Local Habitat for Humanity volunteers are gearing up for another year of repairing homes across Greene County through the Helping Hands program. Several more low-income homeowners in Greene County will receive assistance this summer.
Violet Goodwin of 606 W. State Street in Jefferson has an older home with lots of character and her pride shows throughout. Being retired and on a fixed income has made it difficult, however, to address damaging leaks in the roof covering her attached three-season room. Peeling paint is also a growing problem. Habitat volunteers will replace the roof plus scrape and paint the entire house. First work date is Saturday, May 10.
Starting a couple weeks later will be a project at 402 Ninth Street South in Grand Junction where Chad Lehnhoff owns a home where all of the living space is above a garage. Habitat volunteers will assist with construction of a new entrance staircase, plus installation of a new entry door and living room window. The house will also be scraped and given a fresh coat of paint. This will be an extensive project requiring many volunteers to complete.
According to Habitat board president and construction leader Harry Ahrenholtz of Jefferson, many people have the misconception that Habitat is a giveaway program. “Volunteers donate their time and talent to keep costs down, but the homeowner is asked to repay the cost of building materials,” Ahrenholtz said.
A zero-interest loan from Habitat over five years keeps payments low, usually between $50 and $100 per month. Proceeds of these payments are used to help additional families.
In keeping with the hand-up model of Habitat for Humanity, homeowners are also required to contribute their own sweat equity working alongside volunteers. Since many low-income homeowners are elderly or disabled, family and friends are permitted to complete this requirement on their behalf.
“Helping Hands offers hope when homeowners often feel there is none” added Ahrenholtz. “Making a real difference in the lives of those who have nowhere else to turn is what this is all about.”
Additional projects in Jefferson and Scranton are scheduled for later this summer where many volunteers will be needed to do carpentry, roofing, landscaping, and painting. Those able to provide food to sustain work crews are also highly valued. Those with interest in volunteering on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm should contact the Habitat office at 515-432-1168 or email director@hfhbg.org.
One new addition this year is Community Day on Saturday, June 28, where anyone age 16 and over is invited to participate in a Helping Hands project. More information will be communicated as the date nears.
Financial supporters of the Helping Hands program in 2014 include the Greene County Community Foundation, Greene County board of supervisors, Jefferson Rotary Club, Syngenta, Peoples Trust & Savings Bank, Home State Bank, Community State Bank of Paton, Paton Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson, and Abundant Life Ministries.
While the Helping Hands initiative was created locally, it has been recognized by Habitat for Humanity International as a model for Habitat affiliates across the nation in addressing the decay of housing in rural communities. The program has been adopted across Iowa and other states including Oregon, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.
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Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard and poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity welcomes all persons as partner families and volunteers regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations.
