The Mariposa chapter of Habitat for Humanity is back up and running smoothly.
“It has returned to the control of the community,” said Melinda Abeles, a member of the board of directors.
For a time, there was tumult associated with Habitat, but now, the group is being led by a board of directors and has even started construction on a new home in Mariposa.
It’s the sixth house in the Habitat program and the last that will be built on Stroming.
“The build has started,” said Judy Gibbons, another member of the board of directors.
Local resident Josh Urista will be occupying the home with his two daughters once it is complete. (See related story.)
Gibbons said this is the second time Urista applied for the program and this time, he was accepted.
Local contractors are currently working on the home, as is Urista and others, which is part of the requirement for a Habitat for Humanity home.
Currently, the electrical and plumbing work is complete, as is the framing. They are hopeful the home will be occupied by the end of this year.
The group is part of the national Habitat for Humanity Organization, a group made prominent by the participation of the late former President Jimmy Carter.
Gibbons said the group also has a “Brush of Kindness” program which allows for “small jobs,” like railings, grab bars in bathrooms, ramps and more. In that program, the property owners purchase the materials and Habitat provides the labor.
“Partenering is one of the key words,” said Abeles.
That includes the homes, where those who agree to purchase the homes also put in sweat equity during construction. It’s the model that launched Habitat and continues to this day.
Both stressed the homeowners pay back the loan on the house, which then allows Habitat to continue funding other homes. The houses are sold at fair market value, but the key is getting donated labor and, in some cases, materials.
Both Abeles and Gibbons said local contractors have been more than willing to donate time and materials, or provide materials at cost.
Gibbons said there were four applicants for the current home and the board selected Urista.
“We were impressed with Josh’s story,” said Gibbons.
Habitat for Humanity also is funded by donations from the community and both are hopeful that will continue. There are also “building days” scheduled, in which members of the local community can volunteer time to hammer nails and do other key work in the home building process.
Those efforts are key factors in keeping the price of the home as low as possible.
As for what the future holds, both said getting a home constructed in Coulterville has always been a goal.
Habitat does own property in Coulterville, they said.
“North County is a goal,” said Gibbons.
Anyone interested in helping or learning more about the program can visit mariposahabitat.org or call (209) 966- 7444. You can email info@mariposahabitat.org.
Both said new board members are always welcome. They invite anyone interested to contact the group and attend a meeting to see how the program works.
Fundraiser set
A fundraising dinner for Habitat has been scheduled later this year.
The dinner will be on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church.
Dinner will consist of lasagna and related dishes, along with many homemade desserts.
The cost is $20 per person and $10 for children age 12 and under.
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