Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2008 / Catholics help Habitat build homes
Catholics help Habitat build homes
by Kristin Lukowski of The Michigan Catholic
Published June 20, 2008
|
Kristen Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Bob Davis, of Nardin Park United Methodist Church in Farmington Hills, and Mike Lyle Dahlberg, of Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, build walls for a Habitat for Humanity home. |
Pontiac — Storms that rumbled through Pontiac on the opening day of Habitat for Humanity's 2008 Blitz Build certainly couldn't dampen the spirits of the dozens of volunteers gathered.
Last Friday was the first day for construction of four houses, and organizers and volunteers kicked off the day with an energetic, although wet, rally.
"We never know what the weather's going to do, but we always know there's great need" in the area for housing, said Sally LaPla, Habitat of Oakland County's executive director.
Volunteers from Catholic local parishes were among those building on opening day, and through the rest of the two-week build, which ends with keys being turned over to the new homeowners.
Richard Sawall, a Habitat board member and chair of the selection committee, also tries to get his fellow parishioners from Sacred Heart of the Hills Parish, Auburn Hills, involved in Habitat builds.
Sacred Heart is part of the Rochester Coalition, made up of congregations of different denominations that volunteer together on one house. The coalition also includes St. John Fisher, Auburn Hills, and St. Andrew and St. Iranaeus, both in Rochester.
|
Kristen Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Sally LaPla, Habitat of Oakland County's executive director, addresses volunteers last Friday at an early-morning rally. |
Sawall and his wife have been involved with Habitat for more than a decade, whether doing behind-the-scenes work or helping with the actual building process. "We just think of it as a way to put our faith into action," he said. "It's a response to God's love for us."
Since Habitat homeowners don't qualify for normal home loans, they can secure a no-interest loan through the Habitat program. Owners also have to put in time working on others' houses, and eventually their own.
Building a new house can have a domino affect on the neighborhood, too, Sawall said: If there's a new home next door, neighbors in existing homes might feel inspired to improve their own property.
Sawall said it is amazing to watch how a house is built from foundation to completion in two weeks. Sure, you'll be able to help if you've worked in construction before, but there are plenty of things the average volunteer can help with. Plus, other volunteers are generous with advice of how to do a particular task.
"There's something for everybody to do," he said.
And, not only are people helping to build a house for a family, but they get to meet new people.
"It's very rewarding," Sawall continued. "Everyone gets more out of it than they put in. (Volunteers) feel good about helping somebody out."
|
Kristen Lukowski | The Michigan Catholic
Although last Friday saw heavy morning rain, volunteers were able to build walls in the back room of Habitat's warehouse. |
For him, one of the best parts is the dedication ceremony, when the keys are handed over to the new owner.
Jackie Ebben, who co-chairs the Habitat committee at Christ the Redeemer Parish in Lake Orion with fellow parishioner Tom Sanna, called the experience of helping with a house build "fantastic." "It's amazing to see the house go up," she said. "A whole group of people all comes together," she said.
Even if a volunteer has no building skills, Ebben said she's found that people are willing to show you what you need to know to help — without judgment. "It's a wonderful opportunity," she said. "You meet people from all over the area."
The parish is always well-represented by volunteers, she said, and is able to contribute financially, too. Plus, this year, older teens could help build under adult supervision, so the volunteer group included a few high-school students who need the community service hours to graduate from high school.
"I just think it's a really great opportunity to get in and get your hands dirty and help someone," Ebben said.
Christ the Redeemer is a part of the North Oakland Circle of Faith building group, which also includes St. Daniel, Clarkston, and Our Lady of the Lakes, Waterford. St. Owen, West Bloomfield, is a part of the South Oakland Circle of Faith building group.
Habitat was expecting more than 750 volunteers over the two weeks, resulting in four new homes to be dedicated June 28. Those homes bring the total in Oakland County to 90.
"We are delighted to bring back this opportunity to rapidly build four homes in two weeks," LaPla said. "We have already built nine homes in this neighborhood and are seeking to create the energy that will bring about total transformation for the neighborhood and the lives of those who are living there."
|
