Pride of Ownership

It was a time of desperation for me. Having moved my family back home to Omaha and a struggling single parent raising my three of five children still living at home. I learned of Habitat for Humanity from someone in a Habitat home. After careful consideration I applied only to learn I did not qualify. You must be in a financial position to be able to afford the responsibility of owning a home. That taught me a very important lesson right then. I had some things to straighten out on my way to home ownership. From that point, I was driven to get things in order to be a homeowner. It took me a whole year, but I re-applied and was accepted to start my ’sweat equity’ hours towards a home for my children.

My sweat equity began. Working and learning all different phases of clean-up, remodeling, painting, siding, gutters, installing fences, you name it. I did it, no job too small or too big for me to attempt, except getting on the roof, I am afraid of heights. I actually did try, but got half way up the ladder and froze.

I planned my entire sweat equity hours. I kept track of them, had my family and friends helping me. Everyone was just as excited as I was to see our home coming together from the ground up. I remember the day we framed our home.

My son graduated from Central and went into the Marines from this house. My daughter graduated from Central and went away to the University of Southern California. She moved back to Omaha graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree from Creighton University from this house. Now I am on my last child at home, a junior in high school and I thank Habitat for enabling me to be able to give my children a home that I could afford and whereby they could get great educations because we were not worried about affordable housing and paying someone else’s mortgage.

I will never forget the wonderful people from HDR that sponsored my home. The generosity, the caring and the wonderful people that helped me earn this house that I have been proud of every since I moved into it. Not a big fancy house, but it is mine. No outrageous mortgage and best of all no interest. Not ever to worry about foreclosure, because, I can afford my home.

Thank you and God Bless the staff at Habitat for Humanity, all the wonderful volunteers and partners collaborating; you do good works.

Beryl
Habitat Omaha Homeowner

Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Living with

“Infectious Habititis”
 

The onset of “Infectious Habititis” occurred in the summer of 1990 when I participated in the first Blitz Build with my teenage children. People instrumental with passing on this infection were Ralph Jones, Margaret Gilmore, Dale Oatman, Steve Eldred, Damon Laaker among others. I happily lived with it as Habitat Omaha’s board treasurer/ bill payer until I went to a workshop in Kansas City where I heard Millard and Linda Fuller present “Putting the “I” in International”.

They described their life in Zaire and followed up with the idea of going on a Global Village trip with Habitat building houses in other countries. That led to me being a Global Village team member in Trinidad in 1998, deciding I could be a team leader and, over the years, leading teams to Romania (3 trips), Portugal, Poland, Belfast Northern Ireland, Hungary, Ulan Ude Russia, New Zealand, Slidell Louisiana, Kyrgyzstan, Ecuador and Kauai.

I have had the most amazing core group of team members since my first trip to Romania – I think we all got “Infectious Habititis” on that trip and keep on passing it around and around to each other. Many of the skills I have learned on those builds do not translate to the Omaha work site – building walls out of cane reeds or building our own trusses or pulling nails ad nauseum—but eating ice cream does transcend national boundaries. What I have gained is a deeper appreciation of what material abundance we have in the United States, how people in less advantaged countries live a fulfilling life, what a group of dedicated people can do to spread goodwill in both directions and the spirit to continue with bill paying and building here in Omaha. And of course the anticipation of another trip to build more houses and relationships in Vietnam next summer! I am sure that trip will give me yet another dose of “Infectious Habititis”.

One story told by the leader of a workshop for team leaders was to think of the participant as living in a blue culture. That person goes to a country with a yellow culture and returns as a green – mixture of blue and yellow. That person is changed forever.

Anne Carroll
Long-Time Habitat Supporter

 
 
Photos from Anne’s Global Village Trips 

 
Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Each day from October 5 to October 29, 2009 we will be posting a new story in celebration of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s 25th anniversary. These stories have come to us from people who have been involved with Habitat Omaha in a variety of ways at some point in the past 25 years. We hope that you enjoy these reflections, some old and some new, about Habitat Omaha and that they inspire or renew the spirit of service in you. If you have a story of your own that you would like to share please send it to us at buildinghope.omaha@gmail.com.

A Dream to A Home

(Written in 2008)

When I first found out that we would be receiving a home I was ecstatic. I could not believe my mother’s decision to apply for a home in 2006 with Habitat for Humanity. She always talked about getting a house for her family, but I would never see any reaction to all that talk. I learned about the commitment that we would have to put into our new house, sweat equity, meetings, money, to name a few. This never stopped my mother or me from getting us where we are at today. Time passed by as we quickly began a relationship with Habitat that continues to this date.

When we knew we were getting a house, we also knew that there would be hours of work that we needed to commit to other houses, called sweat equity. I was informed that as a child to the homeowner I could put in as many as 250 of the 350 hours of sweat equity necessary to get the location of our house and begin construction. I had recently come back from my first semester of college at Berkeley and decided that this opportunity would be ideal to help me commit my time and effort. After a month without finding a job, this partnership helped me do more with my time.

My mother had also felt helpless because of the devastation created by my father. My mother used to own a beautiful house that she and her husband had built together. This house was made for two families, with marble floors, vaulted ceilings and plenty of gorgeous space. He worked in the U.S. for years at a time, coming back periodically. With every return they grew distant, later to realize they weren’t in love anymore. After seven years of marriage came the divorce, my father took the house away from her, including anything else my mother owned. She vowed to keep her children if it would be the only thing he let her keep. Twenty years later, this opportunity [through Habitat Omaha] brought redemption for my mother, as well as new hope for a better life for all of us.

Three weeks passed by, and I had already accumulated the 75 hours of work that was required on other houses so that we could select a plot of land. I dedicated most of my time searching for the ideal spot that would make my mother happy. Even though there was a list of city donated lots, I was given approval to do research on my own to find an abandoned lot, owned by the city that would suit our needs. It took me weeks to find information that I received from Douglas County, the internet, and Habitat. Then another two weeks to drive my mother around to the lots to get a firsthand look at her opinion of the location. We drove up to one abandoned house owned by the city on 15th Street, my mother started laughing and smiling at the idea that before long she would own a home again. I was happy to see her smile and know that my efforts were helping to create her happiness.

Seven months pass as we settled with a lot on 2015 Madison Circle that my mother chose. This lot was ideal since it was close to familiarity, school for my mother and brother, and the Hispanic community. Once we informed Habitat of our decision, they came back to us with a problem. Even though both my mother and I had already completed the hours required to start building our own house, we would have to wait another year for the lot we selected because that particular lot was not donated by the city yet and there were other litigations that were being worked out. Our other option would be to have our home built on a lot that was farther north, an option that we didn’t like because we would be far from where we grew up. After much discussion we decided it would be best to wait for the ideal location that we wanted, no matter how long it took.

My mother waited an extra year before construction could begin on her house. She was hopeful for this opportunity since the moment she applied with Habitat. My mother would tell me that she could wait even longer if necessary and that the reality of a home that Habitat presented was enough to make her patiently wait. All that waiting paid off.

Construction on our new house had begun on August 28th 2008, two years after her application was approved for a home. I have been going every day to build with the coalition named after their religious ideologies. Faithful builders, signed on as the only group to build my mother’s house. They were and have been dedicated to building an unforgettable home. For Five weeks the dream is becoming a reality from the ground up. This accomplishment helped me to cherish volunteer work and gave me a purpose. My mother also has new meaning to her life now that she will be once again a homeowner. By October 25th my mother will receive the keys to her new home. I can only imagine how ecstatic she will feel to have a place to call her own.

Omar Vargas
Habitat Omaha Partner Family Member

 
Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

HFH is…You

(March 1997 Omaha Habitat for Humanity New–Newsletter)

“The numbers are certainly impressive. The Omaha Habitat affiliate has only been around for the past twelve years, and already there are over 60 families that have made the move from an inadequate housing situation to home ownership. It is easy to be impressed with the accomplishments. ‘Look at what we have done,’ we say.

We have built and re-built stairways, walls and even whole houses. We have hung drywall, siding, and doors. We have installed bathtubs, fixtures and cabinets. We have repaired porches, ceilings, and windows. Have we missed the point?

If we only look at what we have accomplished; if we only see what we have done; if we only see the numbers; we miss the point.

Habitat for Humanity is not just about accomplishments it is about PEOPLE. It is about people who hang drywall, and people who take trash to the dump. It is about people who organize and people who put up walls. It is about people who work in the office and people who pour concrete. It is about people who donate money or equipment, and people who give their time. It is about volunteers, homeowners and future homeowners. Habitat is people.

I realize that this is nothing profound. It does not take a genius to realize that Habitat’s main resource, no, Habitat’s only resource is PEOPLE. But, it does take some effort to remember this in everything that we do. Everything that is accomplished is the result of the combined efforts of INDIVIDUALS.

What does that mean to you? If you are supporter, maybe it is time to get your organization or group together to participate in a work day. Maybe it is time to find a new way for your company to support the work of Habitat. Maybe it is time to get involved with Habitat on the committee or board level.

If you are a homeowner, maybe it is time to remember that we are all in this together, that building and repairs are the result of combined efforts of PEOPLE just like yourself. Maybe it is time to work toward networking, and supporting other homeowners…

Either way, hats off to YOU. Thanks to you the vision is alive, and it is becoming reality. Thank you for your renewed interest in the work of Omaha Habitat for Humanity!!!”

David Tietz, full time volunteer

 
Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

A Coalition Member’s

Testimony

 (Habitat Omaha Faith Relations informational booklet 2006)
 
“One of the best parts about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity is seeing nothing become something. I really enjoy working together with other church members to turn an empty lot into a home for a family. The best testimony to what Habitat can do for your church is how many people want to come out and do it again.”

Dave Zauha
Volunteer Coordinator–King of Kings Lutheran Church
ELF Coalition

Visit the new

habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Habitat for Humanity of

Omaha’s 25th Anniversary

Timeline

 
1983
MAY: Mary Lyons calls together an organizational meeting to discuss the possibilities of a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Omaha, NE.
NOVEMBER: First board of directors elected, articles and bylaws adopted.

1984
JANUARY: Omaha Habitat for Humanity is officially incorporated in the state of Nebraska.
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER: Omaha Habitat completes more than 40 minor repairs for low-income homeowners.
SEPTEMBER: Ground blessing ceremony at 3711 Spencer, Omaha Habitat’s first house.

1985
JANUARY: Work in progress by North High Construction Class on 3711 Spencer Street.
FEBRUARY: First Omaha Habitat family selected.
MARCH: Millard Fuller in Omaha to speak for HFH.

1986–Built/Renovated 1 house
AUGUST: Spencer Street house is completed and the family moves in.

1987
DECEMBER: A partnership is proposed with United Ministries of Northeast Omaha (UMNEO) for rehab project (“North Omaha Rehabbers”).

1988–Built/Renovated 1 house
JANUARY: “Rehabbers” begin work at 4803 No 24 Street.
SEPTEMBER: “Rehabbers” start on Grand Ave.
Total house built or renovated to date: 2
Total tithe amount to date: $50

1989–Built/Renovated 3 houses
JANUARY: Family Nurture committee is established.
SEPTEMBER: A corporate-funded owner-occupant repair project with UMNEO is adopted.
Total house built or renovated to date: 5
Total tithe amount to date: $550

1990–Built/Renovated 6 houses
FEBRUARY: Omaha Habitat makes a landmark decision to tithe $2,000 per house completion to build Habitat houses in Mexico.
SUMMER: In addition to week-long youth work camps, a crew from Boystown worked 1/2 days the entire summer.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 11
Total tithe amount to date: $2,891

1991–Built/Renovated 8 houses
APRIL: “Covenant Church” program is being pursued. Seven churches are involved so far.
JUNE: The second Blitz Build is a success. MOBA partners build one house, a second house is funded by a single individual donor, and a third house is rehabbed, all in seven days.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 19
Total tithe amount to date: $23,391

1992–Built/Renovated 4 houses
MARCH: A formal “Delinquent Payment Policy” is developed and put into practice.Junior League partners for one year with Omaha Habitat.
JUNE: Blitz Build at Florence Boulevard and Larimore Avenue closes in three new houses.
JULY: “Covenant Church” program now has 19 churches involved.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 23
Total tithe amount to date: $33,791

1993–Built/Renovated 8 houses
FEBRUARY: Sweat Equity workshop is established to help prepare families for worksite experience.
APRIL: Office moves from Pearl Church choir room to a renovated house at 2241 Larimore.
JUNE: Adopt-a-House Blitz Build – five houses, start to finish, funded and built by “adopting coalitions”.
AUGUST: “Blitz Rehab Week” at Crown Point successfully involved businesses, churches and foundations not involved in the new house builds.
SEPTEMBER: An Omaha Habitat work crew goes to Shenandoah, Iowa to help rehab a HFH house.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 31
Total tithe amount to date: $43,191

1994–Built/Renovated 12 houses
MAY: Habitat Omaha homeowners, through HOPE committee, hold a successful joint garage sale.
JUNE: Adopt-a-House Blitz produces seven homes on Erskine Street. First handicap accessible house built with partnership of Home Economists in Business group.
OCTOBER: Target Stores sponsor a new house which Target employee volunteers help build.
DECEMBER: In 1994, 99 congregations have participated with Omaha Habitat and have contributed nearly $215,000.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 43
Total tithe amount to date: $55,524

1995–Built/Renovated 13 houses
JANUARY: Board decides to sponsor Adopt-a-Rehab this year.
MARCH: Habitat hosts a Collegiate Challenge work crew from St. Louis University (MO).
JUNE: Piper Jaffray sponsors an entire rehab. First Omaha Habitat house is resold on the open market.
SUMMER: 5346 N 25 Avenue is designated the 50th Omaha Habitat house to be completed.
Total house built or renovated to date: 56
Total tithe amount to date: $77,524

1996–Built/Renovated 9 houses
JUNE: Seven new houses are built during Blitz Week.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 65
Total tithe amount to date: 98,191

1997–Built/Renovated 8 houses
SUMMER: Adopt-a-Crews work on houses. New model of slow build by coalitions proves a success.
DECEMBER: First meeting for all-women built house is held. Family selection committee creates credit policy. Vacated fire station at 2204 Ames Ave acquired for warehouse/office for $1.
Total houses built/renovated to date: 73
Total tithe amount to date: $118,191

1998–Built/Renovated 12 houses
JULY: First all-women built house is completed. Lucent, ConAgra, Creighton University and five church coalitions build.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 85
Total tithe amount to date: $142,191

1999–Built/Renovated 15 houses
JANUARY: New application process instituted for applications to be received three times a year.
APRIL: Office space completed. Twila Martin becomes the first homeowner to pay off her mortgage.
MAY – JUNE: First Ladies Build with governor’s wives helping with Women’s Build.
JUNE – JULY: Nine AmeriCorps NCCC members at Omaha Habitat build sites.
AUGUST – OCTOBER: First Omaha Habitat Youth Build.
AUGUST: Six AmeriCorps members to volunteer with Habitat for one year. New partnership with Omaha Community Correctional Center and inmate volunteers is formed.
SEPTEMBER: Millard Fuller in Omaha to kick-off the 100th house during Building on Faith week.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 100
Total tithe amount to date: $164,191

2000–Built/Renovated 16 houses
MAY – NOVEMBER: Ten coalitions build – five church, five civic and corporate.
JUNE: Habitat for Humanity ReStore is opened at 1003 So 24 St. Additional AmeriCorps VISTA members join Omaha Habitat- three at the office and three at the ReStore. A “Building on Faith” breakfast and tour of work sites with guests from prospective churches is held. Hearthstone Homes is 1st official Omaha Habitat sponsor pledging $50,000 per year for four years.
OCTOBER: Pre-winter framing blitz encloses three houses on South 20th Street.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 116
Total tithe amount to date: $194,391

2001–Built/Renovated 17 houses
MARCH: Grand opening of Omaha Habitat ReStore is celebrated.
SEPTEMBER: Habitat for Humanity International’s 25th anniversary celebration is held in Indianapolis.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 133
Total tithe amount to date: $226,201

2002–Built/Renovated 20 houses
JANUARY: Implementation of the giving clubs: Golden Hammer and the Foundation Club.
MAY: Kick-off of the Women’s Build “Women Building a Legacy” house. Four houses framed at 46th & Fort.
JUNE: Dundee Presbyterian becomes the first church to be a whole-house adoption partner. Omaha Habitat Board approves new revised by-laws.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 153
Total tithe amount to date: $263,801

2003–Built/Renovated 16 houses
JANUARY: Name is changed from Omaha Habitat for Humanity to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.
JULY: Church Relations Coordinator position is added through the AmeriCorps VISTA program.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 169
Total tithe amount to date: $307,601

2004–Built/Renovated 16 houses
JANUARY: Habitat Omaha’s 20th anniversary is celebrated.
MAY: Habitat Omaha hosts its first Raise the Roof Gala in honor of the 20th Anniversary.
OCTOBER: Mayor Fahey proclaims Oct. 20th Habitat for Humanity Day at building site. Kick-off of “More than Houses” campaign is announced.
Total house built or renovated to date: 185
Total tithe amount to date: $341,301

2005–Built/Renovated 12 houses
MAY: Ground-breaking at 33rd & Spaulding – a mixed income development – partnering with Holy Name Housing and the City of Omaha. Lord of Love Blitz Build on Ellison (where six other lots are going to be developed).
AUGUST: YouthBuild USA forms – partnership between Goodwill, Turning Point and Habitat to train at-risk youth as they work for their GED.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 197
Total tithe amount to date: $386,821

2006–Built/Renovated 17 houses
FEBRUARY: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans sponsors five houses for $345,000.Advisory Council is created. Staff and volunteers, as well as people from Sarpy County HFH, go to Mississippi to do Katrina relief.
SUMMER: Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Friends group is formed and become active in Habitat Omaha events.
DECEMBER: Habitat Omaha’s 200th house is dedicated. First Data sponsors a house for a Hurricane Katrina evacuee family who relocated to Omaha, NE.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 214
Total tithe amount to date: $439,351

2007–Built/Renovated 22 houses
JUNE: Habitat Omaha’s first Washington County build begins with the first project in Blair, NE.
JUNE: At the College World Series, Habitat Omaha builds a house to be shipped to a Hurricane Katrina evacuee family in New Orleans.
SEPTEMBER: Wells Fargo’s “Millionth Dollar” house dedication is held. The First Annual Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Friends MicroBrewHaHa takes place.
MARCH: Habitat Omaha’s first Power Women, Power Lunch takes place.
Total houses built or renovatedto date: 236
Total tithe amount to date: $515,524

2008–Built/Renovated 20 houses and replaced 2 roofs
APRIL: Pinnacle Bank becomes the first partner in the Building Blocks Program and buys two mortgages totaling $100,000 for face value (0% interest).
MAY: TDAmeritrade sponsors and builds a house in Omaha. Omaha helps secure sponsoring in Fort Worth, Texas, of a sister TDAmeritrade house.
JUNE: The first Habitat Omaha Home Builder’s Blitz takes place – three houses built in one week. Partners include: Hearthstone Homes, JT Builders, & The M Group.
AUGUST: Roof & Repair Program is initiated with funding of $200K from the William & Ruth Scott Foundation to pilot the program. ABC subsequently offers $150K to help fund the program as part of the North Omaha Redevelopment Plan.
DECEMBER: ReStore boasts record profits at $275K ($112K in ‘07 and $49K in ‘06).
Total houses built or renovated to date: 256
Total tithe amount to date: $597,950
Total roofs repaired to date: 2

2009–Built/Renovated 25 houses and replaced 34 roofs
JUNE: Second Home Builders Blitz takes place—three houses built in one week. Partners include: HearthStone Homes, The M Group and Sullivan Homes. (The Women Build house is started along with these homes and finishes in August.)
JULY: The first and second Habitat Omaha Kids’ Days are held.
OCTOBER: Habitat Omaha’s 25th Anniversary celebration takes place.
NOVEMBER: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat Omaha celebrate Thrivent Financial’s $1 millionth dollar donation. Seven houses are dedicated on one day.
Total houses built or renovated to date: 281
Total tithe amount to date: $686,226
Total roofs repaired to date: 36

 
Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Taking Teamwork Outside

 
the Office

 
When I saw the company email announcing the Habitat for Humanity event, I knew it was something I wanted to sign up for. I had wanted to participate in Habitat for a long time but didn’t really know how to get started. I was very excited about the opportunity to help, in even a small way, provide a home for someone.

Employees from CSG Systems working together on the Habitat Omaha build site.

I expected a lot of hard work and a little fun, but it was a lot more than that. As it was a CSG Systems sponsored event, I worked side by side with a lot of coworkers, some of whom I see every day, and some that I had never met. We also worked with teams from other corporations, individuals who volunteered on their own and two of the homeowners. It was amazing to see the willingness of everyone to step in and do whatever was needed or asked for. Whether it was actually constructing parts of the home, stacking lumber or just picking up trash to keep the area clear, everyone jumped in without complaint.

Volunteers, including CSG employees, at the 2009 Framing Frenzy.

Four Habitat homes were being built side by side and we were assigned one of the homes to work on. However, all the workers were quick to identify where help was needed on other homes and willingly went from home to home filling in where the help was needed most.

Employees from CSG working with other volunteers during Habitat Omaha's Framing Frenzy.

Working alongside the homeowners was especially rewarding. You could see the excitement and pride in their faces knowing they were helping to build the very house they would soon be living in, and the appreciation they had for every person who showed up to help. During the various break times, I had the opportunity to talk with some of the other volunteers and was humbled by the generosity of these people. One gentleman mentioned that he takes vacation every Friday for about 10 weeks in the summer to work on Habitat homes for those weekends, and has done that for several years. Their generosity was truly motivating. I am grateful that CSG provided this opportunity and I will continue to volunteer, next time bringing my family along.

Lisa Vandemark (CSG Systems Employee)
Habitat Omaha Volunteer

Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Changing Direction by the

Grace of God
 

I’m Benjeana Jack, Ben to most people and I would like to let you know a little about myself, Habitat, my higher power and how I’ve been blessed.

It all started when I was four years old; it was a very devastating event which forever changed my life. Over the years since then I had lived a very tumultuous existence. Battling all the obstacles most people do as they grow older. (Drugs, alcohol, you name it I did it, at least once.)

But one day by the grace of God I became pregnant at age 30. Since that time I have dealt with life much differently. I knew that I was going to be responsible for a life. I had to get myself in order so that I could be the best possible mother I could be. I now have two son’s 12 & 16.

I left my addictions behind; looked for gainful employment and a place to live. I heard of the Habitat program and wanted to know more. I was initially denied entrance in the program but that didn’t stop me. Through my persistence and perseverance I was accepted into the program.

That was in 2000, since that time I have become not only a productive member of society, I have also attained three college degrees–Business & HR Management, Computer Science (emphasis: Software applications) and Certified Nursing Assistant. I currently work for Goodwill industries where I am privileged to work with Federal Contracts and Commercial Services (opportunities that society very closely scrutinizes).

I continue to advocate for and make people aware of the Habitat program, its cause and how it has affected my life. I am currently an ambassador with Habitat, I continue to lecture at fundraising events, and to date have probably help raise in excess of 1.5 million dollars.

Don’t tell anyone that the Lord is not there for you, because He always is. You only have to be ready to receive the blessings He has in store for you.

Sincerely,
Benjeana

Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Transforming a Neighborhood

A Builders Blitz Story

The Builder’s Blitz started with the usual excitement mixed with anticipation. The builders who will be participating meet to discuss the start-up strategy and exchange the usual good natured challenges to each other.

Within a short time we got to meet our families. The project takes on a personal tone now that we know the people who will be impacted by the project that we are about to undertake. As we visit the actual construction site, we focus on the details of the build as well as the neighbors who will be affected by our presence during a rather hectic week. One neighbor approached me as we looked the area over. He had lived in his home for over 50 years and his home and yard showed his pride in his neighborhood. As I started to reassure him that we would do what we could to keep the disruptions to a minimum, he stopped me to tell me that he didn’t care how long it took or how much noise we made, he looked forward to seeing the beautiful new homes that we were about to add to his neighborhood. I found the same sentiment from all of the neighbors that I had the good fortune to meet.

On the morning of the first day of the Builder’s Blitz, I had a little time to look over the area while waiting for the sun to rise. In just a few hours, a dramatic change would be underway, but for now, it was quiet. As the sun rose, the framing crew arrived and the area came to life. The entire block was a flurry of activity. More and more of the neighbors came out to see what was going on. Everyone shared excitement for what was about to happen and amazement at the speed at which the transformation was taking place. It was like a small town atmosphere with people standing in their yards and in the street to just visit and watch.

By noon of that first day, the major portion of 4 homes stood where just foundations had been just hours before. The surprise of the neighbors was only exceeded by the joy of our families. Before each of the families stood an important part of their futures. Their smiles and laughter were just what all of us needed to keep up this amazing fast pace. We even had some of the neighbors watching and making notes of how things were done so that they could do things to their own homes. We were transforming an entire neighborhood.

In just 5 days we managed to complete some of the most beautiful new homes complete with garden plots in the back yards. We made dreams become reality and met and made friends with people who we had never met before. As the construction activities came to a close, a peace and sense of home settled in on the neighborhood. We had been lucky enough to be asked to do what each of us does well and our reward was far greater than the usual payment. We had been part of an effort that changed a group of under-utilized lots into a place where dreams come true and hope is born. For this, every one of us gained the satisfaction of leaving our legacy for others to use to create their own legacies.

Mick O’Brien
HearthStone Homes
Habitat Omaha 2009 Home Builders Blitz Participant

 
Photos from the 2009 Habitat Omaha Builders Blitz
 

Visit the new habitatomaha.org to learn more about Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, find out about volunteer opportunities and to donate now.

Each day from October 5 to October 29, 2009 we will be posting a new story in celebration of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha’s 25th anniversary. These stories have come to us from people who have been involved with Habitat Omaha in a variety of ways at some point in the past 25 years. We hope that you enjoy these reflections, some old and some new, about Habitat Omaha and that they inspire or renew the spirit of service in you. If you have a story of your own that you would like to share please send it to us at buildinghope.omaha@gmail.com.
 

Dungeons
 

“Where is it?” I mutter to myself, as my truck coasts slowly along the broken blacktop of North 25th Street. It is August. It is hot. A judicious, but persistent rain drops from the dark dreary sky, and has done so all morning. Storm water flows angrily in the gutters, and the potholes that litter the street are overflowing. The saturated air condenses on the inside of the truck’s windows distorting my view of the abandoned houses and vacant lots that line the street; they seem to be waiting for a parade to celebrate the insurrection that has yet to materialize. I slide my hand across the driver’s side window, wipe the water on my jeans, and glance at the notebook on the seat beside me, checking the address again. Yes, it should be here. After a second pass, I realize that there is a house behind a wild mass of trees and bushes that crowd nearly to the curb. The green tangled growth successfully obscures the sidewalk, the entire front, and most of the sides of the dilapidated two-story structure; trees climb up the sides until only the gable peak and roof are visible. It’s here, hidden behind the leafy wall and embraced by thick crooked arms, protected from public eyes, as if ashamed to reveal an embarrassing disfigurement.

The soft wet ground yields quietly beneath my tentative steps as I circle the house in the steady rain. The front entrance is impassable, blocked by thick tangled bushes. Plywood seals the first floor windows and front door. A small fruit tree has successfully grown through the center of the front porch, its limbs pushing against the curled paint and rusting iron railings, as it desperately leans outward in search of more light—its feeble branches deformed and bearing strange fruit. Nature is not prejudiced and willingly accepts what society has fearfully condemned and shackled with neglect.

At the rear, trash and discarded appliances litter the green weedy yard. A broken screen door hangs grotesquely from its top hinge; it leads onto a small walled porch encircled with glassless windows. I grip the crooked door to steady myself and absurdly scrape the mud from the soles of my wet shoes. Debris is scattered everywhere, a large console style television, dating from perhaps the 70s, lies on its side like a dead beast, its short stubby legs pointing sideways, as if in rigor mortis. I pause on the threshold before entering the main house and shout into the stillness, “Anyone here?” No answer. Again, “Is anyone here?” The house groans mournfully in response to the wind that suddenly accompanies an increase in the tempo of the rain.

The kitchen is wrecked, cabinets gape, the sink is gone, household items are everywhere on the floor and heaped upon the countertops. “Crip” is spray painted in large white letters on the wall facing the backdoor. As I move through the kitchen and into the darkness toward the front of the house, I switch on my flashlight. The flashlight’s beam bounces around the dark rooms, pausing on broken furniture, tables, chairs, lamps, boxes overflowing or with split sides, the contents spilling out, books, papers, cups—the remnants of a vanquished family. Someone has gutted the bathroom; only bare broken walls remain where copper water pipes once supplied a now missing basin, toilet, and bathtub. The cruelty and violence is unmistakable, palpable by the large jagged holes torn into the plaster and alabaster tiles, as desperate hands ripped the pipes back and forth, back and forth, exposing the house’s wooden bones like a vulture-eaten corpse.

The basement is equally devastated. Access from the main level is by a narrow staircase that pitches steeply, twisted and unsteady; it reluctantly bears my weight, crying out with a high-pitched whine as I follow the flashlight’s beam into the dank gloom. The air is heavy. It is difficult to find a place to walk through the garbage and junk that fills the cellar. The concrete blocks that make the foundation are stained shades of black, gray and white from decades of water oozing through their aged joints. The west wall leans inward, broken at mid-height by relentless outside earthly pressures. In the corner, closest to the feeble stairs, a row of woman’s clothes neatly hangs from a rusty gas pipe, colorful coats, blouses, and dresses, patiently waiting in the darkness for the owner who will never return.

Bedrooms occupy the upper floor; they are separate, but not equal. Dark-stained mattresses lie on the floors, broken chairs, mirrors, and dressers, and shoes and clothes strewn everywhere. In the smallest, a child’s bedroom, drug paraphernalia, needles and syringes, lurk in a closet next to the mattress. Stained and torn butterfly covered wallpaper hangs in short and long and narrow and wide strips, like burnt peeling skin, exposing the wall’s true raw color, as if pulled by idle hands with no purpose other than to feel momentary satisfaction at divulging an unpleasant truth.

As I turn to leave the bedroom, words scrawled on the inside of the closet wall catch my eye:

I was born with the G code,
Embedded in my blood.
No not hood rich,
A gangsta and
I’m kinda a big deal,
Talkin with the fist stick knife gun.
I’ll mourn myself cause
Nobody else will.

Slowly walking down the stairs, I feel the house tremble beneath my feet. Perhaps it senses that it may not have long to live. Spirits of the forgotten family seem to follow me out, a door creaks, a spider web wobbles, bouncing the creator uncontrollably. Shadows shudder at the corner of my eye. A young girl, smiling wistfully from the 1950s, watches me with her large oval eyes, looking out from the black and white photograph lying on the broken counter. I share her shame and sorrow at what she now must witness. And what will become of the boys who live here now? Will they move to another of the 1,700 condemned houses in North Omaha to continue their sentence, or will something or someone spark the fire of hope. This is not another country; where is “the change we need?”

As I step out into backyard, the rain has stopped and the clouds are pushing each other apart. It is brighter and the house shines wet. Maybe there is hope for salvation after all—a new roof, siding, shore the foundation, and rework its heart. I start to climb into my truck and notice two young men, boys, perhaps seventeen or eighteen years old are approaching me, walking leisurely along the street, clothes billowing in the wind. They glance at the condemned house and then the at the green, blue, and white “Habitat for Humanity” sign on the truck’s door; we exchange silent nods as they continue down the street. I pause and look up at the house once more, shut the door, and drive off. Author James Baldwin once wrote, The very time I thought I was lost, / My dungeon shook and my chains fell off.

Dan Brewer
Construction Manager
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha

 
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