Point of You Productions: POY supports Habitat for Humanity

From the desk of Johnny Blaze Leavitt:

Thea Cimmino, a friend and volunteer with POY, will be participating in a Habitat for Humanity - NYC Women Build project in June of 2007. POY applauds Thea's efforts and our company members plan to donate to her cause. Once donations are complete, we'll post the total POY donation tally on our blog!

We took some time to interview Thea regarding Habitat for Humanity - NYC Women Build:

1. Tell us a little about this project and its goals.

The project is called "The Halsey Street Project in Brooklyn." Nine homes will be built in compliance with EnergyStar standards which will minimize waste and maximize natural resources, resulting in environmentally-friendly homes that are cost efficient for homeowners. Nicknamed “The Coffee Cup Building,” this is one of the first structures in New York City to incorporate energy-efficient insulated concrete forms made of polystyrene, similar to insulated coffee cups.

Once completed, it will look like this:

2. What inspired you to get involved in this project?

I recently converted to Lutheranism and joined a parish in the Bronx which I LOVE! This summer, my parish is participating in a project called Lutheran Women Build (for Habitat for Humanity). I thought it would be a great way to get involved, give back to the community and simultaneously get to know my fellow parishioners better.

3. What exactly will be your participation on the project?

I don't know the exact details of my participation, but it has been described to me as, “You will pound, haul, lug, dig, raise, demolish or scrub. You will see results and you will get dirty!”

4. The project is described as “Lutheran Women Build.” - are all of the volunteers women or are you assisting women in need?

There are several different groups of volunteers participating in this project, both men and women, including Delta Airlines employees, Jon Bon Jovi and independent volunteers from throughout NYC. My group is made up of 50 Lutheran women coming from multiple Lutheran parishes throughout the NY metro area. Some of the other volunteers are trade professionals (carpenters, electricians, plumbers) who will contribute their expertise to the completion of the project.

The end product of the project will be nine affordable, environmentally-friendly homes for families with low incomes. Although not exclusively for women, seven of the homes will be occupied by single women with families.

5. How do you feel this project will affect the community?

The project is a great asset to the community. It is providing safe, clean and affordable housing to good people in need. It will help improve the aesthetics of the neighborhood. It also unites diverse individuals of a different race, religion, profession and background working together for an honorable cause.

6. Is there anything special you would like people to know about this project?

I’d like people to view this as more than just a charitable cause. It is also a unifying event for New Yorkers. After 9/11, people of every imaginable background united to help rebuild New York City physically, mentally and emotionally. But, we shouldn’t have to wait for major a tragedy to bring us together. There are plenty of everyday tragedies within our community that we ignore on a regular basis. Volunteer workers and sponsors for projects like this are living testaments that New Yorkers care and will hopefully inspire others to get involved and help better our community in some way, regardless of how big or small.

To make a donation to this project, please visit:
http://habitatnyc.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&amp;i=220352&u=220352-171977054&e=1033067148
And if they ask “How did you hear about us?” tell them “Point of You Productions.