Photo By Maj. Tiffany Collins | Maj. Daniel Everett and wife Maj. Elizabeth Walker, assigned to CGSC 2013-01, SG13C...... read more read more
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – As time marches full speed ahead and the calendar reminds us that another year is spiraling to an end. Our thoughts are transformed to the magic of the holiday season and to those less fortunate.
On Dec. 8, officers assigned to the Command and General Staff College Student Detachment, Class 2013-01, Small Groups 16C and 13C bore the recent drop in temperatures to begin the first phase of establishing a permanent home to a family in the Kansas City area.
Demolition efforts began promptly at 8 a.m. and consisted of interior and exterior modifications. The classmates assisted other volunteers in the destruction of a massive stone fireplace, tile flooring, scraping of popcorn ceilings, removing dry wall, and wooden siding.
Coordinator for the class project, Maj. Damion Calvert said, “Habitat for Humanity gave our class the opportunity to work together [as a team] while teaching valuable life skills and above all else, providing the opportunity for home ownership.”
Today’s project is a part of Habitat for Humanity’s latest community reform efforts aligned with the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, says Kristian Jones, Volunteer Coordinator, AmeriCorps. Launched in September 2010 by the White House, the goal of NRI is to transform high-poverty communities into “neighborhoods of opportunity.”
The effort leverages all assets to provide a basis for economic growth and improvement in resident well-being and quality of life by placing essential resources such as schools, safe and affordable housing, thriving businesses, cultural amenities, and recreational facilities within low income communities.
The students carefully dismantled kitchen cabinets and countertops, and removed appliances, sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. All of which will return to their original place in the home.
“The NRI is cost effective and environmentally friendly, as resources are salvaged and repurposed for use in the project or sold at the ReStore,” stated Jones. “The ReStore diverts waste from landfills and also serves as a significant source of funding.”
Familiarization with Habitat for Humanity and its initiatives grew after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, as volunteers rushed to aid in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Although, the disaster brought a new found surge of popularity, the nonprofit organization began in 1976. Under the leadership of skilled supervisors, an all-volunteer force, builds, renovates, and makes much needed residential repairs for low-income families, not only here in the United States but internationally, around the world. At the end of 2011, Habitat for Humanity reported serving 500,000 families (an average family size of five, a total of 2.5M people) since their inception.
A committee selects each family after a yearlong application process, taking into consideration such things as income level, family size and composition, and their current living conditions.
Once approved, Habitat for Humanity maintains a no-profit, no interest mortgage loan and the beneficiary commits to a manpower agreement or “sweat equity dependent on the home received,” says Jones. “The obligation requires 250 hours for a renovation project and 350 hours for a newly built home.”
“To whom much is given, much is expected,” says Maj. Christopher Browning. “My family and I are so blessed, that I have a responsibility to use my talents for the benefit of others.”
Supervisors of this project expect the family to be able to occupy this home, shortly after the New Year; the recipient is a single mother of two children.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2012 16:21 |
| Story ID: | 99100 |
| Location: | KANSAS CITY, MO, US |
| Web Views: | 100 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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