From the Heart

Yesterday, the Lansing State Journal published a well written letter from one of my fellow Habitat for Humanity Lansing board members. Erica spoke from her heart in this letter and I just had to share it.

Erica Quealy: Habitat experience touted for everyone
Helping people build homes provides all sorts of benefits to community

For me, it started about 15 years ago when the youth leader from my church took a group of girls to work on a Habitat for Humanity home. I will never forget the trailer that family had been living in - holes in the floor and ceiling, plumbing that didn't function and barely any belongings to call their own.
Despite all of that, they were upbeat, excited for their future, and hard at work assisting volunteers with the place they'd soon call home.
That week, I learned much more than how to hang drywall or how to install a toilet. I learned to be humble, to be thankful no matter how bad I think things are. I learned that a few hours of my time will literally make a world of difference for an entire family.
That was the first time I helped a family reach their goals of homeownership, and I've been hooked ever since!
I've served on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Lansing for four years. I have lent my time as a committee chairperson, and am currently serving on the Community Relations Committee. While my volunteer work in high school and college taught me many do-it-yourself skills that come in handy as a single homeowner, I have also learned that my efforts are better spent using my mind rather than power tools when it comes to volunteering!
During my time with Habitat Lansing, I have seen this organization grow by leaps and bounds, allowing us to help more families each year. This in turn allows us to impact the local economy by increasing neighborhood home values, investing over $4.3 million into our community in the last 21 years.
This has opened the way for Habitat homeowners to contribute $122,000 in property tax each year, and generated employment for local builders and contractors.
More importantly, our work helps families in so many ways. In addition to offering affordable housing, we recently found that Michigan Habitat home owners reported that their kids do better in school, their health improves, their income increases, adults go back to school, and they experience less family conflict.
If you get involved with Habitat, I guarantee you will meet many wonderful people, help your local economy, and help families achieve the fresh start they've been praying for. With support from you, we can continue to offer proven benefits to local children and parents.
I believe there's always someone out there who needs you and whose gratitude will fill your own life with more grace than you thought possible.
I encourage everyone to learn more about Habitat for Humanity Lansing, www.habitatlansing.org, discover how we offer affordable housing to local families in need, and find out how you can be a part of this wonderful experience.
• From Lansing State Journal December 21, 2008 •