At the Wednesday morning breakfast for Habitat for Humanity the glowing marble interior of the Masonic temple set off simple and elegant floral center pieces, while white table cloths and place mats made of children's drawings of homes laminated in thick plastic decorated table tops. Habitat for Humanity celebrated the successes if its families who have moved into, or soon will be moving into, their Habitat homes.
The excitement for those who are receiving or have moved into their new homes is evident in their emotional testimonials surrounding their experiences with Habitat. Zaria Williams, 5, who will be moving into a new home with her family said she most looks forward to "a playground," she said. Danielle Leflore, 11, said she looks forward to "moving out of an apartment and being in a purple room."
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1999, the percentage of people living below poverty in Delaware County is 15 percent. For Indiana 9 percent of the population live below the poverty level.
In Muncie, the first Habitat home was dedicated April 30,1988. It was 1,300 square feet and cost $22,000. By the year 2002, 41 Habitat homes were completed with affordable, no-interest mortgages.
Each participant who signs on the Habitat partnership is given a notebook-size homeowners manual.
Robin Evans, who moved into her Habitat home on May 1, has two children, Steven 7, and Joseph, 4. Habitat requires people who are waiting for houses to put in 250 "sweat hours" before they receive their home. Evans did not do her sweat hours up front, as Habitat members usually do, because the house she took was already built.
Of the sweat hours she has put in since April, Evans said, "It's going to be a real exciting time."
She looks forward to learning about how to do drywall, build walls, put brackets under homes and install subflooring.
"I've got my own tool pouch with my own tools," Evans said. "It's a real emotional time and there is lots to be thankful for."
Habitat for Humanity does not just benefit those who move into their new homes; it benefits all who are involved in the process of getting the home built.
Lloyd Nelson, retired dean of the College of Applied Science and Technology, retired from Ball State in 1985, and he volunteers to build homes every Thursday. Nelson said he became involved with Habitat after hearing its founder, Millard Fuller, speak at Emens during UniverCity one year.
"I was so inspired by what he had to say about the movement that I thought one day I'd like to be involved. So in 1994 I started with Habitat for Humanity," he said. "It's wonderful to be able to do that (volunteer); it broadens my acquaintanceship with homeowners. It's rewarding to be around with others who are willing to help themselves. We've all been helped at one time."
Each home comes with new appliances: refrigerator, washer and dryer and air conditioning.
"The bathroom is so big, now we feel like we could camp out in it," Evans said.
The 250 hours of "sweat equity" also includes taking construction courses and learning how to build decks and walls as well as how to insulate and install vapor barriers. Each Habitat homeowner is expected to a take class in "good neighbor" basic landscaping and lawn care, interior maintenance, home safety and energy conservation.
According to the Habitat for Humanity booklet, "sweat equity" builds partnership, pride, skills and knowledge. "We offer a hand up rather than a hand out."
"What every American wants is a home of their own and that was all possible with Habitat," Evans said.
"They accept everyone; it's family," Evans said. "It goes beyond my ability to express. Habitat is love and concern that you come to know. It's such a blessing."
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