From the President

A quality affiliate relies on the commitment and experience of quality volunteers such as Mary Wiggins, a member of The Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity of Roswell and the Family Selection/Nurture Committees. Mary is the Branch Manager of Consumer Credit Counseling Services Southwest and is a Certified Consumer Credit Counselor. She works with individuals and families who find themselves burdened by excessive debt. Mary provides her clients with debt counseling, payment plan organization, creditor contacts, bankruptcy avoidance, and instruction in budgeting and debt management. Mary's skills and empathy have proved a great asset to Habitat for Humanity of Roswell. Her ability to analyze financial records and delineate budgets is a great help to the families selected to become Habitat homeowners. Helping people to help themselves is one of the founding principles of Habitat for Humanity. Mary Wiggins demonstrates this principle every day in her work for CCCS and Habitat for Humanity of Roswell.

First Home Nearing Completion!

Habitat for Humanity of Roswell is nearing completion of our first house at 6002 S. Schneider and will soon break ground for our second home at 601 S. Michigan. This new home was given a head start by a generous gift from Norwest Bank of Roswell. Norwest has donated this lot and the adjoining one to Habitat for Humanity of Roswell to ensure that the program will continue to work to eliminate poverty housing in Roswell.

Norwest president Doug Ylarraz stated, "We made this donation to recognize the excellent job Habitat does in providing a means to homeownership for those to whom the conventional process is closed. We feel that a bank should contribute to the community it serves in order to allow individuals to achieve the American dream of home ownership. When we have an opportunity, through our asset base, to contribute something like these lots, the value of the contribution is worth far more than the funds realized from a simple sale. The donation provides real benefits to families in our community."

Norwest also allows Habitat for Humanity of Roswell use of warehouse space for building material storage. Mr. Ylarraz states, "Norwest is happy to allow Habitat the use of the space as one of its contributions to Roswell."

Habitat for Humanity of Roswell would also like to thank the First United Methodist Church youth group and Daniel Hutchins, Minister of Youth, for their assistance at the Schneider site. Eleven youth and Rev. Hutchins joined the regular volunteer crew and a youth group from First Presbyterian Church for a site clean up day. With all the construction going on, debris and materials had stacked up and needed to be sorted and stored. The young people also helped with drywall taping and mudding.

"So often we hear that teenagers hate all adults. Many adults I talk to are afraid of today's teenager," stated Daniel Hutchins. "The teenagers I saw that day were working, laughing, growing, and giving all at the same time. I saw teenagers working beside retired men, learning carpentry skills, and laughing about their common interests. I saw the cooperation that can develop between our young people and adults. Each one had a skill or gift to offer, and everyone recognized and welcomed that skill or gift."

Reverend Hutchins reports that the experience was so positive that the youth group has committed to work for Habitat at least one Saturday per month.

"Our desire is that all the youth in Roswell, not just church groups, will accept the rewarding challenge offered by Habitat for Humanity. If any teenagers are interested but don't feel comfortable going alone, they can call me at First United Methodist Church, 622-1881. Together we can make difference in our community and in the lives of the youth of Roswell."

To help finish the first house at 6002 S. Schneider, join the building crew at the site every Saturday morning at 8:00 am or call Ernie at 625-5454 or 623-8106. The next Board meeting is Monday, April 14, 1997, at 6:30 pm at First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania, Room 110. See you there!

Sandy Beedle - Secretary

Karen Baker- Treasurer

Ernie Braunschweig

Mary Ann Dann

Crystal d’Entremont

Keith Pacely

Mary Wiggins

Newsletter Editor:

Georgellen Burnett

APRIL

  5 Building Committee Meeting 6002 S. Schneider (Job site) Every Saturday - 8:00 am.

14 Board of Directors Meeting - First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania, Room 110,, 6:30 pm. All welcome.

8 Development Committee Meeting, Habitat Office, 101 N. Pennsylvania - 7:00 pm..

15 Family Selection/Nurture Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Third - 7:00 pm.

MAY

3 Building Committee Meeting 6002 S. Schneider (Job site) Every Saturday - 8:00 am.

12 Board of Directors Meeting - First United Methodist Church, 200 N. Pennsylvania, Room 110,, 6:30 pm. All welcome.

13 Development Committee Meeting, Habitat Office, 101 N. Pennsylvania - 7:00 pm..

20 Family Selection/Nurture Committee Meeting - First Presbyterian Church, 400 W. Third - 7:00 pm.