How can you help Paterson Habitat? Let us count the ways:

1. Discover a sweetheart of a deal at your local ReStore. Don't miss the grand opening of our very own ReStore this spring.

2. Be ours. Join us online as we widen our circle of friends on our social media pages. Twitter and Facebook.

3. Make a commitment to regularly support Paterson Habitat through our Golden Hammer Club.

4.  Speak from the heart. Help build on the work of important events like the recent Habitat on the Hill by signing up to be an advocate for policies that improve access to adequate and affordable housing around the world.

5.  Play a part in relationships that support Paterson Habitat. Learn about special partnerships and purchase opportunities that can help benefit Habitat throughout the year.

6.  Serenade with songs that have helped raise $1 million for one Habitat affiliate over the past 20 years. Watch the Habitat World blog for details about our upcoming CD giveaway celebrating songwriter and guitarist Warren Haynes' longtime support of Asheville Area Habitat. (And sign up to receive email notifications when the magazine posts new interactive and multimedia content.)

7.  Give the gift of Habitat. Royalties from sales in the Habitat online store help us do more.

8.  Remember Haiti. Carter Work Project families are moving into their new homes as you read this, and the work of rebuilding continues. Learn more and donate today.

9.  Honor someone special by making a donation to Habitat in their name, a true Gift From the Heart.

10.  Spread the word that where homes, communities and hope are built, love grows, too.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

Happy Valentine's Day!

PSE&G Warns Customers About Payment Scam - Individuals in Hispanic Neighborhoods Targeted. 

PSE&G is alerting its customers not to be defrauded by a scam in which individuals misrepresenting themselves as PSE&G employees threaten to turn off electric and gas service if payment is not made to them that day. The scam involves payments using Green Dot MoneyPaks and seems to be targeting Hispanic neighborhoods in PSE&G’s service territory. As noted on the MoneyPak packaging and on the company Web site, to protect themselves from fraud, consumers should treat the MoneyPak like cash and only use the MoneyPak number with businesses on their approved partner list.

Here is how the scam works:

• A Spanish-speaking individual pretending to be a PSE&G employee calls customers saying they “work for PSE&G in the disconnect collection department.”
• They tell customers their account is in arrears and their utility service will be discontinued unless they make a payment using a prepaid debit card.
• Customers are advised to purchase a Green Dot MoneyPak at any convenience store, use cash to put money onto the card, and then provide the number on the card to the person who called them.
• Customers are advised that if they do not immediately call back and provide the MoneyPak information, their service will be turned off that day.Typically, after the customer provides that MoneyPak number, the scammer transfers the funds to a prepaid card, and cashes it in at an ATM.

What to do if you get a call

When PSE&G makes an outbound phone call to customers, the caller ID will identify the call as coming from PSE&G and customer-specific information is shared with the customer. If customers do not receive the correct pieces of information, they likely are not speaking with a PSE&G representative. If customers feel uncomfortable and they know they have an outstanding balance that needs to be resolved, they should hang up and call PSE&G directly at 1-800-436-7734 or visit a local PSE&G Customer Service Center. Service Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with locations listed on customer bills.Addresses also are available online at: http://www.pseg.com/centers.

Any customers who have doubts about the legitimacy of any call from PSE&G, especially one in which payment is requested, should call the utility directly. PSE&G is working with law enforcement to investigate the matter and is also reaching out to its contacts at local community service agencies asking them to spread the word to their clients.

The Better Business Bureau also is warning customers to be on guard for a rising tide of scams involving MoneyPaks, which can be used to fund PayPal accounts and to pay phone, cable or other utility bills, or credit card bills.

Just thinking about facing the malls this holiday season will have anyone saying, "Bah Humbug". Save yourself from the headaches and give a Gift From the Heart instead.

As an alternative to a usually gifts, give the gift that helps many by making a donation to Paterson Habitat for Humanity in honor of that special someone - or everyone - on your list this holiday.

Your gift will be acknowledged with a special Gifts From the Heart card sent to the person you wish to honor.

Click here  to simplify your holiday shopping and give the gift of good to someone - or everyone - on your list.

You can safely and easily make your donation online, and we'll take care of the rest!  Please make donations by noon on December 21st to ensure mail delivery by December 25th.

Here are five simple ways to help Paterson Habitat. Got more ideas? Share them with us in a comment down below!

1. Show some social love. Follow us on twitter (we follow back!) and like us on Facebook. You can send tweets to your followers about us (@patersonhabitat), retweet us, and share/like our Facebook posts. Show your support by adding us to your profile and bio info too.

2. Add yourself to our email / mailing lists right HERE.

3. Get creative with a fundraiser. Create a "Causes Page" on Facebook or join us for one of our fundraisers like, "Hammering 4 Habitat" coming in January 2012.

4. Add us to your personal email auto-signature. Link to our website or donation page with a short snippet on what we do. Something as simple as "I support Paterson Habitat for Humanity - www.patersonhabitat.org".

5. Volunteer, and add it to your resume and online profiles (like LinkedIn). Let the world know about Habitat for Humanity, and that helping is important to you!

Congressional "Super Committee" to propose sweeping deficit reduction strategies within days
Sign your organization onto the national nonprofit community letter to protect charitable giving incentives (http://www.givevoice.org/letter)

The charitable giving incentive that supports the work of all charitable nonprofits is at risk. Within a matter of days, the U.S. Congress Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (the "Super Committee") must finalize its proposals to trim the national debt. Among the many proposals under consideration are some that would reduce the deductibility of donations to charity as a way to help lower the federal deficit. These proposals come at a time when most funding for nonprofits is flat and demand for services has never been higher.

YOUR FAST ACTION IS NEEDED TO HELP PRESERVE CHARITABLE GIVING INCENTIVES!

• Please sign onto the letter calling on our federal office holders to protect the charitable giving incentive. By signing onto this letter you can lift the voice of millions in communities across the country who rely on nonprofits and the resources provided by charitable donations.
• Share this message broadly and immediately with your colleagues and non-profit networks. We need as many non-profit organization signers as quickly as possible in order to send a powerful message to the Super Committee about the importance of this issue.

Background

Federal tax law currently encourages individuals to give to the charitable organizations whose missions they support by providing an itemized deduction. Maintaining the charitable giving incentive is essential to the ongoing work of nonprofit organizations in delivering needed services, enhancing quality of life, and uplifting the spirit of faith, innovation, and inspiration in local communities across America.

Policymakers in Washington – now and for the foreseeable future – are focusing on how and how much to reduce the federal budget deficit through spending cuts, entitlement reforms, and tax increases and reforms. The President, Senators, Representatives, bi-partisan commissions, and think tanks have all put forward plans to address these issues, and all propose changing the charitable deduction in one way or another. No one knows the true impact that any of these proposals will have on the ability of nonprofits to raise the resources needed to provide the programs and services that fulfill their missions. But recent reports suggest that some of the proposals to limit charitable giving incentives could cost charities billions of dollars in lost giving.

Regardless of political party or philosophy, politicians presume that nonprofit organizations will just step in to fill the gaps and address the needs in our communities. In all likelihood, Congress will cut federal spending and reform tax laws and entitlement programs in ways that curtail the ability of nonprofits to maintain programs and services, much less to expand them to meet the increased needs. We need to protect tax incentives for charitable giving in order to provide the best chance that nonprofit organizations will be there to fill the gaps during these times of tremendous need.

World Habitat Day is celebration of the grassroots action which unites our efforts to eradicate poverty housing! This October 3, Habitat for Humanity hosted hundreds of events to address the need for decent housing worldwide.

Here in Paterson had a very special wall raising (the 500,001st Habitat home worldwide!) followed by a celebratory luncheon at the Lambert Castle Museum. You can also support us locally in the efforts to fight poverty housing by following these three simple steps:

1.  SUBSCRIBE

Join our mailing list. Twice a year you'll receive our newsletter 'The Builder", our appeals which always tell a special Habitat homeowner story and invitations to our special events.  If you provide us with your email address you'll receive our monthly enewsletter "eBuilder".  Stay up-to-date on the latest and greatest news from Paterson Habitat. Click here to subscribe.

2.  SUPPORT

There are many ways to support Paterson Habitat, not just financially.  Donations of materials, services and your expertise are other great ways to support our mission.  Habitat for Humanity is one of a kind because we RECYCLE and not just with our green building but with every donation.  Your donation helps us build a home for a family in need, their home is purchased with 400 hours of sweat equity, 1% down payment and 0% interest mortgage.  Next, we reinvest all mortgage payments back into the Habitat home building program.  Then it starts all over again (see how it works here).  Financial contributions from people like you make it possible for the Habitat cycle to continue.  Click here to make your contribution.

3.  GET INVOLVED

The possibilities are endless when getting involved with Habitat. From committees to construction volunteering there is something for everyone. Get involved as an individual or with your church or organization.  Even corporations have a place here at Habitat. Swing a hammer, donate your time and talents - short term or long term commitments, it's up to you.  Click here for volunteer opportunities.

Any questions? Please free to contact us any day or time or call (973) 595-6868.

View this amazing video created by Habitat for Humanity Intl. as they share the story of the people of Kenya. Also feature in the short clip are Paterson Habitat volunteers who traveled to Kenya to help build the 500,000th Habitat home worldwide.

Be sure to check out this new cool application Habitat for Humanity International created. It's a map that allows you to post where you've had all your Habitat experiences. Think you haven't had an experience to share? Tell everyone about your relationship with us, right here in NJ. Share a story, share a memory! Click here to visit the map app.

Written by Orville Morales, Paterson Habitat Board Member

*The links below are links to videos and pictures of the topic I am discussion to provide better context to the article. 

Habitat for Humanity International is building homes throughout the world to accomplish a simple but ever challenging mission - provide safe, decent, affordable housing for all those in need! Habitat for Humanity International did not randomly choose Kenya because there is loads of poverty and decided to arrive in a white horse and shining armor to “save” people. Habitat for Humanity Kenya is an established 29 year old affiliate (even older than Paterson Habitat) that has helped more than 5,000 low income families organizing in over 100 community groups to construct simple, decent and durable houses through the provision of small incremental loans that are easy to pay off.  They work in many regions, but the particular project we were working on was to house 335 families displaced by the post-election violence that occurred in Kenya after the disputed presidential election of 2007.   1,137 people were killed and 630,000 people were displaced from their homes and moved to regions where they felt safer.  Frances, the village chairman was able to organize the 335 families to pool some of their money that the government gave to pay for a plot of land and divide the land equally so they can begin the process of permanently settling in this new location.   They then contacted organizations such as Habitat to help them construct houses.  And there we were building house number 262 for the families in Maai Mahiu, Kenya.  

The house we built was for Lea and her grandchildren Jane and Joseph. Like all the other families, they have lived in small vinyl tents above a dirt floor that housed 1 adult with 2 children for years.  You can see in the pictures the major improvement to their quality of life from vinyl tents to quarry stone homes.  Each family will receive the same kind of home and were chosen by lottery.   Many families have already received their new homes with great joy while those that wait are still happy for their neighbors.  Each morning the women of the community greeted us in song praising God for our presence before we began our days work.  It certainly brought a great beginning to our day!

You will see that we are not building large 2 families homes like in the States. These houses are of humble size so that Habitat Kenya and the families can afford to build the same kinds of houses for everyone at the construction cost of $2,667.  This is to ensure everyone has a home with an accompanying Latrine (which was NOT present before hand).   Paterson Habitat for Humanity is a long time sister affiliate with Habitat Kenya and has donated through tithing roughly $36,000 a year to Kenya.  We truly feel apart of every stone that is laid in these homes.

What is most profound about this project is the people's story.   We had the pleasure of speaking to the leader of security, John.  John was a commander in the armed forces until they were forced to fight their way out of their village after being attacked by their own neighbors.  The aforementioned issue with the elections was that of ethnic tensions gone bad.  When one group lost the elections, they took the results bitterly.  So anyone that was foreign or not of that tribe was pushed out of their homes.  

He explained to us in tears that “few in my country acknowledge their struggles as being displaced. While foreigners have shown so much love to us.”  This caused all the team members from Paterson (even the camera guy and our Habitat counterparts) to find themselves in tears while listening to his story.   We were all left speechless hearing how heartbroken he was at the betrayal of his neighbors.  He was sure to express that he has forgiven his attackers though he will never forget their action. John says he will continue to praise God for the many people he has been able to meet and those that have come from all over the world to help build houses for him and his people.  Although John is still waiting for his home to be built, our teary eyed encounter resulted in renewed energies to finish this house and help start another one before we left.  Our farewells were very emotional but rewarding! Stay tuned for more details about our experience as our trip was so rich with insight that I simply cannot write just one blog about it.   Hope you enjoy!

Survivors of Hurricane Irene who suffered damage should apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency – even if they have insurance or aren’t sure they are eligible.

Federal disaster assistance will not duplicate benefits, but may provide for uncovered losses. Grants may be available to help pay for rental assistance and emergency home repairs. Reimbursement for other serious disaster-related expenses may include medical, dental, funeral or burial costs.

Also, homeowners, renters, business owners and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to aid recovery from losses not covered by insurance, grants or other sources. No one is obligated to take out a loan, but the application must be completed to receive other types of assistance.

Residents of Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties are eligible for disaster assistance. As local, state, and federal recovery experts continue to assess damages, other New Jersey counties may be added to the disaster declaration.

Here are the three basic steps to receiving disaster assistance:

STEP ONE: Registration

Register by phone at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairments. Specialists are standing by at the toll-free numbers seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Help in other languages is available. Or you can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. You can also apply through a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone by visiting m.fema.gov and following the link to “apply online for federal assistance.”

• If you have insurance, contact your agent before registering with FEMA.
• When calling FEMA, you will need: your Social Security number, your current mailing address, the address of the damaged property, a brief description of the damages and any insurance information, including the policy number and the name of your agent, and a phone number where you can be reached.
• Fill out and return your SBA low-interest disaster loan application if you receive one. Returning the application does not obligate you to accept an SBA loan, but the application must be filled out in order to be considered for other types of disaster assistance. 

STEP TWO: Inspections

After you register, a FEMA-contracted housing inspector will call you to set up an appointment to inspect your property. There is no charge for this service, but it is a necessary step to determine damages.

Make sure your home or mailbox number is easily visible from the road. As part of the inspection process, you must provide proof of ownership or occupancy:

• Homeowners may show a tax bill, deed, mortgage payment receipt or insurance policy with the property's address.
• Renters may show a lease, rent payment receipt, utility bill or other document confirming the home was their primary residence at the time of the disaster.
• Homeowners and renters must also present a valid driver's license or other photo ID.

STEP THREE: Keep in Touch

Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. This can be particularly difficult for persons in shelters or temporary housing. FEMA tries to reach applicants numerous times before a decision on an application is made. It is vital that you inform FEMA of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address. This can be done by simply calling the FEMA Helpline (see below) or by visiting the disaster assistance website.

For More Information or Questions  

For any assistance along the way – such as with help filling out the applications, and general questions or progress reports – call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, and select the language option you require.

Receiving a FEMA Grant

FEMA will issue funds if you are found eligible under the Individuals and Households Program. If you have provided banking information to FEMA, the funds will be deposited directly into your account. This option can often speed up the process of receiving assistance.

If you do receive a check, deposit it as soon as possible. You must use the money for the disaster-related assistance for which it is intended. You will receive a letter outlining how the funds are to be spent.

Information from www.PatersonPress.com