PRESENTED BY: DR.

JOHN TAMIGGI
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ALLEGHENY VALLEY
225 FREEPORT STREET -NEW KENSINGTON, PA 15068

www.habitatav.org
 Board of Directors
2019 ANNUAL REVIEW 2019
As we turn another calendar year, the endless support of our passionate staff, board, and
Mr. Rich Kulbacki
volunteer base, enables our organization to continue to create true impact for those in the President
Allegheny Valley. We are proud to state that over the course of 2019, the organization
made a dynamic impact and strides in our region by not only building homes in our shared Mr. Dennis Mialki
communities, but also building the people who reside there. Vice Present

Our efforts included, our home build of 120+ year old home for a family of three with a Mr. Scott Dillon
new born in Natrona PA, the build out and completion of our onsite workshop that Treasurer
enables us to teach home construction to vulnerable segments of the population, Veterans
Dr. Diana Biordi
of Valley memorial tribute, lending libraries for all, and much more! Secretary
The organization has continued to place major focus on collaborative efforts that unify
Ms. Lorraine
community resources to more systematically address the systemic issues that challenge Wolosencuk
the growth and development of our underserved neighborhoods. During 2019, the Board Member
organization has also dedicated itself to building both people and place here in the
Allegheny Valley. Such integrative strategies are driven to create impactful and sustainable Dr. Katherine
Counihan
change to our region and its people. Board Member
Efforts are now in place to further strengthen our veteran community, as the Allegheny
Mr. Gerry Vaerewyck
Valley Habitat for Humanity has been designated as a “Veteran Build Habitat” that places Board Member
emphasis on educating, empowering, and building with our local vets!
Mrs. Carol Harris
As we proceed into the 2020 calendar year, we possess great excitement to continue President Emeritus
efforts and mission obtainment that redefine the Allegheny Valley’s paradigm, while
further mobilizing the collective stakeholders to empower and enhance our shared Ms. Jamie Dillon
communities. Board Member

Dr. W. James Legge

President Emeritus
Warm regards,
Mrs. Karen Snair
Board Member
John Tamiggi
Executive Director
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY ALLEGHENY VALLEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Top six major achievements during 2019
1 Home rehabilitation projects
2 Workshop Training Vulnerable Populations
3 Veterans of Valley
4 Collaboration
5 Volunteer engagement & outreach

1. HOME BUILD PROJECT

Led by Habitat’s construction lead, Chris Andring,
volunteers from across the region dedicated countless
hours to make a house a home for Ofelia Torres and her
two children. Ofelia, the Habitat Home recipient, hails
from New York City, and came to the region in hopes of
establishing roots so that her children can achieve
academic success. Executive Director, John Tamiggi
stated “We are driven to create hope and opportunity
for those in need, and we’re truly blessed with the
outpouring of support.”
Anchor funding by Alvarez & Marsal, a consulting firm from New York City, vanguard the initial
development volunteer support that was followed by various groups including but not limited to
the Calandra Group, Dallas Masonic Lodge, University of Pittsburgh, Vere Inc., East Union Church,
and WestShore Home. This summer, WestShore Home dedicated over eight volunteer
professionals and provided all the windows, exterior doors, and bath for the new home.
Additionally, groups like Molyneux Floor tile, Zaleski’s Aluminum Siding, Lowes, PPG, and several
other local business provided in-kind support for the home build. “This home is over 125 years
old, so while it had good bones, there was a lot of updates necessary, and the passionate hearts
of our local small business community truly made such efforts possible.” stated John Tamiggi.
This home build completed Habitat’s 25th in the Valley, and it will soon enter 25 years of service
in the Allegheny Valley.
The American Dream is rooted in home ownership, to host and provide a loving space for family
and friends. We at Habitat for Humanity are proud sponsors of the American Dream and would
like to thank all of our connected partners and volunteers who shared in this dreams and who
dedicated their time and efforts to see this become reality.

2. VETERANS OF VALLEY
This fall efforts commenced to build the “Veterans of Valley” memorial at Valley High School. Engaging
the student body along with various public and private partners, including but not limited to Siemens
International, Valley News Dispatch, and Remake Pittsburgh Learning, efforts were designed and
crafted for a "living memorial" for the Valley High School alumni student body who served in the U.S.
military armed forces. The "living memorial" serves not only as a tribute to the alumni student body
who served in our nation’s military, but also as an interactively outdoor classroom for both the current
student body and residents of the community. The outdoor classroom will be designed as an ongoing
speaker series that will engage students into conversation to further understand the rich history of the
Valley while also opening dialogue emphasizing the importance of leadership in our shared community.
Ultimately, this project effort is designed to honor, educate, and mentor future generations in
leadership development with outcomes and long term impacts focused on strengthening the social
fabric of the community.
Anchor funding and building expertise for this project has been provided by Siemens International which
enabled procurement of the building materials. Additional funding provided by Remake Learning will enable
students of Valley High School, who are directly part of design and build process, be engaged and exposed to
various S.T.E.A.M. activities.
This project also features a U.S. Marine Veteran Mr.
Raymond Duckett, our most recent Habitat for Humanity
homeownership in 2018, and offered to pay forward the
generosity that he received from the community by
providing his leadership and oversite to the project
development. Mr. Duckett engaged with the student body
during the build process and while provided mentorship.
Valley High School JrROTC will soon be releasing the
inaugural speaker series prior to the New Year.

3. ADDICTION RECOVARY WORKSHOP

TRAINING/BUILD ENGAG EMENT
Habitat is pleased to announce, through the support of Emmerson Charitable Trust and the PNC
Foundation, year two of our collaborative efforts between Habitat for Humanity and addiction recovery
center, Lost Dreams Awakening, successfully launched. During the
summer and early fall, our collaboration once again engaged those in
addiction recovery into community build projects that help support the
Valley. Additionally, this year, participants received a two phase
instruction as part of the initiative. Part one introduced and educated the
participants on home construction, and the second phase provided
education on personal growth and development.

Working in tandem, both Habitat and Lost Dreams Awakening were driven to strengthen the mind, body,
and spirit of the participants. One of the biggest struggles often faced by those going through addiction
recovery is the stigma. Strokes of Change is designed to remove stigma and replace it with a sense of pride,
purpose and connection to oneself and community.

4. COLLABORATION
One of the major reasons Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley has found success is because it
is blessed with the opportunity to partner and align resources and talents with other non-profits
and municipalities, which has created the some of the highest levels of impactful change in the
region. Such efforts have taken place since its early inception as the organization has worked in
direct partnership with Allegheny Valley Association of Churches to connect transitional housing
to homeownership opportunity. Recent partnerships have become even more dynamic
addressing some of the region’s most challenging issues. Through collaborative efforts, the
organization has been able to leverage its resources and connect with area partners to create an
integrative people/place based development that have included such developments as;
 Volunteer construction repair training workshop (targeting addiction recovery) – Lost
Dreams Awakening
 Little Lending Library- Delmont Public Library
 Community Church enhancements- Bibleway Fellowship Church
 Engaged volunteer support with vulnerable populations- Family Services of
Southwestern Pennsylvania
 Veterans of Valley- Valley High School
 Christmas Reindeer Build- Pivik elementary school, Plum, PA.
 Christmas toy Drive collection with Play it Forward
Listed are just a few examples some of the collaborations that have enabled achievement of
major milestones in the region. Habitat continues to explore collaborative opportunity into the
2020 calendar year.

5. VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH

Habitat for Humanity Allegheny Valley and its programmatic services would not be possible if not for
the superheroes that support and volunteer their time. Each and every week, the organization is truly
blessed to have a collective group of dedicated volunteers come out to serve the community by
building houses, repairing elderly resident’s homes, creating youth workshops, assisting in our ReStore,
and much more. Such an eclectic range of activities encourage all backgrounds to be involved in efforts
to improve and strengthen our shared communities. The organization currently engages the following
volunteer segments:
 Local universities including the University of Pittsburgh, Point Park & Carnegie Mellon
University
 Local, regional, and international corporations including Siemens International
 Allegheny & Westmoreland court-ordered community services (non-violent/non-abusive
offenders).
 Church and faith-based community groups such as St. Scholastica & Harvest Baptist Church
 Employment reintegration services including the Private Industry Council
 Special needs service providers including Family Services of Western PA
 Approved home partner families
 Passionate hearts that locally reside within the community
The current volunteer engagement coordinator, Ms. Kathy Counihan has graciously volunteered her
own time to help coordinate and place over 206 volunteers who have amassed over 6,050 hours of
service. In addition to these efforts, the organization prides itself on its ability to create future leaders
by taking a hands-on approach to teach and nurture in all aspects of service. Such servant leadership
approach has become a fixture in the hearts and mindsets of its leadership throughout the
organization.

ONWARD & UPWARD IN 2020

As the organization looks ahead to 2020, it is committed itself as an organization that continually
evolves in its efforts to better understand the issues and challenges that hinder the Allegheny Valley
region. While new and transformative steps were taken this past year, we understand much more can
be done to create more impactful services, as the need for service has continually increased for
residents across the region.
One of the most exciting ventures that is slated to take place during the 2020 calendar year is the
continuation and expansion of our Veteran Build Initiative. Recently, Habitat for Humanity
International as certified Allegheny Valley Habitat as designated “Veteran Build” affiliate four our
continued works serving our local veterans. Now more than ever, we are dedicated to understanding
some of the most dynamic and ever-changing needs of the region, especially those facing our veteran
population. Through the endless support of its staff, board of directors and volunteers, it has
continually developed new ways to illustrate the highest levels of servant leadership, as the
organization understands it holds a significant role within the community, as a model of hope. In
closing, we will continue to embark upon a standard of excellence and achievement that ensures our
communities and its residents have opportunity and hope for tomorrow.
 Community Support & Sponsors
 Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
 Emmerson Charitable Trust
 PNC Foundation
 Staunton Farms Foundation
 ReMake Learning Pittsburgh
 Lowes
 Siemens International
 Emerson Charitable Trust
 Bozzone Foundation
 Molyneaux Flooring
 LEEDS Business Accessories
 Busy Beaver
 Vere Inc.
 Donut Connection of New Kesington
 Law Offices of Robert Liotta
 TUDI Mechanical

We Thank You