Since 1978, Habitat for Humanity of Collier County has been building homes and changing lives.
Habitat for Humanity of Collier County (HFHCC) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operating on Christian beliefs. With the help of local volunteers - including those who will live in a Habitat Community - the Habitat Collier Construction Crew builds beautiful, affordable homes for the less privileged.
In my eyes, HFHCC follows the old adage, "give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." At HFHCC, they aren't just handing out houses. The houses built for Habitat communities are sold at cost with no-interest loans available.
Though HFHCC never discriminates based on race, gender, marital status, etc. they do have a few requirements: a $1,000 down payment, $500 deposit and 500 hours of what they call, “sweat equity." In other words, they must donate 500 hours of their time volunteering with the Habitat Construction Crew.
Last Saturday, I took a nice drive down to Northeast Naples, across from The Quarry, to one of the latest Habitat Collier builds. The community is being built at the end of Woodcrest Drive. Near the entrance to Woodcrest Drive there are some beautiful communities--including LaMorada. However, when you drive all the way to the end of Woodcrest Drive, you will find something that is beautiful on a whole new level: people helping people.
The road is empty outside of the HFH Collier County build site. Construction for a new Habitat Collier community is tucked away at the end of a dirt road, which is framed by two larger developments.
Puddles and mud are abundant at the build site, but the HFH of Collier County sign still stands tall in the middle of what appears to be a rain-induced pond. The weather had equally no effect on the Habitat Collier construction crew, as they worked relentlessly in the scorching heat, moving surprisingly gracefully through the sticky mud that caked their shoes.
The Caterpillar machine sits untouched in the construction zone. The majority of the work done that day was done with the bare—and sometimes gloved—hands of the Habitat Collier construction crew and a few dedicated volunteers.
Marcos Sanchez, construction staff, wipes
his hands on a towel while watching some of the volunteers at work on the house
next door. Sanchez can often be found working side-by-side with the volunteers
to make sure they are working safely and efficiently, his passion for the cause shines through his deep brown eyes.
Marcos Sanchez lays the tile down carefully, ensuring that each square lines up perfectly with the others. Sanchez explained that they had previously laid the wrong tile throughout the house and he was currently fixing the situation—a project that he said could take about five hours.
Michael Pastir, construction staff, installs siding on the house next door. Pastir, a seemingly quiet man, worked hard by himself while most others worked in buddy-systems or with a larger group.
Jeff Mitchell, volunteer, stands on a ladder just outside the bedroom window of one house in the community. Mitchell is a retired fireman, “When I was a firefighter they always managed to take pictures of us when we were just standing around,” Mitchell said with a laugh.
Jeff Mitchell stands on a board propped up between two ladders. Mitchell worked side-by-side with a fellow church member on this house.
Scott Hill and Jeff Mitchell talk casually
as they hammer nail-after-nail into the unfinished home. Hill and Mitchell are
both members of Naples United Methodist Church, they were volunteering on the
church’s behalf.
Scott Hill tells jokes to pass the time while he works with Jeff Mitchell. The two were cracking jokes about being “on channel 4” as they worked, they seemed to be very comfortable in front of the camera.
Scott Hill, left, and Jeff Mitchell, right, strategically move the ladders to access more of the house. The two were clearly no strangers to construction work.
Scott Hill careful hammers in the nails, ensuring that the house is ready for paneling. Hill worked quickly and gracefully, never dropping a nail.
Nails and other construction debris littered the ground. When volunteering for HFH of Collier County, you are required to sign a waiver; the staff also briefs you on safety before beginning.
Rows of houses sit waiting for paneling.
The Habitat Crew spreads out to conquer more than one house at once.
Michael Pastir, construction staff on the far left, Julian Gonzalez, construction staff in the middle and John Rasmussen, volunteer to the right worked to put the final pieces on this house. Gonzalez and Rasmussen worked as partners to finish the front while Pastir worked on the side.
Julian Gonzalez stands waiting for his partner to work on the brick details. According to the Habitat Collier website, Gonzalez was a volunteer who became a Habitat resident and later was hired as a full-time construction staff member. Gonzalez recently paid off the mortgage on his Habitat home.
Julian Gonzalez and John Rasmussen carry the siding to the house after trimming. Rasmussen worked with the saw while Gonzalez assisted for safety purposes. Gonzalez has worked with thousands of volunteers and Habitat-families during his nearly twenty years with Habitat Collier.
John Rasmussen applies the brick detail. Rasmussen was serious, quiet and knowledgeable; it was clear that he is passionate about his work.
Julian Gonzalez and John Rasmussen continue to set the brick detail in place. Gonzalez and Rasmussen shared few words with one another, but their bond was evident despite the silence—many volunteers return to the construction site on a regular basis.
The sun rose in the sky, shining on the street that will soon be a beautiful Habitat Collier Community. Danny Christensen, Director of Naples Construction, was arriving to check on the progress of the mornings work, his truck joining the cars lining the future Habitat Collier Community.
