Mission

Habitat for Humanity of White County ("Habitat") is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness in White County, Arkansas, by building decent, affordable housing for people in need in our community. "Habitat" is a Christian-based organization that works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life. The focus of "Habitat's" mission is not simply the construction of homes, but the develolpment and empowerment of people and communities. "Habitat" has an interest in the people involved in its ministry, both the owners of "Habitat" homes and those involved with homeowners in the construction of those homes. The organization seeks to break down barriers and form partnerships among people from all walks of life. Relationships are the most important things "Habitat" builds.

Method

Using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials, "Habitat" builds homes with the help of the future homeowners, "Habitat's" partner families. Houses are sold to partner families for no proft, financed through affordable, no-interest mortgages. Mortgages are issued over a fixed period, usually 20 years. Monthly mortgage payments are used to support the construction of more houses through the revolving Fund for Humanity.

Affiliate History

On February 7, 2005, Hillary Mount, a senior at Harding University, arranged for Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee to speak to students and interested persons from the community about Habitat for Humanity International. Mrs. Huckabee also gave the group pointers on starting a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. People interested in becoming Habitat for Humanity volunteers met with Hillary on April 5, and a steering committee was formed. Initial steering committee members included Taylor Ross, Paula Petty, Carl Nutter, Katie Posey, Deana Powell, Julie Romine, and Pat Hambrick. Paula Petty agreed to serve as chair of the steering committee. The steering committee members met on April 12, along with a few new volunteers, to discuss the completion of the first round of paperwork required in order to become an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Module E, the first round of required paperwork, was compiled at a steering committee meeting on April 19. The paperwork was mailed on May 3. A second packet of forms, Module F, was distributed among committee members who were present for another meeting on June 14. The new White County affiliate was now authorized to begin fund-raising efforts. On June 25, a nominating committee selected initial board members.

Module F paperwork was read at a meeting on June 28. Preparatory work was collected, and the group began to form committees. Initial committees were consolidated during a meeting on July 11, organizing the six initial committees into the three committees required for rural affiliates: "Family Selection and Support," "Site Selection and Construction," and "Resource Development" (Fund-raising). "Public Relations," "Volunteers Relations," and "Church Relations" committee members were made part of the "Resource Development" team. Operations manuals, fundrasising aids, and committee materials were distributed. Taylor Ross furnished the notebooks. Habitat banks were handed out for placement. Also, a Habitat telephone line was installed, with the contact number 501-268-5589.

Donations began with $255 from the steering committee members, $500 from Simmons First, and $1000 from FUMC Marribeth Kessler Thrift Shop. On July 14, members of Habitat for Humanity of White County, Arkansas, traveled to visit with members of the Saline County and Garland County Habitat chapters. Reports on these visits were presented to other members of the White County affiliate at a meeting on July 26. On this occasion, the committee discussed advertising at the White County Fair on September 12 by distributing handouts and tee shirts. Paula Petty informed board members by e-mail, on July 28, 2005, that the Articles of Incorporation had been approved. Paula had completed all of the required filings in both Little Rock and Searcy. Habitat for Humanity of White County, Arkansas, is now officially incorporated. Paula announced on September 14 that all intial requirements by HFHI had been fulfilled, and that the affiliate application had been completed and mailed. When a request for clarification was received in December, a second draft of the affiliate application was submitted. It was in February, 2006, that Habitat for Humanity of White County, Arkansas, was granted affiliate status. The affiliate began with eighteen board members to establish committees and continue fund-raising. The Family Selection committee held a county-wide information meeting and gave an overview of Habitat and helped individuals fill out applications. Unfortunately, the first partner family arrangement could not be fulfilled due to erroneous information on the application. An open application period was held at "Day of Caring" at Harding University in the fall of 2006. Two Habitat partner families were selected from the applications submitted: the families of Charlotte Harris and Laveria Shell. After completing the required training for these families, the local affiliate held a groundbreaking ceremony. Governor Mike Beebe addressed those present, and ground was broken at 1106 W. Park on March 17, 2007 (pictured above). The first build had begun! In May of 2007, office space was donated by EXIT Realty, and board members consolidated all paperwork to be filed at this location. The Charlotte Harris family moved into their new home in December 2007.

On May 9, 2008, the second build was officially kicked off, when fifty-plus Simmons First and Habitat for Humanity workers gathered at the corner of Pecan and Woodruff Streets in Searcy, raising prepared frames (pictured) and then adding the walls and roof. This build, sponsored by Simmons First Bank, was for Laveria Shell and her four children. In June the third partner family, the James Staggs family, was selected for a build in Pangburn. The lot was donated by Mitch and Tory Cook, and Bill England served as building supervisor. James was battling cancer, the citizens of Pangburn came together under the leadership of Janet Reaper, a Habitat board member and a sponsor of Pangburn High School's FBLA, of which Will Staggs was a member. The FBLA held numerous fund-raisers and, with the help of the Pangburn citizens, collected enough money to fund the construction of the home almost singlehandedly. Another great asset in this effort was Kymberlee Atkins, the other FBLA sponsor. The Staggs home was dedicated in November of 2008. James passed away on February 8, 2009, but Suzanne, Will, and Kadie were thankful that he was able to move into the home that was built for them.