habitat happenings
April 2026
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North East Rock the Block:
Cleanup, Care, and Community on April 18
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On Saturday, April 18, more than 100+ volunteers gathered at Brown-Burton Winchester Park at 26th and N. Pine Street for the North East Rock the Block. For the first time, the community cleanup came paired with a full health and resource fair, and the format doubled the fun and the impact. Neighbors painted benches in the morning and sat together for screenings in the afternoon, and the fellowship made one thing clear: we're going to do this again.
From 8:00 to 10:30 AM, volunteers worked alongside residents to beautify the park: painting benches, clearing leaves, and using leaf blowers to dry the benches between coats. Then from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, the park transformed into a hub of community care with access to health screenings, connections to local resources and services, and even a chance to pet a dog from Paws for People for that healthy dose of dopamine, all in one place at no cost. Lunch was provided, and families enjoyed kid activities, raffles, line dancing, and a live DJ.
We were joined by partners including City of Wilmington Public Works, DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, The Harvest Outreach People Project, Aquila of DE Inc., One Village Alliance, Delaware Nature Society, PAWS for People, and UD Cooperative Extension. Calling it “a wonderful day of community service,” Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver gave special recognition to William Fletcher, Repairs Coordinator, and Travis Smith Sr., Neighborhood Revitalization Convenor, for their outstanding efforts in making the day happen.
This event is part of HFHNCC's ongoing neighborhood revitalization mission. A stronger community starts with neighbors who show up for each other, brick by brick.
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Volunteer Appreciation Month:
Celebrating 15,962 Hours of Showing Up
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we couldn't let it pass without boasting that our volunteers are the foundation of this work.
In 2025 alone, volunteers logged 15,962 hours alongside our families and staff. At an estimated $32 per hour, that's $510,786 in donated labor pouring directly into affordable homeownership in New Castle County. To put it another way: our team of 37 full-time staff members was joined by the equivalent of 8 additional full-time positions, filled entirely by volunteers.
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May the 4th Be with You
To honor the volunteers who made 2025 possible, we've prepared a special Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast on Monday, May 4, with a Star Wars theme worthy of the occasion. It's a small thank-you for hours of work our volunteers have committed to!
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2025 Volunteer Hour Recognition
Corporate Groups:
Patterson Schwartz Real Estate and Delmarva Power (up to 100 hours); Wells Fargo (over 100 hours); Barclays (over 500 hours); JPMorgan Chase (over 800 hours).
Individual Volunteers:
Up to 100 hours: Duc N., Angus R., Leo L., Mercer Q., Mac G., Rosemary H.
Over 100 hours: David K., Mark A., Tim B., Laura S., Marianne P., Kevin M., Steve P., Bob Q.
Over 200 hours: Donald T., Richard P., Robert P., Joseph M., Dan D., John M., Jim B., Raymond B., Mike T.
Over 300 hours: Eugene R.
Over 400 hours: Sam A., John G., Ron F.
Over 500 hours: Bill D.
To every name above, and to every volunteer not listed who showed up this year: thank you for helping us build.
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Women Build Committee Returns:
Building Toward March 2027
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On Friday, April 17, the Women Build Committee gathered for its first meeting of the relaunch, and the room was full of energy, ideas, and a clear destination: Women Build Week 2027.
The committee will meet monthly through the year, escalating to bi-weekly and then weekly as the March 2027 event approaches.
The vision goes beyond a single week of building. Committee members are laying the framework for a year-round program that invites women into construction, mentorship, and community in new ways. Early concepts include Habihour fundraising events at local venues and a hands-on mini workshop series at ReStore, with more programming taking shape as the committee builds momentum.
The next committee meeting is Thursday, May 21st. Women interested in joining the committee can reach out to Tara Quinn, Director of Development, at tqu...@habitatncc.org.
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Net-Zero Ready, All-Electric Homes:
Affordable Homeownership Meets Sustainability
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April is Affordable Homeownership Awareness Month, and Habitat NCC's commitment to that mission keeps growing in some unexpected directions, including the kind of homes we're building. Across New Castle County, we're constructing all-electric, net-zero ready homes engineered to produce as much energy as they consume annually. So far, eight homes are complete and nine more are in progress.
These homes are built with high-efficiency heat pump HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances, solar-panel ready roofs, and EV charging-station ready infrastructure. The result is lower monthly utility costs, better indoor air quality, and a more sustainable footprint for working families. During the coldest month of this past winter, one of our homeowners shared that their electric bill was only $100 thanks to their net-zero ready home.
That number tells the bigger story. For families investing sweat equity and an affordable mortgage to build their futures, every dollar matters. Lower utility costs mean more room to save, to invest in their kids, to plan for what comes next. Affordability and sustainability are a match made in heaven.
This work is made possible by partners including Energize Delaware and New Ecology, who help bring sustainable construction within reach for the families we serve.
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If your HVAC or water heater is not working properly, we have good news. Eligible homeowners in New Castle County may qualify for repairs and a free upgrade to an energy-efficient heat pump system through HFHNCC's Critical Home Repair program.
Visit habitatncc.org to view the minimal program requirements and submit an interest form. Questions? Email rep...@habitatncc.org or call 302-652-0365.
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Homebuyer Seminar | Saturday, May 2
2:00–4:00 PM | Rt 9 Library & Innovation Center, 3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle, DE 19720
If you've been dreaming about homeownership, this is where the journey starts. Learn about Habitat's 0% mortgage program, the application process, and what it takes to become a homeowner in New Castle County. Pre-registration required. Know someone who should be there? Share this with a friend.
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Homebuyer Seminar | Thursday, May 7
5:30–7:30 PM | Habitat ReStore, 3312 Seminole Ave., Wilmington, DE 19808
Same seminar, second chance. Bonus: attendees receive a 10% off coupon to use at our ReStore. Pre-registration required. Know someone who should be there? Share this with a friend.
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Let's Open the Door Community Breakfast | Thursday, June 4
8:00–9:00 AM | DuPont Country Club
Join us for a morning that opens doors to affordable homeownership in New Castle County. Whether you're an existing partner, a future supporter, or someone who just wants to learn more about the work happening here, you're invited. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and individual registration is open now.
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Spring is in the air, and so is the urge to refresh. Lately, we've been watching a wave of DIYers walk through our ReStore doors and walk out with their next project. A worn dresser becomes a statement piece. A dated lamp becomes the centerpiece of a reading nook. A stack of cabinet doors becomes something we never would have imagined.
The old saying goes that one person's trash is another's treasure, and our DIY community is proving it every day. The creativity and craftsmanship have been remarkable to see.
So, we're throwing it out there: what if we made a challenge of it? In the coming months, we'd love to feature your ReStore finds and your transformations. Tag us, send photos, show us what you remodeled out of what someone else let go.
Whether it's your first refinishing project or your fiftieth, your creativity belongs here.
In the meantime, swing by ReStore Prices Corner or ReStore Middletown and see what's waiting for you. Every purchase supports affordable homeownership in New Castle County, which means your spring refresh is also helping build someone's foundation.
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