HOMES FOR ISLANDERS

Related pages

Volunteers needed at Homes for Islanders Rocky Bay project

Eight families finish building their homes in time for Christmas
page one

Story and photos by Sharon Kivisto

1 2 3 4

posted 12/14/2007
Eight families are moving in to their new homes at Rocky Bay after spending the past 13 months building them through the Homes for Islanders program.

HIH is a local non-profit which works with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. The USDA Rural Development Housing Assistance program or "Sweat Equity" "is the most fun program we do," said Jon DeVaney, USDA RD state director. He especially likes it when the ceremonies are in rainy miserable weather, he joked. It emphasizes the programs are not a handout. The homeowners are building their own homes. "It's (the program) a little bit of extra help." In Washington, 177 families built homes this year in nine counties.

Melanie Drecksel of the USDA Mount Vernon office said, "These are the prettiest home I've ever seen for our program."

Each homeowner is required to put in 35 hours building their home. That is in addition to working their regular jobs. HIH Board president Francine Shaw said, "There was a total of 16,000 hours over 13 months for an average of 2,000 hours per home. Volunteers put in a total of 5,000 hours or 650 hours per home."

The homeowners, families, friends and volunteers gathered in the Gubelman Theater at San Juan Community Theatre Thursday, Dec. 13 for the handing out of the keys. A slide show featuring photos taken by homeowner Rick Alton during the building process was one of the highlights.

Jennifer Allen's speech detailing the experience plus her advice for the next group drew praise from the crowd. She hit on the highs and lows. Nancy Abel followed up with reason for joining the project - her need for a home for her "four-legged" family.

The homeowners for HIH's next project, Park Plaza, were introduced along with the new HIH board. Keys were handed out, a group photo taken and it was time for refreshments and to celebrate a job well done.

A first-hand account of 13 months of building at Rocky Bay

By Jennifer Allen

I started the project wishing I was working on my dissertation for grad school. This project was one of the most fascinating psychological and sociological experiences I have had. It was more challenging and intense than work place dynamics, the college roommate experience or even the notorious road trip.

I had to instantaneously trust 12 individuals with whom I hadn't had any previous experiences. Well, that is not entirely true. I had prenatal yoga with Heather, attended high school with Kim and Juston, and knew Rick well as a customer of Market Chef - all of which were brief encounters.

I had to trust that they would do the same job on my house that they would do on theirs. I had to trust they would care for my children as I would. I also had to trust that they had some insight into whatever it was they were talking about at the time.

Not only did I have to trust them, but I had to let a lot slide off of my back because, after all is said and done, these people were still going to be my neighbors. The dynamics of the project were intense at times, or better yet they put one on the verge of insanity, however it was very satisfying to my grey matter.

An opportunity like this is very unique, similiar to the atmosphere of the islands. Having grown up on San Juan I appreciate the simple things that life has to offer. In fact this was one of the reasons I decided to stick around after the college experience, the birth of my son, meeting Shane and the birth of my daughter. I was, however, beginning to worry about how I would ever sustain life on the island.

Thank Yous

Before I begin talking about my experience I feel that it is important to personally thank a few individuals. First, I would like to thank Tim Polda for his relentless enthusiasm, singing and laughter. No matter how bad one thought the situation was, Tim could always be heard tinkering along and one's spirit would instantly be lifted.

Secondly, I would like to acknowledge Lars and Carole Sjoholm, as well as Drew Allen, for their countless hours of babysitting and pulling through in the clutch by hanging cabinets, creating our countertops and picking up a few plumbing jobs along the way. On that same note I would also like to add Al and Christine Myers to the list of thanks for their time trimming out the house, hanging doors, painting and of course for the creation of our transition strips.

Thirdly, the Homes for Islanders team deserves a pat on the back for being our liaisons with the USDA. They spent many hours muddling through paperwork and keeping track of our expenses. I can't imagine what life would have looked like, not only trying to juggle home, work, children and building, but the financing as well.

I would also like to acknowledge the countless others who took time out from their weekends, jobs and families to help us through the building process and of course Kenny Askew for having the patience to teach Laurie and me how to do tile work.

A special thanks should go to Bill Gendren for his headstrong demeanor and generosity. And best of luck to Justin Roche as he begins the Park Plaza journey. Finally one last thank you and probably the most important goes to the children, they are the true troopers of the project.

With the rising cost of living, housing and lack of a job market, the future of staying on the island was looking rather bleak. I knew I didn't want to raise my children in the crazy world called the Mainland. My wish for them is to be children as long as possible, of course the cut off age being around 20.

Due to these feelings, when I heard of Homes for Islanders I knew I had to sign up and participate. Lucky for me, Shane and I both had our ducks in a row and were accepted. Little did we know that the next year would be so tedious.

I don't believe we had any family vacations, haven't really gone off-island. Family meals were no longer routine. My work load tripled, as well as Shane's. Although, I will still claim my role as mother, partner, employee, primary caregiver, household cleaner and builder far exceeded Shane's roles. Don't misunderstand this, Shane played a large role throughout the process but of course I felt the burden fell on me.

Basically, we have been drones for the past year, on auto pilot. It has only been in the last few months that we have woken up from the slumber, and let e tell you those were the hardest months to get through. Now, however we are breathing a sigh of relief for the project has come to an end. Now we just have to deal with moving, the holidays and the new baby on the way. Maybe next year I will go back and get my Masters.

As I reflect on the past year I am able to say I have a home, new friends, new neighbors (which I have never had before unless it was within a five-acre radius), new skills and a brighter future for staying on the island. I feel not only are we all neighbors, but there is a hint of family and I am very happy to say today that the family is all here and still kicking.

Words of Advice for the Next Project:

• The light at the end of the tunnel will appear at some point.
  
  
• Expect hilarity and sadness as challenges present themselves throughout the next year.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to learn a new trait, or go beyond your comfort zone.
  
  
• Know that from the first day you start, community dynamics are already being created. This doesn't mean that everyone has to be your best friend, but for the next year they become your social network. And you still have to live next door to them when you are all through.
  
  
• Learn which battles to fight and which to let go, not to mention don't take all things personally, this will alleviate a lot of stress and confusion.
  
  
• Don't compare the work you do to others, no job is less important than another, it is truely a group effort! Where one job ends another begins.
  
  
• Most of all Have Fun! This is a once in a life time experience.

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2008

news @sanjuanislander.com

ABOUT US | ADVERTISING INFO | CONTACT INFORMATION |