A new and unique program to assist civilian veterans, returning veterans, wounded veterans and families of the fallen has recently been launched in the Santa Clarita Valley.

Habitat for Humanity SCV Homes for Heroes will be established in three phases said SCV and San Fernando Valley

Habitat board member Michael Mizrahi, regional public affairs manager of Southern California Gas Company.

“For the SCV, we came up with the idea of serving veterans specifically,” Mizrahi said. “The Gas Company is sponsoring the launch for Homes for Heroes.”

Mizrahi said the first phase will be the Brush with Kindness effort.

The program brings together donated materials, volunteers and other resources to assist veterans who need repairs or modifications for their existing homes.

Phase two will be the neighborhood-revitalization program. The program will work with the city of Santa Clarita and focus on renovating foreclosed properties in redevelopment areas selected by the city for veterans to purchase.

Phase three, the veteran “enriched” neighborhood will be launched at a later date. It will offer life skills to veterans and their families to become self-sufficient. The goal will be to build a veteran-specific community in the SCV that includes new homes, an urban garden and other services.

The first recipients of the Brush with Kindness will be Joshua and Windie Murphy.

While serving in the U.S. Army for 14 months in Iraq, Joshua Murphy was struck by a mortar that left him with back problems and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This project is amazing for us,” Windie Murphy said. “I’m excited, very thankful and very blessed.”

Josh Murphy said it was hard to put into words what it means to have Habitat help him and his family.

“Life has been such a struggle since I came back from Iraq,” he said. “It is overwhelming to have so many people step up and help out. I honestly don’t feel like I deserve it, but everyone has been so wonderful and I am very grateful.”

Among the partners in the effort is Home Depot.

Kimberly Cherney, store manager of the Valencia Home Depot said that “giving back” is a core value.

“Giving back is so important to us,” Cherney said. “This year our theme is called Celebration of Service and our focus is veterans and seniors.”

Cherney said it is important that veterans have a safe place to call home.

“That’s why we’re involved in this project,” she said.

Jeri Seratti Goldman and Carl Goldman of KHTS AM 1220  also have signed on to work with the effort.

“We have a son who just graduated from West Point. So when Mike Mizrahi approached us about this project — to create housing for veterans — it immediately touched our hearts and there was no way to say no,” Carl Goldman said.’

Seratti Goldman said this effort aimed at veterans is the first of its kind for Habitat.

“This is a way to embrace all of those who have given back to this country,” she said.

“It is exciting that this program will become the template for other Habitats throughout the country,” said Carl Goldman.

Goldman said he has been gratified at how quickly the program has been embraced by donors and volunteers in the SCV.

“The response has been overwhelming,” he said.

Goldman said the SCV effort hopes to refurbish about 10 homes this year.

The first project for the program will occur Nov. 5.

“We plan to make this an annual event on the first Saturday before Veterans Day each year,” Goldman said.

In addition, he said Habitat will also launch programs in SCV schools where children can become involved with “Nickels for Nails,” and other efforts.

Sarah Steffen, marketing coordinator for Habitat for Humanity SFV/SCV, said the biggest challenge is finding veterans who need help.

“One of the challenges we’re facing is getting veterans to accept help,” she said. “We have lots of veterans who want to help us, but they are not willing to accept help. We’re looking for veterans to allow us to help them.”

Mizrahi said the program means a great deal to him personally. “I was born on the Fourth of July; I’m very patriotic,” he said.

For more information on donation and volunteer opportunities or to apply for help visit www.habitatscv.org or call (818) 884-8808.