English looks to invigorate local Habitat chapter

A Bainbridge native who has been involved locally in various capacities over more than three decades, David L. English has an idea of what it takes to make a difference in his community.

It only seems fitting that he was recently tapped as the executive director of the local Habitat for Humanity. Now, he is turning attention to how the organization can become a greater conduit to bring people together.

English, who stepped into the role at the beginning of last month, has made it a focus to let the community know that he is looking to re-energize that role through local support.

Putnam County has had a Habitat for Humanity since 1988, and English says it has built 18 homes in Greencastle, Bainbridge and Roachdale since then. However, he acquiesced that the local organization has recently been inactive.

“We just didn’t do anything for three years, I’ll be honest,” English told the Banner Graphic.

As such, he now wants to make it clear that the local chapter is viable, and beginning to reemerge from this inactivity to provide places to call home for families who need its support.

“Affordable housing is a problem in Putnam County in general,” English said. “We have a shortage of housing in Greencastle specifically.”

“I think it’s important to understand the more rural need for housing,” he added, referencing a desire to reach out to communities like Russellville and Belle Union.

English addressed general misconceptions some may have about what Habitat for Humanity does or is about. Essentially, what it comes down to is that the organization does not build or give away houses for free.

Recipients of a home must participate in what English simply calls “sweat equity.” This means that they must be involved in the whole process beyond just the building or painting.

Families must make a down payment at the start, and then are expected to pay a mortgage. Habitat for Humanity acts as a mediator through which that mortgage is given to a bank.

English noted that these homes are meant to be built for families which might not fit a conventional definition of being “poor.”

“We assists families who may be challenged financially to go the normal mortgage route, where that is a financial hardship,” he said. “We are a facilitator for a family to have financial stability, because the more established we are in that sense, the more community-involved we can be.”

At its core, English believes that “Love thy neighbor” is Habitat for Humanity’s de facto principle. The organization welcomes people of all convictions to help those in need.

“We are a faith-based organization, and we don’t back away from that,” English said. “That being said, we are inclusive. It doesn’t matter what your politics are or which religion you adhere to.”

Habitat for Humanity helps families beyond the construction phase with services which focus on efficient budgeting and other financial obligations and necessities.

Indeed, efficiency is what English says he and the organization are all about in the end. That includes organizing everyone involved from the construction to getting the word out.

“What I am asking of people who want to volunteer is ‘What can you do?’” he said. “I am asking what the assets of this community are. It’s about having a common goal.

“I want to stay as local as possible,” English said, “but I want it to be financially possible to do so.”

English added that by having local businesses invest in the building process, they might be more apt to give financially through the fundraising aspect. This volunteerism allows Habitat for Humanity to help more families.

“We want the community involved as a whole,” he said referring to an upcoming project. “Really, we want this to be a community project, so that we can bring in more qualified families.”

Habitat for Humanity is set to begin construction of a new home soon, with an anticipated completion date in August of next year. English said the land and building permits have already been procured, and that the focus now is toward fundraising.

English sees his role as the local’s new executive director through three different “tasks” he is charged with. The first is becoming the “face” of Habitat fro Humanity in Putnam County. The second is bringing it into compliance with expectations set by the national organization.

The third task of raising funds to complete projects locally is perhaps the most imperative. This jives with the first in how English views the importance of community involvement and awareness.

As such, English wants Habitat for Humanity to coordinate more on providing services with organizations like Family Support Services and Circles, to which families can turn to learn how to be more financially and socially independent.

English is truly local. He graduated from Bainbridge High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from DePauw University in 1972. He then earned a master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis. Since then, he has resided in Greencastle and devoted his time in social services and non-profits.

Most recently, he served as the executive director of United Way of Putnam County from 2008 to 2012. He has worked as a counselor and a juvenile probation officer, as well as a family case manager for the Department of Child Services.

He was honest that he made a choice to come out of retirement, time which he could spend with his family and friends. Still, English said he took on the part-time position as yet another opportunity to lift up others.

“I’ve always had a desire to give back to my community,” he said. “I’ve been right here since I came to DePauw, and have invested my time to try and make this community better for everyone.”

The Habitat for Humanity office is located at 620 Tennessee St., behind the former KFC building and west of Comprehensive Services.