Koinonia Farm Koinonia is the Greek word usually translated as “community” or “fellowship.” The farm community emphasizes equality, shared resources, and wise stewardship of land and natural resources.

The story of Habitat for Humanity began at Koinonia Farm, an interracial community farm outside Americus, Georgia, founded in 1942 by farmer and biblical scholar, Clarence Jordan. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Clarence and his fellow Koinonia residents were fiercely committed to the equality of all people and utterly devoted to creating opportunity for all. 

A Rich History 

Built on the idea of partnership housing and born from that vision, we have grown into a global organization driven by a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. As part of this effort, in 1990, a small group of dedicated volunteers with a desire to eliminate substandard housing in our community founded San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat). The overwhelming need for housing in our communities has provided SGV Habitat for Humanity with a unique opportunity to change lives in our neighborhoods. In 2021, we made the commitment to serving the housing needs of 100 families over the next three years through the Expanding the American Dream campaign.  

Known for our “hand-up, not a handout” model, Habitat for Humanity homeowners work side-by-side with volunteers and skilled staff to build safe, decent and affordable housing. In addition to new homeownership programs, the organization offers critical home repair services to address safety, accessibility, and deferred maintenance issues to assist low-income homeowners to ensure they can continue to live in a safe and decent home for years to come. 

Homeowner Continues to Impact Her Community 

Billie Shaw, Home Repair recipient

Duarte homeowner, Billie Shaw, was a recent recipient of this program. For 5 years Shaw has been distributing food from a local food bank to homeless encampments in the San Gabriel Valley. While seeking resources to assist the individuals she was feeding she came across Habitat for Humanity, not knowing the blessing we would provide would be for her.   

A few years ago, Shaw’s roof was blown off during a strong windstorm. Without the funds to replace it she suffered from years of water damage, eventually causing portions of the plaster ceilings to collapse. She applied to the critical home repair program and not only was Habitat able to help her put on a new roof, we also painted the house. As part of the repair program Shaw provided a payment she could afford and completed several hours of “sweat-equity” giving back to the organization in the form of volunteer hours. Even though she’s completed her sweat equity she continues to serve the SGV Habitat by spreading the word about our programs and nearby resale store, the ReStore.  

“I just can’t believe this blessing I have received,” said Shaw. “They finished my roof and the next day a huge rainstorm came in. I finally saw the rain outside, but not inside my house. Now I plan to pass it on by telling everyone I can about Habitat for Humanity.” 

Shaw, who served as a nurse at Santa Teresita until the hospital closed and then pursued a career in law enforcement, eventually retiring from the Baldwin Park force, has always been called to serve others. It’s partners like her who embody the essence of Habitat for Humanity’s mission.

How You Can Help 

This coming Monday the US will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which under the King Holiday and Service Act, was transformed into a day dedicated to volunteer service in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. It is the only federal holiday observed as a National Day of Service – a “day on, not a day off.” It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. Problems like affordable housing. On this day we celebrate people like Billie Shaw who gives unto others, even when she needs assistance. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. 

• Advocate for affordable housing for everyone and read how we continue to build a “Beloved Community” 
• Educate yourself on the benefits of affordable housing  
• Help sustain and expand the Healthy Homes initiatives at the federal, state and local levels, including public-private collaborative programs 
• Strengthen enforcement of fair housing laws, including the Fair Housing Act and other state and local regulations prohibiting racial discrimination in housing markets 
• Donate now to show your support to fix the housing crisis in the San Gabriel Valley and beyond 

Photo credits: Stephen F. Somerstein—Getty Images

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Missed one of our Women Build a Better World webinars? Here you can find recordings from webinars past.

Week One – Assemblymember Laura Friedman

Laura Friedman was elected to the California State Assembly in 2016 as the representative for the 43rd Assembly District (Burbank, Glendale, and La Cañada Flintridge, as well as the communities of La Crescenta and Montrose, and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Atwater Village, Beachwood Canyon, Los Feliz, East Hollywood, Franklin Hills, and Silver Lake).

Last year, AB 587, a bill she introduced, passed with bipartisan support. This legislation gives organizations like SGV Habitat the opportunity to sell deed-restricted land to eligible low-income homeowners in the form of ADUs (accessory dwelling units).

“Affordable housing organizations have been instrumental in opening the door to homeownership for low-income Californians,” said Assemblymember Friedman. “AB 587 gives these organizations and local communities an innovative option that has the potential to double their impact.”

Week Two – Baldwin Park Councilmember Monica Garcia

Councilmember Monica Garcia was first elected to the Baldwin Park City Council in November 2007 and re-elected in 2011 and 2015. She’s honored to represent the City of Baldwin Park – her home for more than 40 years.

As Councilmember, Monica introduced the Domestic Advocate Program which provides assistance to victims of domestic violence by offering legal information, emotional support, and critical resources such as food, basic necessities, and shelter.

Monica earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Minor in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, upon completing her general education at Mt. San Antonio College. She also holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Cal State Long Beach.

Week Three – Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio

Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio was elected in November 2016 to represent California’s 48th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, City of Industry, Covina, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, Irwindale, Monrovia, West Covina, and the San Gabriel Valley unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, including Bassett, Charter Oak, Citrus, East Arcadia, Ramona, Valinda, and West La Puente.

Blanca has worked tirelessly in the Capitol, placing advocacy for children, women, families, students, and immigrants at the forefront of her work. Since her election in 2016, Blanca has authored bills that support victims of domestic violence, create opportunities for children within the foster care system, ensure our youngest students are given proper support to succeed in school and support for immigrant communities.

Through her work as Chairwoman of the Human Service Committee, Blanca has raised awareness of women’s rights by authoring resolutions that declare August Breast Feeding Awareness Month and October Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Week Four – Congresswoman Judy Chu

Judy Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in July 2009. She represents the 27th Congressional District, which includes Pasadena and the west San Gabriel Valley of southern California.

Rep. Chu currently serves on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over legislation pertaining to taxes, revenues, Social Security, and Medicare. In that Committee, Rep. Chu is a member of the Subcommittees on Health, giving her oversight over healthcare reform and crucial safety net programs, Worker and Family Support, and Oversight.

She also serves on the House Small Business Committee, which has oversight of the Small Business Administration and is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations.

Chu was first elected to the Board of Education for Garvey School District in 1985. From there, she was elected to the Monterey Park City Council, where she served as Mayor three times. She then was elected to the State Assembly and then California’s elected tax board, known as the State Board of Equalization. In 2009, she became the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress in history.

Week Five – Anne Miskey – CEO, Union Station Homeless Services

Anne Miskey serves as Chief Executive Officer of Union Station Homeless Services. She brings extensive knowledge of the issues involved in addressing homelessness, along with the exceptional leadership ability and management skills to guide the organization in the coming years. She has a unique perspective on the role non-profits, governments, and communities can together play in tackling major social problems. But just as important Anne has a deep passion for the organization’s mission: helping people end their homelessness and rebuild their lives.

Prior to this, Anne was the former CEO of the Downtown Women’s Center (DWC) and first-ever Executive Director of Funders Together to End Homelessness. Anne is a nationally recognized expert on strategic, innovative, and effective solutions to ending homelessness. She is a passionate proponent of the most vulnerable in society and of creating long term, positive change, and strong systems that support those experiencing poverty, violence, racism, and homelessness.

Anne has been invited on numerous occasions to speak at the White House in support of different topics including women and youth homelessness and worked on former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Joining Forces Campaign to help veterans. She has worked closely with the federal departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Labor to champion support for vulnerable families and individuals in the areas of housing, health, and employment.

Week Six – Velma de la Rosa- Interim Executive Director, La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center

Velma de la Rosa is the currently the Interim Executive Director of La Casa de San Gabriel Community Center, a public nonprofit dedicated to serving the multi-cultural community of San Gabriel and its surrounding areas.
Velma is a skilled executive with over 20 years of corporate, public and non-profit sector experience developing partnerships, implementing strategic initiatives and innovative programs to address the needs of targeted communities and populations at local, national and global levels. Velma’s unique experience has provided her many opportunities to collaborate across various sectors for the greater good, a greater impact and making communities better. She has built a successful and progressive career through her employment with major utilities such as the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, global corporations such as Citigroup and the TELACU Education Foundation, a national non profit organization.

Velma is active with organizations promoting greater access to education, the advancement of women and families and leadership development. She served on the board of Comisión Femenil de Los Angeles, an organization geared towards the political and economic empowerment of Hispanic women, and the National Latina Business Women Association of Los Angeles, an organization that supports Latinas to develop their business and professional acumens to achieve their career goals. She has also served on the USC Stan Ross Minority Real Estate Finance and Development Program Advisory Council, a program dedicated to preparing members of minority groups in emerging communities to establish a foundation toward becoming leaders in real estate finance and development, and the Hearthstone Housing Foundation Board, a national non-profit dedicated to providing service enriched affordable housing. She has served on the White Memorial Charitable Foundation Board, the Cleft Palate Program Auxiliary Committee and their Gala Host Committee.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University and completed the Stan Ross Minority Real Estate Finance and Development Program with the Lusk Center for Real Estate at USC. Velma is currently a fellow in the Latina Global Executive Leadership Institute at USC.

Velma is a life-long Californian. She is a mother of four young men and a grandmother of two. She lives with her family in Whittier. In her leisure time, she enjoys entertaining family and friends at home, reading and traveling.

Week Seven – Tunua Thrash-Ntuk – Executive DIrector of LISC-LA

A native Angeleno, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk is the Executive Director of Los Angeles Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LA LISC). She is a seasoned community and economic development practitioner of more than 15-years with both non-profit and private sector experiences. Her strengths range from community advocacy to asset and real estate development around neighborhood revitalization. She has already led a number of important urban initiatives in Los Angeles focused on affordable housing and commercial development as well as transit-oriented projects. Prior to joining LISC, Tunua served as Executive Director of West Angeles Community Development Corporation, during her tenure she was responsible for the asset management and oversight of the WACDC real estate portfolio valued at $150 million. Tunua led the growth of WACDC’s real estate portfolio, in part by brokering a breakthrough in the development, construction and opening of West Angeles Plaza, a 24,000 square foot commercial office project.

Tunua serves as a board member or advisory board member to many entities, including Federal Home Loan Bank San Francisco’s Affordable Housing Council, Housing California, City of LA Measure HHH Citizens Oversight Commission, Southern California Edison’s Consumer Advisory Panel, Greenlining Institute, Union Bank’s Community Advisory Board, Frontier Communications Community Advisory Board and the Los Angeles Development Fund, which is the City of Los Angeles’ New Market Tax Credit implementation group. Tunua is a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she earned her Master’s in City Planning as well as an alumna of UC Berkeley where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

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