The Howard -Navarro Story

The Howard-Navarro homes, are made possible through a partnership with the City of Pasadena, generous donors and the support of hundreds of volunteers. When completed, these homes will transform the lives of the families for generations. Keep visiting this page for the latest updates on the fifth SGV Habitat project in the City of Pasadena.

 

Project Stats: 2 New Homes

Update – June 17, 2021

This vacant slab of dirt with empty garden boxes will soon be the foundation for the the hopes and dreams of two families.

Update – July 2, 2021 – Howard-Navarro Groundbreaking Ceremony

As is the Habitat tradition, elected officials, donors, faith and youth partners, corporate partners, and community come together to celebrate the beginning of construction at the latest SGV Habitat homesite in Pasadena. Watch these videos in order to get the ultimate groundbreaking experience.

Part I: Introduction

Executive Director Bryan Wong and Frances Hardy, Director of Resource Development welcome you to the Howard-Navarro site in Pasadena.

Part II: Invocation – Dr. Reverend Lisa Hansen

Per Habitat tradition, Reverend Lisa Hansen from Pasadena Presbyterian Church says a few words and officially opens the groundbreaking in prayer.

Part III: Congresswoman Judy Chu

Our next speaker is Congresswoman Judy Chu. Representative Chu is a champion for affordable housing and homeownership locally and nationally. We were honored to host the Congresswoman last year during our Women Build a Better World Webinar series and are delighted to have her here again with us to celebrate the beginning of this project.

Part IV: Mayor Victor Gordo

Our next speaker, Mayor Victor Gordo of Pasadena, personally supported and voted for this project to take place.

Part V: Jim Wong

There are many partners who help make a project like this possible. One of these partners is Pasadena’s Department of Housing. We’re glad to work with the Housing Department again to make affordable homeownership more present in this great city! Jim Wong is one of the very special people at the department who have helped make this project possible.

Part VI: Assemblymember Chris Holden

Another housing champion with us today is State Assemblymember Chris Holden. Assemblymember Holden is no stranger to Habitat for Humanity. He’s helped us pass important legislation at the state level to help more Californians access safe, decent and affordable housing. Locally, he’s joined us on many projects like these. In fact, just a few years ago, he, his wife and several of his staff joined us for our annual Women Build program where they helped landscape 9 homes.

Part VII: District Representative Dominick Correy

Another guest joining us today is from State Senator Portantino’s office. Senator Portantino has been a long-time Habitat champion, serves on our honorary board and was even part of our organization’s hiring committee at one point. We are grateful for Senator Portantino’s partnership and are pleased to have Dominick Correy with us today to say a few words on behalf of the Senator. Rumor has it that Dominick is an avid ReStore supporter! Our ReStores are our social enterprise stores that sell furniture, appliances, home goods, and building materials. All proceeds from the stores help fund our mission.

Part VIII: End of Ceremony

And now, enjoy the end of the show!

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Crissy

MEET CRISSY

In honor of National Volunteer Month, this week’s volunteer cheers goes to Crissy (pictured below).

Never scared to pick up a hammer and put her muscles to work, Crissy is one of Habitat’s most well-known volunteers. Wherever she’s volunteering, she does it wholeheartedly!

“When I first got involved with SGV Habitat, I wanted to go big. I wanted a weekday, hands-on volunteer project that resulted in an outcome that I could see and touch. It’s a great fit for me.”

Crissy has helped in more ways than one. Whether it’s at a construction site, at the office, or as a donor, her commitment to helping others is unwavering.

“Since I started volunteering with Habitat, I continue to support the mission in a number of ways. I’ve helped build the Lomita Ave. and Manzanita Ave. homes and worked on the Pasadena home repair projects.

“I am a member of the Women Build Planning Committee where I offer Habitat staff a volunteer perspective and I enjoy my duties helping to recruit and coordinate Crew Leaders for the event. I am also really thrilled about volunteering at the new ReStore in Duarte opening soon. You can bet I’ll be there as a customer as well as a volunteer in the store.

“I feel very fortunate to be a member of the Carpenter’s Club because I know those dollars are going to help support the Habitat mission and strengthen our community.”

Parting words of wisdom from Crissy:

“Invest in your communities, and be role models for the next generation of youth as we seek to make the San Gabriel Valley and our world a better place for everyone in it.”

We are so grateful for Crissy and the significant impact she has had on families and her community. Cheers to Crissy!