DuPage Habitat for Humanity, ComEd and the College of DuPage have announced a green partnership in connection with Pioneer Prairie, DuPage Habitat's 11-unit subdivision, which will break ground this June. COD's new course, "Sustainable Design Initiative," which will be offered to architecture and construction management students, will evaluate green building strategies the Pioneer Prairie project and for DuPage Habitat in the long-term. Students will work alongside industry professionals and technical experts, such as ComEd's Energy Doctor. Anne Pramaggiore, executive vice president of customer operations, regulatory and external affairs for ComEd, said, "ComEd is committed to helping all its customers become smart energy consumers, especially in the current economic climate. That's why we're suggesting simple steps our customers can take to shrink their carbon footprints - and their energy costs." Pramaggiore noted that the partnership advances ComEd's own efforts to promote energy efficiency. "This creative collaboration allows ComEd to expand its energy efficiency education efforts by providing technical expertise to DuPage Habitat for Humanity and the students of Sustainable Design Initiative," she said.

 

The COD students' coursework will culminate in a plan offering DuPage Habitat a complete analysis of energy efficiency recommendations on home construction, recycling and landscaping. "This has been a great opportunity for our students to see the real-world applications of sustainable design principles," said Jane Ostergaard, architecture coordinator, College of DuPage. "Working with Habitat has pushed the students to look carefully at the cost benefits and consequences of the recommendations they are preparing." The course's findings will be publicized by DuPage Habitat, ComEd, and COD later this year through a series of free community events designed to inform area residents of low- and no-cost options for managing energy costs and reducing energy usage.   

 

BECKER HOME DEDICATION APRIL 4

  

   

It was the sheer need to have "stability in the family" that led Allen and Cheryl Becker to a DuPage Habitat application session. And four months later, it was the beginning of a new and exciting journey for the family of four. The 39th and newest partner family with the DuPage Habitat for Humanity, the Beckers realized their dream of becoming homeowners on April 4, 2009, with an official home dedication event. In their own words, "Thanks to the DuPage Habitat for Humanity and the efforts put in by the volunteers, we can finally look forward to having friends and family over."

 

The Beckers began their journey toward homeownership by working with the DuPage Habitat family support committee, where they found their future "mentor" in Deanne Prochnow, who also is the family support committee chair. Deanne did her bit in trying to ensure that the new family was ready for homeownership. "Working with the DuPage Homeownership Center, we helped them learn how to better manage their finances and work within a budget," said Deanne. "We also hosted classes for the family to learn more about the "sweat equity" factor."

 

Deanne is extremely proud of the new family and the effort they have put in. "The Beckers have put in more than 500 hours of sweat equity, which is incredible," she said. And since being selected as a DuPage Habitat partner family, Allen and Cheryl Becker and their two daughters have continued their partnership with DuPage Habitat by working on two other Habitat houses. "It's a natural thing to want to help," said Cheryl. "I'm really learning a lot," said Allen, "and the people make it fun." 

 

-- Preetie Karumbaya 

Tuesday, May 12: New volunteer orientation meeting

6:30 p.m., BP Conference Center, Cantera II, 28301 Ferry Road, Warrenville, Ill.

  

Tuesday, May 12: General monthly Habitat meeting

7 p.m., BP Conference Center

  

Thursday, June 4: DuPage Habitat honored at DuPage Homeownership gala

Visit www.dhoc.org for details.

  

Sunday, June 7: DuPage Habitat Homeowner Application Session

St. Isidore's Catholic Church, Bloomingdale, Ill. Visit www.dupagehabitat.org for details.

 

Tuesday, June 9: New volunteer orientation meeting

6:30 p.m., BP Conference Center, Cantera II, 28301 Ferry Road, Warrenville, Ill.

  

Tuesday, June 9: Monthly Habitat meeting

7 p.m., BP Conference Center

 

June 20: Thrivent/Kane County Cougars game

 

June 24: Pioneer Prairie Groundbreaking out at site

  

Open Build Dates: Visit www.dupagehabitat.org for upcoming opportunities. 

 

DuPage Habitat Friends,

 

I am thrilled to report that the Pioneering Affordable Homeownership initiative continues to gain momentum! On Feb. 26, DuPage Habitat hosted a Celebration dinner for our leadership team sponsors, courtesy of our partners at the Lisle Hilton. We are grateful to all of the public and private partners who joined us. Our updates to date include:

• Pioneer Prairie Construction: We are on track for a summer completion of the Pioneer Prairie infrastructure. We will commence building the first two of 11 homes in Summer 2009.
• Scattered Site Rehabilitation: We are hard at work on the first of our scattered site homes - a single-family rehab in Addison. We will rehab and sell six additional homes in Addison, Glendale Heights and Villa Park before 2011.
• Outreach: In the last eight months, our staff and board have held more than 200 meetings with civic, church and business groups throughout DuPage County. Our plan is to meet with 200 more in 2009. 

I hope you will join us at our Pioneer Prairie Groundbreaking June 24, 2009, out at the site, as we begin the homebuilding phase of this exciting project. Please check our Web site for details as they unfold.

 

In partnership,

  

Sarah Brachle

Executive Director