Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County

Breaking Ground

Habitat Logo Newsletter for April 1998
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumencial housing ministry that puts christian beliefs into action by working in partnership with communities to build decent homes. Habitat strives to eliminate substandard housing while providing simple, decent housing to qualified low-income families. In addition to building homes, Habitat creates a spirit of community and cooperation among the volunteers, supporters, and beneficiaries of the organiaztion.

Target and Harmony homes completed

by Marty Curtis
The red and white circles that form the corporate logo of Target are taking on an entirely new meaning for Little Rock resident Frankie Taylor and her daughter Channell.

As Target's new store was going up in West Little Rock, a Habitat for Humanity home for Frankie and Channell was being built at the same time, with assistance form Target, on West 36th Street, a few blocks east of John Barrow Road.

Joining Habitat volunteers at the work site beginning in December were employees from local Target stores, workers from the Target Distribution Center, and employees with the general contractor at the Target store site.

It's all part of Target's nationwide "Building a Wonderful Life" program. Target partners with Habitat for Humanity to help build Habitat homes in communities where new Target stores are going up.

This year Target hopes to build about 50 new homes with Habitat. The "Building a Wonderful Life" program was launched during the 1993 holiday season, inspired by the classic holiday movie, It's a Wonderful Life.

For Taylor, one of the nicest things about her 936 square-foot, three-bedroom home is the part of town is which it is being built, The St. Vincent Hospital employee says, "I really like this area." She thinks her daughter, a student at Pulaski Heights will enjoy living there, too.

There is reason to believe that Habitat's partnership locally with Target will have lasting benefits. A volunteer from Target, Stacey Holland, and her husband Scott have joined Habitat's Construction Committee. And, according to St. John, they are turning out to be great crew chiefs. One weekend, when a group of college students showed up to help, Stacey (who works at the Target Distribution Center) was put in charge of an indoor painting crew, while her husband Scott supervised an outdoor work crew.

Before Target teamed with Habitat, Stacey and Scott had heard about Habitat and had filled out an application to volunteer. It just so happens that the Target house was their first to work on, she said.

"We love it. We think it's awesome. We're hooked," said Stacey. "We had to miss last weekend...But we don't like to miss because we have so much fun!"

St. John said, "It's been a lot of fun, working with the volunteers from Target. I saw some of them the other day when I went to Target. Most of the volunteers who worked were assistant store managers. I hope some of them will also stay with us as volunteers on other homes." The sign if front of the house announces that it is a Habitat home and part of Target's "Building a Wonderful Life" program. Contributors listed are: Second Presbyterian Church, Waterproofing Systems, ABC Block Co., C B Masonry, Richardson Plumbing, Stacey Electric, Cecil Price Heating and Air, and Terminex.

While work continued on the Taylor's home, Janie Davis and her family were moving into a four-bedroom home at 3017 S. Main St., Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County's first Harmony House.

The concept for the Harmony House, which was begun in early September, came from Kansas City's Habitat for Humanity. There, Habitat mobilized an interfaith, interracial group to work side-by-side in building a house while improving race relations, increasing cultural awareness and reducing prejudice.

In Little Rock, 26 congregations and organizations form the center City Coalition of Congregations. This Coalition provided the impetus and labor force to help build Davis' Harmony House.

It's springtime and Habitat for Humanity is blooming!
By Kelley Suskie

National partnership formed and initiated in backyard. Our friends at USAA have formed a national partnership with Habitat. USAA is made up of active and retired military, national guardsman, and reservists. This is Habitat's first home in North Little Rock and the first home to be built through the new national sponsorship with USAA. This home, located at 16621 W. 15th St., will receive help from Caring Cross and Argenta Neighborhood Associations and its proud homeowners, Melvin and Songa Thomas and their 5 children.

Check out what's on Oprah. In June, Oprah Winfrey's show will highlight 205 pre-selected Habitat houses across the USA. Our very own North Little Rock has been selected as one of the fortunate areas to receive Oprah's gratitude, Sponsorship, and publicity. The "Oprah House" will also be promoted by KATV Homeowner-to-be, Dolly Smith and her 2 children, will be watching with you and millions of other Americans as Oprah shines the spotlight on Habitat for Humanity in June.

Build it and they will come - help, that is. In July, one hundred men from the Disciples of Christ Christian Church will take two days of their annual conference to construct, frame walls, lay flooring, and roof a Habitat House. This effort of love and determination will take place during the second week in July. Watch for more details.

One house at a time; Habitat builds a community. Convenant Acres makes this mission state become reality. Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County received two grants, totaling $80,000 to improve and develop land for the subdivision. It will be home to eight families as new houses are built beginning this summer. This community site is located off Barrow Road near Parkview High School at 24th and Walker Streets in Little Rock. This is an exceptional area convenient to all amenities of Little Rock. If you know of anyone who would like to help make their dream of becoming homeowner a reality, please have them call the habitat office at 376-4434 for more details.





Two new employees join Habitat staff
by Melissa Myers

Two new employees, Tonya Searcy and Steve St. John, have joined Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County.

Coordinating volunteers for job sites, Arranging lunches for construction volunteers, serving on the Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Committee, those are a few of Tonya Searcy's responsibilities as Habitat for Humanity's new volunteer coordinator. Searcy, a Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA), has signed a one-year service contract with Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County. She is considering extending her commitment to two years, the maximum allowed under the Americorps' VISTA program.

Searcy earned her degree in social work from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in 1991. Since that time, she has worked in the victim assistance program in the Prosecuting Attorney's office, assisted with home studies, child custodes and adoptions in the Chancery and Probate Court, and served as case manager for Little Rock New Futures and Central Arkansas Rehabilitation Hospital.

She said, "While at Habitat, I've learned all sorts of new things… how to hammer, build a porch, all kinds of construction hints. Best of all, I've meet lots of great people and found a field I want to continue to work in" She is planning to enroll in the Certified Volunteers Managers Course in the spring and wants to continue working with volunteers after she has completed her commitment to Habitat.

As construction manager, St. John is responsible for all phases of the construction work. That includes assisting owner in selection home style and color procuring construction materials, and overseeing volunteers and site superintendents at the worksite. St. John has worked as a contractor and home builder in the Little Rock area for more than 20 years, and has experience as a superintendent in commercial construction. He learned carpentry skills in the Hawaii State Carpenters' Apprenticeship Program, where he completed a four-year apprenticeship.

"This is a real neat experience for me. I wanted to be in the ministry, but I can't preach. I can build houses, though, so this is right up my alley." St. John said.


Ellen Gray takes over as president.
By Melissa Myers

Ellen Gray, vice president of human resources for Stephens, Inc., has begun serving as president of the board for Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County.

Gray has been involved with the Pulaski County Habitat affiliated sine it inception in 1989, serving as a member of the Family Selection Committee since 1989 and a member of the board since 1996.

W.J. Monagle said of her, "She has been a great asset to the Family Selection Committee. She has a great feeling for what people can achieve and has helped many families begin their lives in a home they own through Habitat."

Monagle said that Gray would be instrumental in leading Habitat toward its goal of building six houses this year.

Kevin Kinvig, former board president has transferred to Guam with his employer, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Kinvig served on the Construction Committee and served on the board for several years. "We were fortunate to have him as board president and we were looking forward to his second term in that role," Monagle said. "Unfortunately for us and fortunately for him, Kevin has a new adventure to look forward to in Guam."


Volunteer Spotlights Kathy Kinneman receives award for outstanding service.
By Gretchen Spring

In February, Kathy Kinneman was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County at the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. Although she could not attend the dinner, her parents, Bill and Beverly Kinneman, accepted her award.

Kathy comes from a long line of public servants. Her mother was active as a troop leader for Girl Scouts and her late grandfather, C. E. Bell, was a former state senator for Parkin, Kathy says that both her parents and grandparents fostered a spirit of volunteerism in her. She has been a catalyst for several volunteers who are currently working with Habitat, including her boyfriend, Kenneth Rich, who is now the treasurer. She has also encouraged me to volunteer. Currently, she serves on the Volunteer Committee and the Community Relations Committee.

Kathy laughingly says she had a short career working with Habitat after she graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis in 1991 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. After moving back to Little Rock, she was on the Fundraising and Public Relations Committees and designed the newsletter.

This stint as a volunteer was put on hold in 1995 when she went back to graduate school at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to obtain her masters' degree in health services administration. She then began working for the University of Arkansas at Medical Sciences College of Medicine and is now the business manager for the department of Urology. Although she says she is just a generic volunteer, Kathy has done several important things to facilitate community relations, including creating the data base for the affiliate. This makes it easier to mail the newsletter (which Kinneman supervises) and allows residents all over Arkansas to stay up-to-date on Habitat activities.

Kathy said her favorite thing about Habitat "is the concept that people are putting in sweat equity and working with Habitat for their house." When she is not working on her family's genealogy, putting together scrapbooks, working in a major medical center, or dogsitting her favorite pets (Spot and Hannah), Kathy is devoting time and energy to Habitat for Humanity. Congratulations and keep up the good work.



Home Builders Association designates Habitat for donations
by Margaret Black

Thanks to the Home Builders Association, Habitat for Humanity of Pulaski County has enriched its coffers by $6000. At the invitation of the Home Builders Association of Greater Little Rock, Habitat volunteers distributed information and answered question at their Home Show '98, March 6-9. The show included more than 150 exhibitors, and the association donated $1 to Habitat form each ticket sold at the gate.

The Home Builders Association has also designated Habitat as its charity for its Concept Home project. Contributions will be taken for Habitat at the entrance to the Concept Home. The Concept Home, located at 1500 Loyola in Little Rock, is open to the public form March 28 to April 26. It can be viewed on Tuesdays through Fridays, form 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 12 noon to 5 p.m.

This is the first donation to be used toward funding for the House That Congress Built, an effort to build a Habitat home in every Congressional district.

Deborah Birch, executive director of the association, said, "Our members are excited about being part of Habitat's efforts and about helping one more family become a homeowner."



Previous Newsletters
Back