A Woman’s Home Is Her Castle
Written by R.K. Evans
Divas Building Dreams in St. Charles County
The Brown family of St. Peters has a lot to shout about these days. They are excited to have been chosen by Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County for the first Women’s Build in the area, triumphantly tagged ‘Divas Building Dreams’.
Mrs. Brown and her daughter are thrilled and grateful to be a part of the Women’s Build project. “When Habitat called me, it was just amazing. We were so excited! My daughter and I were jumping for joy and crying when we found out that we got the house.”
Brown learned about Habitat and the pioneer Women’s Build effort, ‘Divas Building Dreams’, while searching the paper. “I read about Habitat for Humanity in the newspaper about 5 years ago, and applied for a house three times before I was called. I was asked to come in for the interview process, and to learn more about the program, and when I finally went in, it was a dream come true.”
Habitat recently hosted its first annual Women’s Build Kickoff Breakfast on April 28th with many supporters in tow, including NFL wife Brenda Warner, who joined the group as the featured speaker and offered encouraging words to hundreds of excited attendees.
‘Divas Building Dreams’ was established to help build homes for homeless families, and is building this Christian ministry to include area women (and men) who are ready to offer their talents to help deserving families obtain secure, affordable housing. The Divas team is ready to empower those needy families toward success. “When I went in for my initial meeting, I was very nervous and didn’t know what to expect”, says Brown. “But everyone was so friendly and encouraging. I learned right up front that I had to commit 350 work hours, and I was happy to do so. The instructors at Habitat tell you your floor plan and even show you how to prepare to be a homeowner. Since I’ve been with the program, I have learned a lot of home improvement skills through my classes at Lowe’s, and every hour that I spend in class, working in the ReStore or doing volunteer work counts toward my 350 work hours.” Habitat’s Executive Director Ashlee Johnson and Development Coordinator Kelly Brooks are truly driven in this mission, and work on one accord with dedicated volunteers and firms such as Lowes, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, First Financial Federal Credit Union, Commerce Bank, Bank of America and New Frontier Bank, just to name a few. Lowes has committed to the organization to be an underwriting sponsor, and holds home maintenance training clinics that are open to the public. “There is a pressing need for permanent and affordable housing in St. Charles County,” Johnson asserts. It seems that St. Charles County residents and businesses are taking notice, and ‘Divas Building Dreams’ is raising the roof.
On February 2, 2009, the Community Council of St. Charles County identified 830 sheltered and unsheltered homeless people living in St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren Counties, a startling 40 percent increase from just one year prior. An additional 254 persons were reported to be ‘doubled up’ with family or friends. “There is a definite need for permanent and affordable housing in St. Charles County”, Johnson affirms. “Most people are as stunned as I was to find that there are approximately 830 homeless people in St. Charles County alone, and these families need our help. At Habitat, we are breaking the cycle of homelessness, one family at a time, while creating new taxpayers and productive generations of society.” In addition to the homeless recorded during the one-day count, hundreds of additional people were found living in campers, and staying temporarily in motels, condemned housing, encampments and abandoned buildings due to flooding, the mortgage and credit crisis and economic job losses. All in all, this amounts to a shocking 121 percent increase in homelessness in St. Charles County since 2005.
To combat this growing concern, Habitat’s Women’s Build launched the ‘Divas’ project on May 9th. The maiden voyage for the St. Charles County Women’s Build was designed on purpose to set sail during National Women’s Build Week, observed in hundreds of cities throughout the United States, May 2nd through May 10th. Habitat has gained enormous support and “was organized, not to exclude men, but to include women,” says Brooks. “We want everyone to know that they are welcome to join in and participate in building the dream of home ownership for and with all St. Charles County families.”
Johnson wholeheartedly agrees. “The National Women’s Build Week was a terrific opportunity for ‘Divas Building Dreams’ to celebrate and culminate on Mother’s Day. We wanted everyone to know that they are welcomed to join us in showing support for Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles, ‘Divas Building Dreams’, and the entire St. Charles County community.”
People from all over are joining this visionary effort by providing much needed sponsorships, donations of supplies, materials and services, and volunteer time. The typical timeline for building a Habitat home is based on a 17-week schedule, and the Habitat staff is driving hard, continuing their crusade to recruit volunteer members throughout May. As a result of this elbow grease, people from all over are donating everything from their valuable time, to their property for future building sites, and vitally needed services. “We have been and continue to be blessed with people who ‘get it’ when it comes to providing safe, permanent, affordable housing to deserving families,” states Johnson. “We have a strict financial education policy to assure that program participants know how to best move toward their own success.”
Indeed, selected families are required to attend at least four educational seminars conducted by Habitat’s Family Nurture Committee, and are expected to work with Habitat personnel to learn skills needed for homeownership, such as budgeting and home maintenance. Some of the required seminars and workshops for program participants cover responsible economics and budgeting, home maintenance, good neighbor education and the basics that have built the core philosophy of Habitat for Humanity – a ‘hand-up’ not a ‘hand-out’. “Selected families are required to be active in this process,” states Brooks. “Families work right alongside our volunteers to build their own home, and for 18 months, a family advocate works with the new homeowner. There are many positive, meaningful and joyous experiences gained in homeownership. This amazing energy is felt by our staff, the families and the gracious volunteers doing this work.” Habitat’s staff includes Anita Sandage as office manager, Andrea Hughes managing the Habitat ReStore with assistant Scott Lightle, Tim Aitken as construction manager and Jeff Duncan as a site supervisor. The ReStore inventories quality new and used home improvement items that are available to homeowners, and it is open to all who want to donate household items, shop for their own homes or volunteer to help. The Habitat staff knows all too well how even a little taste of success can empower families that find themselves in the winter of a tough time.
‘Divas Building Dreams’ is a dynamic, powerful and growing ministry that gives St. Charles County families real hope for a better life. Habitat has plans to complete a total of 60 homes by 2013, and needs your help to break the cycle of poverty and address the needs of homeless families in the St. Charles County community. The Divas are excited for everyone to be a part of the solution, and to attend their upcoming events. “My daughter and I are excited to have chosen our location in St. Peters,” says Brown. “I was even able to pick my lot for ground breaking. Other than having my daughter, I have never felt anything like the pride I feel in finally becoming a homeowner.”
If you or anyone you know is interested in making a donation, becoming a sponsor or volunteering time and talents, please contact Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County and ‘Divas Building Dreams’ at (636) 978-5712, or you can visit their website at www.habitatstcharles.org for more information.