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.

Through this initiative FCNWLA has rehabilitated a number of homes in Allendale and the surrounding area.These rehabs are done in partnership with businesses and churches and can include such work as roofing, painting, plumbing and other general repairs.

Recent rehab projects and partnerships include the 315 N. Allen Ave. home of Helen Clark – Community Renewal International in partnership with Honeywell Corporation; the 1834 Garden St. home of Carrie Brayboy – Chesapeake Energy; and the Etta Williams home at 121 Leroy St. – Eldorado
Casino.

In addition students from the Huntington High School shop class built a ramp for Effie Romby at 1928 Ford Street. Job Corps members and other volunteers also painted her house.

From June 14-20, 75 people from the Central Texas Methodist Conference performed approximately 2,250 hours of service at 19 different sites, which included rehab on 10 homes, the YWCA and four Volunteer of America sites.

The group of 45 youth and 30 adults, divided into nine teams, also built four
wheelchair ramps. Noel United Methodist Church housed the participants
while they were in the area.

“We would like to give thanks to our many partners and to the Central Texas
Conference for their recent mission trip to Shreveport and the impact that their service had on our community,” said Lee Jeter, FCNWLA director. “OYEE, our community partners!”

FCNWLA screens rehab applicants as they do applicants for new houses. Owners of renovated homes receive “Greater Blessings” boxes which contain envelopes addressed to FCNWLA to be used for love offerings to help bless other families.

“We are trying to get local churches to recommend people whose homes need rehab work,” Jeter said. “We want to help those who are unable to help themselves.”

“You need to follow your dreams on what I call a faith-foolishness line. When you plan to do something for society, you need to get as close to the foolishness as you can without actually getting into the foolishness.”

In hindsight, that’s easy for Fuller to say. The former lawyer and businessman left both professions to found Habitat for Humanity, one of the largest nonprofit home construction organizations in the world, housing 1 million people and counting in more than 90 countries.

Fuller separated from Habitat for Humanity in 2005 and immediately started the Fuller Center for Housing, an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity. The Fuller Center is doing a Blitz Build in Shreveport’s Allendale neighborhood, with nearly 60 houses expected to be built there by mid-2009.

Fuller, 73, said giving up has never been an option. Sweating in a T-shirt and jeans after working the nail gun Monday morning, the septuagenarian said he has no plans to retire for the foreseeable future.

“You know, a lot of people have asked me that. … When you feel blessed, why would you want to quit? Going around, gawking at tourist sites is not appealing to me.”

Faith surrounds Fuller, on the construction site and off.

“People his age, you question why don’t they retire,” said W. Russell Meade, CEO of New Hope Construction, a Tennessee contractor helping out in Allendale. “But the Bible never speaks of being retired.”

One of the Fuller Center’s latest programs is the Greater Blessing Box Initiative, in which Fuller Center supporters repair homes for elderly residents who are physically unable to do the work and leave a wooden box with prepared envelopes for the residents to pay back the cost of materials when able.

“I’ve always loved coming by Shreveport,” Fuller said. “It’s a wonderful city. … But there are still pockets of need.”

Fuller still lives with his wife, Linda, in Americus, Ga., the home of Habitat for Humanity. On Monday, he was on his way to Minden to examine another Fuller Center project in the Webster city.

Fuller praised the local communities for taking on projects so passionately.

“The Bible says it’s a blessing to receive but an even greater blessing to give. We want to give people the opportunity to receive the greater blessing.”

© Drew Pierson – Shreveport-Times – dpierson@gannett.com