What
is Habitat? Highland Rim Habitat for
Humanity, Inc., was affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International
in Americus, GA, in 1992 to eliminate substandard housing in the
Coffee and Franklin counties of Middle Tennessee. Habitat is not a giveaway
program: With God's help, volunteers and Partnership Families work together
to build a house. This house becomes a home when it is purchased by the
Partnership Family through a 20-year, interest-free mortgage that covers
the cost of the materials. The mortgage payments are invested by Habitat
into the building of more houses. Where do
we build? Currently, HRHFH builds
two houses a year. We build one house every year in Winchester. We have
recently acquired land in Winchester that will enable us to build ten houses
over the next ten years. We build the second house
each year in either Manchester or Tullahoma. With community support, we
hope to increase our building commitments to these communities in the future. Who can
work with Habitat? Habitat is ecumenical,
inviting people of all faiths to celebrate God while building the lives
of people as well as houses. Both experienced and inexperienced volunteers
are needed to:
build
answer telephones
mentor
write
draw graphics
baby-sit
paint
garden
give presentations
work with computers
make lunches
take pictures and videos
teach budgeting
create and implement policies
work with people
Habitat enjoys the talents
of individual volunteers as well as church-and company-sponsored groups.
Youth groups are also invited to participate. How do I
apply? Applicants must be living in substandard housing.
This can include structural problems, overcrowding, lack of handicapped
facilities, or living in a crime-ridden neighborhood. Applicants must also
be able to finance a 20-year, interest-free mortgage and support other
costs of home ownership. The willingness to
do "Sweat Equity" is the third qualification. Applicants must be willing
to work with HRHFH to celebrate God, build houses, and learn to become
a capable homeowner. Applicants must also
live in either Coffee or Franklin county. Applications may be
obtained from the Habitat office at 201 West Lincoln Street, Tullahoma,
Tennessee, 37388, or by calling 931-393-2383, or by e-mailing us at habitat@cafes.net.
How can
I donate? HRHFH's houses are constructed with all new
materials. Therefore, we do not accept used materials, appliances, or furniture
for house building. Donations of prayers,
time, and money will enable Habitat to build more housing.
Where are
we building now? We will be building in Tullahoma, Hillsboro and
hopefully Winchester this fall. We have
construction supervisors for each site. The construction supervisor establishes the building schedule and oversees
the building process at the site. The volunteer coordinator works with the construction supervisor to set
up volunteers to accomplish the building schedule. This person will
maintain the list of volunteers and volunteer groups, do telephoning, make
sure safety supplies and food and water are on the site, and encourage
the celebration of God at the site.