EVANSVILLE (September 29, 2008) - The block party on Sept. 29 at Glenwood Middle School looked like fun, complete with an inflatable obstacle course and food, but there was a message behind it. All Glenwood residents, business owners and families of students who attend or will attend Glenwood Middle School are invited to a community discussion from 11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Glenwood Middle School. The purpose is to discuss ideas to improve the neighborhood.

“Habitat for Humanity is doing a great thing in this community,” former NBA player Calbert Cheaney told students during an assembly minutes before they were released to attend the block party. “I believe in what they’re trying to do. I really appreciate what they’re trying to do for this community.”

Habitat for Humanity of Evansville is collaborating with other organizations, community residents and individuals to invest philanthropic resources in one place at one time. The goal is to create a full-service neighborhood in the Glenwood area where residents are offered the same opportunities, including decent housing, quality education and health resources, that the more affluent neighborhoods provide.

Calbert Cheaney, an Evansville native who is sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity home, was invited to speak at the block party to help get the word out about the November discussion.

Habitat recognizes that its impact on the well-being of the neighborhoods where it builds would greatly increase if it partnered with others working to improve the same areas. Months ago, it learned about other organizations working to revitalize the Glenwood area, including the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation. Since Habitat owns a substantial number of lots in that area, it saw the value in working with these groups and other local residents.

During the summer, Glenwood residents participated in focus groups led by faculty from the University of Southern Indiana to determine community needs. Faculty will also lead the Nov. 15 visioning process during which the community will begin charting a course for its future. From this, goals and strategies will be developed.
“We want to make this community the best that it can be for the partner families who will buy Habitat homes in this area and for all their neighbors,” said Lori Reed, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Evansville. “We have only a small part in this locally led initiative, but the overall results promise to be outstanding.”

For more information on the community discussion that will take place on Nov. 15, please call the Habitat office at (812) 423-5623.

About Habitat for Humanity of Evansville
Founded in 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Evansville is a nonprofit Christian ministry whose mission is to build and sell simple, decent houses to hardworking families in Vanderburgh and Posey counties. We partner with individuals, churches, businesses and civic organizations who share our vision to make adequate, affordable housing for all a matter of conscience and action.

To be eligible, families must have incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income. They must have a need for housing, be willing to contribute 300 hours in sweat equity and have the ability to pay their mortgage based on a 25-year, no-interest loan.

For more information, go to www.evansvillehabitat.org or call (812) 423-5623.