Five churches in the Clintonville/Beechwold area recently joined together with Habitat for Humanity to build four new homes in the Milo-Grogan neighborhood.
Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity’s approach to providing housing for the needy has been called the theology of the hammer. Volunteers provide the muscle to construct the homes, while donations from individuals, churches and corporations provide the cash for building materials.
Families that show a financial need and are willing to invest sweat equity by volunteering 500 hours to help build their own future home, as well as a neighbor’s home, may apply for a no-interest mortgage through Habitat for Humanity.
Since its inception in 1986, the Greater Columbus Habitat for Humanity has completed six houses. Patrick Grady, President of the Board of Trustees, made a presentation to local churches in January to increase awareness of the organization’s existence and to hopefully gain new volunteers.
The Clintonville/Beechwold Partnership house was sold to an Ethiopian family of five, who have been in the United States for the past six years. Clive Rainey, Senior Associate of Habitat for Humanity International, spoke at the closing celebration on Sunday.
Rainey borrowed a line from the movie, Field of Dreams, to describe Habitat’s adage – If you build it, they will come. Noting the involvement of people living in the Milo-Grogan area, in addition to the volunteers from the local churches, Rainey praised the sense of community that had been renewed throughout the week. “Faith is the turning of dreams into realities,” said Rainey.
It could be said that Habitat for Humanity has a second adage – Live more simply so others may simply live.
Article originally appeared in This Week Clintonville-Beechwold News August 13, 1990
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