HISTORY

In 1997, Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County was established, with Randy Brackett as the first president. The first board of directors included Jean Camfield, Laura Eckstein, Paul Gordon, Vicki Grauberger, Ralph Huth, Rick Lander, Mike Larkin, Rick Matheson, Ray Mathsen, Bruce McComas, Cherie Perry, Martin Rowe, Dick Steele, David Whipple, and Cindy Wolpin.

In 1997, during the affiliate's first hands-on project, volunteers worked with the Community Action Council/Housing Authority to contribute over 500 hours of labor to help rehabilitate eight Haines Street cottages for emergency housing.

In 1998, HFHEJC partnered with Christie Apker and her children Jenny and Cole to break ground for its first house, completed in the spring of 1999. Said Christie, "I can tell you what it's like to work side-by-side next to some of the most heart-warming, dedicated men and women I've ever known.  These people care about the environment and the future of their town.  They also care about the well-being of women and children in their community, and gave unselfishly so that my children and I can have a simple, decent place to live...You've touched my life in so many ways; I can never put it into words."

Also in 1998, Gray Foster became the Affiliate Coordinator, years of experience

Since then, HFHEJC has built homes with Mary Clausen and sons, Derrick, Ricky and Robert; Joyce Evalt Foster and children Ryan, Melissa, Sarah, Jessica, Kerri and Micah; Brian and Margie Little and children Amanda, Alisha and Joshua; Robbie and Larissa Spafford, and sons Jasper and Kai; Laura Barrette Ovette and daughter Athena; Brenda Crow and daughter Destiny; Karen Burge and daughter Angela; Darin Vercoe and son Eli; Immanuel and Anna Green and daughter Eva; and Sol and Heather Sebastian and children Solomon and Sophia.

After years of garage sale fundraisers, HFHEJC opened the Furniture and More Store at 1532 W. Sims Way. Board members Jean Camfield and Richard Spindor led the effort to purchase a permanent home for the store, which moved, along with the Habitat office, to 2001 W. Sims Way, in 2005.

HFHEJC looks forward to continued growth in our mission to build lives on homes ownership and our goal to build 20 homes by 2010.