Thanks to everyone who came out to the Move To Improve Block Party on Friday!

One of the most important factors in stabilizing neighborhoods is to create a high volume of home ownership in a short period of time. By choosing neighborhoods in Athens to collectively focus on, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity and the Athens Land Trust are doing just that. Several new homes have been built in the Waddell Street area resulting in a fresh outlook for the neighborhood. Homeowners in their new homes are able to look out for each other and their property as a collective force while reducing crime in the neighborhood.

The vision for 868, 870, and 872 Waddell Street began a year ago and has resulted so far in the acquisition and demolition of two blighted structures with no historic value, one of which was a burned out shell. By removing blighted and vacant houses, the neighborhood is no longer an eyesore but also, they are no longer hiding places for criminal elements which vacant and abandoned structures attract.

Plans are being developed to rebuild three permanently affordable homes which will be certified as energy efficient and built to the highest standards of the industry. By providing the opportunity of homeownership to lower income individuals coupled with rigorous selection processes, the neighborhood will soon be a model of transformation with owner occupied units resulting an incubator for the revitalization and stabilization of the surrounding area.

It is through agency collaboration like this that we will be able to renew blighted neighborhoods in Athens thus giving a sense of pride to our residents, adding to the tax base of the county, reducing the crime in the neighborhood and turning the dream of homeownership into a reality.

Athens Area Habitat was honored to serve as a volunteerism agency for this years Dawg Camp: Classic City. Classic City is an extended orientation program for incoming first-year students, sponsored by the Center for Leadership & Service.

This group of volunteers worked on our current ReHOUSE project, deconstructing a home to recycle materials. Thank you for all the hard work you did! We hope to see you and your friends out at a site again soon.

Also, a special thanks to Jimmy Johns for providing lunch for the hardworking crew.

"Move To Improve" Block Party

The Move To Improve Block Party is this Friday! Stop by this community celebration of national home ownership month--

Free hot dogs, live music, a dunking booth and moonwalk, facepainting, workshops, and more!

Schedule of Events:

4:30 - Land Trust Ribbon Cutting

5:00 - Live Music by Reginald Willis, Habitat homeowner

5:30 - Live Music by The Southern Travelers

6:00 - Home buyer Informational Session

The Men's Bake Sale was an overwhelming success!



Women Build supporters set up a table at the Athens Farmer's market this past Saturday to sell goods baked by men in the community. All proceeds benefit the Women Build program.

Thank you to the "Men In Aprons" Team for enthusiastically donating your time and delicious baked goods:

Winfred Owens, Brian Brooks, Bob Taylor, Frank Allen, Chuck Platter, Jason Mann, Nelson Wells, Tom & Alma Noell, Sonny Wilson, Marshall Akers, Patrick Allen, Hugh Acheson, Chief Iby George, Tom Strong, Doc Eldridge, Spencer Frye, Al Davison, Mike Merva, Jay Clarke, Sam & Jean Anne Marra, Dale Bogardus, Harrison Smith & Adrian Tasistro-Hart

Also a big thank you to the Athens Farmers Market for allowing us to participate. We truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the local goods. Everyone should stop by the Athens Farmers Market one Saturday morning and check it out, you will be hooked.

If you missed this bake sale (or can't wait for another one like it), look forward to a second Men's Bake Sale in Watkinsville on Friday, August 7th from 6pm-9pm.

Mens Bake Sale This Saturday!

Check out the ABH article on the Mens Bake Sale here: Reversing roles to raise funds

HOT RESTORE ITEM OF THE WEEK:

Sturdy wooden desk with metal knobs decorating the drawers. ($65). Perfect for a home or apartment. Mention this posting and recieve 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability.

Athens Habitat ReStore
532 Barber Street (across the tracks)

A very productive group from the Navy Supply Corps School came out this weekend to help with Habitat's new ReHOUSE program. The crew continued the home deconstruction, with a focus on salvaging and recycling materials.

Special thank you to Subway (1055 Gaines School Rd # 111 Athens, GA 30605) for supplying lunch!

Hot ReStore Item of the Week:

Cute round wooden table with 4 matching chairs ($200). Perfect for a small eating area. Mention this posting and receive 10% off! Please visit Athens Habitat ReStore to check on item's availability

What a beautiful weekend! Athens Area Habitat had two build sites in full swing this past Saturday.

A group of enthusiastic volunteers from Baldor helped put some significant finishing touches on the Henson home. Thank you to Chicken Express donating lunch to keep those guys well fed!

A small group of hardworking volunteers kicked off a new initiative called ReHOUSE (Recycling Home Owner Units Safely & Efficiently) utilizes volunteer labor and Athens Area Habitat’s construction expertise to diminish the effect of spot blight and decay in residential neighborhoods through deconstruction of vacant structures and clearing of trash and debris. All usable materials salvaged are recycled into the community through the ReStore where proceeds support the building of safe and affordable housing for those in need. The ReHOUSE program provides beneficial salvage and recycling options for demolition projects, while extending the organizations reach of impact in the community