Habitat for Humanity searching out its next crop of volunteers
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Several months after a September groundbreaking ceremony for Habitat for Humanity in Simi Valley, construction on three homes is about to start.

Around 40 volunteers will begin work Saturday on the parcel of land at the intersection of Royal and Sequoia avenues. Three families who were living in substandard or overcrowded environments will have a new place to call home by fall.

Most of the work during the opening weeks will involve digging the foundation with tractors and shovels, and volunteers are more than happy to get their hands dirty.

Jenny Shade, who's volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 1998, was recently hired as the onsite volunteer coordinator for the Simi project.

She said telling volunteers what to do, where to go and how to do it is like "organized chaos."

"You need to tell someone where the hammer and nails are and which nails to use, and where to use which supplies and tell them where they're working today," said Shade, a Moorpark resident whose husband, Charlie, got her involved in the nonprofit Christian housing organization.

"There's so much energy. It's so action-packed."

People who want to help call or email Matt Gilling, the volunteer coordinator for Habitat for Humanity. He puts together a volunteer schedule and also makes sure those who are helping are well fed.

"The guys and gals who volunteer to cook are just as valuable as people working with the hammer and nails," said Steve Castan, a Simi Valley resident for seven years who now lives in Santa Clarita.

Each family moving in must put in 500 hours of work on their own house or on one of the others, Gilling said. They must also be able to afford the interest-free 20-year mortgage- between $500 and $600 a month.

"After they pay it off, it's theirs to keep or move out," Gilling said. "Since 1983, no one's ever moved out before the 20 years are up. We haven't had that situation happen."

Volunteers find plenty of satisfaction in building homes for those in need.

"It's a great place to learn about construction, and it's a great place to meet people," Castan said. "Everyone's out there for a good cause and helping others who are less fortunate."

Shade feels there's a bond among volunteers

"It's like a whole new community every week," she said. "That sense of community is so wonderful, and every week you make new friends."

There's also no room for stereotypes.

"A lot of women get there and think, 'I'm not going to get in there pounding nails.' And then they do," said Jamie Meyer of Thousand Oaks. "There's big encouragement to get everyone involved."

Since it was established in 1983, Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has built 44 homes and hopes to build eight more in 2008.

The current project is the first in Simi Valley. The three threebedroom homes are going to families who make 30 to 50 percent of the median income in Ventura County, which is about $79,500.

The city of Simi Valley bought the land for the homes from Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District for $120,000 and gave Habitat $150,000 for county and city building permits.

Starbucks Coffee Company, Conejo Valley InterFaith Community and Simi Valley/Moorpark Board of Realtors together with 1Life2Live (the Tyler Broberg Foundation) each sponsored one home, contributing funds to cover the cost of initial supplies.

For more information, call (805) 485-6065.