RVentures with Doug and Chris: Habitat for Humanity Build #14: St Peter, Minnesota

Doug and I arrived in south central Minnesota in early August for another Habitat for Humanity build. As we worked in St. Peter, Minnesota with other Care-a-Vanners, local volunteers, and future homeowners, we realized that ...

It takes a Village ... to build a Home!

This local affiliate, we would learn, had recently gone through some changes in personnel. While site supervisor Mike was new to the job, volunteers Terry and Carol along with several local volunteers, have been working for almost a year to get this home ready for its new owners. While the progress may seem slow to some, we heard stories and met with some members of the "village" who helped to build this house from the ground up.

This cute little house looks out toward the school where it had its beginnings. Fifteen seniors from the St Peter High School's "Building Trades" class constructed it from the ground up. From framing to sheet rocking to installing windows and doors, the youth learned and did it all. The local Habitat for Humanity provided the materials, and the students were guided by their instructors and local "experts". They began construction last September, and by this past June, the house was ready to be carefully moved a mile down the road.

Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota

I wish I could have experienced the excitement as the main level of the house was carefully placed on top of the concrete basement.

When we arrived, Doug talked with Mike and Terry, the site supervisors, to see how our group of five Care-a-Vanners could become a part of the "village" of builders. I sensed that a paint brush was in my future ...

... while Doug worked on constructing the stairs that would connect the two floors.

An important part of our "village" were the local volunteers who were lead by Mike, Terry, and Carol. "Retired" has a whole new meaning around here. This will be the seventh house that Terry and Carol have help build since they quit their "day jobs".

Our "village" included Matt, a local high school student who learned a little about framing the basement from one of my favorite teachers.

And he joined the "village" of Care-a-Vanners upstairs as we all learned how to lay the vinyl flooring.

Our "village" expanded to include a number of future homeowners who provided smiles as well as delicious lunches. This one featured amazing Somalian cuisine.

The "village" also included the Habitat staff who welcomed us to Mankato and shared with us their enthusiasm to provide decent and affordable housing in their community.