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A Not So Haunted Home!

“I know where I was before, and I know where I want to go. I am not afraid of who I am.” – Deshaun Watson, NFL quarterback

Home is the alpha and omega of the mountain one chooses to climb in life, nurturing on the ascent and proclaiming achievement at the summit. Housing is linked to one’s wellbeing by providing refuge, storing wealth, and shaping image of ourselves and how others see us. Habitat for Humanity International, formed in 1976, is an organization concerned with simple, decent, and affordable housing. Its mission: ‘Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.’

The number ‘815’ is inked on each arm of Houston Texans’ quarterback Deshaun Watson as a reminder of where he once lived, 815 Harrison Square, Gainesville, Georgia – “it was like a recycling bin.” At a church-sponsored Halloween party, each child that lived in the subsidized housing project was given a bag of candy with a pamphlet about Habitat for Humanity. Deshaun’s mother became a partner and worked on the construction of their new home, making the family a testimonial for Habitat’s mission.

Habitat is a ‘hand up, not a hand out’ charity that works to overcome barriers between people, Jimmy Carter emphasized in his opening remarks to the Jimmy Carter International Work Project 2005 focused on Benton Harbor, Michigan. The world is divided by wealth that is expanding geometrically for some nations and individuals, stagnating for others – Oxfam, a confederation of 20 charitable organizations, reports that 87 percent of wealth is concentrated in one percent of the population with eight individuals having as much money as 3.8 billion people combined.

Housing is important not only to the individual but the community. The National Low-Income Housing Association estimates that building 100 affordable homes generates $11.7 million in local income, $2.2 million in local taxes, and 161 jobs. Working on a house has been referred to as kinesthetic learning by doing, described by Benjamin Franklin, “Tell me and I forget, teach and I may remember, involve me and I may learn.” As people work with purpose, they share effort, talk together, and develop empathy towards one another.

Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Michigan is affiliated with the national organization but is locally governed and managed, servicing the counties of Alcona, Alpena, and Presque Isle. In the 1990’s volunteers began to build – since then 80 families have homes, people are helped to stay in homes by assistance with maintenance and accessibility issues. The Habitat Restore recycles used items, generating revenue that supports the organization.

Deshaun Watson recalls the Halloween Party, “I just went for the candy.” He now drives a Lamborghini and lives in a home larger than the 1,300 sq. ft. one of his mother’s. His story, though exceptional, emphasizes the importance of supporting Habitat for Humanity.

“Home to a family is what soil is to a plant. Once a family is well rooted, all kinds of wonderful things will happen. ” – Millard Fuller, Habitat for Humanity

Tom Brindley grew up in Iowa, and studied journalism and accounting. He is a retired controller from Alpena Community College and has been active in local non-profit organizations. He can be reached at bindletom@hotmail.com. Read him here the first and fifth Thursday of each month.

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