Days don't get much more perfect than this sunshine-y, breezy day in the Bluegrass. We couldn't have asked for better weather than we got amidst a stormy week, and it's back to rain tomorrow! Today, we wrangled up a group to come out to the build site for Habitat for Humanity for this build that was just launched.
The "before" picture here shows that the walls were just starting to go up. This is what we would be helping to do today, and we sure got a LOT done!
I was super excited that today was the first day that I got to pull a group together from past 30 Ways events. Steve worked with me at the ReStore earlier this week, I met Casey at the Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky 5K, and Brian Shumard (a friend of my brother's from my childhood, which is random, considering we lived in a very small town 3 hours North of Lexington in Ohio) has come to a couple events so far, and we have another one to go next week together. This was the whole goal behind 30 Ways--to create a ripple effect and build a team that would want to keep giving throughout the "days" with me (and hopefully beyond!).
This entry will mostly be told in pictures. Most people know what Habitat is, and little explaining needs to be done with all the visuals from today. However, many do not know! Scroll down below for links that tell a little more of the Habitat story as well as how they serve the community.
Norma, seen in green, was on the site today since this is her family's house that will be built. Homeowners are NOT simply given these homes. They must work hard for them, and still may payments for the house once complete--they just simply have no interest on their payments, and be able to afford them. Each adult must also work 250 "sweat equity" hours on the site while in the building process. More FAQ on home ownership can be found here.
I was super excited that today was the first day that I got to pull a group together from past 30 Ways events. Steve worked with me at the ReStore earlier this week, I met Casey at the Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky 5K, and Brian Shumard (a friend of my brother's from my childhood, which is random, considering we lived in a very small town 3 hours North of Lexington in Ohio) has come to a couple events so far, and we have another one to go next week together. This was the whole goal behind 30 Ways--to create a ripple effect and build a team that would want to keep giving throughout the "days" with me (and hopefully beyond!).
This entry will mostly be told in pictures. Most people know what Habitat is, and little explaining needs to be done with all the visuals from today. However, many do not know! Scroll down below for links that tell a little more of the Habitat story as well as how they serve the community.
Norma, seen in green, was on the site today since this is her family's house that will be built. Homeowners are NOT simply given these homes. They must work hard for them, and still may payments for the house once complete--they just simply have no interest on their payments, and be able to afford them. Each adult must also work 250 "sweat equity" hours on the site while in the building process. More FAQ on home ownership can be found here.
We put up all the walls one by own throughout the house. We split into two teams to get all the work done, then switched after lunch. One team was in charge of the inner walls, and the other team was in charge of OSB walls and insulation.
One incredible experience with Habitat is that you can work at your comfort level. If you want to help with a certain task, someone on the staff or an established volunteer will teach you how. No one says "no". If you don't want to do a task asked of you, you can find a job that you are more comfortable with. There is also a level of trust among the crew. If you are given a job, you are trusted to do it and are free to ask questions if you need to! No one on the site is questioning your work or making you feel as if you are incapable. Everyone works hard and works as a team to make sure all is accurate.
Also, if you want to learn to use a power tool... you just ask. Here, I ask if I can learn to use the circular saw. Luckily, I left with all my fingers and toes. Barely. (This is good, because "funemployment" does not provide health insurance.)
Also, if you want to learn to use a power tool... you just ask. Here, I ask if I can learn to use the circular saw. Luckily, I left with all my fingers and toes. Barely. (This is good, because "funemployment" does not provide health insurance.)
Lucky Brian got to spend half his time on ladders and doing all of the "tall guy" jobs... I assume he's used to that by this point in his life.
After the frames went up, it was time to start putting on the OSB to complete the structure of the walls.
Andrew ate nails for lunch.
I needed another power tool fix. On a ladder this time. Did I almost fall? Yes. Each of the four times I ran the saw because I couldn't get the blade through the wood.
After we took an extended water break, it was time to put the wall frame up over the garage, which took both teams, a lot of steady hands and balancing!
After 7 hours on the job, we sadly had to clean up and head home. Everyone had a great day on site--we all left with all of our limbs, and were proud to say that the house was starting to look like a house! I think every one of us will be back to help with Habitat in some way in the near future. We are looking forward to being a part of the wrap party later this Spring when the house is finished and handed over to Norma and her family!
Tell me More About Habitat for Humanity....
Per their website, "Lexington Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Lexington Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.
Lexington Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of these distinctions. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith."
Lexington Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. In short, Habitat welcomes volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds and also serves people in need of decent housing regardless of these distinctions. As a matter of policy, Habitat for Humanity International and its affiliated organizations do not proselytize. This means that Habitat will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must either adhere to or convert to a particular faith, or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith."
Welp, That Looks Like Fun. How Can I Help?
**Many cities have Habitat for Humanity organizations. Please Google the one nearest you. These links are for the Lexington Habitat opportunities**
Volunteer!
You can volunteer in a group or as an individual on the build site. Keep in mind spaces may be limited, so sign up in plenty of time before you want to build.
Donate
Monetary donations are always welcome.
Sponsor a Home
Are you able to help fund a build?
Cars for Homes Program
You can donate your car to help support building and rehabilitating homes for those in need, regardless of whether it runs or not! Click for more details.
Other Ways to Give
So many options!
Lexington Habitat for Humanity Administrative Offices
Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5pm
700 East Loudon Ave.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: 859.252.2224
Email: [email protected]
Web: lexhabitat.org
Facebook: facebook.com/lexhabitat
Twitter: twitter.com/lexhabitat
Volunteer!
You can volunteer in a group or as an individual on the build site. Keep in mind spaces may be limited, so sign up in plenty of time before you want to build.
Donate
Monetary donations are always welcome.
Sponsor a Home
Are you able to help fund a build?
Cars for Homes Program
You can donate your car to help support building and rehabilitating homes for those in need, regardless of whether it runs or not! Click for more details.
Other Ways to Give
So many options!
Lexington Habitat for Humanity Administrative Offices
Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5pm
700 East Loudon Ave.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: 859.252.2224
Email: [email protected]
Web: lexhabitat.org
Facebook: facebook.com/lexhabitat
Twitter: twitter.com/lexhabitat