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

Two Shreveport families will be getting new homes thanks to The Fuller Center for Housing.

Volunteers and college students from Idaho, Minnesota and Texas will be working alongside the families to construct the homes in the Allendale neighborhood starting today. The project coincides with the Fifth Anniversary Celebration of The Fuller Center for Housing.

Construction will continue during the week, and volunteers can still sign up to help. The houses, located at 1433 and 1437 Alston St., will be dedicated at noon March 20. Upon completion, the Christian nonprofit will have built a total of 42 houses in the neighborhood. To volunteer, call The Fuller Center office at (318) 221-7474 or e-mail info@fullercenternwla.org.

© Shreveport Times

The Fuller Center is a post-Katrina success story. Its work in the Allendale neighborhood, alongside Community Renewal International, is transforming the previously crime- and drug-ridden part of downtown Shreveport. The local Fuller Center partner has built or repaired 75 houses, providing simple, decent shelter for almost 200 people in Allendale.

Since The Fuller Center began building in 2005, crime has dropped in Allendale 55 percent. Emergency phone calls from the areas where Fuller Center houses are clustered have dropped nearly 90 percent.

In 2010, a grocery store will open in Allendale, encouraged by the Fuller Center’s success. The nearest store with affordable, fresh food is currently ten miles away, making shopping difficult for elderly residents and those without cars. There is also a new playground for children and a community garden now tended to by several residents.

“Many years ago this was one of the worst communities in the city. Homicides, crime, gang activity – you name it,” said Jewel Mariner, a community coordinator in Allendale. “It’s amazing to see the transformation in people’s lives and in this neighborhood. People used to just call this The Hill. Now it’s New Hope Hill.”

The Fuller Center is celebrating its fifth anniversary and the ongoing success of the Allendale project by returning to Louisiana between March 15 and 27 to build five houses with its three local partners – Shreveport, Hammond and Webster Parish.

Additional Information:

The Fuller Center for Housing is an ecumenical Christian non-profit 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 Fuller Center is based in Americus, Ga., and is currently working in nearly 60 U.S. cities and 17 countries. Visit FullerCenter.org for more information.

SOURCE: The Fuller Center For Housing

In December NBC 6 News introduced you to Yolanda Braziel who is a single mother of seven. Her home was in ruins until several community members and businesses stepped up and made major repairs. Now Braziel’s getting something she never thought possible.

“I never thought I’d be able to own a used house and God has blessed me now that I will be a recipient of one of the new homes and it is overwhelming,” said Braziel. “I tell you I feel like I’m asleep. It feels like a dream.”

Braziel recently qualified for a Fuller Center for Housing house. The building process begins March 15th. She’s scheduled to move in eight weeks later.

The Fuller Center for Housing needs $80,000 to build Braziel’s house. If you would like to donate or volunteer log onto fullercenternwla.org.

Millard Fuller, the founder and former president of Habitat for Humanity, was a personal friend to me and many Members of Congress. Many of us worked closely with Millard Fuller, particularly in the last 15 years of his extraordinary leadership.

I wish to take a minute today to pay tribute to Millard and his family–his wife Linda, his son Christopher, his daughters Kim, Faith and Georgia and his nine grandchildren. He has left behind these loved ones who will carry on his important work. Linda was a cofounder of Habitat for Humanity, and a driving force in the creation of this organization that has touched the lives of literally millions of people around the world.

When I think of where Millard Fuller died unexpectedly earlier this month, near the small town of Americus, GA, I cannot help but be reminded of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the most inspiring documents ever written. This declaration reminds us that when we speak about human rights, we must remember that the recognition of these rights begins in small places close to home, places so small that they can’t necessarily be seen on maps.

It is in these small places that people long for dignity and respect.

Sometimes in the Senate, we get carried away with grand visions of universal rights and broad, sweeping policies to protect these rights. But when you get right down to it, our visions are carried out in our own neighborhoods, in our own courthouses and in very small places like Americus, GA.

By the age of 29, Millard Fuller had made his first million dollars. He was a man with a great mind and extraordinary leadership abilities, who could have made a great fortune for his wife, his children and himself. But instead, with his wife’s urging, Millard Fuller and Linda decided to take the multiple talents God had given them and refocus their lives on Christian service. They set their hearts on making a difference in the world, and the result was an organization that is one of the greatest nonprofits I have come to know.

In 1968, Millard Fuller and Linda began a Christian ministry on a farm in southwest Georgia where they built decent housing for low-income families using volunteer labor and donations. This concept was expanded into what is now Habitat for Humanity International and the Fuller Center for Housing. By 1981, Habitat had affiliates in 14 States, and was carrying out its mission to build homes with volunteer labor, ensuring that these homes were affordable to the poor and those of modest means.

Many Senators have commented privately and publicly about his extraordinary organization, and President Carter once remarked that Millard Fuller was one of the greatest talents he had ever known–serious words coming from a President. President Carter was a personal friend of Millard Fuller, and in 1984, he became a Habitat volunteer, giving his name and resources to Millard Fuller’s organization. President and Mrs. Carter became the faces of Habitat for Humanity, and would attract thousands of people to volunteer during the Jimmy Carter Work Project, an annual week-long effort to build Habitat homes all over the world. By 1992, Habitat had a presence in 92 nations.

I was very fortunate to have met Millard Fuller. He was an inspiration to me and, as I have said, to many Senators. Many of us come into our young adulthood and say we want to make a difference in the world, and we all try in our various ways. Many of us never quite accomplish that. But Millard Fuller did. He had an impact on the world, and the world will remember his life and his vision. The world will remember that in this great land of wealth and opportunity, Millard Fuller thought it was shameful that people were living without decency and respect.

He said it is not what Jesus would want. It is not what the Bible teaches. It is not what those of the Christian faith believe. He built Habitat on a simple principle that the poor are not lazy, but very industrious–that if the poor were given a chance, they could accomplish a great deal.

In order to occupy a Habitat house, the family who is going to live there gets to build the home with their neighbors, with the kind of old-fashioned, rock-ribbed community values of pitching in, building a home, and building upon that solid foundation.

Not only was it Millard Fuller’s vision to give families a decent place to live, he wanted to give them something to own. Owning a home paves the way for being able to finance against the equity in that home to build a business, to send children to college, and to establish a future.

I want people to know that paying tribute to Millard Fuller is about more than just building homes. Millard Fuller’s life was about building hope, building a future and literally changing the course of life–creating an upward trajectory for people around the world.

I don’t believe that Millard Fuller knew what an impact he had. I only hope we will remember him often. And when we do, as leaders in the Senate and the House, as Governors, and in the White House, we will recommit ourselves to realizing the simple principles that Millard Fuller lived every day.

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the devastation that hit the gulf coast, Habitat was one of the first organizations on the ground. Millard and his wife Linda came to Louisiana and helped us to start building on higher ground. They built not just in the New Orleans area and along the gulf coast of Mississippi, but also in Shreveport, LA, where they joined with a group of local leaders to start new organizations that built homes for people in northwest Louisiana.

I would like to read one personal testimony from Cherie Ashley, who is the executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Northwest Louisiana. She and her family were beneficiaries of this work. Cherie was originally from New Orleans, but the flood waters of Katrina forced her out. She fled to Shreveport with her family. She said:

I was blessed with one of the first of the three homes that was built in Allendale, in Northwest Louisiana. Mr. Fuller was passionate about the work he did and he was passionate about eliminating poverty across this nation. The Fuller Center for Housing and Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana have provided me and my children the opportunity to regain stability and normalcy after such a life altering event–Hurricane Katrina. I am not just the Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Louisiana, most importantly, I am a proud Habitat homeowner, and that’s what God–through Millard Fuller–did for me.

He most certainly was a man who lived up to God’s calling. I believe we would do ourselves well to remember him often, to thank Linda and his family for the tremendous sacrifice they made, and to honor him by continuing his work.

I ask unanimous consent that his obituaries from the New York Times and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution be printed in the Record.

The Fuller Center will begin building simple, decent homes as soon as possible, breaking ground as soon as emergency teams have completed their missions. Working with other organizations to secure buildable land, the Fuller Center plans to erect small earthquake resistant homes for less than $4,000 each.

As with the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the Fuller Center will forward donations to where they are most needed: exclusively for Haitian homes. The center will also be organizing volunteer work teams to construct the homes.

David Snell, president of the international home building organization released a statement saying, “The Fuller Center is not a disaster-relief organization, but we have a very important role to play in the longer-term response to this crisis. We build houses – simple, decent homes that provide a safe, secure place for families to live in. We expect to be heavily involved in Haiti, once the situation there stabilizes and reconstruction work can begin.”

He concluded his statement with a call for help: “It’s the basic nature of charitable work that we seem to always have our hand out, asking for support,” Snell said. “But the good work we do wouldn’t be possible without that support. We believe the Haiti earthquake is a special call to people of good will. We do appreciate your generous support.”

To contribute to the Fuller Center Haiti fund, please send a check to The Fuller Center for Housing, PO Box 523, Americus, Georgia 31709 and include a note that specifies the donation for Haiti. Or you may donate online at www.fullercenter.org.

About The Fuller Center for Housing

The Fuller Center for Housing is a non-profit 501c3 international Christian home building organization based in Americus, Georgia USA. The Fuller Center — created in 2005 by Habitat for Humanity founders Millard and Linda Fuller — partners with churches, schools, businesses and civic organizations to build decent, affordable homes worldwide for people who are unable to secure adequate housing by conventional means.

“When the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, native Daniella Sisson, married only a month to a Shreveport man, was awaiting papers to go through so she could join him here.

At the same time, three members of Shreveport’s First United Methodist were in Haiti to check on the welfare of children at an orphanage the church sponsors.

Shreveport friends and relatives of the four hope they’ll all make it out of Haiti, where about a third of the 9 million residents were impacted by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake, leaving the impoverished country with possibly thousands — even perhaps 100,000 — dead and basic essentials nonexistent. U.S. military help is being readied, with a 2,000-member Marine unit on the way or leaving soon. A State Department official said there are reports of at least three American deaths in Haiti, but only 100 of the estimated 45,000 Americans living there had been able to verify they were OK.

The three Shreveport church members are going to try to leave Haiti today, said Mark Sorensen, husband of member Nycki Sorensen. Also on the trip with her are Hubert Debo and missionary Britney Winn. Mark Sorensen is director of college and young adult ministries and the the contemporary worship service at First United Methodist. He heard from his wife, a teacher at A.C. Steere Elementary, on Wednesday afternoon via a satellite phone that probably was borrowed. Previously, he had only received a text message about 5 p.m. Tuesday that the group was OK.”

Read more at the Shreveport-Times: http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101140339

The executive director of FCNWLA says he “learned a lot” during the Legacy Build and is ready to build two or three houses in March. To build three he needs $210,000.

He is also beginning to lay the foundation for building in other areas of town. He said, “There are people who need homes; there is property available.”

Jeter also wants organizations in those communities to step up and help through donations and volunteering.

In addition to building new houses, Jeter wants to expand the Greater Blessing repair and renovation program.

The program helps people who are homeowners get the repairs they may need but cannot afford.

A new endeavor in coming months will be involvement in lead abatement in houses built before 1978, especially those houses with minor children. Jeter said he had previously obtained a pamphlet
on lead poisoning so workers could be safe while doing rehab work. “I didn’t know it would become a focus area,” he said.

In the meantime, the Louisiana Department of Health and Human Services asked the center to get involved in solving the problem of lead poisoning. “First, I’m getting educated about lead poisoning,”
Jeter said. “Then I’ll pursue grant opportunities to address this issue.”

Jeter told of a client who may lose custody of a 4- year-old grandchild if they can’t address the problem. The client is disabled and on fixed income; moving is out of the question. “We need to step in and help them,” he said.