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Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Building Homes with Faith and Cans

The Webster Habitat for Humanity affiliate is located in the quiet country town of Minden, Louisiana, a rural community of about 13,000 residents in northwest Louisiana.

Debra Adkins stands with Webster Habitat Executive Director Charlie Park, (left) Reverend John Downs and other Habitat partners in front of the "house that cans built."

At first glance, not much happens in this seemingly bucolic setting. But first impressions can be deceiving. In truth, Minden is a hotbed for volunteerism as Webster Habitat has just dedicated its 16^th home constructed with donated materials and supplies, sweat equity and volunteer labor from a host of churches and faith-based organizations…and house number 17 is just days from completion.

A HUD SHOP grant awarded last year helped with infrastructure improvements such as water, sewerage, electrical and road improvements for homes built in Webster Parish.

First-time homebuyer Debra Adkins is the most recent beneficiary of this energetic non-profit. Supported by churches from six different denominations and numerous local service organizations, Webster Habitat is on a roll.

Debra's home is also the product of a unique fundraising effort. Calling her home, "The house that cans built," Webster Habitat competed with Habitat affiliates across the country to collect aluminum cans to support their construction efforts. The non-profit received a $40,000 award from the competition, and raised over $5,000 in aluminum can recycling.

Debra herself has invested more than 500 "sweat equity" hours on her house. And others have helped her every step of the way: T.G.'s Nursery contributed landscaping, Plain Dealing Plumbing contributed materials and labor, and another local businessman donated tile flooring. Others who volunteered muscle include the Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program; the Webster Service Club; four college teams including one from Vanderbilt University; past and future Webster Habitat homeowners; and members of the congregations of St. Rest Baptist, Springhill Christian, St. John's Episcopal, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints, First Methodist and First Presbyterian of Springhill.

"God can surprise you," Debra said at the dedication of her home as she thanked all the people who made it possible, "as long as you believe."

And Webster Habitat's next project? Turn a five-acre tract of donated land into a subdivision with 16 homes. They're applied for another SHOP grant for infrastructure for this project, too, and with the grant and a few more aluminum cans, the homes will soon become reality.