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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ 10th Annual “Power Women Power Tools” Event Takes Place Saturday, June 21, 2014 in Lynwood

More than 200 Women Volunteers to Begin Framework for Four New Habitat Homes

Los Angeles, CA – June 4, 2014: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ (Habitat LA) Power Women Power Tools (PWPT) build event turns ten this year and more than 200 volunteers are expected to join in the celebration. The all-women crew of volunteers will be framing walls for four new sustainable, affordable homes in Lynwood, as part of a seven-home neighborhood currently in progress. Habitat LA is pleased to welcome back Lowe’s, Union Bank and Sony Pictures Entertainment as the primary supporters of this event.

Power Women Power Tools attracts hundreds of professional women from various sectors, including corporate, entertainment, education and faith to build homes side by side with Habitat LA partner homeowners.

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ANEW Receives Los Angeles County Green Leadership Award

Los Angeles, CA – April 22, 2014: Asset Network for Education Worldwide (ANEW) was awarded the Green Leadership Award in the nonprofit category today for its outstanding efforts to improve environmental sustainability, which benefits the community and the residents of Los Angeles County. The award was presented during the Board of Supervisors meeting as part of the Los Angeles County observance of Earth Week. A reception was held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration prior to the presentation of the award. In attendance to receive the award was the ANEW team including board members Ron Burkhardt and Yong Wong.

“Today our team of dedicated professionals will pause and take stock of the collective effort we call doing at ANEW,” says Rose Tourje, founder and president, ANEW. “When others take stock of our doing, they marvel at the courage, passion and skill required to build our organization over the past nine years.

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Habitat for Habitat of Greater Los Angeles Launches New CharityBuzz Auction Package Featuring General Hospital Fan Club Weekend Event Priority Entry and Seating plus a Real Hollywood Makeover

Los Angeles, CA- April 18, 2014: Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity (HFHFH), a program of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA), has launched its latest auction on CharityBuzz.com featuring General Hospital Fan Club Weekend tickets with priority access plus a makeover day with the show’s Emmy® Award winning hair and makeup artist Linda Rondinella. Bidding is open through Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT just in time for Mother’s Day. All proceeds from this auction benefit Habitat LA’s mission to end substandard housing.

Bid now on the chance to be made over like a General Hospital star and priority access to up to six Fan Club Weekend events.

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Local Youth Advocate for Affordable Housing with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles during Act! Speak! Build! Week April 6 to 12, 2014

“Opening the Doors to Change” Design Contest is One Way to Get Involved

Los Angeles, CA – March 20, 2014: Act! Speak! Build! Week (ASBW) is a student-initiated advocacy program that empowers young people ages 5-25, not only to educate themselves about affordable housing issues, but also to take action. Habitat for Humanity affiliates around the country participate annually and this year ASBW will take place April 6-12.  Locally, schools and universities will participate with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) by planning and hosting an event or activity focused on ending poverty housing, raising social consciousness, and changing housing policy.

This year’s theme is “Opening the Doors to Change.

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SHARE, Inc. Awards $20,000 Grant to The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles

Funding will Help Support Dreamer Mentorship Programs

Los Angeles, CA – April 11, 2013: The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) is thrilled to announce that SHARE, Inc. has awarded the organization a $20,000 grant to support its Mentoring Programs. The mentoring program is a fundamental piece of IHADLA’s core programming, and provides a positive role model and one-on-one time that many of the Dreamers might not otherwise receive in their lives. SHARE, Inc. is a non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of some of L.A.’s neediest children and a long-time supporter of IHADLA. IHADLA Executive Director Katy Garretson and IHADLA mentor Alexandra Dupont, the grandniece of the Founder of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation Eugene Lang, accepted the check during SHARE’s Annual Funding Reception.

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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles Selected for ‘Affiliate of Distinction’ Honor for its Service and Innovation

Los Angeles, CA – March 26, 2013:  Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) has been selected as one of seven “Affiliates of Distinction” by Habitat for Humanity International.

The Affiliates of Distinction program was established this year by Habitat for Humanity to honor those Habitat affiliates that meet or exceed best-practice standards.

“We are extremely honored to be acknowledged as one of the Inaugural Affiliates of Distinction,” said Erin Rank, president and CEO, HFH GLA. “This award belongs to all of the staff, Board Members and volunteers who carry out our work with passion and integrity every day. We applaud the work of Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the nation, and we are proud to be part of this ministry.”

Watch a video with Erin Rank talking about this honor here.

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The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles Launches Grass Roots Effort to Collect Prom Dresses and Accessories for Dreamers

“Prom Dress Day” will allow Senior Girls from Lincoln & Wilson High Schools to Select from Donated Items on Saturday, April 6th

 Los Angeles, CA – March 8, 2013:  The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) helps children from underserved schools in impoverished communities have a better life and get a good education. Today, however, the foundation is taking on a new mission; to help its graduating girls from Lincoln and Wilson High Schools in East Los Angeles prepare for their senior proms.  Staff and supporters of IHADLA have taken to Facebook and social media to launch a grass roots effort to collect dresses, accessories, shoes and handbags.  Items may be shipped to IHADLA or local pick-up  may be arranged with staff and volunteers.

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Mark Harmon, LL COOL J and Sean Hayes to Present at “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles’ Dreamer Brunch on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Skirball Center

Patricia Heaton will Emcee the Event Honoring Eric & Kim Tannenbaum and Bela Bajaria

Los Angeles, CA – February 7, 2013: The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) announced today that Mark Harmon (NCIS), LL COOL J (NCIS: Los Angeles) and Sean Hayes (Will & Grace, Smash) will be presenters at the 15th Annual Dreamer Brunch on Sunday, March 3, 2013.  Television producers Eric and Kim Tannenbaum, and EVP, Universal Television, Bela Bajaria will be honored with Dream Keeper Awards. Patricia Heaton (The Middle) will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Foundation’s premiere event to be held in the Ahmanson Ballroom at the Skirball Cultural Center. This year’s Dreamer Brunch celebrates the 25th Anniversary of IHADLA.

“These three presenters raise our event to a higher level,” said Executive Director Katy Garretson.

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Hermosa Beach Homeowner Chooses to Deconstruct 1930s Home & Donate Valuable Materials to Benefit Community & Environment

Salvaged Building Materials Donated to help Build Affordable Housing  

Hermosa Beach, CA – February 7, 2013: Deconstruction & ReUse Network (DRN), an environmental and social benefit organization, recently assisted Bonnie MacLeod and Dr. David Brunner of Hermosa Beach with the deconstruction of her 1930s home for reuse and recycling.  DRN develops programs for property owners to ensure structures slated for remodel or tear down will be reused and recycled. Deconstruction is environmentally practical and, in most cases, provides property owners with significant tax deductions. Most projects are completed in three weeks or less.

Situated a few blocks from the ocean in Hermosa Beach, this 1,200 square-foot home was built in 1931. The one-story home, which included a basement, yielded nearly 6.

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Creative Fundraising – Poker Anyone?

I have represented non-profits for almost a decade so I appreciate how difficult fundraising can be, especially in this economy.   Although there are many ways to support an organization that don’t involve fundraising, such as advocacy and volunteering, funding is the most critical need.  For this reason, and because I am a self-proclaimed marketing dork, I love celebrating creative fundraising and the folks who make it happen.

Meet the Beach Cities Friends.  This organization was started in 2002 by a group of friends here in the South Bay, who had a desire to give back to the community.  They began volunteering, raising money and advocating for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles.  Their fundraising started simple – dinner parties in their home that educated friends about the organization and asking them to get involved – and it has grown to include annual events that raise enough to sponsor homes.

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