I am having issues with the Brush with Kindness Program. The issues began when I submitted my application in the fall of 2018. Ms. Rutan, Habitat was assigned to me to assist me with the program details and application. I was trying to submit my application, and each time I called (beginning in September-October of 2018), I would have to leave a voicemail for Ms.Rutan, and she never would return my calls.
After no luck hearing from Ms. Rutan , I decided to go to the location in person. When I arrived, there was full staff working, andMs. Rutan was there as well.
I introduced myself and Kim, office manager, came and introduced herself to me. Kim then advised Ms. Rutan to accept my application.Ms. Rutan and I made an appointment for Jamie,, construction manager, and herself to come to my home the following week.
When they came, they reviewed my home to see what they could repair, and made a list of what they were going to do. I put my own list of needs on the application, and some of those were overlooked.
Afterwards, they told me they would get back to me with the cost estimates for the materials.
When Ms. Rutan came back to my house a few weeks later, I initialed a few material items on the paperwork, but there were a few things I questioned, because it seemed that I was being charged three times as much for some of the materials. For an example, a part of my stockade fencing was needing to be replaced. I priced this piece for $20.00 at Home Depot, and it was listed for $100 on the Habitat repairs estimate. Ms. Rutan was not able to address this, and she said she would reach out to Jamie. I continued to leave messages for them both, trying to find out why I was being tripled charged for materials.
Two weeks later, Ms. Rutan said she did not have an answer for me as to why I was inflated.
I reached out to Mr Wilson, operational headquarters, Americas GA, and explained the situation. Mr.Wilson put in me touch with the executive director, Ms. Schultz.
When I spoke with Ms.Schultz in early December of 2018, I let Ms.Schultz her know I was still waiting for a response to my concern. She made the accusation that “We are not in the business of overcharging people.” I had not even explained the situation to her, Mr.Wilson had forwarded my concerns to her only. I told her “I wasn’t saying you were in the business of overcharging people, I just wanted some answers.” Ms.Schultz then said that “if you had to go out and hire a contractor, you would have to pay a lot more.”
I felt this was insulting and unprofessional, as the program is designed to keep costs down for qualified applicants. Ms.Schultz said she would call me the following week. I still have not heard back from her.
Here are some more examples of the high prices that were listed on the repair sheet.
Basic storm door replacement (i.e Emco brand), listed as new storm door in rear $250
Kitchen faucet replacement listed for $175
Replace back stoop steps with railing, handrails and up to code $600 (I had asked Ms. Rutan for an itemized list for this repair, and had mentioned this to Ms.Schultz also, as it is a very tiny step area).
I worked at habitat reconditioning their appliances and other electronic and mechanical donations. I greatly redcuced their scrap; output from the donated pieces they received on a daily basis. I increased their profits by thousands of dollars which is a figure that was stated by the 'then' assistant manager. In spite of this they chose to cut my hours to a point that working there was just to pay my rent. I am by trade an appliance repair techinician with some thirty years experience and consider my knowledge to be worth more than a handshake and a pat on the back. I use my trade experience to make a decent wage not to donate my time to an organization with a world-wide net worth of some $590 million dollars. I hired in to make money not to volunteer. This outfit doesn't give anything away. Nothing is for free, just ask somebody that received one of their houses! So How do you like me now people in kent? Hope your scrap price has improved. Didn't exactly like having a has been teacher with no title calling the shots.
Habitat for Humanity Reviews
I am having issues with the Brush with Kindness Program. The issues began when I submitted my application in the fall of 2018. Ms. Rutan, Habitat was assigned to me to assist me with the program details and application. I was trying to submit my application, and each time I called (beginning in September-October of 2018), I would have to leave a voicemail for Ms.Rutan, and she never would return my calls.
After no luck hearing from Ms. Rutan , I decided to go to the location in person. When I arrived, there was full staff working, andMs. Rutan was there as well.
I introduced myself and Kim, office manager, came and introduced herself to me. Kim then advised Ms. Rutan to accept my application.Ms. Rutan and I made an appointment for Jamie,, construction manager, and herself to come to my home the following week.
When they came, they reviewed my home to see what they could repair, and made a list of what they were going to do. I put my own list of needs on the application, and some of those were overlooked.
Afterwards, they told me they would get back to me with the cost estimates for the materials.
When Ms. Rutan came back to my house a few weeks later, I initialed a few material items on the paperwork, but there were a few things I questioned, because it seemed that I was being charged three times as much for some of the materials. For an example, a part of my stockade fencing was needing to be replaced. I priced this piece for $20.00 at Home Depot, and it was listed for $100 on the Habitat repairs estimate. Ms. Rutan was not able to address this, and she said she would reach out to Jamie. I continued to leave messages for them both, trying to find out why I was being tripled charged for materials.
Two weeks later, Ms. Rutan said she did not have an answer for me as to why I was inflated.
I reached out to Mr Wilson, operational headquarters, Americas GA, and explained the situation. Mr.Wilson put in me touch with the executive director, Ms. Schultz.
When I spoke with Ms.Schultz in early December of 2018, I let Ms.Schultz her know I was still waiting for a response to my concern. She made the accusation that “We are not in the business of overcharging people.” I had not even explained the situation to her, Mr.Wilson had forwarded my concerns to her only. I told her “I wasn’t saying you were in the business of overcharging people, I just wanted some answers.” Ms.Schultz then said that “if you had to go out and hire a contractor, you would have to pay a lot more.”
I felt this was insulting and unprofessional, as the program is designed to keep costs down for qualified applicants. Ms.Schultz said she would call me the following week. I still have not heard back from her.
Here are some more examples of the high prices that were listed on the repair sheet.
Material costs for: basic bathroom faucet replacement listed as: bathroom faucet $300
Basic storm door replacement (i.e Emco brand), listed as new storm door in rear $250
Kitchen faucet replacement listed for $175
Replace back stoop steps with railing, handrails and up to code $600 (I had asked Ms. Rutan for an itemized list for this repair, and had mentioned this to Ms.Schultz also, as it is a very tiny step area).
I am still waiting for a response from someone.
I worked at habitat reconditioning their appliances and other electronic and mechanical donations. I greatly redcuced their scrap; output from the donated pieces they received on a daily basis. I increased their profits by thousands of dollars which is a figure that was stated by the 'then' assistant manager. In spite of this they chose to cut my hours to a point that working there was just to pay my rent. I am by trade an appliance repair techinician with some thirty years experience and consider my knowledge to be worth more than a handshake and a pat on the back. I use my trade experience to make a decent wage not to donate my time to an organization with a world-wide net worth of some $590 million dollars. I hired in to make money not to volunteer. This outfit doesn't give anything away. Nothing is for free, just ask somebody that received one of their houses! So How do you like me now people in kent? Hope your scrap price has improved. Didn't exactly like having a has been teacher with no title calling the shots.
Fraud scam of us vets grant money not completed work not loc plumbers or electricians