“She’s very excited,” he says. “She’s been looking forward to this for a long time, and now it’s finally here. I’m here, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get her in the house as soon as possible.”

“This is built with faith and love and non-governmental funds by Christians and for Christians,” adds Jerry Rowe with Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

The Catholic Diocese of Shreveport donated the land to the Fuller Center for Housing. This is the first house it’s building in Cedar Grove.

“The Fuller Center has been around since 2005 and we’ve been primarily building in the Allendale community,” says Executive Director Lee Jeter. “That’s where all the other 43 homes that Fuller Center has built is in Allendale.”

Jeter says house 44 won’t be the last-”This is two lots donated to us by the Catholic diocese. But we’re hoping to build 10 or 12 or even more houses in the Cedar Grove community to replicate what we’re doing in Allendale.”

Homes through the center come with an interest-free mortgage. There’s a rigorous selection process to become one of their homeowners.

Lee Jeter says they guarantee their homeowners that they won’t have a mortgage over $400 a month. The center works with them, and can pay it off as quick as they want to.

To the volunteers, it’s ministry.

“…to give an opportunity for the parishioners of our church to serve and to give back and to be the hands and feet of Christ in our neighborhood and in our community,” says Outreach Coordinator Jane Snyder.

Charles Holoubek is one of them. He’s an attorney turned construction worker for a day.

“I’m nailing. I’m building a house for some people in need. We’re called as Christians to help other people. And here’s a way that we can tangibly pray with our hands and help people,” he says.

“They’ve done a big deed for my family, and I’m just grateful,” adds Mike Pennywell.

Jeter tells us they have an anonymous donor who has pledged $30,000 for up to five more houses in Cedar Grove. They’re just waiting to buy the rest of the properties.

The walls used in this first Cedar Grove house were built and shipped free of charge by a church in Ohio.

Tracy Clemons – Copyright 2012 KSLA-TV. All rights reserved.

The Build in Bossier City will be called the “Katy Build.”

“Katy Watkins was a student who was actively involved at Asbury United Methodist Church. In October of 2006, Katy passed away with two other Bossier City students in a vehicle accident. The Katy Build is a living legacy to be dedicated in love to honor a young lady whose mission was to make a difference.”

The property for the build in Bossier City is on land that was given to the Fuller Center by generous donors. “We have been looking for opportunities to improve the communities in Bossier City, as we have been doing in Shreveport.

The Lord has blessed up with this opportunity to bring our ministry to Bossier City and He has laid the foundation for us to build upon. The target date for “Katy Build” is June 1, 2012.” said Jeter.

Sponsors or persons who would like to donate or volunteer to help are asked to call The Fuller Center office at 318-221-7474 or send an email to info@fullercenternwla.org.

The Fuller Center for Housing, an ecumenical Christian non-profit organization, was started in 2005 by Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller as a way to continue his vision of a grassroots movement working to eliminate poverty housing worldwide.

Volunteers will come together with The Fuller Center for Housing on Saturday, May 5, 2012 to help the nonprofit agency begin construction on its 44th house in Shreveport.

The new house, at 327 E. 72nd St. in the Cedar Grove neighborhood, continues the mission of building homes for working individuals living at or below the poverty level.

“This will be the first Fuller Center home in Cedar Grove and the first home sponsored by the Catholic Diocese on land donated by the Diocese and St. Catherine Community Center. These are the types of partnerships that transform communities. Everyone working together to make communities better and to give our citizens a hand up,” said Lee A. Jeter, Sr., executive director, Fuller Center for Housing of NWLA Inc.

Sponsors or persons who would like to donate or volunteer to help are asked to call The Fuller Center office at 318-221-7474 or send an email to info@fullercenternwla.org.

The Fuller Center for Housing, an ecumenical Christian non-profit organization, was started in 2005 by Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller as a way to continue his vision of a grassroots movement working to eliminate poverty housing worldwide.

The Millard Fuller Legacy Build, named in memory of Millard Fuller, the founder of Habitat for Humanity and The Fuller Center for Housing, is an annual, internationally-recognized week of building that brings attention to the need for simple, decent and affordable housing.

During this special week, Fuller Center for Housing covenant partners around the world set a goal to help build or rehabilitate 100 homes.

Registration Is Now Open-Come on Down to Louisiana! – October 17-21, 2011

Support:

Volunteers and financial support are needed to help make the Millard Fuller Legacy Build 2011 a great success!

To support the Legacy Build 2011 checks may be mailed to:

The Fuller Center for Housing NWLA
P.O. Box 3173
Shreveport, LA 71133

or donations can be made on line:

Donate Online Today


For questions concerning the build and volunteer opportunities contact Lee Jeter at 1.318.221.7474.

Mrs. Rochelle said that “I am very happy that the Fuller Center is building me a new house. Without God & the Fuller Center it would not happen. It’s been a five year since we had to vacate our home and start renting, and I didn’t believe that it would ever happen for us to have a new home. I had given up, and my daughter went to bed and prayed one night and the next morning, Mr. Jeter Executive Director of the Fuller Center called. I know that God Answer’s Prayers. I just thank the Fuller Center and First United Methodist Church for sponsoring our Home. I AM SO BLESSED.”

Mr. Rochelle is confined to a wheelchair after suffering several strokes. Four generations will be living in this 4 Bedroom 2 bath home.

[nggallery id=17]

HOUSE SPONSORS:

• First United Methodist Church
• First Baptist Shreveport
• J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
• St Mark’s Cathedral
• Wells Fargo Housing Foundation
• Holy Family Catholic Parish – Barksdale AFB Chapel

Fill out our Registration Form

The Fuller Center has invested nearly $3 million in constructing new homes, in renovating older homes and in building handi­capped-accessible ramps for residents of the Shreveport-Bossier area.

Our primary focus has been the Allendale area, a 97 percent minority tract with an estimated tract median family in­come of $20,366 in 2008.

About the Allendale Neighborhood

The Allendale community was established over 150 years ago as one of Shreveport’s first sub­urbs. The neighborhood thrived up until the 1960s. Older residents describe the community as a place where neighbors knew each other and helped each other out.

Residents frequently gathered at local grocery stores, drug stores and restaurants. Between 1970 and 2000, Allen­dale lost two-thirds of its population. In 2000, 48 percent of the population was below the poverty level, compared to 23 percent for the City of Shreveport.

Fuller Center NWLA currently is focusing its work in the Allendale area of Shreveport. To date, we have built 42 new homes, rehabilitated 43 older homes for elderly or disabled owners and built four handicapped-access ramps in the Allendale area. Within the next five years, we plan to build 18 more houses in the Allendale area, for a total of 60 new houses.

Poverty blights the life chances of far too many children in our state and local area, which is why we are absolutely determined to provide opportunities for individuals living in poverty to own a home.

We have seen that home ownership encourages work among parents, increases social mobility and puts the poorest families on the path to success, thereby breaking the cycle of poverty’s passing from one generation to the next.

Throughout the semester students in the Construction Technology and Management program learned the principals of construction. However, this was the first time they got to take what they learned in the classroom and apply it to the real world. In two weeks the students plan on building two houses as part of what Linda Sonnier, program director for the CTM program calls a house blitz.

While attending Louisiana Tech Sonnier worked with the Fuller Center on a modular housing project. After getting a job with BPCC Sonnier continued her work with the Fuller Center via her students in the CTM program. Since the spring of 2008 semester Sonnier has invited students to build houses for the Fuller Center.

“In our methods class we are learning about wood frame. [Students] learn more today about what wood frame is than I could teach in two weeks worth of classes. You have to do it to be able to learn it,” said Sonnier
Lee Jeter, executive director of the Fuller Center, agrees.

“It’s a win-win for us and the [college]. The students get the hands on experience and we get the volunteer labor we need to facilitate our ministry as far as building houses for those in need,” said Jeter.

The BPCC students not only worked on two houses, but they also worked alongside the future occupants.

“It’s a lot of fun because you get to work side by side with them and they are just happy to be here to help and so are we,” said Lisa Dumas, president of the AGC student chapter.

Although working along side those in need of housing, Sonnier does not believe the students understand the gravity of their charitable work.

“[Students] do not even realize yet how important what they are doing is. It will hit them over time as they talk about it with people that they know. Right now they are having fun and that’s great too,” said Sonnier.

However, one thing the students clearly understand is their effort.

“Everyone needs a place to live. Knowing you built something and can drive by and say you built that, you put that together, and it makes not only that person feel good but yourself feel good; it’s indescribable,” said Ernest Blackstone, a student at BPCC.

Yolonda Braziel, the future homeowner, was amazed at the selflessness of the students.

“It’s amazing because (these people) I don’t know just gave their time to a stranger. The reality of it has not set in yet. It’s an extraordinary experience to be a first time homeowner. That is something I never thought I would achieve in this lifetime as a single parent of seven,” said Braziel.

© Jim Potts – nwlanews.com

Volunteers from as far away as Idaho and Minnesota will join with local residents to build two new houses in Shreveport in conjunction with the Fifth Anniversary Celebration of The Fuller Center for Housing.

The two houses will be built in the 1400 block of Alston Street in the Allendale neighborhood, continuing a transformation that started in the area shortly after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. When these two homes are completed, The Fuller Center will have built 42 new houses in the neighborhood.

“This is exciting. We are the flagship site for The Fuller Center for Housing and we are honoring Millard Fuller and reflecting on how much the Fuller Center has grown locally and internationally since Katrina,” said Lee A. Jeter, Sr., executive director of The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana.

“I would challenge any group or individuals who want to see how partnerships make a difference to come see the changes in this community. This is a great opportunity to give something back to the community and work side by side with other volunteers.”

Volunteers coming to Shreveport for the build include 12 University of Idaho students, 45 University of Minnesota students who will be here March 17 and eight volunteers from Fort Worth, Texas. A volunteer group from Arkansas will come in during the second week of the build.

One of the new homeowners is Yolanda Braziel, a mother of seven who lost her job when the Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club where she worked was damaged by fire. She and her children moved into a family home that had been vacant and in need of many repairs. “This miracle that has been bestowed upon me and my family is emotionally overwhelming,” she said.

Delisa Robinson was working offshore when her family evacuated from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Everything she and her son owned was destroyed. The family relocated to Shreveport, where she and her son have been living in a one-bedroom efficiency apartment. “I know that receiving a Fuller Center home will show my son that there is hope and people are willing to help you if you pray and have faith,” she said.

Persons who would like to volunteer to help are asked to call The Fuller Center office at 318-221-7474 or send an email to info@fullercenternwla.org.

The Fuller Center for Housing, an ecumenical Christian non-profit, was started in 2005 by Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller as a way to continue his vision of a grassroots movement working to eliminate poverty housing worldwide. The Shreveport initiative started in 2005 in partnership with Community Renewal International as a means of helping evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. Visit www.fullercenter.org or www.fullercenternwla.org for more information.

© Daily You Newswire

Her four-bedroom home she is helping to build in Shreveport’s Allendale neighborhood is taking form quickly and already has walls, a roof and a concrete floor.

The house is one of two being built by The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana and dozens of student volunteers as part of the nonprofit’s fifth anniversary celebration. Since Hurricane Katrina, the organization has built 40 homes in Allendale, but that count will soon be 42. The homes should be finished by May, and there will be a dedication March 20 at the site on Alston Street.

“This is just the beginning,” said Executive Director Lee Jeter Sr. “We’re starting in Allendale, but we’re going to duplicate what we’re doing in Allendale across northwest Louisiana, across Shreveport, Bossier, Cedar Grove, Queensborough and Mooretown.”

About the homeowners

Name: Yolanda Braziel
Age: 40
Occupation: Cook/manager

Motto: “Tragedies are a common fate. Through it all God never saw fit to let none of these things be for me.”

In her words: As a single parent of seven, I never thought that I would be able to begin to own a used home, let alone a new home.

My life changed about two years ago when my job caught on fire, and they laid all of us off. The house that I was living in I could no longer afford, and I had to move into my grandmother’s house, which was vacant for about two years. We tried to fix it up the best we could, but with the income I had I wasn’t able to patch the holes in the walls, the plumbing was raggedy, just really a mess.

Somebody went to the community police and told them about me and my family. They made the house livable, but it is still bad off. The Fuller Center was a part of it, too.

They patched up the problem, but Mr. Jeter said he wouldn’t be satisfied until I got something decent.

This has renewed my faith and my confidence and has helped me to have a new independence.

I appreciate the smallest things: not even having a sink and now being able to wash my hands and have a clean sink. We didn’t have air, and now I’m going to turn the air on full blast. The main thing I’m looking forward to is a living room.

I’ve been talking to the volunteers, and it means a lot for someone to give like that to someone they don’t know.

Name: Delisa Robinson
Age: 30
Profession: Housekeeper

Motto: Psalm 23

In her words: I was heading to Memphis on a cruise ship from New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit. My parents got caught in the storm, and they were stuck in the house for three days. They lost everything.

They were on a bus for 12 hours heading to Shreveport, and I joined them when they got settled in an apartment.

I started working with the Fuller Center to get a house in 2006, but I stopped putting forth the effort when they said I needed more hours at work and my pay wasn’t enough. I moved into my own apartment to build credit because if I could pay for somebody’s property, I could pay for my own. In 2009, Mr. Jeter sat me down, and I really listened to him this time.

I paid all my credit off and took my income tax check and gave him a down payment. And it has helped me to look into buying more houses.

I love paying bills. My mom says I’m crazy, but it just releases my spirits and makes me free. And God has blessed me every day. I thank God for my momma and daddy because they encouraged me to buy a home. I’ve never had this feeling, but I’m going to take it and run with it.

I love the volunteers, and I thank God for them because without them how would we get it off the ground?

© Nicole Blake Johnson – Shreveport Times

The “building on higher ground” initiative kicked off in December 2005 to build and repair homes in Shreveport, La. for the influx of evacuees fleeing the coastal areas following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

A 5-house, 2-week build is currently underway through March 27th at The Fuller Center’s three partners in Louisiana: Shreveport, Webster Parrish and Hammond. Two of the homes, one in Shreveport and one in Hammond, are for Hurricane Katrina evacuees who will finally be moving into a new home nearly five years after their lives turned upside down after the devastating storm.

The Fuller Center has built or renovated a total of 46 homes for Hurricane Katrina, Rita and Ike victims across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.

The Fuller Center for Housing was founded in March 2005 by Habitat for Humanity founders, Millard and Linda Fuller, to continue their vision of a grassroots mission of eradicating poverty housing. Since that time, The Fuller Center has expanded to almost 60 U.S. communities and 16 countries, building or renovating more than 650 homes. The group is on track to nearly double that number this year with plans to build or renovate 1,150 homes, including up to 500 homes in Haiti.

The Fuller Center is an ecumenical Christian organization that invites and welcomes volunteers and supporters of all faiths who share its basic belief in giving people dignity by helping them build and own a home. The Fuller Center creates partnerships within communities that bring together churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations to build decent, affordable homes for people who are unable to secure adequate housing by conventional means. All homeowners work hand-in-hand with volunteers to build their own homes, which are then sold to them on terms they can afford, based on the Biblical principle of no-profit, no-interest loans.

In its five-year existence, The Fuller Center has grown to include programs that tailor to and involve students, churches, RV owners, people interested in volunteering internationally and even cyclists with its annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure. The Fuller Center also oversees a mobile group of experienced volunteers called Disaster ReBuilders who relocate to towns affected by natural disasters to aid in the reconstruction efforts. The Disaster ReBuilders team is currently in Orange, Tex., partnering with AmeriCorps and the University of Cincinnati to help with hurricane recovery.

The Fuller Center continues to grow at a rapid pace. It has expanded its reach to often ignored areas facing housing, economic and social crises, including North Korea, where The Fuller Center has a partnership with the Paektusan Academy of Architecture to build energy-efficient houses for farmers. The Fuller Center is also working with Lazarian World Homes in Haiti to build earthquake-, fire- and hurricane-resistant houses for $3,000 each and has challenged every church in America to fund at least one house.

The Fuller Center does not just build houses for low-income families. The expansive reach of The Fuller Center is enabled by its innovative “Greater Blessing program,” which involves renovating existing homes. This less-expensive program is key to providing a way for smaller communities to help its elderly and disabled residents by repairing leaking roofs, replacing broken windows and installing wheelchair ramps, among other things. The “greater blessing” is felt by the homeowners when they are given the opportunity to pay back the repairs over time, thus enabling other homeowners to receive help from The Fuller Center.

Although The Fuller Center experienced tragedy in February 2009 with the unexpected death of founder Millard Fuller, The Fuller Center continues faithfully marching on with his dream of a “world with no shacks.”

Source: The Fuller Center