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Who is DreamBuilders?
DreamBuilders is a non-profit organization of teens and adults who help to build and repair homes for those in need. Since its founding in 2002, DreamBuilders has touched the lives of more than 150 people in need. DreamBuilders volunteers have worked on 62 Habitat for Humanity homes (including 12 “blitz” builds) during mission trips to West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississippi, Guatemala and Panama. DreamBuilders has also sent missioners to repair homes in the Appalachian Mountains of NC, to New Orleans to work with Operation Nehemiah and twice with the St Bernard Project and to Ghana. On behalf of the Arc of Howard County, whose mission is to improve the lives of children and adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities, we have worked on 10 building and repair projects in Columbia, MD. In 2011, over 300 volunteers from our congregations worked on 3 Habitat for Humanity homes in West Virginia and Panama, did repair work on several homes with the St Bernard Project in New Orleans, completed our first-ever true Blitz Build (started with a foundation on Monday and homeowners moved in on Friday) with Hosanna Industries in Pennsylvania, started repair work on a fire damaged row home in Baltimore and conducted 2 Arc of Howard County projects. The 2011 fall Arc Project was the demolition and total renovation of one of their group homes conducted over several weekends.
A number of families in our congregations volunteer year-after-year. Our summer mission trips are made up of two thirds teens and one third adults. Teens who have completed ninth grade are welcome to join the mission trips and teens in seventh grade and older are welcome to help on Arc projects.
Our congregations are from:
Church of the Ascension, Westminster, MD Christ Church, Columbia MD
Church of the Guardian Angel, Baltimore MD St Mark’s Episcopal, Highland, MD
Trinity Episcopal, Elkridge, MD Temple Isaiah, Fulton, MD
We believe that in this ministry we give honor to God and are faithful stewards of all he has given.
What are the 2012 DreamBuilders Projects?
Our 2012 Mission Trips will be discussed at our general information meeting on Sunday February 12 at 2 pm at Temple Isaiah in Fulton. We are offering 3 trips this year and we are really excited about them. We'll be back in New Orleans helping Hurricane Katrina victims and then head up to Vermont to help victims of the Hurricane Irene flooding.
New Orleans - May 20-26 St Bernard Project, St Bernard Parish, New Orleans LA - 30 spaces (must be 16 or older) Cost - $600
Vermont 1 - June 17-23 - Flood Relief Upper Valley Strong, White River Junction VT - 60 spaces (must be currently in 9th grade or older) Cost - $600
Vermont 2 - July 29 -August 4 - Flood Relief Upper Valley Strong, White River Junction VT - 30 spaces (must currently be in 9th grade or older ) Cost - $600
Registration will begin on Feb 12-22 for members of the DreamBuilders' congregations and then be open to anyone starting Feb 23.
In addition to volunteering for a mission - how can you help?
Help with fundraising
Throughout the year, our congregations sponsor a variety of fund raising activities. These funds cover a portion of the airfare for our volunteers, food, on-site transportation costs, and a portion of the building costs. Volunteers pay for most of their own air fare and provide some of the tools. We are also planning to do two Blitz Builds in West Virginia in 2011 that will require raising $80, 000. We are always looking for new fundraising ideas and can use your help.
Provide contributions for our annual Silent Auction
Contributions are needed from local merchants and others for the silent auction that will be held in conjunction with the DreamBuilders congregations’ 6th Annual Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction on March 20, 2010 at Temple Isaiah 5-9 pm. To donate or if you would like to be a corporate sponsor, please contact Steve Kimberling at 410-730-6461 or stevekimberling@verizon.net .