Groups work to build home

Along Lindbergh Drive on the west side of Bloomington, the newest home sponsored by Habitat for Humanity International is in preparation for construction through a collaboration of two local Habitat chapters.\nThe home, which when finished will be located at 727 N. Lindbergh Dr., is being built by the IU and Bloomington North High School chapters. \n"The house is being sponsored by the IU and the North chapters combined, which means they not only provide the volunteers for the actual building process, but also the funds for the house," said Mila Davydov, the construction supervisor.\nThe official starting date for construction on the home is March 23, but weeks of preparation were needed before the actual construction could begin. \n"On Saturday, we throw the walls up all at once," Habitat volunteer Bryan Miedel said.\nMiedel is a volunteer for Habitat but is not a part of the IU or Bloomington North Chapters. \n"I wanted to do it for the longest time, since I was a kid," Miedel said. \nThe house is being constructed as a four-bedroom, one-floor house and is scheduled for completion April 27, Davydov said. \n"The family that's getting the home will be working here (at the site)," Davydov said. \nEach family must meet three main criteria to be considered for a house through Habitat for Humanity, which includes working 250 hours for Habitat. This can consist of actual construction work, office work or fund-raising projects, according to the organization's Web site.\nThe other two criteria -- the need for housing and the ability to pay for housing -- are all decided on by Habitat.\nThe IU chapter, with more than 400 members, and the Bloomington North chapter, with 120 volunteers, were brought together by a $10,000 grant provided by Habitat International, said Rebecca Mankowski, the volunteer and family services coordinator for the Bloomington office of Habitat.\nIn addition to the grant, fundraisers such as garage sales, bowling events and concession sales from the two Habitat chapters, as well as individual donations from the community, have helped the groups raise enough money to build the home. In total, $45,000 was raised.\nThe site for the home was chosen to help revitalize the area on the west side of Bloomington. \n"We intentionally chose to buy lots in this neighborhood," Davydov said.\nCorey Shorter, who will be one of the new occupants in the home, is very grateful to Habitat.\n"The fact that we'll be owning our own home and paying our own mortgage, it's almost like a new start," Shorter said. \nShorter, his wife and three children will live in the new house.\n"With this being built in the North school district, the kids that will be living in this house will eventually go to North high school," Davydov said.\nHabitat for Humanity is always looking for new volunteers, Davydov said.\n"We need a lot of people, not just construction people," Davydov said. "I think it takes about twice as many people behind the scenes."\nMankowski said this house will make Bloomington North only the 21st chapter in Habitat officially recognized by Habitat International as sponsoring a house. To be recognized as a sponsor, groups must raise $45,000. \n"There are only 112 high school chapters, and only 20 of them have sponsored houses," said Mankowski.\nShorter, who used to work as a carpenter, is ready to start a new life in his home.\n"When you start working on your own home, it really hits you," he said.\nTo volunteer or to make a donation to Habitat, contact the Habitat for Humanity office at 331-4069.