From AIA National:
Habitat for Humanity is starting to look for architects and engineers with relevant skills to start organizing for the next phase of the recovery process in Haiti. You can find and share information about this opportunity at: http://www.habitat.org/ivp/apply_now.aspx
The AIA Diversity Roundtable is sponsoring a meeting on February 2nd at 4pm at the AIA Seattle offices to coordinate and inform the response to the Haitian earthquake. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to attend and AWB-Seattle will have representatives there, as well as other organizations.
Details:
When: Tuesday, February 2nd at 4pm
Where: AIA Seattle, 1911 1st Ave. phone: 206.448.4938
For more information click here.
As most of you already know, this past Tuesday a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti outside of Port-a-Prince. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and Haiti’s infrastructure has been devastated. This, in a country already suffering from extreme poverty.
AWB is actively engaging in discussions to identify opportunities to assist in a coordinated disaster recovery effort. We will post updates to the website as more information becomes available – www.awb-seattle.org.
While AWB-Seattle is not a first responder in the event of disaster, instead focussing our work on long term recovery efforts, we hope to support those now involved in the response effort. At this point, cash donations are the most effective way to do this and we hope you will consider making a contribution.
Below is a list of organizations you can contribute to:
For updated information on the situation and additional information on how you can help you can check the following websites:
The Whitehouse
Earthquake Haiti Facebook page
In coming weeks AWB-Seattle will be organizing an effort to help Haiti rebuild and recover from this catastrophe. We will keep you posted as we progress. Please check for updates on our website.
Thanks,
Ben Spencer
President
Architects w/o Borders-Seattle
Written by Kevin Daniels
Hurricane Katrina remains the single most destructive impact on our country’s cultural heritage since the Civil War.
As preservationists, we share a common love for the built environment and for all the rich and diverse cultural heritage stories that go along with it. Many of us have been involved in battles to save a piece of architectural heritage that we personally hold dear; most of us have also felt the painful sting of battles that have been lost.
Over the last few years, I have taken a group of preservation-minded volunteers to work in the Ninth Ward in New Orleans with the goal of helping that community preserve, protect, and reuse the thousands of homes that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Now, over four years later, the immense needs of that community remain. I have personally witnessed a slow rebirth of one of the toughest areas in America (the city’s Holy Cross neighborhood), and all of those who have traveled with me previously to New Orleans have a lot to be proud of. We’ve experienced firsthand the power of community to overcome overwhelming odds. We’ve witnessed the grace of a devastated community and their determination to move forward. We’ve also all been touched by the outpouring of gratitude from everyone in New Orleans – not just those directly impacted by the disaster.
Hurricane Katrina remains the single most destructive impact on our country’s cultural heritage since the Civil War. While it’s easy to ignore the work that needs to be done when the story is no longer on the front page, it doesn’t relieve any of us of our obligation to assist in rebuilding that city.
Our group of volunteers from September 2009.
The rebuilding of the Lower Ninth Ward remains an opportunity that you can participate in. I will again lead a team of volunteers down to New Orleans to work on three houses in the Holy Cross neighborhood, this year between April 5th and April 9th. We welcome all talented people to join us, from those who have strong carpentry skills to those who can push a broom, deconstruct, or paint. Everyone is welcome and needed.
While the costs of travel and accommodations are borne by each volunteer, we can assist in finding inexpensive lodging and/or potential roommates.
As all who have gone before will attest, it is a rewarding experience that will stay with you throughout the remainder of your life.
For more information, please contact me at kevin.daniels@nsco.com. Also, click here to learn more about the National Trust’s ongoing Gulf Coast recovery efforts.
Kevin Daniels is a preservationist and developer in Seattle, Washington. He currently serves on the National Trust’s Board of Trustees as vice chair of the Preservation Committee.
We received this volunteer position notice from the Clinton Foundation. For more information, questions, or to apply online, candidates should visit their website at http://careers-clintonfoundation.icims.com/jobs/1516/job. The job description follows, any other questions you will need to contact the Clinton Foundation directly – we only have this information.
The Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee at AIA Seattle and the Structural Engineers of Washington are offering the (4-hour) ATC-45 Building Evaluation after Flood & Windstorms class at a very affordable rate on Monday December 7th in Seattle.
Given the damaging storms of 2007 and 2008 and the pending risk to the Howard Hansen Dam/ Green River valley this season, December couldn’t be a better time to arm yourself with building performance expertise. Pizza dinner, ATC-45 field manual, and continuing ed credits provided.
Monday December 7, 2009: 4-8pm
Downtown Seattle location to be determined
Instructor: Ed Huston
Register: http://www.aiaseattle.org/node/3640
General Public $60
AIA and SEAW members $45
Jobseekers and Students $30
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Rachel Minnery.
Please support of a great cause – Habitat for Humanity of Seattle/South King County is holding their first annual Build-a-thon between September 19th and October 3rd, and they need our support.
ORA and HyBrid Architects have formed a team that will be working on a Habitat home in Pacific this Saturday September 26, so please consider either making a donation or joining us on site (8:30am-1:00pm), or better yet, both! If you want to participate this Saturday, please sign up on-line to join the ORA/HyBrid team, or email Owen Richards if you want to learn more.
To donate or join the ORA/HyBrid team, please go to: http://www.blueskycollaborative.com/hbat/participantpage.asp?fundid=94&uid=454&fkroledescid=1
If you prefer to write a check please make it payable to Habitat for Humanity and send it to ORA Architects, 1205 E Pike Street #2B Seattle, WA 98122.
Why is this so important? Because only 14% of King County housing is available to households earning below 50% of median income (HDC, 2006).This must change. You can lead the way by sponsoring my volunteer hours with the Habitat for Humanity Build-a-Thon!
If you have any questions or want to talk about participating please give Owen a call at 206 625 0941. If you have any questions about Habitat for Humanity or the Build-a-Thon please visit www.habitatbuildathon.org for more information.
Thanks for your support!
AWB- Seattle would like to thank you for support for the Ventarron, Temple Event. We have decided to postpone of the event to later this year so we can spread the word to a wider audience. We would be thrilled if you could join us and will send out an updated invitation when the details are settled.
