Transition complete, Fuller chapter seeking progress

With a recent move to promote its viability complete, Putnam County’s chapter of The Fuller Center for Housing continues to seek support from the community.

The chapter was formerly associated with Habitat for Humanity. However, as Executive Director David L. English advocated, the transition to become a Fuller affiliate was made from a need for stability.

The chapter can now complete projects as it is able under Fuller, whereas Habitat requires a new home build every three years along with qualified remodels or rehabs. Conseqentually, financial burdens have been lifted.

“We are more financially sound than we’ve ever been,” English related to the Banner Graphic recently.

As to its obligations to Fuller, no dues are owed by the chapter, while an “as-you-can” tithe is requested but not required. English also noted that the chapter’s organization has strengthened.

The overarching concern for English, minding this stability, is reaching out to partners for continued financial support. Even so, there is give and take along with being efficient and responsible with this funding.

“Donations are going to our projects,” English stipulated, rather than to the chapter’s administration to support a volunteer board of directors. Candidly speaking, he puts in a full-time effort on part-time compensation as the executive director.

The chapter is working forward on a garage-apartment kit for a woman in Fillmore. She has lived with her daughter since her husband was admitted to a health care facility after several strokes. As he is not to leave there, they lost their home.

Fuller is reaching out for donations toward the project, as well as volunteers. In the meantime, it is figuring what projects could look like at three donated properties, including a lot on Crown Street in Greencastle.

“We’re able to be financially stable enough to maintain admin without using donations,” English said. “All donations go toward helping the community.

“We can do what best impacts the community at this time, and not be hamstrung by the fact that we have to build a new house every three years,” he added.

With his “magic number” being 13, the chapter’s board now has 10 members with a diversity of fields and connections. Getting the word out on social media and through church connections is also being shored up.

A specific need to be filled is a part-time construction manager, who will supervise and plan as the chapter is working on projects. This, English said, will allow him to focus on fundraising.

With major developments waiting in the wings, English is encouraging community leaders and stakeholders to attend the chapter’s annual dinner on March 16. It will be held at Owl Ridge beginning at 6 p.m.

“We’re starting from a position of strength now, because we’ve got to tell people what we’ve done,” English summed up, “and we can actually do so much more.”