A Strong Foundation
May 10, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Have you ever seen a house being built from the ground up? Have you ever seen two families cry in gratitude and joy at the thought that the one thing that has eluded them- the safety and security of a place to raise their families—finally begins to take shape?
That is what volunteers from the community, agencies, businesses and government witnessed today at the Habitat for Humanity build on Quincy Street in Springfield. Over the next 30 years both families in the duplex will pay back a mortgage at a 0 percent interest rate—exercising responsibility and building their equity. And, they will be there every step of the way throughout the build to do the work with their own hands.
Imagine all of the families we could keep out of shelters and off the streets if we could provide these kind of wrap-around services for all of those in need? From a practical standpoint, think of the tax dollars that would be saved in transitional housing, food allowances and education. This isn’t a temporary bandaid, it’s a way to empower real people with real skills that will change the course of their lives and their children’s lives. Imagine what it would feel like if we improved whole sections of our city, one neighborhood at a time? Imagine if the public and private sectors worked together to build a strong foundation for the communities that we call home.
That camaraderie was palpable today. And the creation of a rock-solid foundation of community is exactly the work that we are doing. Peter Gagliardi, Executive Director of HapHousing announced that eight homes will be built on Quincy Street this year. That’s not a drop in the bucket. That’s a turning of the tide.
Mayor Sarno spoke of the work he is doing with positive opportunities for youth and that combining that work with housing ventures are two of the greatest predictors of a neighborhood’s ability to build a foundation to heal itself from within.
It’s the simplest of equations: a strong foundation provides for a strong family. Strong families make good neighbors. Good neighbors take care of their communities like family. So with the pouring of one foundation an entire community begins its transformation.
Korri Piper
With 10 years of brand building experience, Korri joined The Pecoy Companies in the summer of 2010 to provide strategic direction and implementation of marketing initiatives for the rapidly growing home building and remodeling business. As Marketing Manager, Korri enjoys promoting The Pecoy Companies distinctive ability to create homes perfectly tailored to their owners and is proud of her company’s commitment to corporate philanthropy.
