I just realized it's been a year since I started this blog. We had such hope and uncertainty a year ago. We have some now, but we're believing, hoping, enduring, celebrating, and most of all...doing!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Another Grant!
FULLER CENTER FOR HOUSING IOWA LAKES RECEIVES GRANT FROM LAKES COMMUNITY LAND TRUST
FOSTORIA -- The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) -- Iowa Lakes was awarded a grant from the Lakes Community Land Trust to complete the kitchen at the project house in Terril, Iowa. FCH -- Iowa Lakes is the local covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.
The grant from Lakes Community Land Trust will allow FCH to complete the necessary wiring and plumbing work for the Terril house's kitchen, as well as install cabinets, purchase appliances, and and install flooring. The work will be completed by local volunteers working side by side with Lisa Jensen, the homeowner. "The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by the same family and on the same principles as Habitat for Humanity," Ed Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes Executive Director, said. "We don't give hand outs but rather a hand up to homeowners in need of repairs and remodels to make their homes livable."
FCH is also committed to working renewably and economically -- repurposing used or leftover materials when possible. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, lighting and cabinets have all been purchased from the ReNew store, a reclaimed building materials store in Spirit Lake.
"Donating to the Fuller Center for Housing is a wise choice for anyone's charitable funds," Amy Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes board secretary said. "We always work with low overhead and make the best use out of each dollar donated. We do all we can to treat our donors well and they can be confident that their donations are going toward mission, not miscellany."
The project house in Terril, Iowa began early in 2009 as a near-total remodel. Lisa Jensen, the homeowner, is a single mother of two daughters who had no one to help her repair and renovate her house. With donations from individuals and grant funds from two local organizations, the project has made substantial progress over the summer. However, more donations and volunteer hours are needed during the Fall to bring the project to completion.
"We've been very blessed and are very grateful for the support we have received from the community," Amy Peterson said. "We have hope we will continue to grow and develop in the year ahead."
FOSTORIA -- The Fuller Center for Housing (FCH) -- Iowa Lakes was awarded a grant from the Lakes Community Land Trust to complete the kitchen at the project house in Terril, Iowa. FCH -- Iowa Lakes is the local covenant partner of The Fuller Center for Housing, a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide. By forming partnerships with local organizations, The Fuller Center provides the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.
The grant from Lakes Community Land Trust will allow FCH to complete the necessary wiring and plumbing work for the Terril house's kitchen, as well as install cabinets, purchase appliances, and and install flooring. The work will be completed by local volunteers working side by side with Lisa Jensen, the homeowner. "The Fuller Center for Housing was founded by the same family and on the same principles as Habitat for Humanity," Ed Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes Executive Director, said. "We don't give hand outs but rather a hand up to homeowners in need of repairs and remodels to make their homes livable."
FCH is also committed to working renewably and economically -- repurposing used or leftover materials when possible. The kitchen sink, refrigerator, lighting and cabinets have all been purchased from the ReNew store, a reclaimed building materials store in Spirit Lake.
"Donating to the Fuller Center for Housing is a wise choice for anyone's charitable funds," Amy Peterson, FCH-Iowa Lakes board secretary said. "We always work with low overhead and make the best use out of each dollar donated. We do all we can to treat our donors well and they can be confident that their donations are going toward mission, not miscellany."
The project house in Terril, Iowa began early in 2009 as a near-total remodel. Lisa Jensen, the homeowner, is a single mother of two daughters who had no one to help her repair and renovate her house. With donations from individuals and grant funds from two local organizations, the project has made substantial progress over the summer. However, more donations and volunteer hours are needed during the Fall to bring the project to completion.
"We've been very blessed and are very grateful for the support we have received from the community," Amy Peterson said. "We have hope we will continue to grow and develop in the year ahead."
Monday, August 31, 2009
We have a grant! Yay!
Fuller Center Iowa Lakes -- we have had the love of the global organization, our friends and family, and God (not necessarily in that order.) Now we have the love of the greater community as well. FCH-Iowa Lakes received a grant from the Dickinson County Endowment! Praise! Thanks! Wow! Yay! Now that we're legit, isn't it time you came out to volunteer?
Life is Good!
Life is Good!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
You are cordially invited to an upscale luncheon...
This Saturday at 205 S 4th Street in Terril, Iowa (south end of town near the grain elevators) we will be having a very special luncheon around noon. Festivities start at 8 a.m. - ish with the exquisite sounds of hammers, saws, and possibly a house jack. If you've never seen a house lifted with a jack, this will be a must-see event.
By then we will have worked up an appetite, so we will have lunch brought in by noted, hip, local caterer (and Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Vice President) T.Bruns.
After lunch, we will do a few more things with tools and building materials until 4 or 5 p.m. Mode is Open House, so if you can only make it for an hour or two, please do come and be our guest. Bring a date, bring a spouse, bring a family, bring a posse. Water and soft beverages will be served throughout the day.
The entire event is to make progress on a beautiful family home for a wonderful family and a great cause -- the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes. Dress is extreme/work casual for this highly anticipated event.
All joking aside, I know the economy is tough, the outlook is rough, but in this day and age we can't depend on ourselves to get through. Interdependence, as far as I can see, is the only way we will survive these challenging times. God tells us to take care of one another.
Now more than ever, we need everyone, we need your help, and we need each other.
By then we will have worked up an appetite, so we will have lunch brought in by noted, hip, local caterer (and Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes Vice President) T.Bruns.
After lunch, we will do a few more things with tools and building materials until 4 or 5 p.m. Mode is Open House, so if you can only make it for an hour or two, please do come and be our guest. Bring a date, bring a spouse, bring a family, bring a posse. Water and soft beverages will be served throughout the day.
The entire event is to make progress on a beautiful family home for a wonderful family and a great cause -- the Fuller Center for Housing -- Iowa Lakes. Dress is extreme/work casual for this highly anticipated event.
All joking aside, I know the economy is tough, the outlook is rough, but in this day and age we can't depend on ourselves to get through. Interdependence, as far as I can see, is the only way we will survive these challenging times. God tells us to take care of one another.
Now more than ever, we need everyone, we need your help, and we need each other.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Free Ice Water!
FREE ICE WATER! That's right. Sodas and other goodies, plus an amazing lunch awaits you in Terril on Saturday. It's going to be a hot one so we will try to start at 7 and we'll go as long as it makes sense. Free food and drink, helping a neighbor in need, is the beach and boat really more fun than that? No! Volunteer for Fuller Center Iowa Lakes.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tenacity is no substitute for turnout
Every Saturday this summer, except for Independence Day, we've been there -- the Jensens, the Petersons, project director Nick Poolman and friends, and occasionally a few others. We've wrapped the house. We've framed the two-story addition. We're replacing the siding and getting ready to finish it off. We've moved the stairs. We've finished the demolition.
Alex (the homeowner's daughter) and Caitlyn, rising eighth graders, Dylon, a rising junior and Bryan, a rising first grader, have all given up nearly every Saturday this summer to babysit Mary and any other young children who come around, fish out tools and supplies, and generally help out. Two other board members' children have given up a Saturday or two in physical labor to help someone else -- not through punishment for wrongdoing, but more or less voluntarily in the spirit of giving.
Wonderful as these kids are, we need more adults to step up. If you can't swing a hammer, we would be delighted to delegate the lunch catering to a willing helper. As it is now, we all leave to get provisions when we get hungry -- with drive time, ordering, etc., it's an hour of daytime that could be better spent on work.
Could you and your civic or church group get a tasty, at least somewhat nutritious lunch together for the workers?
As recompense we spend Sundays at the lake. Still, it's a lot to ask of kids that age. It's one thing that Ed and the other adults on our board have answered the call to serve. It's quite another to ask it of the kids.
Earl, the master plumber, is planning the pipes. Lane, the electrician, has looked at the wiring. Lisa, the homeowner, has bought some supplies and the Fuller Center for Housing has bought others at our partner store Lake Park Farm and Home.
It's coming together, but slowly. There's only so much a small group can do.
We'll be out there every Saturday until it's done no matter what.
We need you to join us: swing a hammer, bring us lunch, call and recruit more workers, get the word out at your church, write a check -- whatever you can do, please consider doing it for us.
We took a huge leap of faith, taking on a project this big when we weren't yet started. Slowly (very slowly!) but surely, it's coming together.
We're missing a piece. Is it you? See you Saturday at 405 S. 4th Street in Terril -- south end of town near the elevator.
The video today is from Carolina Liar -- "Show Me What I'm Looking For"
Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost
Just save me from being confused
Wait, I'm wrong
I can't do better than this
I'll pay any cost
Save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for
Show me what I'm looking for…oh lord
Monday, May 25, 2009
A New Door, A New Wall -- The Promise of a New Day
We worked all day Saturday and Sunday afternoon. We can always use more volunteers. We're off today, Memorial Day, to spend time with our families and honor all who sacrificed for us. We'll be at the project house in Terril Saturday morning.
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