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W. Pasco Habitat Gets Fresh Start

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 3, 2009

A new year brings a fresh spirit to West Pasco Habitat for Humanity, which is celebrating the completion of its first eco-friendly Habitat home, the hiring of an executive director and the redesign of its Web site.

Executive Director Rebecca Russell-Gootee came to the housing organization on Dec. 8. She brings 25 years of nonprofit experience to the job, and worked previously with HUD housing, YWCA and St. Petersburg Free Clinic.

"These are all services that empower people to improve their lives," she said.

In those positions she had the opportunity to work with a number of Habitat families.

"Bringing homes to families in need makes a huge difference in families' lives," she said.

In assuming her position at Habitat, Russell-Gootee - an Indiana native who has a degree in family therapy - has a defined idea of the Habitat mission.

"We're not there to fix everybody's problems; we're there to remove life's barriers," she said. "This not only improves the lives of families, it improves communities."

Russell-Gootee saw an example of this Dec. 13, when she oversaw the dedication of Habitat's first eco-friendly home in the Moon Lake area of New Port Richey.
Sarah Cooke and her family moved into their three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home, which boasts 1,178 square feet and environmentally sound building techniques.

"These builds are more energy efficient, and that trickles down for families," Russell-Gootee said. "Their utility bills are less, and it helps the environment."

In 2009, she says Habitat hopes to build more eco-friendly homes, as well as Freedom Homes - handicapped-accessible homes designed for disabled veterans.

Elsewhere at West Pasco Habitat, the Habitat ReStore, located at the agency's headquarters in New Port Richey, recently generated $13,000 in one month for Habitat building projects.

"Our store is full of good stuff," said store manager Mike McGuire. "We have a range of merchandise priced from a dime to $100. And all of the money goes to Habitat."
West Pasco Habitat for Humanity also is in the process of redesigning its Web site, www.westpascohabitat.org.

"We'll have more volunteer and home applications online, a calendar of events, a way to track our builds, and a link to Habitat International," Russell-Gootee said.
West Pasco Habitat for Humanity is set to expand in a number of areas.

"I'd like to see an increase in the number of houses we build in one year, more staff, and more funds coming in," she said. "There's a lot of room to grow in a county that's growing."

"We want to bring more homes to Pasco County," she said. "We want to make Habitat a household name here in Pasco."
WEST PASCO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

SOME BACKGROUND: West Pasco Habitat for Humanity is kicking off the new year with a number of new building projects and developments.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: West Pasco Habitat is a locally run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization.

A LITTLE HISTORY: This organization has served the western portion of Pasco County, including the communities of Holiday, Hudson, New Port Richey and Port Richey, since 1990.

WHAT'S NEXT: After dedicating its first eco-friendly home Dec. 13, West Pasco Habitat is at work on its 15th home. Both residences are in the Moon Lake area.

GET INVOLVED: For information about West Pasco Habitat, write Habitat for Humanity, West Pasco County Florida, P.O. Box 334, New Port Richey FL 34652-0334; call (727) 859-9038 or (727) 843-8786; or visit www.westpascohabitat.org

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