Newspapers / Philanthropy Journal of North … / Nov. 1, 1994, edition 1 / Page 12
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Volunteers 12 Philanthropy Journal of North Carolina Hammers and spirit From the sea to the mountains In case you didn’t know, 1994 is the official Year of the Coast in North Carohna, and 1995 is slated to he the Year of the Mountain. November 1994 High Pouit looks to Habitat for housing A development of 60 houses built by Habitat for Humanity is underway in High Point. It’s unusual because most Habitat houses are not built in one development. It’s the third largest project of its kind in the U.S. By Susan Gray High Point E va Kerse leans back in her armchair and sighs.“it’s a blessing from God,” she says, looking around her living room. Brass fixtures shine. A niece lies at her feet on a spotless car pet. Across the room, her husband Mack holds a young nephew on his lap. Air-conditioning cools the room. A washer and drier whir in the background. Kerse is talking about her house, which Habitat for Humanity volunteers — along with her family — built a year and a half ago. “1 wouldn’t want to live any where else,” she says. “It’s so much better than renting. We used to live across town, in the middle of a complex. All night long, [strangers] be going through the front and the back, all through the yard.” Now, the Kerses and nine other families live in a quiet section of East High Point in a development of homes that were all built by Habitat for Humanity of High Point. Trees tower over the three- bedroom houses fronted by trim porches. The development - now in its initial phase with 10 houses - has 20 acres of land at its disposal. Habitat for Humanity of High Point bought the land with interest-free loans from local banks. At least 50 more houses are planned, making the development the largest all-Habitat site in the state, and the third-largest in the U.S. In most cities and towns. Habitat houses are scattered throughout various neighborhoods because it’s easier to find empty lots piecemeal than in one large chunk. That was the case in High Point until 1990, when the city teamed up with Habitat tor an ambitious plan to rid High Point of rundown housing. City government gave Habitat first rights to purchase the land. And local banks provided the orga nization with no-interest loans to buy it. “We want to not only provide decent housing for all the people in the area but help these people realize their dream of home-own ership,” says Martin Senell, an architect who is chairman of the board for Habitat for Humanity of High Point. Habitat tor Humanity homes always are owned by the families who help build and move into them. In High Point, Senell estimates that each of the development’s houses costs about $35,000 to TOP: View of two of ihe Habitat houses in the High Point devel opment. LEFT; Eva and Mack Kerse stand outside their brand new Habitat house during o Sunday celebration that included city leaders and TV news crews. Photo couftesy of Habitat for Humanity, High Point W. want to not only provide decent housing for all the peo ple in the area but help these people realize their dream of home-owner- ship MABTIN SENELL Chairman of the board for Habitat for Humanity of High Point build. That covers materials, land, water and sewer costs. The labor is provided by volunteers. Homes are sold to families for $42,000, although each has a mar ket value of about $55,000. The $7,000 that Habitat makes from each sale goes back into a fund for materials tor new Habitat homes. The homeowners work out an affordable down payment with Habitat and then pay back the remainder — at no interest — over about 15 years. None of the fami lies has defaulted on its loan, Senell says. Look for HABITAT, page 13 Green lessons Middle school enviromnental programs go city-wide With a growing public debate on the environment, Chapel Hill educators are paying more attention to integrating envi ronmental issues into the cur riculum - and local businesses and government officials are jumping on the bandwagon. By Kate Foster Chapel Hill E nvironmental issues lie at the core of the modern social agenda. Whether it’s recycling or carpooling, people increasingly are chipping in tor a cleaner world. Educators, in par ticular, have picked up on the grow ing environmental consciousness and are finding new and innovative ways to integrate environmental science into their classrooms. The interest is so great, in fact, that one Chapel Hill science teacher has found both local government and business support tor her projects. Randee Haven-O’Donnell is modest about her accomplish ments. Since coming to Culbreth Middle School in the Chapel Hill- Carrboro School System five years ago, this seventh-grade science teacher and her students have helped make environmental educa tion and activism a district-wide pastime. O’Donnell’s initial project in environmental education was to found Culbreth’s environmental Students in the PIGS Environmental Club prepare a compost demonstration site at Culbreth Middle School in Chapel Hill. The composting project served as a pilot program for what is now a district-wide composting project. Photo Courtesy of Randee Haven- O'Donnell club. She started the group, knov/n as PIGS,(Public Interest in Global Studies) as a way to get children more involved in environmental issues outside the classroom. “1 was looking for ways to get children involved in a non-academ ic but environmental way,” she says. “1 think children need things to care about. They need to feel that what they do is important, and so it made sense.” Perhaps their biggest success has been in helping get their school’s composting program off the ground. In its first year, Culbreth composted 2,033 pounds of pre-consumer waste — scraps of vegetables and fruit generated in Look tor PIGS, page 13 BRIEFLY United Way offers volunteer training The United Woy of the Central Carolines in Char lotte is offering training for new volunteers for its Reachline and First Coll for Help information and refer ral services. The 50-hour training program will cover crisis intervention, active lis tening and suicide preven tion. Coll Marti Morris, (704) 333-6121. How to care for children with AIDS Lutheran Family Services in Raleigh is offering foster parent training this fall for individuals and families that want to foster children who hove HIV/AIDS or other spe cial needs. For information, call (919)832-4378. AIDS quilt display travels to Triad More than 1,870 panels of the national AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display at the Greensboro Coliseum December 1 -4. For informa tion about how to add a panel, call Ruth Hamilton, the Aids Service Agency (919) 834-2437, or John Owens, Southeastern Regional Chapter liaison, (704) 866- 4452. American Cancer Society seeks volunteers The American Cancer Society's central office in Wake County needs volun teers to answer its 800 infor mation and reference line. Volunteers work 4-hour shifts, Mon. through Thurs., 9 a.m to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.For more information call the United Way (919) 833-5739. Chance to assist American Red Cross The American Red Cross of Wake County is looking for volunteers to perform a vari ety of non-medical services to blood donors including registration, taking blood pressure and serving refreshments. Volunteers work five hours a week at flexible times. Call the Unit ed Way of Woke County for details: (919) 833-5739. Help out with art, yoga classes Wake County Mental Health Services needs volunteers for its Community Bridge Pro gram. Volunteers assist in classes for the mentally ill on topics ranging from wood working to yoga to table games. Shifts are open on Tues. and Wed., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sat., 10 a.m to 2 p.m. Call the United Way of Wake Co. (919) 833-5739.
Philanthropy Journal of North Carolina (Raleigh, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1994, edition 1
12
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