Phase 1 Fullerton Framing Day
When I was young, there was a song “if I had a hammer, I’d
hammer in the morning…” At Framing Day this past Saturday, April 6, we got to
do just that! The day started with a warm welcome by Sharon Ellis, CEO of
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and a blessing from Father Vincent of
Saint Timothy’s Catholic Church.
We also heard an inspiring speech from Mayor Jesus Silva, City
of Fullerton who spoke about his time in the very neighborhood we were building
in, and his experiences as a teacher there.
Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva and John Boyle, CEO of AAA, both promised
to donate trees to each of the 12 homes in our Fullerton development off
Richman.
After a brief safety speech, over 45 volunteers, members
from the Catholic Coalition included, and the future homeowners started the
task of connecting 2x4’s that would become the frames of these homes.
In addition to learning how to properly hold a hammer, cut,
and measure we also shared in collective community. We learned more about our
coalition members working alongside us as we hammered and talked to each other.
In helping to put the walls together, we got a glimpse of what it takes to
build a house from the ground up. Later we took a break and ate a delicious
lunch donated by Faith Episcopal Church, where we were able to enjoy the
sunshine and camaraderie.
At the end of the day, we were able to write encouraging
words to the families on the wood frames. But the best part of the day came as
we were packing up. One of the children who would eventually be calling this house
a home came by and took a picture-the joy and pride on her face made us realize
how fortunate and blessed we are to have the opportunity to help with such an
amazing endeavor.
It is rather poetic, that as we lifted the frames to form
the foundations of these future homes, we were only able to do so
collaboratively. The frames of these
homes represent so much more than walls.
They establish a foundation, a place of future respite, and safety. These walls are the connected foundation of a
group of homes, yes, but also the connected foundation of what makes Habitat OC
and our Catholic Coalition great.
Through resilience, dedication, teamwork, and prayer we are capable of
providing affordable housing where it is needed most.
As a group, we raised the walls upright and connected them
to each other for our first set of houses. And as a group, we will form lasting
memories for families who will one day call this their home.
-Faye Stroud
Saint Timothy Catholic Church
Comments
Post a Comment