Sharing the Wealth in Westchester

You don’t need to travel to New Orleans, Mississippi or Haiti to help house the needy. It turns out that Habitat for Humanity is at work right here in Scarsdale. We caught up with Jim Killoran, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Westchester when he was dining with 20 visiting college students at an Indian restaurant in New Rochelle on February 20. During Washington’s Birthday week, Killoran was hosting a group of Canadian students who were in town to help salvage elements from two soon-to-be-demolished homes in Scarsdale. Killoran invites students from the world over to visit our area and houses them in a church in Yonkers. He puts them to work salvaging cabinetry, materials, and fixtures from high-priced homes and then recycles these goods for affordable homes under construction in nearby White Plains, New Rochelle and Somers.

We asked if we could stop by to see his work the following day and he welcomed us to a pricey home in Quaker Ridge that is due to be demolished. Killoran and the volunteers were busy removing carpeting, molding, bathroom fixtures, radiators and cabinetry that were destined for use in new homes to be built by Habitat or for their “Re-Stores” in New Rochelle and Mt. Vernon. These stores sell used and surplus furniture, home goods and materials for a fraction of the retail price. Killoran explained that in addition to helping to fund Habitat’s projects, the “Re-Stores” are an efficient way to recycle . Rather than demolish homes with cabinetry, fixtures and moldings intact, Habitat supplies the manpower to remove valuable materials and recycle them for the benefit of the less fortunate.

This spring, Killoran expect 300 students to visit from Boston College, Wake Forest, University of Miami, Beloit, St. Josephs College Maine, and the University of Minnesota to name a few. Habitat for Humanity will salvage a fraction of the 160 billion tons of construction materials that are thrown away in the U.S. each year. In addition to these visitors, Killoran reports that students at local temples are helping out as part of their mitzvah projects and students from SHS raise funds for the group via the Habitat for Humanity club.

The Westchester branch of Habitat for Humanity receives no government grants but manages to sustain a professional construction staff of eight workers. Killoran is highly resourceful and described how he recently salvaged a model home that was constructed at a television studio of the Regis and Kellie show and was able to sell the home for $80,000 and reuse many of the materials, valued at another $75,000.

Killoran is a frequent speaker at area temples, churches and schools and welcomes the opportunity to share his story.

When we asked him what keeps him going, he explained that he has faith that we can all help those in need by sharing what we have. He joked saying, “I’m just a Goy who can’t say no,” but his serious enthusiasm and zeal for the cause were evident.

There are many ways you can participate in these efforts –volunteer your time for manual labor, raise money to fund their efforts, donate furniture or fixtures from your home or work at the ReStore in Mont Vernon, which is a large warehouse filled with everything imaginable.

To learn more, go to http://habitatwc.org or contact Jim Killoran by phone or email.

Jim Killoran
Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Westchester
524 Main StreetNew Rochelle, NY
Jim@habitatwc.org
Office: 914-636-8335x101