A Brush With Kindness is gaining momentum in Key West with several different projects. This Habitat International program promotes minor repair and painting of homes, allowing income-qualified, elderly homeowners to continue living independently and securely in their homes.

A Brush with Kindness uses a holistic approach, assisting communities by revitalizing neighborhoods, one home at a time. A Brush with Kindness encourages connections within the community, and most importantly, helps preserve affordable housing for those who need it most. A Brush with Kindness depends on coperate and individual donors and the many volunteers who come out every Saturday to join this exciting community effort.

An elderly low income homeowner will be required to meet specific criteria in order to qualify for assistance through “A Brush with Kindness.” The model uses donated materials as much as possible and volunteer labor.

For information on partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower FL Keys, either as a contributor or as a volunteer, please call 305-294-9006 or email: info@habitatlowerkeys.org.

Find out how to help! A Brush with Kindness Brochure

Find out how to get help! A Brush with Kindness Application

Local Artist's Work Benefits Habitat!

Supporting Habitat's Mission: When Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower FL Keys' Family Selection Committee chose Terence & Abigail White as a new partner family several years ago, they had no idea they were selling a Habitat home to a very talented artist. They also had no way of knowing that Abigail White's generous spirit would help support Habitat's mission of providing affordable housing for other families in the Lower Keys.

It all started with Abigail painting a picture of her new Habitat neighborhood, Bayside Landing on Big Coppitt Key. She couldn't possibly fit the entire development into one painting, so she turned one duplex and twisted another, piled the triplexes one on top of the other, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of her new community. The end result was a beautiful, whimsical rendition of these Caribbean-colored homes, which she presented to Habitat for Humanity of Key West & Lower FL Keys as a Christmas gift in 2010.

Everyone was so excited with the painting that Habitat decided to have giclees made from it to give to major donors as a thank you gift. Then, in the midst of the giclee production, Habitat learned that former President Jimmy Carter and his family were vacationing just a few miles away. Being a very pro-active organization, they couldn't let an opportunity to meet the Carter's pass them by, so they worked out a brief meeting with the former President's family on New Year's Eve. Of course, they invited the White's with their two boys, Atticus and Archie, to join them. Abigail brought her original "Bayside Landing" painting, and Jimmy Carter signed it. What a thrill for this blossoming young artist on the very last day of the year!!!

Since then, Abigail and Habitat have been working together to promote the sales of her artwork. Joy Gallery on Duval St. in Key West hosted an afternoon cocktail reception for Habitat on February 13, 2011 and they were gracious enough to allow Abigail to come and "paint live." Many art-lovers were enthralled with her bright colors and unique style, including the owner of Joy Gallery, Jim Wallace, who saw the potential in Abigail and signed her on as one of his clients. Abigail has taken her creativity to new heights with her new "Conch Town" series, in which she paints historical buildings inside conch shells. As a result of her partnership with Joy Gallery, Abigail has sold three original "Conch Town" paintings and expects to sell many more.

Abigail has permitted Habitat to receive all the proceeds from the "Bayside Landing" giclees and posters, which are currently available through Margaritaville's online store, as well as Habitat for Humanity's ReStore on Big Pine Key. Complete information on all the giclees and posters is on Abigail's exciting new website: www.colorsofwhite.com, designed by Litokey.com

Abigail is currently working on a series of paintings that she and Habitat will use to produce original Christmas cards to help raise funds for Habitat's mission. These will be available on Abigail's website, on Habitat's site: www.habitatlowerkeys.org, in the Habitat ReStore and in Key West gift shops.

Announcing our New 10 Pack Notecards

Our new 10-pack of assorted art prints by Abigail are now ready. These delightful images depicting local Key West sights bring you the very best of Key West. Order yours today by contacting Opsdirector@habitatlowerkeys.org

Notecard Set $19.99 plus shipping & handling $2.95
plus tax - FL residents only

Bayside Landing is done!

The 18 brightly colored homes are finished;
inside and out and the families are enjoying
their wonderful new neighborhood.

Children’s tea parties happen frequently on the lawns, and happy homeowners shout across Opal Lane to one another as they relax on their porches after a long day at work. If you have driven through Big Coppitt lately, you’ve noticed the little touches at Bayside that make a house a home: the potted plants, the door decorations, the hanging baskets.

This new Habitat for Humanity community is thriving, thanks in large part to our many local donors and supporters.

“Our homes have that true neighborhood feeling. When we arrive home from work no one wants to go inside, the children are waiting to get together and the adults enjoy unwinding with each other.”
~ Natalie Aguilar, Habitat homeowner

"Our new home is perfect! We are so grateful to be blessed with our own home and wonderful neighbors."
~ Eileen Quinn, Habitat homeowner

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