E-Newsletter

As we enter the 21st century, Habitat for Humanity of Laredo-Webb County has kept pace with the most modern technological solutions to provide its followers the best information available. First, we brought you this website. Now, we have created an online E-Newsletter, Habitat Happenings, which provides articles and information about your local affiliate.

Click on the issue you wish to view below:

Happenings Newsletter Issue1.pdf
Happenings Newsletter SpecialIssue1.pdf

 ***We are still working on the 1st Issue but you can subscribe now to recieve it once it comes out***

To subscribe to our newsletter automatically use the below form

About Us

Started by a small group of volunteers, almost 25,000 hours of volunteer service were logged in 2004 that is the foundation for all the success that Habitat enjoys. Over the course of ten years, the organization has evolved from working out of homes and volunteers’ garages to an office, which was built with a Meadows foundation grant inside the South Texas Food Bank. Texas Mexican Railway has donated warehouse space for five years. Funds from United Way venture grants have provided tools and equipment needed for building. Habitat has not requested agency status from the United Way, due to the UW restrictions during their campaigns concerning the solicitation of funds in the fall when our building is at its peak. The tools that were purchased from the grants have provided a more professional and efficient manner in which the homes are constructed.

 Volunteers continue to learn marketable skills through on site training. The emphasis for keeping the administrative costs at a bare minimum continues to be a priority so that funds are available for building homes. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a good business structure, board members have taken daily duties to insure that all business functions are addressed and that the needs of our homeowner partner families are monitored. In January 2003, the affiliate received a one of a kind Habitat International grant to assist in a colonia alternative project. The organization’s goal is to build 50 homes on a ten-acre tract of land by the end of 2007. This grant has provided the funds to hire a special projects director and to pay for professional fees and other development of infrastructure within those designated communities. Our most ambitious project, "Building Dreams in Rio Bravo" has been recently completed, bringing ten new families on partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Laredo. Hundreds of volunteers arrived in the spring of 2004 to erect these homes during spring break, accumulating around 16,000 volunteer hours, and this year was no different. Our next project will take place in the River Hills subdivision on Highway 83, to volunteer or for additional information, please contact us.

Habitat for Humanity continues to assist families in achieving goals of education, skill development, and counseling. Family support services provide food, clothing, and encouragement through our volunteer base to homeowner partner families to assist them as they transition into their new homes and on an as needed basis. Five homeowner partners have achieved their G.E.D. certificates and two homeowner partners are enrolled at Laredo Community College. At Texas A&M International University, one of our first homeowners completed his bachelor’s degree in December 2001. His dream during his pre-selection interview of going back to school was realized and he became the first homeowner to graduate from the university. After graduating with honors, he enrolled in the Masters program at TAMIU. Habitat is providing hope and home ownership to Laredo families in need, but the organization also sets the stage for them to achieve other goals and personal aspirations.

Our belief is that all of God’s children deserve a simple, decent home in which to live. Our mission is to assist in the elimination of substandard and inadequate housing in our community. Our future is dependent upon the many volunteers and donors who make dreams come true through Habitat homeownership.

Staff and Board of Directors

• Executive Director - Carol Serwood
• Family Programs - Juanita Cardenas
• Volunteer Coordinator - Jennifer Garcia (AmeriCorps)
• Office Manager - Bertha Galvan
• Construction Director - Joe Villalobos

Board of Directors

Committees

Programs

Collegiate Challenge

Collegiate Challenge is a year-round alternative break program for college students. Each year, Habitat affiliates across the US host college groups as they help build homes for Habitat. Our next Collegiate Challenge will be held in 2010 as we try to bring in hundreds of students from across the US. While here, these students help build homes but they also learn more about Laredo and Hispanic culture. At the end of the break working with Habitat, we host a Mexican fiesta filled with food, fun and learning about Habitat's mission and about our heritage!