Habitat for Humanity volunteers partner to build dreams for Glendale families
Henrik Sarkisyan, of Glendale, scoops mulch to spread onto the landscaped grounds in front of Chestnut Homes, the newest project near completion by Habitat for Humanity, on Friday, March 11, 2016. The project broke ground in July, 2014, and a lot of preparation is being done all over the property to prepare for a dedication ceremony on Saturday.
Three Glendale families will soon be first-time homeowners, thanks to a big helping hand — or rather, thousands of them.
Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers are putting the finishing touches on a trio of new south Glendale houses right next to each other.
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It took two years to get from City Council approval to building the structures from scratch.
The nonprofit has built 37 homes in Glendale since 1995 and the goal is always the same: to help improve the living situations of low-income families.
“Sometimes, there will be four to six family members in a one-bedroom apartment,” said Sonja Yates, executive director of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity. “Somebody sleeps in the kitchen, for example. One of the things the kids always bring up is finally having a room of their own.”
Volunteer Scott Carpenter, of La Cañada, and Habitat for Humanity fundraiser Otis Marston, roll up thick paper that protected a garage floor at one of Habitat for Humanity’s Chestnut Street homes on Friday, March 11, 2016. The project broke ground in July 2014.
The model for Habitat for Humanity requires residents to pay a zero-interest mortgage after moving in, and residents are picked after an interview process that can begin with as many as 200 applications, Yates said.
Each of the Chestnut Street homes has three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms with attached two-car garages.
An official tally logs the number of volunteers working on the new homes at more than 3,500 as well as over 26,000 volunteer hours.
While there always seems to be willing volunteers, the prospective residents have to chip in their share, too.
After being selected through the interview process, they must complete 500 volunteer hours of what’s called “sweat equity.”
Lindsey Lesher, San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity construction supervisor, carries a ladder out of a garage at Chestnut Homes, the newest project near completion by Habitat for Humanity, on Friday, March 11, 2016.
Even after they move into their new homes, many continue to volunteer with the program.
“People don’t build houses and walk away. They stay with us and help us,” said Elaine Wilkerson, president of the board of directors for the nonprofit’s San Gabriel chapter. “We think it’s very important that we do this as a partnership.”
On Friday, Robert Zakarian was pushing a wheelbarrow filled with dirt as he pitched in with some landscaping.
He and his family — including two daughters — will be one of the families moving into one of the new houses.
Outside of helping to construct his own home, he’s helped translate for Armenian speakers during recent interviews for another Habitat for Humanity project that’s going to be built in Glendale.
He said he’s happy to do it and plans on pitching in more down the road because he knows there are many others out there like him.
“Rent prices in this area are high, especially in Glendale and Burbank. There’s no rent control,” Zakarian said.
He currently lives in an apartment with two bedrooms and one bathroom in Burbank.
On Saturday, there will be a dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of the houses. The residents will be moving in within the next month or so, Wilkerson said.
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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com
Twitter: @ArinMikailian
