W&L’s Shepherd Poverty Program coordinated the Alternative Spring Break. The students spent the first two days painting a grocery store for the Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana, a volunteer program that constructs homes as a response to the housing crisis created by an influx of Hurricane Katrina evacuees to the area.

Then it was on to Dress for Success. The organization promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a support network and career-development tools.

“We moved all these clothes from their basement to upstairs so they could set up a more client-friendly boutique,” said Zineb Benchekroun, a sophomore accounting and business administration major from Morocco, who experienced Alternative Spring Break for the first time. “It was a lot of work and very tiring.”

They spent their last two days at The Providence House, which helps homeless families move into permanent, independent housing. Students organized the warehouse, folded sheets, served meals and played with the children at the program.

Benchekroun said she was particularly impressed with their W&L alumni hosts, Witt Caruthers, of the Class of 1983, and other members of the Northern Louisiana Chapter. “I think W&L alums are awesome, and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for them. They coordinated everything and were very nice and hospitable. There was nothing we needed that they didn’t provide us with. We even had a crawfish party at their home,” she said.

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Jeff Hanna

“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.

This is the fifth year the team leader has had the opportunity to come to Louisiana but the very first time to come to Shreveport with The Fuller Center for Housing NWLA to provided service hours with our organization.

They will stay in the Volunteer Center, located at Our Lady of The Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church 1558 Buena Vista St. During the week of March 17-24, they will be working on our future neighborhood store “Millard Grocery” at 300 N Allen Ave., M-F from 9:00am until 3:00pm.

How can you help? We are requesting groups or individuals to provide:

• Dinner on Mon, Tues, Wed. or Thru Mar 19-22
• Brown bag lunch for M-F March 19-23

These students have paid their own way to come to Shreveport to help us during their Spring Break vacation and we are excited to host them. If you would be willing to provide a meal, please contact Renee’ Hooks, 221-7474 or renee@fullercenternwla.org.

Thank you for your support of The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana. Please know that donations large and small make our work possible. Please make checks payable to:

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

Executive Director Lee Jeter can discuss giving opportunities with you: (318) 221-7474

Director of U.S. Field Operations Kirk Lyman-Barner has announced that the new partner will be The Fuller Center for Housing of New Iberia, La., Inc. The city, located in the middle of the southern coast of Louisiana, has a population of just over 30,000 residents. It’s in the heart of bayou country with an elevation of about 20 feet above sea level.

FCH New Iberia will focus on an area known as “The West End.” It’s an area with which the president of the new covenant partner, Eleanor Shaw, is well-acquainted through her work with another community improvement effort there.

New Iberia

“I am tremendously excited to welcome Eleanor Shaw and The Fuller Center for Housing of New Iberia,” Lyman-Barner said. “Eleanor’s team brings experience to a community with great needs through her efforts with The West End Beautification Project. By concentrating on this one community of nearly 4,000 residents, we are certain that her team of volunteers will be successful in revitalizing the community and in their efforts to restore strong-family-centered vibrancy the area once knew.”

Shaw describes the West End community as an area where many properties have been torn down due to years of neglect, leaving vacant lots and a shortage of homes — not to mention a shortage of spirit.

It’s something with which Lee Jeter, who leads the Fuller Center of Northwest Louisiana in Shreveport is familiar. He has seen the Allendale community completely transformed by The Fuller Center’s work there. It was Jeter who helped Shaw connect with The Fuller Center.

“Eleanor learned about The Fuller Center through Lee Jeter, executive director of our Northwest Louisiana-Shreveport team,” Lyman-Barner said. “Word of mouth is always the best referral for our ministry.”

In addition to New Iberia and Northwest Louisiana, The Fuller Center also has presences in the Louisiana communities of Hammond and Webster Parish, which hosted the 2011 Millard Fuller Legacy Build.