We made it to Las Cruces and joined the team for the two week build here. As we circled the wagons, poor old Herbie looked rather small but very proud to be here.
Once again, we are the only Canadians, but some folks here have done builds in Canada, either Edmonton or Charlottetown.
Our group comes from Montana, Texas. California, Oregon and Washington. We thought these builds were for two weeks and we moved on to another site but four of the couples here are on their second consecutive build and two caravaners have been here all season. The season is from October to March.
This is the last caravan through for this season so the rush is on to get the four homes to the projected stage. Two homes will be completed and the other two at rough lock up stage, to be completed in October.
So far, the affiliate here has built 92 homes, all by Care-a vanners. The photos and the stories posted in the office are heart wrenching.
On Sunday when we arrived, there was a welcome babarque and campfire, lots of laughs and stories.
Monday was a holiday, Presidents Day but we wouldn't have worked anyways as our work week is Tues-Sat. That way , we get to work beside the new home owners on Sat as they work most a Mon-Fri week.
Monday evening was a pot luck dinner, joined by one of the new home owners and her dad., the coordinators and office staff. Yummy meal and information for all.
7:45 sharp this morning, a circle in the parking lot, short devotion and off to the work site five miles from here. Dave expects to be roofing......... how funny, after I wouldn't let him do our own roof at home!! They say that may not happen tomorrow as we expect high winds.
As my ribs are in week 4 of the 6 week healing project, I thought it unwise to be on the roof with him, so have less physical demands in the ReStore and office. I really enjoy the receptionist role and love the office staff.. Marie, Maria and Paula. Wow! are they busy folks!
The community need for housing outweighs the ability to build houses They opened enrolment in September for 30 days and received 250 applications, the Family Selection Committe had to narrow this down to 20 then 11.
The working poor here, four out of ten households have an income of less than $25,000, and live in substandard homes, paying up to 70 percent of their income on rent.
So, after application, to be selected for a Habitat home, a family must have:
-an obvious need for improved housing
-an income that falls between 305 and 50% of the county median income
-a stable work and income history
-a good credit history
-a willingness to participate with a family support volunteer to learn about finances and home ownership
-complete 500 hours of "Sweat equity" hours, working on their homes or the homes of others.
A typical Habitat home for a family of four is three bedrooms with 1200 square feet.
Now I will share their pholosophy:
Habitat Builds More Than Houses
Our philosophy is that shelter is a basic human need and that everyone deserves a simple, decent place to live. Habitat for Humanity's goal is to eridicate all substandard housing from the world, not through charity, but by providing those in need with the capital, volunteers and skilled labor to help themselves. The benefits of this simple concept do not end with the sale of the home, but have been found to affect other areas of the family's life. The health of the family tends to improve, there is a reduction in family violence, children's grades improve due to a more stable environment, and family members begin to feel empowered to improve other areas of their lives over which they previously felt no control
" All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and homes without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation or spousal affiliation".
Mesilla Valley is the area surrounding Las Cruces
5 units across from us
Folks from the Sacremento area
Retirees from El Paso, now living on Padre Island
Illionis, Oregon and Montana
"Little Herbie", the envy of most for all the storage space and still empty cupboards!
Here is the team. Photos taken at our opening pot luck.
The choice for our "going out" night
We sure look different than on the building site.
The oldest building in las Cruces, La Posta, once a post office, now a very popular restaurant.
Old Mesilla
No, that is not Billy
The other half of our diners.
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