Category: News

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1978 by Christian missionary and lawyer, Millard Fuller, in  the belief that everyone should have a “safe, decent place to call home.”

New Habitat executive director in Lawrence, Erika Zimmerman, and Habitat Board President Lindsey Slater, told Lawrence Central Rotarians  on Wednesday that since 1990  Habitat has built 88 homes in Lawrence. And In 2005 Habitat opened the ReStore  at 7th and Connecticut which accepts and resells new and used building material, furniture and appliances with the proceeds going to support Habitat.

“Lawrence is unique,” Zimmerman said “in that we have unusual resources in terms of donated time, labor, art, furniture, you name it.”

Families who don’t nave money to buy a home without assistance but have a stable income, no excessive debt and will commit to 225 hours of sweat equity are eligible. They take classes and make monthly mortgage payments. Their income must fall between the HUD Median income guidelines.

“The  houses cost around $85,000 to build , primarily by volunteer labor, and are sold to the families through no interest mortgages.  The payments don’t exceed 30% of the family’s income.”

Zimmerman said Habitat’s goals in Lawrence are to build six homes per year by 2018,  and to raise $450,000 by then. “Our biggest problem is finding and affording land’” she said.

“And we want to utilize our volunteer pool to the fullest. Millard Fuller said ‘The work of Habitat has literally moved forward on the shoulders of volunteers.’ “

For more information about the Lawrence chapter of Habitat visit their website.

Kansas University Distinguished  Professor of Architecture, Dan Rockhill, spoke about his award winning program that provides senior architecture students with “hands on” experience in designing and building unique structures.  Rockhill teaches an intensive class that produces a prefabricated structure designed, built and installed by students.  Participants learn skills on the job including design, working with city officials and neighborhood associations, and actual construction.  Rockhill believes his class promotes engagement, creativity and practical experience.  The results of the program may be viewed in a number of Kansas cities and on campus or on the web site at Studio804.com.  Rockhill receives no special funding from the university so the structures built each year are sold and the proceeds are put back into the program for the next class.  Sale homes may be viewed at Rockhillandassociates.com.  The structures are quite modern in appearance and are built to a high standard of sustainability and energy efficiency. Recycled building materials are often utilized, like aluminum scraps , limestone tailings and even chalkboard.  Homes are often placed in the urban core and in 2008 Rockhill’s students built a community arts center in tornado damaged Greensburg, Kansas.  Rockhill has written extensively about his work and he has received numerous awards for architecture and sustainability.

Here’s a great time-lapse from the Studio 804 site of the East Lawrence Passive House, being built. Having broken ground in January the studio went through all aspects of constructing this house which hopes to attain the status of LEED Platinum, Passive House and Net Zero certifications becoming one of the most sustainable homes in the city of Lawrence and the State of Kansas.

A “Big” can change a life of a “Little” when matched up in a mentor relationship.  This was the message Mia Gonzales, Development Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters, brought to the September 31 meeting.  Bigs are caring adults who volunteer  to spend at least an hour a week for a year building a friendship with a “Little”—a child in need of some extra guidance and encouragement.  These kids come from single parent homes, from alcohol and drug addiction backgrounds, and are living at or below the poverty level.  Kids enter the program as walk-ins or are referred from schools or social agencies.  Participating families are assigned a case worker who makes a complimentary match with a carefully screened volunteer.  Research shows that kids benefit significantly from a mentor relationship and show growth in skills and confidence.  Youth with Bigs are less likely to skip school, be involved with violence, or use drugs.  They are more likely to improve academic performance, improve self-esteem and attend a 4-year college.  Adult mentors also find great satisfaction from these relationships.  The organization also provides programs and mixers for Bigs and Littles.

There are 250 active matches presently in Douglas county and there is a waiting list of 75 to 100 kids. The organization also faces financial challenges as grant sources for non profits disappear.  Find out more about Big Brothers Big Sisters, or volunteer by going to the web site:  Douglas.KansasBigs.org.

Mia showed a powerful video that is a true story of how being in a young person’s life can have amazing outcomes, we’ve posted it below.