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Habitat For Humanity Builds in Novato

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Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco broke new ground in Novato last week at the Mt. Burdell Place,1112 4th Street, near Grant Street.

Mt. Burdell Place is Habitat for Humanity’s first new construction development in Marin County since 2010 when Habitat renovated four blighted and distressed Marin County homes. With this new location, ten low-income families in Marin will now be able to purchase affordable homes.

About 150 people gathered together on a 30,000 sq. ft. lot, which was used as a trash dumping ground before Habitat purchased it with a $428,000 loan from the City of Novato. Ten houses will be constructed on the site, each of which will be between 1400 to 1900 square feet, with three bedrooms, two baths and a two-car garage. These homes will include solar panels, drought tolerant landscaping, and tank-less water heaters.

< p class=”p1″>Philip Kilbridge, CEO Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco; Miguel Garza, Habitat’s first Marin Homeowner; Dr. Thomas Peters, President and CEO Marin Community Foundation; and, Jeanne Macleamy, Mayor Pro Tem Novato spoke at the Ceremony

Macleamy said Habitat is going to partner with hard-working, responsible families who make less than 80% of the area medium. A family of four making between $52,000 and $83,000 a year will qualify to purchase a home. There will be a zero interest and a zero down payment for their mortgages. Each family will also have to contribute 500 hours of work towards the construction of the home.

Miguel Garza, a Marin County social worker and volunteer disaster responder, purchased his home in Novato through Habitat For Humanity in 2011. Owning a home has made a huge difference to him and his family. Garza says that parents want to provide a home for their family and new development will provide families the opportunity to purchase a home.

“These homes will be a blessing, provide shelter, and teach children how to be good homeowners, and families how to be steward of the land that they own,” says Garza.

For information on purchasing a house through Habitat For Humanity, volunteering to help build these homes, or to donate to Habitat For Humanity, go to www.habitatgsf.org.

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

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LIVE NNPA 2025 National Legacy Awards Gala | Savannah

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Op-Ed: Why Black Fathers Like Me Must Speak Up About Autism

Being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism, changed everything. In the Black community, silence around disability comes at a cost. I’ve learned that fatherhood is leadership—and it’s time we speak up. Our kids need early support, inclusive policies, and visible, vocal fathers. Autism isn’t the tragedy—silence is.

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BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – As a Black father, I’ve worn many titles—provider, protector, community leader, mentor. But none has shaped me more than being “Dad” to my daughter Amari, who was diagnosed with autism.

When I first heard the word autism associated with my child, I’ll admit—I was overwhelmed. Like many parents, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. I was afraid of what the future might hold. But in the Black community, fear is often met with silence. And silence—especially around disability and mental health—has become a quiet barrier too many families struggle behind.

That’s why I’m speaking out—not just as a father, but as an advocate for our children, for public service education, and for civic engagement rooted in love and leadership.

Black children are too often diagnosed, later, misdiagnosed, or outright denied access to the early interventions they need. The reasons are layered—racial disparities in healthcare, cultural stigma, under-resourced schools, and unconscious bias in medical and educational systems. The results are heartbreaking. Our children fall through cracks that should never exist.

Even fewer people talk about the role of fathers—especially Black fathers—in this journey. Too often, we’re pushed to the margins of the conversation or expected to stay silent. That ends here.

I’ve sat in countless IEP meetings. I’ve researched therapies, pushed for inclusive classrooms, and sought out the support systems that weren’t readily available. I’ve wiped away tears and celebrated every breakthrough. And in each step, I’ve realized that parenthood is more than presence—it’s informed, engaged leadership. It’s showing up as our child’s strongest advocate.

Through my advocacy, I’ve worked with other families here in Prince George’s County to build community, share knowledge, and empower fathers. But we need more. We need a cultural shift—one that recognizes neurodiversity, reduces stigma, and promotes civic participation among parents and caregivers. We need to normalize vulnerability in Black men and redefine strength as being fully present for our children.

And we need policy.

  • Paid family leave.
  • Inclusive classrooms.
  • Early intervention access.
  • Increased funding for special education—especially in underserved communities where disparities are most pronouncedl.

These aren’t just family issues. They are issues of public leadership. They are the foundations of building future leaders through involvement, advocacy, and education.

Our children deserve more than awareness—they deserve action. And our fathers deserve to be seen, heard, and supported—not shamed or silenced.

Autism is not a tragedy. Silence is.

Let’s talk. Let’s act. Let’s lead.

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