NYSERDA Volunteers Work with Habitat for Humanity

August 14, 2008

Albany, NY -- Volunteers from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have joined forces with Habitat for Humanity in Schenectady County, Inc. this summer to create energy-efficient housing for residents in need of safe, secure living conditions.

Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County, Inc. is a locally-run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, housing organization, working in partnership with people in need of affordable housing. The houses are sold to those in need, at no profit, and with no interest charged. Volunteers provide most of the labor, while individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.  Partner families invest hundreds of hours of labor into the building of their homes and the homes of others.

Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County relies on volunteer labor as we strive to provide decent, affordable housing to our homeowners, said Dick Baertsch, chairman of the Building Committee and house leader of two homes being built on Verona Street in Schenectady. We were particularly excited to work with the NYSERDA volunteers, not only because of their exceptional enthusiasm and work ethic, but also because our homes are in compliance with ENERGY STAR® to help our homeowners conserve energy.  That fits in with NYSERDA’s philosophy as well. Their help on site in the Verona Street homes is priceless to our homeowners and to the organization.

In addition to projects such as the Verona Street homes, NYSERDA’s Community Services Committee (CSC), open to all full-time and part-time staff of NYSERDA, provides volunteer support and contributions to groups, families and individuals in need, including the donation of time, food, clothing, personal hygiene products, and household necessities.

Bryan Henderson, Habitat chair of the CSC, said “Summer is always an active construction period for the building of homes, and NYSERDA employees have been very generous in donating time and effort to this worthy cause. Volunteers are the life blood of these projects, and it is also extremely gratifying to know that the houses we are helping to build are energy-efficient, in keeping with NYSERDA’s mission.”  Henderson said that two weekend Habitat events in August drew over 23 CSC volunteers – NYSERDA employees, their families and friends.

NYSERDA was established by law in 1975, as a public benefit corporation, to use innovation and technology to solve some of New York’s most difficult energy and environmental problems in ways that improve the State’s economy.  The authority is committed to public service and strives to be a model of the effective, flexible, responsive, and efficient energy entity that New York taxpayers deserve.

Contact

Nancy Norman, NYSERDA
518-862-1090 ext 3414
njn@nyserda.ny.gov