logogr

From Houses to Homes
De Casas a Hogares
Guatemala

  
   United States
    PO Box 85
    Mt. Tabor, New Jersey  07878-0085

   Guatemala
    Calle del Hermano Pedro #9
    Antigua, Guatemala
    tel: 7832 5074

    US to Guatemala is a local call
    using this number
    tel: 973 241 4925

  
  www.fromhousestohomes.org      496 HOMES BUILT  

 
 
 

FROM HOUSES TO HOMES-GUATEMALA

Our Mission
From Houses to Homes aims to strengthen community harmony in highland Guatemala by building lasting, healthy homes, improving access to health care and education, and inspiring participation between the poor and civil society.
Home Building
In the poorest areas of highland Guatemala, improper building materials, a lack of appropriate resources, and unsustainable architectures turn houses to foul rubble in the blink of an eye. Many families live in makeshift homes that are constructed of nothing more than cornstalk or cardboard walls with dirt floors. Decrepit housing quashes hope, fuels health problems, and destroys family unity. From Houses to Homes-Guatemala, Inc., recognizes that flourishing homes and thriving communities begin with improving actual home structure. From Houses to Homes works with the poorest of Guatemalan families to build or rebuild houses making them strong, safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable to maintain. These homes become the foundation for a community building process
Each home costs approximately $1,750.00. Our homes are 13 x 19 foot homes, made entirely of concrete block, with cement floor, corrugated metal roof, with skylight, a metal door with lock, and a metal-framed window with glass. The home is stuccoed and painted inside and out with colors chosen by the home owner. We are now including a bunkbed in every home. A plaque with your name will be placed on the home honoring your donation.
How We Select Our Families
There are over one million corn stalk shacks in Guatemala. Some communities consist entirely of these provisional houses which sometime include additional scavenged resources, like corrugated metal siding, scraps of wood, or even plastic bags as siding. All houses have dirt floors, occasionally a bed, and most with leaky roofs.
We at FHTH try to visit every family three or more times over several months at unannounced times to see how the families are actually living. The only requirement to receive a home is that they are very poor and can prove ownership of the property.
We then try to select the families with the largest number of members so there will be a benefit to the largest number of people. A single mother with five or more children will head the list. During our first six years of operation we have averaged six members per home. This means that FHTH has provided a safe home to approximately 2,902 people.
Health and Education
While home building is our main focus, we recognize that houses just remain structures and communities remain collections of impoverished families without proper health and education. In addition to homes, we believe that providing poor families with better access to healthcare and education most effectively helps address community deterioration in highland Guatemala. From Houses to Homes has opened our new San Jose Medical Clinic in Pastores, Guatemala and we provide free health care to all the families we have built homes for as well as all the children and their families in our new school, Escuela Kemna'oj, in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala. Escuela Kemna'oj has 2 preschool grades and grades one, two & three and we educate 100 children in this indigenous community. We will add a grade every year until we reach grade 6. While we can't combat this problem in its entirety, we are trying to assist the neediest families in the highlands.
Organized And Responsive Communities
To provide the foundation for a hopeful future, communities must become more than a collection of families. Both individuals and families must be inspired to participate for the greater good of a neighborhood. From Houses to Homes, works with families and civil society to demonstrate the value that a clean and well functioning community has on the quality of life. We strive to bring people of all ages and backgrounds into the fold of a tightly knit community.
What is from Houses to Homes?
From Houses to Homes is a New Jersey-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in September 2004 to build homes and improve the lives of the rural poor in Guatemala. FHTH is currently funded through private donations, corporate giving, and contributions from private foundations. Nearly 100% of all donations go toward building homes and providing health and education to revitalize disadvantaged communities in Guatemala.
About the Founder
Joe Collins is a licensed New Jersey private investigator who first became familiar with the needs of the Guatemalan community when, in 1999, he visited his son Darron who was studying the language and culture of the Q'eqhi'-Maya people, an indigenous group in northern Guatemala. During his stay, he witnessed firsthand the devastating extent of poverty in Guatemala and, profoundly impacted by his trip, he began volunteering for an organization in 2001 that gathered service teams to build homes for the poor. He returned home empowered to further help families, and with generous help from friends, raised funds for this organization and returned to Guatemala on 11 different occasions, sometimes for 3 months at a time, to enhance the building efforts of that organization. Recognizing family homes as the cornerstone for improving lives and developing communities, Joe started From Houses to Homes (De Casas a Hogares) in late 2004, providing individual families with a better home and a fresh start in life. Joe does not take a salary from From Houses to Homes.

"CLEAN WATER AND HEALTH CARE AND SCHOOL AND FOOD AND TIN ROOFS AND CEMENT FLOORS, ALL OF THESE THINGS SHOULD CONSTITUTE A SET OF BASICS THAT PEOPLE MUST HAVE AS BIRTHRIGHTS." Dr. Paul Farmer

"You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”

"But just know that when you serve others abroad, you’re serving our country, too. You’re showing the world the true face of America –- our generosity, our strength, the enduring power of our ideals, the infinite reservoir of our hope."- Michelle Obama

April 12, 2010

To all our friends and supporters in the UK, please visit the website of our registered charity in Scotland, From Houses to Homes.org.uk. Also visit Virgin Money Giving.

March 24, 2010


Please visit the following website, http://tinyurl.com/ygx45p8. Please consider buying the book written by 8 year old Samantha Cordero, "Old Enough to do Good in the World". Samy and her parents volunteered with us in February 2010 and they will be returning again to build another home in May.

March 24, 2010

See San Francisco Artist John Kraft's latest piece, "From Houses to Homes"
http://www.johnkraft.com/housestohomes.
100% of net proceeds from the sale will go directly to From Houses to Homes. Thank you John.

March 11, 2010

We provided funding to the Oneness Organization of Canada to help them build their school in Sacala Las Lomas, Guatemala.

March 10, 2010.

We completed construction of our 300th home. On behalf of the poor of Guatemala, thank you. Thank you for your prayers, your donations, and your support.

March 3, 2010. We begin construction of our 300th home.

Standing from left to right: Oscar Mejia, Project Director De Casas a Hogares, Judy Baker, Director FHTH, John Scott, Jeanne Scott, Dr. Carol Zimmerman, Linda Meister, Jim Tierney, Director FHTH, Karl Meister, Suzy Moran, Director FHTH, Joe Collins, Founder & Executive Director FHTH, and kneeling Henio Perez and Edgar Piche.

donation

School Dedication
The dedication of the new Cambiando Vidas school took place on September 25, 2009.

Cambiando Vidas

White Rose of Peace Ceremony
National Palace, Guatemala

White rose ceremony

Joe Collins and From Houses to Homes were the recipients of the Ambassador of Peace Award from the Government of Guatemala and were the host for the replacement of the White Rose of Peace in the Courtyard of the National Palace of Culture of Guatemala on September 24, 2009. Thank you all.

The Order of Malta
American Association Newsletter, Summer 2009, is now online at: Malta Newsletter
Please read what the Knights of Malta have to say about our charity that they so generously have supported in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity, Newark, New Jersey, constructed two homes for poor families in Santa Maria de Jesus, Guatemala, with From Houses to Homes -
See their story.

happyfamily

 
http://www.fromhousestohomes.org/

Make a One-Time Donation

Please use this donation for any purpose or specifically for the following:

I would like to give $

 
OR

Make recurring monthly donations to "From Houses to Homes-Guatemala"

Please make a monthly donation for any purpose or specifically for the following:

I would like to give $ monthly

  

Shop online at GoodShop.com and a percentage of each purchase will be donated to our cause! More than 2,400 top stores are participating including Target, Staples, Best Buy and more!

virgin For our UK donors

Through PayPal

CURRENT EVENTS

Our December Newsletter:

She was sitting in the pediatric clinic room with her young baby attached to a nebulizer. Her beautiful, brown face was full of worry and concern, but her frightened eyes were beginning to soften. The medication in the nebulizer was helping the baby to breathe easier.
A new mother looked very pale and was in pain. She had delivered a baby about a week earlier, and said she had an infection but did not have enough money to buy the antibiotics the doctor had prescribed for her.
A widower, caring for his 3 sons, had no job; no money for food... was distraught and depressed.
Greetings Everyone,
These are the situations we face every day, and demonstrate why the work we do is so important. We are only able to help these beautiful people because of your generous support. The current situation in Guatemala remains dire for the very poor. Lack of food, shelter, medical care, and education continues to be a major focus of From Houses to Homes. We are committed to the Guatemalan families we serve; new families request our help on a daily basis.
As the holiday approaches we are asking you to consider one of these unique gift donations:
$30.00 for a bag of food
$60.00 monthly to sponsor a child's education
$75.00 for medicine for 10 patients
$150.00 for a stove
$250.00 for bunk bed and bedding
$1,750.00 to build a home
It has been a very busy and challenging year! Thank you for all you have done to help us, and to help the poor of Guatemala. We need your help more than ever; can we count on you for support at this time?


Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año,
Joe Collins - Executive Director
From Houses to Homes

November 25, 2011

Congratulations to Jaime and Marcos Robertson-Lavale for having completed the Philadelphia Marathon this past Sunday. There is still time to help them complete their goal of raising enough funds to build two homes for two poor families in Guatemala.

Running For Homes - Jaime and Marcos Robertson-Lavalle

Before the beginning of the summer, my dad had the idea to run a marathon for charity with me. We started training and in mid-summer, our whole family went on a mission to Guatemala to build house number 443. At this point we decided that we would run the marathon for From Houses to Homes. After much training we will be ready to run the Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 20. Our goal is to raise the funds for two houses for this great cause. In order to do that we must surmount a tough challenge: 26.2 miles.

Goal: $3,500.00

On the credit card form above, please add Running for Homes. If you send a check, add this information to the memo section and mail to: From Houses to Homes, PO Box 85, Mt. Tabor, NJ 07878-0085

Day of the Dead Ball
Saturday, November 5, 2011 - 6PM-9PM
Beth Fernandez, 416 Ackerman Ave,, Glen Rock, NJ

Celebrate the dead Latin American style at our Day of the Dead Ball.
- Design your own Day of the Dead Doll and enter it into our contest for a prize
- Enjoy great Mexican food and Sangria
- Win big in our 50/50 raffle
Help us raise money for a great cause, the education of some of the world's poorest children
- Dance your socks off!
$25 pp minimum donation required for entry. Pay now with a credit card above, or pay at the door. Dress warm, we will be in a tent.

July 26, 2011

Hannah Woodward, one of our recent volunteers with The Westminster Schools of Atlanta, GA writes about her recent experience. A must read. It's what it's all about. Please read: Hannah Woodward

July 15, 2011

We are fundraising for our new school, Escuela Kemna'oj de Santa Maria de Jesus. Please help. It will be a "Green" school with a number of sustainable strategies, including solar panels, green roofs, rainwater collection and greywater recycling. Kemna'oj means, "weaving minds or weaving knowledge" in the indigenous Kaqchikel language. Sara Nordstrom, Architectural Designer.

July 2, 2011

Chloe Bohannon, 13, and a recent volunteer with us presents her debut Photographic Exhibit at Cafe Del Soul in Mill Valley, CA. This exhibit will be on display until September 30th. Please help Chloe reach her goal. Chloe Bohannon Photographic Exhibit

Sign up for From Houses to Homes Enews

Privacy & Refund Statement

May 22, 2011

Thinking of buying a home in the Antigua area and also want to help us help the poor of Guatemala at the same time, please visit our friends at Antigua Fine Homes.

April 7, 2011

Dedication of our new, beautiful, Clínicas Médicas San José, Pastores, Guatemala.


On an interior wall of our new clinic four very talented artists from Pastores created this beautiful mural. Thank you Vicky, Aura Marina, Mario Joel, and Lesly Amarylis and thank you Ann, of the Avivara Project, and your daughter Kathryn.

March 4, 2011 - OUR 400th HOME

On January 3, 2005 we began construction of our first home. March 4, 2011, we completed construction of our 400th, 401st and 402nd home. I don't know how to express my thanks to all of you who have made this possible. I can only think of two words that don't seem enough, "THANK YOU".

February 28, 2011 - A very good day!!!!!!!

500 families received 500 bags of food. Thank you all.

December 18, 2010

Our 3rd Christmas Food giveaway this year. 300 bags given away so far this year.

Thank you to all who made this possible. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays.

December 14, 2010

Our second Christmas Food Giveaway of 100 bags of food this year in Alotenango.

November 25, 2010

Please visit the following website. The Day the Sun Overslept. Please consider buying the book written by the Cocowitch Family - Kyle, Anya, Dawn & Vic. All proceeds will go to funding our new school in Santa Maria de Jesus. Thank you.

November 7, 2010

The Vice President of Guatemala, Dr. Rafael Espada, thanks us for the work we are doing for the poor of Guatemala. L-R, Janeth de Reyes, Director of Cambiando Vidas, Mayor Miguel Lopez of Pastores, Vice President Dr. Rafael Espada, Monica Gaytan, Bertha Cuyun and Joe Collins, From Houses to Homes.

October 10, 2010

It was a distinct honor & privilege to meet the President of the Guatemala Order of Malta and his wife today. We visited the Cambiando Vidas Project School and our San Jose Medical Clinic in Pastores. (in photo above from L-R, Joe Collins, Executive Director, From Houses to Homes, Board Members, Judy Baker and Suzy Moran, Lourdes & Enrique Hegel, Guatemala Order of Malta President.

October 6, 2010

Ridgewood Avenue School, Glen Ridge, NJ forms sister school partnership with Cambiando Vidas School, Pastores, Guatemala.

Ridgewood Avenue School

August 26, 2010

Today, we purchased property for our new school in Santa Maria de Jesus. The school, operated by the Cambiando Vidas Project, is currently in a rented building in Santa Maria and they will be getting a new home as soon as we raise the needed funds to construct this new school. If you can help, please send your donation and write in the memo section of your check, "Santa Maria de Jesus School". Thank you all.

July 19, 2010

Another donor, having read what the volunteer below is doing, just offered to match the 100 bags of food once that goal has been reached. Thank you to all who will provide food for these 200 hungry families.

July 15, 2010

One of our recent volunteers is currently fundraising to help the less fortunate in Guatemala. He would like to raise enough funds to provide 100 families with a food bag this "Christmas". If you would like to help, please send $30.00 to: From Houses to Homes, PO Box 85, Mt. Tabor, NJ 07878-0085. All donations are tax-deductible. Thank you.

CASA MARIA, a senior citizen home in San Felipe, Guatemala is asking for our help. Please visit their website at CASA MARIA to learn about these poor and abandoned seniors. Just add "Casa Maria" to the memo section of your check and we will see to it that they receive your donation. Thank you.

 
   
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Houses to Homes PO Box 85, Mt. Tabor, New Jersey 07878-0085
In Guatemala Calle del Hermano Pedro #9 Antigua, Guatemala
Guatemala Oficina 7832 5074 --- Celular 4063 9881
Executive Director, Joe Collins - info@fromhousestohomes.org
Project Director, Oscar Mejia - oscar@fromhousestohomes.org