Media Coverage
Habitat House building becomes more than a family affair
By Danielle LeBlanc The Community Journal
May 30, 2008
|
)
Construction officially began on the Habitat for Humanity build in Ashburnham this weekend. Along with the McSparren family, who will be living in the house, were a large group of volunteers.
This may seem typical of a Habitat build but what is not is the fact that they most of them were from the same family.
This year John and Tracie Mitchell suggested something a little different for their annual family get together.
"We usually get together and go on a hike or something like that but we thought this year it would be great if we could all get together and work on the McSparren's house. Our family traveled from all kinds of places to come here." Tracie said.
Along with several other volunteers, there were 12 family members from the Mitchell family at the site on Saturday, including Tracie and John Mitchell's daughter Morgan, a student at Oakmont.
|
)
It's her first build-she just turned sixteen and that's the age limit to be a volunteer," said Tracie Mitchell.
The whole family was at work with the McSparren's on the house, pounding in nails and raising walls under the guidance of site coordinator Will Houghton.
The Mitchell family is no stranger to Habitat. Two of Tracie and John Mitchell's nieces' had their wedding showers and Jack and Jill parties at Habitat builds.
Six years ago the Mitchells' niece Tawny and her husband Anthony Desjardin had their wedding shower at a Habitat build in Connecticut, soon followed by another niece Annie and her now-husband Brian Holick's Jack and Jill party at another build in Connecticut.
Tawny's mother Barbara Mitchell said that "she was approached by her maid of honor to do it. [Tawny] and her friends are all social workers so it was really great."
Annie's mother Kathy Miville said that "the whole bridal party got into it. It was something different, something fun we did as a family."
Tracie and John Mitchell were approached two years ago about being the family support mentors for the McSparren's build. The Mitchell's job is to help guide the McSparren's through the home owning process.
|
)
We're there to help guide them through the process of owning a home," explained Tracie Mitchell. "We partner with Habitat to just help make them aware of the financial responsibilities, help them adjust to living in a new community, and keep them on track with handling the mortgage. They may not know how to clean out a chimney. We're acting as kind of model homeowners. We're part of the whole process and will continue to be.
The whole process began two years ago, when the McSparren's were chosen by Habitat to receive a new home. The Mitchell's have been with them every step of the way with fundraising and collecting donations.
Mitchell points out that partnering with a family on a build is quite different from simply being a volunteer.
"As a partner, we know every step, we have meetings every month. Now things are really coming along," said Mitchell.
Tracie Mitchell expressed much admiration for the family she is partnered with.
"The McSparren's are so dedicated - they have been here every day making sure everything is set up and ready. They are a good, hardworking, well deserving family and this house will only allow them to grow more. It's great to be part of the process. That communication with them will never go away."
Leah McSparren expressed similar feelings towards the Mitchell family.
"I really thought it was going to be hard work. I thought, how am I going to build a house with a bunch of other people who don't know how to build a house? But in six weeks I've really learned a lot. I've been keeping a journal and I have everyone sign it, and I take pictures or everyone. The biggest thing for me is that people are having fun. I didn't expect anything, but I enjoy meeting all these different personalities here in little old Ashburnham."