Pensacola Habitat for Humanity making dent in affordable housing crisis

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity ends the fiscal year making a major dent in the local affordable housing crisis, but much work remains to be done.

The Pensacola affiliate is one of the largest in the country based on community impact, and this year they are proud to have built 41 new homes, creating 41 new homeowners through their Home Buyer Program. The affiliate also served 35 vulnerable homeowners by completing Critical Home Repairs, Home Rehabilitation, and Neighborhood Revitalization projects throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Its resale store, Pensacola Habitat ReStore, broke records contributing over $290,00 back to the organization's mission.

As Pensacola Habitat prepares to meet its aggressive goals for FY 2023, there are many ways for the community to help. Donations are critical to ensure that Pensacola Habitat for Humanity's programs and services can continue to assist new and existing homeowners in its service area. As the organization's backbone, volunteers are essential to help build homes and support ReStore operations and fundraising events. Shopping at the ReStore is a great way to acquire premium new and gently used furniture, appliances, building materials and more. Every cent of profit from the ReStore directly benefits Pensacola Habitat's mission.

To learn more about Pensacola Habitat for Humanity's mission and how to make a difference in the community, visit pensacolahabitat.org/donate.

Valerie’s House hires Escambia County program manager

Valerie’s House Pensacola, a grief support organization that provides peer support groups and other services to grieving children and their families, has hired Jennifer Elzweig as Escambia County Program Manager.

Elzweig has been an integral part of Valerie’s House Pensacola since its inception, serving as a children’s group support volunteer with the elementary age children and as a Pensacola Advisory Board member.

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Elzweig identifies with many grieving families, as her father died from a stroke when she was a young adult, and she recalls not having any services to help her family. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida in 2018 and has been employed as a fine arts teacher for the Escambia County School District. She has mentored many students from very diverse backgrounds and is also a certified yoga teacher, guiding kids, young and old.

Valerie’s House Pensacola opened its doors in 2021 and has since grown to serve more than 100 children in less than two years. The chapter uses the Big Brothers Big Sisters building on Creighton Road in Pensacola for its grief support groups, which are at no cost to children and families. The non-profit organization is fully supported by community donations.

Visit valerieshouse.org/pensacola for details or to make donations.

Santa Rosa Animal Services invites the community to adoption luau

Santa Rosa County Animal Services invites the community to attend an Adoption Luau event in Milton from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter, 4451 Pine Forest Road. The luau will include fun-loving dogs, $5 adoptions, Mister Softee ice cream, children's activities and more. Volunteers with Upper Room Church will also be helping with the event.

Overcrowded animal shelters are a nationwide problem, in Santa Rosa County Animal Shelter's care alone, there are over 90 dogs and 200 cats. The purpose of the event is to encourage families to adopt from the local shelter, with over 50 dogs and 120 cats available to go to their furever homes. Even if now is not the best time for a family to adopt, this event is the perfect opportunity to learn other ways to help the shelter from donations to volunteering.

Visit santarosa.fl.gov/387/Animal-Services for details.

Escambia Children’s Trust wants to hear from local providers

The Escambia Children’s Trust wants to hear from local children and youth services providers throughout Escambia County. They will be “Passing the Mic to Providers” from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Pensacola State College Warrington Campus.

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The listening session is designed for community providers and leaders to share their insights from working directly with children. This event will be held in person and via Zoom for those who cannot physically attend. The session is broken up into the following four two-hour segments based on the trust’s initial needs assessment.

• 8 to 10 a.m.: Healthy Children and Mothers

• 10 a.m. to noon: Juvenile Justice-Involved Youth

• 1 to 3 pm.: Child Abuse and Neglect

• 3 to 5 p.m.: Success in School and Life

Broad community input will help the trust better understand the community's needs and opportunities for improving child outcomes. Providers, parents, and caregivers from all areas within Escambia County as well as public and private sector organizations, community leaders, pediatricians, faith groups, funders, etc., are invited to participate in the listening session.

Visit escambiachildrenstrust.org or email info@escambiachildrenstrust.org for details.

Take part: To make a Causes submission, email giving@pnj.com.

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This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Habitat for Humanity making dent in affordable housing crisis