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Habitat builds houses, and that is just the beginning
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Published: September 14, 2008
He who loses money, loses much; he who loses a friend, loses much more; he who loses faith, loses all.
Eleanor Roosevelt
The room filled slowly with people. A mother with three girls. A husband, his wife and their two children, a boy and a girl, all filled with anticipation. Another woman overcame obstacles to reach her goal, homeownership. She refused to give up. She placed a picture of a house on her refrigerator, visualizing success until it happened. Now she is confidently moving toward other goals. The common thread: Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County.
Current and soon to be homeowners, they, and others like them, were attending an evening class sponsored by Habitat. It is part of the support system that positions them for success. It was during that evening that I realized Habitat is more than building affordable houses and eliminating substandard housing, both worthy goals. It's about hope. The byproduct of that hope is moving into a home through a process that involves people working together, side-by-side, building relationships and investing in the community.
"What does Habitat mean to you?" I asked the group assembled. One participant had a relative who had gone through the process and was now a homeowner. That made it real for her and now she believed she could, too. She had an example to follow and was inspired to act.
As a board member, I attend meetings, listen to reports from committees, discuss plans and ask questions. Board members attend retreats, develop strategic plans and ensure that staff is in place to implement them, all necessary activities. Yet, when you witness a homeowner stand up and talk about failing several times to qualify for a home, but continuing to try, it hits home. You can feel the passion and determination. When she describes looking at that picture of her dream house on her refrigerator until it became a reality, you finally get it. The foundation to achieve in other areas of life is in motion, hope and confidence. She is on to other goals now and pushing her children to do so as well.
Sponsorships and funding are important, too. Without them, it would be difficult to provide homeownership, a realization of the American dream, for hard-working families. Qualified homeowners, such as Charles and Michelle Parrott, must complete 300 hours of "sweat equity," working on other families' homes, helping to build their own home and volunteering at Habitat. They also attend classes, as they were the evening I joined them, learning more about various aspects of home ownership, maintenance and financial management.
I witnessed Charles drive the first nail during the wall-building for his house several weeks ago. His wife, Michelle, hammered the second one in. She knows the layout of her new home to-be. Looking at the foundation, before the walls were erected and floor plan began to take shape, she could point out the bedroom, kitchen and staircase to the second story "eco-friendly" green house. Each day their home takes shape, and the rooms have more definition. A neighbor, also a Habitat homeowner, is helping out, returning the favor. Michelle and Charles have "sweat equity" in her house, too.
Volunteers help make this hope a reality, giving of their time to invest in the dreams of people we all encounter at some point. They drive your child's school bus, serve as nursing assistants in local hospitals, work behind a counter in a bank or attend class in a local college, university or technical school. There is a certain satisfaction in being involved in making a dream come true. One volunteer, for example, is proud of a window she installed. Each time she passes that house, she can say, "I did that!"
"What does Habitat mean to you?" was the question that resulted in heartfelt thanks from participants, such as the mother of three who found it difficult to control her emotion. Her spirit was full. She tried to hold back the tears as her three girls looked on. It was powerful to see what building houses really means to hard-working, deserving people. They have lives, dreams and desires. And they work alongside volunteers like you and me to make it all come true.
What does Habitat mean to people in this community? Ask a volunteer who has invested time in building a home. Talk to a board member who has invested time in making Habitat's vision a reality. Talk to staff members who live the mission daily. If you really want to know, ask a new or current homeowner. Listen to and observe what they say and how they say it. Maybe then you will come to the same conclusion I did: It's about hope.
■ Nigel Alston is a Dale Carnegie trainer and motivational speaker. He can be reached at nalston1@triad.rr.com.
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