teams will still be volunteering this year! So, this month we'll give you an overview of Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community from its inception, highlight partner families living in Thrivent-sponsored homes, and give you information on how to keep in the loop on what's happening with Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) and Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community.

Program overview

Seeing an immediate need for simple, decent, affordable housing in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast region, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans quickly stepped up to the plate to answer the housing needs of South Mississippians. That was 2007, two years after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. Now, nearly five years post Katrina, hundreds of volunteers still make their way down to the Gulf Coast to lend a helping hand. Here is a glimpse at Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community over the past 3 years and a call to action for the years to come.

Program overview
In 2008, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans made a commitment of $2.5 million to Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to build 40 homes.

In keeping with the idea, "Membership in Action," Thrivent Builds also wanted to rally volunteer support to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. And that they did. The goal was to send 60 teams of volunteers to the Gulf Coast. The volunteer program was piloted in September of 2007 and by January of 2008, Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community had its official kick-off with the goal of increasing capacity and ensuring the sustainability of the affiliate.

Program overview
Volunteers from all over the nation were mobilized to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to aid in the recovery effort. Week after week Thrivent Builds volunteers from all walks of life made their trek to the Gulf Coast. Donna Mulder, a Thrivent Financial employee and Thrivent Builds Worldwide volunteer, sums up her trip in saying, "I am a changed person from my week in Biloxi. I'm not quite sure yet what that means, but I do know I look forward to future trips, future opportunities to make a difference in the life of someone who needs it." Her sentiments are shared by hundreds of other volunteers who have dedicated a week of their lives to help rebuild the Mississippi Gulf Coast. As much as these volunteers have changed the face of the Gulf Coast, the Gulf Coast has changed the lives of these volunteers forever.

Program overview
The most recent milestone in this one-of-a-kind partnership is the completion of the 28 homes in Connor's Garden Subdivision sponsored by Thrivent Builds as a part of their 2009 $1.7 million commitment to HFHMGC. Over 390 volunteers participating in the program were able complete all 28 homes in only 9 months! Construction began in March 2009 and all 28 homes were completed by the end of December 2009. All of the homes in Connor's Garden are ENERGY STAR certified. This translates into lower utilities for partner families and a greener Gulf Coast.

Since the inception of the TBWGCC, 68 homes have been built by more than 850 volunteers and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has contributed a whopping $4.2 million (not to mention the donations made on behalf of each team that has traveled to the Gulf Coast in 2010)!

"The continuing partnership between Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity in 2010 provides an ongoing focus for volunteers, helping ensure that even more families will have not only have decent, affordable housing, they will also have the opportunity for prosperity," declares Chris Monforton, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community is still hard at work building safe, decent, affordable homes to meet the needs of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. There are 17 more teams scheduled to make a trip to the Gulf Coast during the summer and fall of this year, and talks have begun on what the TBWGCC program will look like in 2011.

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Partner Families Living in Thrivent Sponsored Homes

Partner Families
Ms. Leslie Mrs. Nicole & Mr. Leroy
Ms. Hermia Ms. Patricia
Mr. Tykari Ms. Chandra
Ms. Claudia Ms. Melissa
Ms. Beryl Ms. Alexis
Ms. Doris Mr. Brian & Mrs. Alexandria
Ms. Rachel Ms. Lakeshia
Ms. Todosii Ms. Albernette
Ms. Donna Ms. Christine
Mrs. Ebony & Mr. Brandon Ms. Latasha
Mr. Kevin Ms. Trina
Ms. Bettie Mr. Tim & Mrs. Annette
Ms. Joan Ms. Natasha
Ms. Kathy Ms. Nekiaya
Ms. Robyn Ms. Rose Marie
Ms. Malikah Mr. Jerry
Ms. Bethany Ms. Evelyn
   

Not only have each and every one of you been instrumental in the successful completion of the homes that these families now live in, you have also been integral to securing a brighter future for the children that live in these homes. Without volunteers like you, it would be impossible to complete our mission. We hope you will continue your support of Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community in the future.

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Stay in Touch

Stay in Touch
Although the monthly online Gulf Coast Updates will not continue after this month, Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community is still hard at work. To keep up with the happenings at Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, please use the resources below:

Website: www.hfhmgc.org

Online Newsletter: http://www.hfhmgc.org/newsletter/

Facebook: Click Here To Be Our Friend

Twitter: Click Here To Follow Us On Twitter

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Lead a trip. Build an entire community and life–long relationships.

Thrivent Financial has committed millions of dollars to help rebuild entire neighborhoods in Gulf Coast.

On behalf of its members, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans committed $2.5 million to Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2008 to build up to 40 homes-nearly all in the Trace Lane community-and contribute to the affiliate's ability to serve more families. In 2009, Thrivent Financial built a new Community in Gulfport, Mississippi where it is committing an additional $1.7 million. And the work continues in 2010!

Your enthusiasm and leadership skills are the catalyst to help your congregation, Lutheran group or local chapter of Thrivent Financial experience a life–changing trip. Take the lead and help build a home with a partner family in need of simple, decent, affordable housing.

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Make an Even Bigger Impact – Donate Today

Through the Thrivent Builds Worldwide Gulf Coast Community program, Thrivent Financial members are helping families to rebuild their homes – and their lives – in the Missisippi Gulf Coast. But the need is still great:

  • Only 15% of the homes along the Gulf Coast destroyed by Hurricanes Rita and Katrina have been rebuilt.
  • Thousands of families are still living in unsafe, temporary housing.
  • More than 100 families are in the pipeline, waiting for homes with Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

You can make a difference and help even more families today. Donate online to Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and your dollars will help build even more homes in the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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Gulf Coast Update Archive

If you would like to read previous issues of the Gulf Coast Update, simply access the Gulf Coast Update Archive from this link or from the left navigation bar.

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Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity
800-236-3736
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© 2005-2010 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

This document was last updated on Wednesday, June 9, 2010.