Kathye Herrera introduced Robin Hinman, Resource Development Director for Habitat of Lenawee, who was born and raised in Adrian, went to high school here and attained her Associate’s degree in business from Baker College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena Heights University. She is currently  a member of the Adrian Morning Rotary club and lives in Manitou Beach with her hubby and 4 children.

 

Habitat, Robin said, has gone from “building” homes in Lenawee County to “rehabbing” them (it’s been 5 years now). The organization, she said, is now embarking on what they are calling their Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI). She played a brief video clip of an affiliate explaining details of this new program. Following that, she went into bit more detail about how her agency decided to jump on board spurred primarily by the need to Invest specifically in the “owner housing stock” in Lenawee County.

 

Robin said that her organization continues to partner with the City of Adrian and even more so now than ever due to the number of foreclosed housing units that generate no tax base. As a result, the Neighborhood Revitalization Ini9tiative was born. Their focus is to build in one area at a time whether it be in Adrian, Tecumseh, etc. This will only serve to provide much needed repairs to homes that need them, increase the property’s value and simply turn neighborhoods around. Other benefits include: a substantial reduction in crime, an increase in family stability and more effective and productive home setting in general. Their target neighborhood currently is the east side of Adrian.

 

As of 2013 Robin said there were 1,700 other affiliates of which 215 are also doing Neighborhood Revitalization. Among the organization’s local donors are the Stubnitz Foundation (a $20,000 grant in 1012-13) and the Adrian Kiwanis Club ($7,500 grant in 2011-12). Events scheduled in the future include: Party in the Park – east side residents gather to socialize and provide feedback as to what the problems are in their neighborhood in an effort to empower them and made to feel they have a say in what goes on where they live; Town Hall Meetings ; Surveys, etc.

 

Robin also mentioned the organization’s Restore store and the donations they accept and resell to residents in the community. Store Hours:  Closed Monday; Open: Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm; Saturday 10:00am-4:00pm. Another fundraiser is their annual Pastie Project  

 

Robin closed by announcing an open house that is scheduled for June 26^th at the home at 415 Ormsby from 6-7pm and everyone is invited to see the work that was done.  Appetizers will be served at 5:30pm. You should call their office if you can attend at 517-265-6157.