Arkansas City
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian ministry
whose mission is to partner with qualified families in need and provide
them the opportunity for safe, decent, affordable housing.
Applications
will be accepted from February – May 15th. The
partner family will be selected by the first of June,
The house will begin building in September and be
finished by the end of February.
House #19 for 2019-2020 Partner Family is the Jose and Josefina Mendoza Family and their children, Vanessa, Hazel and Jose.
The Mendoza Family was set to begin life in their new home March 25, the 19th completed home by Habitat for Humanity of Arkansas City. The family was joined in their newly finished home, at 505 So. Sixth Street, by Habitat board members, Pastor Eugene McCarthy and his wife, and a few friends of the family. Attendance was kept to a minimum in observance of the state mandated instruction to keep gathered groups to 10 or less due to the current COVID-19 situation. None the less, joy and excitement could be felt by and for this family, as they took possession of their long- awaited home.
The afternoon event began with a few words from Curt Freeland, President of the local Habitat Organization. A welcome to guests, congratulations to the family, and best wishes for many future years in their home. Attendees were reminded of the mission of Habitat for Humanity, which is to partner with qualified families in need and provide them the opportunity for safe, decent, affordable housing. Freeland thanked all who donated to Habitat or participated in the construction of the four-bedroom dwelling. The workforce on the construction of the home is mostly volunteers and trade professionals who donate their time installing the more skilled or licensed parts of the construction. The Robert Warrender Trust was the lead sponsor for the house. The Mendoza family also supplied more than 300 hours of "sweat equity" in building their home as required by Habitat.
Following his remarks Freeland turned the event over to Pastor Eugene, who then provided a Blessing on the house and for the Mendoza family. He additionally presented a Bible and card to the family. Photos were taken and the family was invited to speak. Husband and Wife, Jose and Josefina, expressed their gratitude to the members of Habitat for Humanity of Arkansas City and their delight in having the opportunity to pursue their dream of owning a home. The children, Vanessa, Hazel, and young Jose, also voiced their excitement and said they hoped to sleep in their bedrooms that night.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian ministry. The local organization looks forward to offering again this year the opportunity to a family seeking ownership of a home. This will be the twentieth home to be constructed in Arkansas City. For more information, visit the website arkcityhabitat.org.
To get a better understanding of what Habitat for
Humanity does, please watch these videos.
The Leyva Family 2016-2017 Recipients
Cohr and Jennings Family 2015-2016
Townsend and Segree Families
Thank you Cowley College for producing these videos.
WHAT WE DO
Habitat homes are constructed primarily by volunteers, using
both donated and purchased building materials. It takes
approximately six months to complete a Habitat house.
Our partner families fulfill their required 300 hours of sweat
equity by helping build their home and by assisting with Habitat
fund raisers. Some of our houses are partially sponsored by
churches, businesses, organizations, or individuals.
We sell our houses at no profit, offering our partner families a
20-year, interest-free mortgage. Monthly payments range between
$450 and $500, depending on taxes and insurance. The monthly
payments are then used to help fund the building of more houses.
We also tithe 10% of our income to Mexico Habitat for Humanity
which is normally enough to build one house in Mexico for each
house we build locally. Donations, which are tax deductible, are
always welcome.
HOME OWNERSHIP
Becoming one of our partner families is the beginning of a
long-term relationship with us. To become a partner family, the
applicant must:
Demonstrate a need for better housing
Have
enough yearly income to meet the financial responsibilities
of home ownership
Be
willing to partner with us by providing 300 hours of sweat
equity working on their Habitat house.
Once an application is completed, it is carefully reviewed by
the Family Selection Committee of the Arkansas City Habitat for
Humanity organization and a home visit is made. Qualified
applicants need to be approved by the Arkansas City Habitat for
Humanity Board of Directors.
Jose and Josefina Mendoza family on ground breaking
Jose and Josefina Mendoza family with volunteer
HOW to
VOLUNTEER
While most volunteers choose to work on-site, there are several
other opportunities for volunteering in our organization. All of
the committees are made up of community volunteers including:
Family Selection Committee
Family Support Committee
Fund
Raising Committees
To
volunteer, contact us by:
phone, 441-3755
mail, P.O. Box 401
website, ArkCityHabitat.org
email cfreeland@cox.net
We will provide additional information on opportunities for you
to volunteer.
The location of our current worksite can be obtained by calling
the above number. Anyone over the age of 14 can volunteer,
though there are some limitations for volunteers between 14-18
years of age.
Jose and Josefina Mendoza family on ground breaking