The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana has started a campaign to build its 40th house, a milestone for the nonprofit.

“It tells the story of our neighborhood,” said Averil Miles, executive director.

The number 40 is significant because its the end of a period of trials and of being tested, he said. The house is symbolic to the organization’s testing period.

The house will be constructed on Alston Street, around the corner from the organization’s offices. Miles estimates the house could be built in February or March.

“The goal is to be prepared to have the house up around Easter.”

So the organization is looking for time and monetary donations to help construct the house. The goal is to partner with 40 local churches to help make it happen.

Miles also hopes more business and corporate sponsors step forward, as well as individual donors and volunteers. “We want to grow a constituency and the amount of volunteers. Maybe this campaign is made of a bunch of small contributions (rather) than a larger contribution.”

The Fuller Center was founded in the area in 2005 after hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the Louisiana coastline. Founder Millard Fuller pledged to build about 60 dwellings for low-income residents and those the storms left homeless.

The local affiliate struck out on its own in November 2007 and organized a housing blitz. Last year, nine homes were built and were sold with no-interest mortgages to low-income families.

As The Fuller Center began planning to construct its 40th house, it came across one large stumbling block “” the economy. Already tight belts are tighter as the holidays approach.

But on the road toward the 40th house, the center’s staff has learned perseverance, an important trait that will need to executed, Miles said.

“We know that target audience, but this is a season for giving. You’ll always see a reward with a project like this.”

The reward, Miles said, can be seen in how family dynamics change.

Felicia Sewell, a 39-year-old recipient of a Fuller house, spent 11 years in the Army before leaving the service. For her, motherhood was too strong of a draw.

“At some point when you have a child, you do what best for your children,” said Sewell, who now has six children ages 4 to 19. “But I had a career.”

That was seven years and several apartment moves ago. Now Sewell and five of her children live in a home, giving them a sense of stability they never had before.

“They get to grow up in a house they can call their own,” Sewell said. “They don’t have to worry about whether we’re moving. When my kids are 25, they’ll be able to say let’s go to mom’s house.”

© Icess Fernandez/Shreveport-Times

ifernandez@gannett.com

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