2020

Autumn
Newsletter

Board of Directors

Mr. Dennis Mialki

President

Dr. Diana Biordi

Vice Present

Mr. Rich Kulbacki

Treasurer
225 Freeport Street, New Kensington, PA 15068 Phone: 724-594-1051 Website: www.habitatav.org
Ms. Kathy Clark
Board Member
Welcoming Our New Neighbors
Dr. Katherine
COVID-19 Counihan
Led by Habitat’s construction leads, Chris
& Critical Board Member
Andring and Henry Pieczynski, our volunteers
Repairs in Mrs. Jamie Dillon
lent efforts to our new neighbors at Allegheny Board Memeber
the AV
Valley Animal Protectors. Moving from their
As the covid- Mrs. Carol Harris
current location on Linden Street in New President
19 pandemic
Kensington, to their new location off of Emeritus
redefined
Church Street adjacent the Logans Ferry Dr. W. James
our way of
Presbyterian Church, the organization has Legge President
living and working, its stark effect on marginalized Emeritus
made substantial efforts to create a
communities were felt throughout the nation.
transformative center for the region. Yet, due Mr. Gerry
Adhering to the Pennsylvania State and CDC Vaerewyck
to the covid-19 pandemic, delays have Board Member
guidelines, Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity
hindered its operational start date.
was forced to cease operations for over two Mrs. Karen Snair
Understanding this dilemma, the volunteer Board Member
months. In late May, our doors reopened along
crews at Habitat were more than happy to
with certain levels of our construction operations. Ms. Lorraine
lend some of their expertise and passion Wolosencuk
Assessing the current conditions of our
assisting in some of the finishing projects Board Member/
communities, we discovered that homeowners in ReStore VP
including drywalling and painting.
our region were some of the hardest hit by the Ms. Julie Martin
economic effects of the pandemic. Such findings Additionally, some of the crew members Board Member
have led our team to field emergency critical were so passionate about the mission of Mrs. Karen Snair
repairs of unstable homes in our underserved Animal Protectors, they fostered and adopted Board Member
communities. Efforts have been focused on areas over a half dozen puppies and kittens. While Ms. Kristin
that include but not limited to plumbing, general the Animal Protectors is close to completion, O’Sullivan
Board Member
maintenance repairs, and replacements. While no final date has been announced for its
the need in our communities grows greater by the grand opening. Please visit their website at Dr. John Tamiggi
Executive Director
day, we have been blessed with generous support www.animalprotectors.net for more details.
by both private and public support. “The
generosity and passion shown by our residents in
the Allegheny Valley is a testament to our region’s
compassion and strength,” states Executive
Director John Tamiggi. Such efforts will continue
into the fall with a special focus on weatherizing
homes for elderly and U.S. veteran populations.
Welcome your New Habitat for
Humanity Allegheny Valley Board
President: Dennis Mialki
This fall, the Allegheny Valley Habitat for
Humanity Board of Directors nominated
Dennis Mialki. Dennis previously served as
the Board’s Vice President of the
organization and has dedicated over three
decades of service to Habitat for
Humanity’s home build and mission all
across the country. As we set sail with
Dennis, we were able to sit down and
obtain a further sense of his background
and vision moving forward for the
organization.
Can you share a little bit about your
professional/educational background?
I graduated with University Honors from
Carnegie-Mellon University with a degree in Civil
Engineering. I was also a registered engineer in
three states and worked as a commercial
construction manager for nearly 40 years before
retiring early to devote full time to international
development projects.
What was your experience like being born and
raised in the Allegheny Valley?
I grew up poor, but I was proudly the first person
in my extended family to not only go to college
but to graduate on nearly full scholarships. I
realized that Natrona, where I grew up, needed
development help.
What were some of your favorite parts about
growing up and now again residing here in the
Allegheny Valley?
Seeing the progress that has been made over
the years in infrastructure in the area. But I still
very much believe there is room for
improvement.
How did you become interested in joining the
Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity board of
directors?
I was always interested in the concept of
Habitat, helping those less fortunate than
oneself, which inspired me to join the US Peace
Corps right after college.
How do you foresee how some of your
international built experience influences your
leadership at Habitat?
Internationally, with All Hands and Hearts, we
work with volunteers from many countries. I've
worked with volunteer teams from diverse
backgrounds, and know what needs to happen
to make them successful.
Thanks for sharing Dennis! Looking forward to
your leadership here in the AV!
A New Paradigm of Training
Students at
the
University of
Pittsburgh’s
chapter of
Engineers
Without
Borders
learned a skill
to help make life better for people nearly 4,000
miles away. Led by Construction Lead Dennis
Mialki, the group gathered to design and build a
reinforced concrete slab at the Habitat for
Humanity ReStore in New Kensington as part of an
instructional video to assist residents installing
latrines in a remote village in Bolivia.
Such efforts were driven by the student chapter to
address the disparity present in Carijana, a small
rural town in Bolivia. Currently, more than 60% of
the population in Bolivia is without sanitation,
with less than 10% of rural Bolivians having
private toilets. Such disparities create sanitation
issues that can spawn disease and water pollution.
As the covid-19 pandemic made traveling to
Bolivia impossible for the group, the focus was
instead placed on the production of an
instructional video to enable and empower the
residents with the ability to build a latrine.
Dennis explained that the project focus was more
than just about laying a concrete slab but how to
teach someone in a rural outpost to complete the
job, without electric concrete mixers and a nearby
hardware store “They have to use what they have,
which is a lot less than we have,” said Dennis.
Ultimately, its gives developing nations across the
globe the opportunity to access training materials
to redefine their current living situations.
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ReStoring Hope
In the wake of covid-19, the region has
witnessed some of the most detrimental
socio-economic impacts in decades.
Currently, many of our neighbors struggle
with the challenges of unemployment and
financial instability. While our ReStore’s
primary focus is to generate revenue to
support our home build mission, it has
now also taken on a more significant role
in providing accessible home goods and
furnishings to those facing financial
limitations.
Led by the store manager, Bryan Heyl, and
ReStore VP Lorraine Wolosencuk, the store
has grown leaps and bounds. Much of its
success has been rooted in the cultivation
of corporate donors along with
neighborhood residents who have been
extremely generous in their donations to
Habitat. The uptick in donations has led to,
an at times, overflow of goods and
products, which has translated into
wonderful savings for our customers.
Some of the recent amazing donated
goods and products have included a
Yamaha motorcycle, over 1,000 gallons of
new PPG paint, and 37,5000 bricks.
Located at 225 Freeport Street, New
Kensington, PA, come check out our
ReStore today, as we open to the public
Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Where are they now? Habitat
Homeowner spotlight
Almost two years have passed since
Raymond Duckett took homeownership on
Ridge Avenue in New Kensington.
Raymond, a U.S. Marine and now retired
resident grew up in the region. Facing
some hardships along the way, Raymond
was connected with the organization and
become a Habitat homeowner in 2018.
Since that time we caught up with
Raymond and got to hear some incredible
stories about this homeownership
experience. “This was a first opportunity
for home ownership and was a blessing
and dream come true” said Raymond.
Raymond desires to spend his golden years
in New Kensington and loves
his neighborhood. With the help of some
of his fellow neighbors, he has got to work
on various home projects this summer,
including landscaping and painting.
Raymond stated, “I put some miracle grow
down this summer, but still working to get
some of the best results.”
Additionally, Raymond stated some of the
things he enjoys the most include spending
the summer evenings sitting on his porch
and having a place to call home. We are
blessed to call Raymond a neighbor here in
the Allegheny Valley and continue to
express much appreciation for his service
to our nation!
Upcoming Winter Projects
Do you think Habitat hibernates during the winter
months? Think again! Driven to address the
diverse challenges that face the Allegheny Valley,
our passionate volunteers are committed to
serving no matter the season. This coming winter,
Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity will
continue to work its mission of service. Efforts will
include the continuation of its critical repair
mission, and efforts to begin the development of
its 25th home restoration! Additionally, we will
continue efforts to serve at our ReStore location.
If you are interested in volunteering to help in any
of these projects, please feel free to contact us at
724.594.1051 and stay tuned to our Facebook
page at Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity for
more details!
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 Habitat for Humanity Fun Fact
Construction Lead Chris Andring provides
Do you desire to volunteer with Habitat for some insightful homeownership tips for this fall

Humanity?
Well here are just a few notable names of
individuals who have come out to the
home construction build site.

Actor-Susan Sarandon, Musician-Garth

Brooks, NFL Quarterback-John Elway,
United States President-Jimmy Carter
(along with four other U.S. presidents)

We need your help!

To serve and build in our communities is a
continual process. We are always seeking to
diversify our board of directors and task force
committees to strengthen and augment our
efforts in the community. Currently, the
organization is seeking passionate hearts who
are interested potentially serving at a board
level capacity, and desires to build an advocacy
committee focused on equitable housing
opportunities throughout the Allegheny Valley.
If you are interested, please forward your
resume via email to john@habitatav.org.

Community Partners
Special thanks to the following groups who have dedicated
resources to support our collective community endeavors!

LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENT

LONGWOOD AT OAKMONT
PPG PAINTS
VERE INC.
POLYCONCEPTS OF NORTH AMERICA
MOLYNEUX TILE & FLOORING
CARDELLO ELECTRIC
BUSY BEAVER OF NEW KENSINGTON
DONUT CONNECTION OF NEW KENSINGTON
LITTLE CAESARS PIZZA OF NEW KENSINGTON
TARGET Our drop off center is located at our
ReStore in New Kensington
FAZIO'S PIZZA & ITALIAN FOOD

Allegheny Valley Habitat for Humanity

225 Freeport Street
New Kensington, PA 15068

Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm

724.337.8347 4

Like us on Facebook ---Habitat For Humanity Allegheny Valley & visit us at www.habitatv.org