Habitat for Humanity Holds 5th Builders Blitz

NEWBURGH – Ignacio Acevedo thought he had a fairly good idea of what Habitat for Humanity was all about. All that changed this week.

The newly christened home and business owner Acevedo, who officially was passed his keys to both spaces Saturday, developed a whole new understanding and appreciation for the overwhelming impact of the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh organization.

“I didn’t know the real feeling until this week,” affirmed Acevedo, who along with his family, put in a total of 500 “sweat hours” and is now the proud new owner of the live/work building, located on 123 Washington Street in the City of Newburgh. “I feel like each Habitat person owns a part of my house, whether it be the sheetrock or anything else. Smiling, Acevedo, who will officially move into his home some time this summer, added, “Building this home was great, but what I’m really taking away is being supported, encouraged and loved by all of the people involved, many who I never met before; they are now my new family.”

Now officially the 79th “decent and affordable home” erected by Habitat of Newburgh, 123 Washington Street carries with it several other distinct qualities. The culminating phase of the nation-wide Home Builders Blitz week (June 6-11) run by Habitat Newburgh for the fifth time since 2006, Acevedo’s space became the ninth City of Newburgh home completed by this supercharged mission. Although the actual building time tallied was five days, the behind-the-scenes process of planning and organizing involved several months of selfless effort and dedication. “This did not just happen in five days; it started long before Monday,” stressed Richard Shoenberg, Habitat Newburgh President. “It was a phenomenal event that involved a lot of work.” In addition to it’s rapid completion, it is now the inaugural “Live/Work building” created by Habitat of Newburgh and supported by the MasterCard Center for Inclusive Growth. The joint undertaking is an integral component of Habitat Newburgh’s wider scope: to revitalize neighborhoods. A three-story mixed-use building, 123rd Washington Street will serve as a photography studio and community art gallery on the first floor, while floors two and three will provide a home residence for Acevedo, his wife Karolina, mother, sister, and uncle. Passionate about his photography craft, Acevedo is equally ignited to open his studio/gallery doors to the Latino and African-American communities, two groups he feels are too often absent from the art world. While involved in building his new residence and office space, Acevedo would often take short strolls up and down his street, noting the dominating presence of these two populations; immediately and naturally he interacted, while feeling a burning desire to supply them with something close to his heart.

“I want to display both of these communities’ art together, side by side, so they are able to feel comfortable coming in here and be able to relate to what is inside,” said Acevedo, whose work space is tentatively slated to open next spring.

With further plans of conducting community art workshops for local children and community groups as well as potential small concerts, the budding business owner views the “opportunities as endless.”
Cathy Collins, Habitat Newburgh Executive Director, expressed enormous gratitude to all the people and organizations (many of whom allude to their Habitat volunteerism as “addictive”), including, but not limited at all to, Hearthstone Contracting, Rieger Homes, IBEW Local 363, Perreca Electric, and Hudson Valley Contracting, involved in the 2016 Builders Blitz at Saturday’s dedication. She further stressed her unwavering confidence in the business skills Acevedo accrued through the education component of his Habitat venture.

“Ignacio will be an unbelievable entrepreneur; anyone who knows him, knows that.” said Collins, who cited the opportunity to express gratitude to the inordinate amount of people involved in the building of Habitat Newburgh Homes as one of several reasons she loves her job so much.

One peak inside Acevedo’s studio and signs of the possibilities are already evident. Several colorful, moving multicultural photography pieces by him were on display Saturday; guests could be overheard praising the owner’s talents. Perhaps even more telling to the bright futures that lie ahead for both the residence and business spaces at 123 Washington Street is the unique, impressive character Acevedo possesses.

“Ignacio’s spirit will enliven this house and street,” said Collins. “We are blessed to have you and your family to be moving into this house.”