The Habitat for Humanity Detroit Blitz Build 2003, featuring the Governor’s State of Michigan House, kicked off on Saturday, September 6. Volunteers from state agencies, including 16 corrections staff and administrators, spent several days working on the Detroit Habitat home.
During the week, families, sponsors and volunteers helped to build 16 houses on one city block in Detroit. It was one of the largest week-long builds in Habitat history for Michigan. The families who qualified for houses worked along side volunteers to witness and participate in the building of their homes. The families purchase the homes through zero-percent interest mortgages.
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| Regional Prison Administrator Dennis Straub and Acting Deputy Director James MacMeekin |
In addition to the Department of Corrections providing volunteers, the Prison Build Program also built all 16 sets of interior and exterior wall panels for the project. Each of the wall panels was delivered to the site by soldiers of the Michigan Army National Guard.
"Both Habitat for Humanity of Michigan and the Governor’s Office gave praise and thanks to the corrections department and the Prison Build Program for helping to lead the effort," said Mike Green, Administrator of the Prison Build Program.
Over the course of the week, a total of 120 State employees worked on the Habitat build. DOC individuals who were selected to participate represented nearly every administration in corrections. In fact, response from the corrections staff was so good that not everyone who volunteered could be offered an opportunity to work on the house. Their names are being kept on a list as a resource for next year if a similar opportunity arises.
"Corrections staff stepped up to the plate once again, volunteering their time and efforts to help build a home for a family that might not otherwise have the opportunity to own a safe and decent place to live," said DOC Director Patricia L. Caruso. "In addition, the Prison Build Program continues to improve communities by assisting low-income families in securing housing."
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| Mound Warden Andrew Jackson and Susan Babcock, wife of Mike Babcock, Pine River Physical Plant Inspector. |
The house is being built for Winifred Jones and his three children. He is the first single father selected to be a recipient of a Habitat for Humanity Detroit house.
Masco Corporation has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor the Governor’s State of Michigan House.
For an interesting perspective on the recent Habitat build in Detroit visit http://www.habitatdetroit.org/chapter/blitz03.html.
Department of Corrections FYI 09/18/03
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