Mary Juhnke, Exec. Director of Local Habitat for Humanity Speaks at Rotary
November 23, 2010
By: Stephen Kent
Mary Juhnke
Habitat for Humanity International is a Christian organization and welcomes volunteers from all faiths who are committed to Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing in the world. With that mission in mind, Mary Juhnke, Executive Director of Bay County's Habitat for Humanity chapter brought Rotary up to date on the Chapter's work.
Starting three years ago as the resource development director in Battle Creek, Mary came to Bay County as the Executive Director when Bob Jarve retired from the organization and became emeritus director. Prior to Habitat, Mary worked in health care and with free clinics in particular, where she learned much about need in the community.
The tri-county area is on track to being one of the national leaders in the net zero energy, low income home. Designed around energy efficient building practices and renewable energy sources, these homes endeavor to generate its own energy needs annually.
Habitat has generally built three homes a year in Bay County. Across the nation while the rate of new home construction has dropped significantly, Habitat has remained constant, a fact they are happy about.
The Bay County chapter is also working in Habitat's Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Recognizing that the difficulties that the current economic conditions are creating, Habitat addressed the need of communities suffering foreclosures, abandonment and home-maintenance problems. This change from the core mission of building new homes could have an even more profound effect.
Of the 77 Habitat affiliates in Michigan, eight are part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative. Nationally only 55 participate in this new program.
The way that Habitat success is by working in partnership with the community. To illustrate that, Juhnke paused in her presentation and had each club member introduce themselves and say a but about what they do. Juhnke commented on many and how they could fit into the Habitat program.
For more information visit
www.habitatbaycounty.org .
Mary Juhnke turns tables and takes a picture of the assembled club.
CLUB NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS
The next
New Member Orientation will be December 1 at Tommy V's.
Breezes Reporters Wanted: If you'd like to help write the weekly Breezes please see Steve Kent. It's an easy job. No experience necessary. Training provided. High Pay (well at least a lot of thanks).
Upcoming Programs
(See the official schedule at
RotaryBayCity.org )
November 30: Front Porch Renaissance group
Dr. Steven Ingersoll will give his vision for the future of Bay City and what he is doing to make a difference.
December 7: Saginaw Basin Land Conservancy
Valarie Roof discuss the Conservancy and the impact to our region.
December 14: Salvation Army
Captain Mike Myers will talk about the status of Salvation Army projects.
December 21: Holiday Program
Enjoy the ever popular musical talents of some of our fellow Rotarians.
December 28: Off Site Meeting at the Do-Art Gallery, 1205 Washington Ave. Chris Girard will talk about the Do-Art Gallery
and all the talented artists in our community.
DATES TO REMEMBER
LINKS