Printer Friendly Version - Raise the Roof Rebuilding, Restoring, and Transforming

The former home of an oyster fishing captain from the 1800s has long stood vacant, and is now blighted, but will be the focus of Raise the Roof and Habitat for Humanity volunteers. Raise the Roof is beginning to register groups that would like to help. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof

Raise the Roof, the Shoreline Habitat connection, is breaking ground on a new Habitat build project at 387 Lenox Street in New Haven, this time rebuilding, restoring, and preserving an historic structure that will be the future home of a Habitat partner family.

The structure at 387 Lenox Street was built in the 1830s as the home of Merritt Brown, an oyster fishinfg captain. The home is part of an important historic district overlooking the Quinnipiac River and holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. The property has long stood vacant, and though blighted now, with the effort and care of many Raise the Roof and Habitat volunteers who will work alongside the partner family of Edwin Sanchez and Ada Irizarry, the house will be restored and transformed to hold a family and its place in the neighborhood. This project will be Raise the Roof’s 14th Habitat build with Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven. Many donated and danced to raise the funds to sponsor this build. Raise the Roof’s signature fundraising event is its annual Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause.

A groundbreaking ceremony at 387 Lenox Street, New Haven, has been scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m. This will be a special occasion that celebrates the groundbreaking and the start of a family’s journey to own a home.

Raise the Roof will begin to register groups that would like to reserve a day to build at 387 Lenox Street. Groups of up to 10 individuals can be accommodated on a build day. Many groups sign up for Saturdays, but weekdays can be arranged, and there is availability during the week for individuals to register to build. Everyone is welcome to gather his or her church or civic group, neighbors, friends, a school group, business colleagues, and others for a workday on this Habitat build. The volunteer groups will work alongside the partner family who will own the home. For more information, email Raise the Roof at contactus@raisetheroofct.org. Raise the Roof works within the umbrella of Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven.

The partner family of Edwin Sanchez and Ada Irizarry will work with Raise the Roof and Habitat for Humanity to restore and refurbish this historic home. Photo courtesy of Raise the Roof