Formerly, Beaumont Habitat for Humanity®, the affiliate changed its name and geographic service area in the summer. Now, Habitat for Humanity® of Jefferson County serves families throughout the county and is building in Port Arthur and Sabine Pass, in addition to Beaumont.

---

Volunteers from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through their office of Disciples Volunteering, and with the financial support of the Week of Compassion, have completed a second two-week, two-house blitz build. From November 5th through the 16th crews of volunteers from as far away as Idaho, Missouri, Florida, and Kansas worked on the homes of Halie Smith and Latrisa Payne. The houses, located at 3730 and 3750 Grand Street were dedicated on Friday, November 16th after the Disciples crews built them up from the slab in just two weeks!

Carl Zerweck, Director of Disciples Volunteering, presented the Habitat affiliate with a check in the amount of $100,000 to cover the construction costs of the houses. He also pledged another $50,000 for 2008 and called on the local community to match that amount and make it possible to hold a third annual 2-house, 2-week blitz build.

---

For the second year, churches from around Beaumont have come together to help Habitat for Humanity® of Jefferson County build a home for a needy family. The build started on September 8th with Wesley United Methodist Church framing the walls of the Payne family home. Teams continued to build each Saturday, and the house was dedicated on December 2nd.

---

Habitat for Humanity® of Jefferson County has begun construction on two houses in Sabine Pass as part of its Rita Recovery program. These houses are built on elevated foundations (as high as 13 feet) and have presented a new challenge to the affiliate and to volunteers! In total, nine families were approved for Habitat houses in Sabine Pass. Construction on the remaining houses will continue in 2008, provided that Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs hurricane recovery funds become available.

---