Summer 1997 Newsletter

Formatting Update: August, 1998

Much More Than a Groundbreaking

Seattle HfH celebrated many firsts this spring. The groundbreaking ceremony held on May 31st marked the official and symbolic beginnings of the first Women's House for the affiliate. The home will be the first of three to be built in Shoreline and the first home to be constructed on land purchased through a grant from King County's HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

After a rainy start that forced the official ceremonies inside, Patricia and Leonard Franklin, along with their family, proceeded to the site and broke ground for their new home. The Franklin's and five of their seven children expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity become homeowners and look forward to building their new home. Even Mr. Franklin, who took time off work to attend, said he won't mind working alongside the Habitat women and believes that owning his own home is one of the greatest gifts he has ever received.

The Shorecrest High School Pep Band opened the celebration in the Fellowship Hall of Bethel Lutheran Church in Shoreline. Kathleen Petrie, Project Manager for the Women's House, then spoke to the crowd about the history and future direction of the project. Petrie recognized the efforts of all the volunteers who have put in hundreds of hours on the project, specifically highlighting the Association for Women in Architecture (AWA). Members of AWA have formed a coalition to both design the Women's House and the site for all three homes at the Shoreline location.

King County Council member Maggi Fimia gathered the group in a circle and prayed for faith, strength, and the resolve to build this home and continue the march toward eliminating substandard housing in our area. Mary Lynn Myers, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Shoreline expressed the city's enthusiasm for having Habitat and the Women's Project as a part of the total community effort toward affordable housing. Another highlight of the day was Desiree Leigh, a representative from Ron Sims office, who delivered a proclamation from the King County Executive.

Sims proclaimed May 31st, 1997 Seattle Habitat for Humanity Day, recognizing that Seattle Habitat for Humanity "has dedicated itself to help low income families in the King County area to own their own homes ... has created a true public, private and non-profit agency partnership, constructing new affordable homes through the tireless efforts of volunteers, staff and homebuyers," and the cooperative efforts of SHfH and King County. "...The building sites for these homes are the first to be provided under King County Ordinance No. 12394, which directs the County to make real property owned and declared surplus for the purpose of providing affordable housing.

It was as if God was listening--just when the spades were picked up and everyone headed toward the site, the rain stopped and the clouds lifted. The first shovels of dirt were dislodged by the Franklin's, Petrie and Leigh and the Women's House was underway.

For more information and to get involved with the women's project call the hotline at (206) 804-2344.