Page 4
March 2006
The AC Phoenix
NEW EXECUTIVE FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Continued from Page 1
hoods Before joining Habitat, Oberle was the Executive Director of the
Center for Community Safety which she has ied since its founding in
2001. Prior to starting the center, she was project coordinator of a
iocai Justice Department initiative that brought community partners
together with law enforcement to work on neighborhood crime and
safety issues. She is also a former newspaper editor and public affairs
consultant.
She had this to say about Habitat for Humanity: “Habitat for
Humanity is one of the most admired organizations in our community.
It is an honor to lead such an important part of our collective lives, and
carry on the strong legacy of leadership provided by previous
executive directors, current staff and many dedicated volunteers. I am
overwhelmed at the commitment and passion of our staff and our wide
variety of volunteers and the many, many ways they help us.
“When you have been in a community for a long time, you may think
you know everything about an organization. But since starting as
Executive Director, I have been amazed at what there is to learn about
Habitat and its many facets. The work of Habitat involves almost every
sector of this community, and I plan to reach out, listen, and glean your
ideas and insights.
“Already I feel a certain kinship with Habitat, since I volunteered in
the early years of BirdFest and helped financially when Knollwood
Baptist Church built a house. I also frequently shopped in the Habitat
Restore These experiences are just part of what makes Habitat
special. In the weeks and months ahead, while immersed in
construction plans, meeting families, building partnerships, and
exploring fund-raising opportunities, I will enthusiastically embrace
these new experiences and challenges. I have now participated in wall
builds, house dedications, house closings and my first blitz. And
there’s still so much more to learn. Together, I believe we will create the
strongest and best Habitat affiliate in the country.
“Here is why I am excited to begin my work at Habitat. At my last
job, I have learned much about the power of working across lines that
often divide us on the important issue of safe and stable neighbor
hoods. Habitat has demonstrated that creating affordable housing and
encouraging homeownership is fundamental to neighborhood safety
and stability. It is exciting to think about expanding on what has already
been done and build even more effective partnerships.
“As a member of the ECHO Council, I gained a deep appreciation
for, and understanding of, what is meant by social capital. Any way you
look at it. Habitat is ail about social capital, and will continue being the
model for building social capital in our community.
“And finally, continuing to follow a spiritual direction is absolutely
essential at this stage of my life, and Habitat is a gift of God’s grace.
As I continue to learn about Habitat and its many facets, I will, with
God’s grace, do everything in my power to help realize the mission of
Habitat; to eliminate substandard housing. Grace is indeed what is
extended through Habitat, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs:
grace to families, to each other, and the greater community. This is the
essence of Habitat’s mission, and I am honored and humbled to be part
of it.”
Ms. Oberle is a native of Knoxville, Tenn, and a graduate of Carson-
Newman College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In
1999, she received the Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding
Contributions to Community Partnerships for Public Safety from the
U.S. Department of Justice. She received the Rev. Joseph T. McMillan
Community Service Award from the Winston-Salem NAACP in 2005
and was also named a Woman of Vision from the YWCA. She is a
member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Racial Healing, the Salvation
Army Advisory Board and Reynolda Rotary Club.
G
omtng ^entz - ..
Unline jjuide
Coming Eventz (www.comingeventz.com), an online
Entertainment Guide for events held in Winston-Salem and the
Triad-Piedmont has opened. The Coming Eventz website and
monthly email issues are designed to keep the community
informed of local and regional events, major concerts, sporting
events, promotional parties, trips and networking affairs of
particular interest to the African American Community.
The website lists a community calendar, a list of sporting sched
ules from the North Carolina Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, trips and outings, meeting dates for organizations,
an art exhibition and gallery listing, and a bulletin board to post
announcements.
An Online Ticket Sales outlet is also available. Groups may sell
tickets online for events. There is also an Online Event Boutique
- Items for special events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, wed
dings, accessories, etc. and African American artwork will be
available for purchase. If you have items that you would like to
sell that fit this category, please contact us about renting space
in our online event boutique! And for pennies a day, you can
advertise your business on this site, 24 hours a day!
Groups may post events on the website free of charge. You
may email press releases and announcements to charry@elegan-
teventz.net. To sign up for the newsletter please go to the
website, www.comingeventz.com and stay tuned to the website
for the latest and greatest events to come to a venue near you.
For more information, please call 788-1665.
EXTRA...EXTRA...REAb ALL ABOUT ifil
There Is A Free Newspaper Called
u
The VOICE
For the African-American Community in Davidson County and
Vicinity. This publication will be by African-Americans, and
about issues that interest or affect African-Americans and the
Community.
Advertise Today with
The VOICE
Veronica Miller - Publisher
(336) 995-2975 or (336) 722-0726
Herbert Miller, 11 - Editor
(336) 240-1634
millh5@wfu.edu
Kenye' Cross - Graphic Designer
KMC_desigus @ hotmail .com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 609, Lexington, NC 27293-0609