FW: habitat blog

 

Hi to all, another interesting day in the vineyard, to our friends,we say happy new year, and to others, a great autumn season...exciting things are happening and needless to say our meeting with some parents of pearls ended in disagreement but with others, they are excited we who have been working in the neighborhood for three years despite the pearls leader accusation we do not care, .. this is our neighborhood Mr. L...we have been working there long before you, and have helped many children and people in that neighborhood long before you...and will work with you if you will help to match the monies we have offered 5000 initial green money to help create a great football soccer field and basketball court at the school...

join us ...forget about the politics and agendas people have put at you, but be real..   We painted your children's playground that had been unpainted and ridden with glass for three years, painted the basketball court, and did it with Yonkers firefighters...in honor of a brother of ours who protected your home, who volunteered with us for habitat for ten years in yonkers, i have done in neighborhoods. I kicked out drug dealers out of your child;s playground, waiting risking my life, as i care about the whole neighborhood, we have been there, join us, get your hands dirty, help raise money with us for the greenest neighborhood going..  WE will put solar panels on the homes, keep drug dealers out like we do in other neighborhoods, help your kids and ours have a safe place to play and have a great green neighborhood..

This weekend the PTA president asked me to paint the front doors of Pearls...and we will at the principals request fix the public playground across the street in front of pearls..this is what we do.. we will also help continue the peephole project for seniors that Sandy Annabi has asked us to do.. we will also work on the Nepperhan communty center that city councillor Pat McDow asked me to help with with Jim Bostic...with ten years of sweat equity, from helping in Whitney Young, to helping in Purser place to helping in 8 parks painting them, from Faye Park to Ceerreto Park to Stefanick Park to Park Avenue Parks, to mulford gardens to Lawrence Street to every part of yonkers, we have put our sweat equity there...i havent seen any of those pointing fingers get their hands dirty at all once, in any neighborhoods.. just attacks..not my style, we just do it....and help peoples lives improve...God blessyou...

We also have scholarships for Lincoln Roosevelt, Yonkers high and Saunders kids in place...

Along with that we have the work going strong all thru the county... we are so blessed to have all of you helping us.. today we continue our vital flood work on Mamoroneck homes, a seniors home in Rye, two homes in New Rochelle and our second affordable home in Bedford...we keep on going, come and join us...

 

These are exciting times...listen today on Wed to my radio show at 9am....for more exciting info and interviews...and also hi to Tess from Senator Schumers office, who worked and volunteered with us this summer, she  is in Washington dc. and will be on the show.. about housing programs in the country...

jjk

 

FW: blog

 

another great blessed day...i am fortunate to have great people i meet with all day long, passionate about their wokr about their community about helping...no matter what side of the aisle people fall on..with that in mind..i was glad that towards the end of the afternoon i met with the ABC Disney friends and my partner on the Regis and Kelly House Adrienne Whtie of Disney Worlwide Outreach. She and her two co workers...came by to visit me to talk about Habitat's Day with Disney...working Nov 7th on homes in their day of service with us...We had met first when Adrienne called me once out of the blue and said do you want a house...I said what are you talking about..she said do you want a house that Regis and kelly built...it is in manhattan, but i need to know by tomorrow...I went and vistied her and the gang next to the View set..and a big house in Manhattan became recycled...resold and was a moment in history i still find hard to believe i was part...everyday I would drive our big old truck back then early down to the ABC studios and volunteers would then come down by metro north, farm kids in to help us, and would take apart bit by bit the house.. even MBIA employees came down to help us, as well as other volunteers...it was an amazing feat we accomplished...I say thank you ABC...and again say thank you ABC as their publishing department moves out here to Westchester and becomes part of TEAM HABITAT ..more to follow..

 

Last nite I returned at 1100 after a long community meeting with the parents, a number of them who want to see all of Purser place for a park...many would like to take our land, and another businesses...to

then create a regulation ball field...though wtihin .6 miles there is a regulation ball field within walking distance....as one parent who dropped me off at my car at the end of the meeting said..Jim these parents did not fix up their own playground here for five years...and are not here at 315 daily when 30 busesses ,

come in and out of here daily...how do they expect that they can secure a playground and make it happen..also the other playground was vandalized recently in front of the school...

I commend every parent there last nite, some politics going on, as is everywhere, but every single one of them and also local advocates, who i am proud to say i know...my sincerity and integrity was questioned, unfairly, but take it from the source...My board my families my donors, my Purser place neighbors and Hawthrone neighbors and riverdale neighbors are so happy we have been working in their neighborhood, paining the playground, kicking out drug users..( i stayed and made sure four users of drugs removed themselves one day out of the playground) and helping to put more home owners who will be stakeholders, tax payers, and helpers in the community...Also my neighborhing business who stated from day one they were not selling to me, has a great business and we were talking about how they might help with us the school kids...

Here is the compromise we have proposed..which some see as a compromise or no compromise...

We have proposed helping to make a green soccer field, and a basketball court, along with increased security protection and looking if two pieces of land we own might help...We believe this is a big compromise on our part..also one offer from Jason was to look at giving us school land on the other side of the street..the problem is no one from the school board was there...one parent threatened legal action, another thanked us for what we had done with the playground, another had stated there needed to be an inside gymnaisum..and another stated that they felt the area would have increased drug traffic on the street with a park..and wanted habitat there...many in the room, a stacked deck if you will were there in favor of the park with no compromise ...here is the challenge, no real dollars, land or dialogue with the neighboring business or us about any real offer has been made to replace the hardships...it would incur on our neighborhood and families..the other real thing is this...we are part of Purser Place and the neighborhood there, we have helped many there, there are many who count on us, Lincoln High school, roosevelt, Saunders and more volunteer with us..and help us..many join us in many ways and expect us in the Yonkers center there, where we have made a commimtent to help...our Lawrence neighbors are with us, our local city councillor has been with us, we have gone through every channell necessary and we look forward to working with anyone from Pearls who will be there on Saturdays like we have, after school hours, and other times, not only helping people who come in and get buessed into that school, but also to those who live their many of low economic status who own no homes, who need our help, have received it and will continue to receive it....so thank you to every single parent, who came to the meeting last nite, whether we agree or disagree, to every politician that was there, to the principal and to all, it was a great honor to meet all of you and in the mix, our partnership will grow, as we will help to make it the greenest best neighborhood possible in the country with your help, for your children, our families and our neighborhood there.. jjk

FW: blog

 

Bike2Build number 5..our fifth annual a success...always grateful to the Judge family...could your family run an event, a benefit for Habitat for Humanity of Westchester, we would be most grateful  but more importantly families like Grace and Anthony would be most grateful...no question...They moved out of the oldest projects into home ownership..with joy glee and gratitude, they volunteer with their kids every weekend, no question...they are doing great..they are succeeding..and loving life because they have a hew home..

a new home a home for Everybody, for every family for every person and child..it is within our grasp...The Judge family thinks so..So does the Syro St Marys Indian Catholic Youth group who were out fifty strong on our New Rochelle homes this past Saturday..Also Bedford Presbyterian Church, along with a sorority and Villanova Alumnia..go Wildcats.....The alumni team came out this Saturday to work on our flooded homes...while others worked on Rye on a seniors home, and others yet worked on another home in New Rochelle, two of them..we are busier than ever as we go into this 20th anniversary...so Bike2Build..pray to build..work to build..get your congregation or company to build..and if you do, EVERYONE WILL HAVE A HOME....we have only JUST BEGUN...please help us now..with God's blessings..for you and yours in every minute of your day today, from our homes and families to yours...jjk

ps say a prayer for and with our families, the key to all we do..

FW: blog

An early morning radio show at 630 announcing our Bike2Build... agreat event this Sunday beginning at 10am....

up and down the Bronx River, join in the fun, and lets see that we can really have a great time helping others...thanks to my friends at WVOX for your support....and always letting Habitat and me get the word out so we can help EVERYONE A  HOME...

 

Yesterday my good friend Adrienne from ABC Disney called me and stated, let us go out and Build, we want  to, we are moving to White Plains with some employees and we want to do this..!  Great!!!!!!

Adrienne is in charge of fun at Disney for employees..what a job..well at least part of her job...getting employees involved with so many like she does...with people volunteering, helping going out working as volunteers at hospitals at habitats and at helping...I first met Adrienne throuigh the Regis and Kelly efforst we did in taking a house down in Manhattan, yes that's right, we resalvaged a beautiful home built on the westside at abc studios next the View and we helped to utilize the supplies and help rebuild with them in our Habitat homes!!!!! what a feat...you will hear more on this in the near future..

 

Along with that we get ready for St. Marys adult group this Saturday. a high school group and also working on a burned rehab house again...as well as home in Peekskill and in Rye...God is blessing and multiplpying our requests and yesterday two developers spoke with me about parnterhing for more affordable homes...God wants EVERYONE TO HAVE A HOME!  There is no question in my mind...and to top off the day Millard Fuller called me from Louisiana yesterday...Jim my buddy how are you..you need to be here.. we have 500 volunteers blitzing today.. God is blessing what we are doing!!!!!!

No question...for Millard and Adrienne and John Harper at WVOX for Pat and Eric, for St. Marys and for Emily for Kevin and Karina and Jason and for all who touch my life daily to inpsire me...as well as Mary on her trip...i say thank you!! God Bless you as you all help me have EVERYONE HAVE A HOME!  and lets keep it going!!!!!!

ps a special shout out to the Museum School..yesterday a tour by Linn and Shakeisha two proud students, and we will be working with them and Saunders or implementing strong programs for the future!!!!!!!

and for you who read this today, God bless you, you are in our prayers, and join us in this Vital Mission, We need your help in everyway!!!!!!!!! JJK

FW: BLOG

A WORLD TO CHANGE..NO QUESTION...THE SONG GOES, AND WE HEAR IT AND SING IT.

HONORED YESTERDAY TO GET A CALL FROM THATCHER AND PROFETT..A COMPANY THAT WILL COME OUT AND JOIN US, NO QUESTION....A LAW FIRM..ALSO SPOKE TO MY GREAT FRIEND KEVIN KELLEHER, OUR CORPORATE EVENT MAY BE AT SONY MUSIC THIS YEAR, AS A THANK YOU..

COMPANIES, CONGREGATIONS AND CITIZENS, ALL COME OUT..A  WORLD TO CHANGE..

LAST NITE I SPOKE TO 100 YOUTH, IN ARMONK, PRISTINE, NON DIVERSE WEALTHY COMMUNITY, A WORLD TO CHANGE AS I SPOKE TO THE GREAT CONFIRMANTS AT ST PATRICKS THERE...CAN YOU CHANGE IT CAN YOU MAKE IT RIGHT, CAN YOU CELEBRATE AND SMILE, CAN YOU REALIZE TODAY IS THE DAY TO BEGIN...

AN EMAIL FROM CONNIE IN ARGENTINA, WE NEEDYOUR HELP JIM HERE WITH HABITAT, A CHECK SENT, A WORLD TO CHANGE..

AN OPENING TODAY AT MUSEUM HIGH SCHOOL...A DEVELOPER, A MAYOR A TEACHER, THE KIDS WANT TO RAISE NICKELS FOR NAILS.. A WORLD TO CHANGE..

SLEEPY HOLLOW MIDDLE SCHOOL, CAN WE HELP TOO, OF COURSE, A WORLD TO CHANGE.....

CAN YOU HELP US CHANGE IT..EVERYBODY A HOME....NOW!

GOD BLESS, JJK

FW: BLOG

 

HABITAT ASKS YOU TODAY, DID YOU PRAY TODAY, AND IF YOU DO.. PRAY FORU THE SUCCESS OF OUR EVERYONE A HOME CAMPAIGN....EVERYONE A HOME CAMPAIGN, MAKE  A MAJOR GIFT TO THIS EFFECT, HELP US WITH OUR 20TH ANNIVERARY, HELP US RAISE UP HOMES RAISE UP HOPE RAISE UP HEARTS, ...PRAY FOR THIS AND THEN GIVE A GIFT...

 

YESTERDAY CAMPAIGNS FOR ELECTIONS WERE HELD EVERYWHERE, AS WE SEE SOME WINNERS, SOME SURPRISES SOME LOSERS...BUT I HOPE THOSE PEOPLE DONT LOST FAITH IF THEY LOST BUT KEEP ANY GOOD IDEAS THEY HAD CONTINUING...IN THE COMMUNITIES NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE....

 

EX PRES. CARTER DID THIS, BY VOLUNTEERING WITH US AFTER HE LOST..EX PRESIDENT CLINTON WROTE A BOOK ON GIVING AND EX PRESIDENT BUSH STARTED HIS PIONTS OF LIGHT FOUNDATION...I HAVE MET ALL OF THEM OR FAMILIY MEMBERS OF THEM, AND BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT THINGS THAT HAPPEN ARE IN THE OTHER CAMPAIGNS, THE CAMPAIGNS OF IDEAS IN ACTION....LIKE A PERENNIEL DONNY DEUTSCH SHOW...THAT CELEBRATES NEW IDEAS...

WE NEED TO SEE THESE THINGS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME.....NEW IDEAS, A NEW GENERATION OF IDEAS TO BE PUT INTO PRACTICE AND ACTION OFA NEW WORLD COMMUNITY, ONE THAT RESPSECTS THE WORLD, OUR ENVIRONMENT, GETS EVERYONE A HOME, AND HELPS US ALL TO LIVE IN REAL COMMUNITY..

 

SO NOW JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN, THE CAMPAIGN FOR EVERYONE A HOME!!~!!!!

FW: BLOG

 

HOW MANY HOMES ARE BEING BUILT TODAY...HOW MANY ARE BEING FORECLOSED.. HOW MANY ARE SUFFERING OVER POLICIES ALLOWING LOAN SHARK PRACTICES AT THE SAKE OF THE CONSUMER....INTERESTING IN TIMES SQUARE, DURING ONE OF MY NYC PRAYER WALKS...THE ONLY SIGN THAT WAS OFF WAS THE ARGENT SIGN..I WONDER WHY...

SO MANY ARE NEAR FORECLOSURE, WE HAVE TO LOOK TO BE FORGIVING ON THE BANKNG SIDE TO HELP PEOPLE STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND REARRANGE A DEAL..NO QUESTION..]

 

YESTERDAY I WAS FORTUNATE TO NAIL DOWN A DATE FOR OUR MAMORONECK DAY ..THE HIGH SCHOOL WILL DO A CARNIVAL ...ON OCTOBER 19TH, WHICH IS AWESOME..WE ARE HOPING COMMERCE BANK WILL BE SUPPORTIVE AND HELP US WITHT HE DAY..AS THEY HAVE BEEN INTERESTED.

 

THIS WEEK I SPEAK TO A CONFIRMATION GROUP IN ARMONK, A FLOOD MEETING AND ANOTHER MEETING, ALL COMING AT ONCE..NEVER A DULL MOMENT IN OUR WORLD..

 

REMEMBER WE HAVE ALL THE BLESSINGS AND RESOURCES TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO...

WE JUST NEED TO SHARE AND HELP THOSE IN NEED// WITH GRATTIDUE..JJK

FW: blog

a world to change.. on this the Happy New Year for our Jewish Brothers and sisters..

and also to our muslim brothers and sisters, Ramadan...we celebrate all of you and our Christian faith and those with no faith..

 

today we have Credit Suisse out on our sites...working hard in Mamoroneck...yesterday we had our workers from Cadbury Schweppes out and also Nationwide......

a clarification...some news in the paper from a group that wants to takeover our land...and a business' land on purser place...we have offered to redo he playground there with green space, we painted the playground this summer with yonkers fire fighters..and we have done Brush with kindness projects on purser and hawthorne already...we are excited to help the neighborhood...and the school...sadly to say this group has targeted us personally in a big way, in a way that has been not publicly telling the offers that could be made without costing tax payers dollars...we look forwrad to working with the school...as i was on the phone with the principal yesterday and we will help paint another one of their playgrounds and help to make this the best neighborhood that can occur...I am proud of our board of directors and all of habitat for our hard  work for four years on this project, and we look forward to working together with many people to make this a great place to live for the schoolchildren and for others...

 

God bless to all, I meet with starwood hotels today over their increased parntership with us..they are great..

with gratitude, Jim Killoran

FW: blog

A great day overall...weekend..many volunteers, from AME Zion Institutional Methodist, to Resurrection Parish youth group, to Mr Pond volunteers..not everyone was thinking about the Emmys but was thinking about getting everyone a home...

 

Of course, there are others who are building in Louisiana like Millard and Linda Fuller today, and i congradulate them...and others are buildig in Argentina or El Salvador or other areas...

 

this weekend we celebrate diversity with the different religions celebrating holidays, and the way that many in communities like new rochelle walk with diversity..It was the Day of indpependence for our Mexican american brothers and sisters, sept 16h...and as the flag rose, opposite the Mexican corner restaurant the African American Church celebrated life with its praise and worship this past Sunday.

 

How diverse are the communities you live..economically ethnically or religiously...

how does it all add up for you in the colors of your mind and heart..are you living in a diverse community.

 

We at habitat believe that that is part of the essence and gift of life diversity and part of the gift of habitat's missoin....

Let us realize this as we go into the fall, a time of different autumn colors and let us reflect the love of God in our work, through respecting all backgrounds and help to tikkum alum, rebuild communities together..

 

jjk

FW: blog

Faith...an important aspect in everyones life, no question..no question what so ever...I am so grateful for the gift of faith...a person who was on tbn today...Roland Martin, a CNN commentator along with Dr. Phil both stated that faith was key in their lives...911 we all had faith, 6 years later, do we still have faith, or is it in crisis...do we have faith as our motivator to our work, our family our lives, our mission when we wake up. Habitat folks is a faith based ministry, i cannot deny nor do i want to...a  lawyer called me yesterday and asked why do i do what am i doing, does it make money for you..I replied it is my FAITH...We welcome people of all faiths and no faiths..By the way Happy Roshshashanah no question, happy holidays and New Year to my brothers and sisters...

Yesterday we had Avalon on the Sound staff on our site, a great job, Phil, Stephanie, Sandy and the whole gang...thank you..they came out for 911, the worked with us, strong and did a great job.. they are some of my local heroes, for which i am grateful...today we have Cadbury Schweppes and Nationwide working at our sites, no question...I am blessed to have all these great companies, all these great people volunteer with us, even though we are a faith based ministry..because we dont try to convert, we try to act...EVERYONE A HOME..and whether you have faith or no faith there is no arguing, EVERYONE A HOME.. NO QUESTION...

so today on this Sept 12th, I am grateful for a faith that the seeds were planted, and that we will act with great integrity and strength with our FAITH.  We are so grateful for all our companies, for our congregations, for our country, this post 911 and that may FAITH BE THE ESSENCE of all we do...and may you JOIN US in getting EVERYONE A HOME....with gratitude, God bless, jjk