This is through the work of Kelley School of Business students, Habitat for Humanity and Whirlpool Corp., according to the University.
Construction of Hodge’s new house will begin Sept. 24 and the keys will be handed over to her at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 4 before the football game against the University of North Texas.
More than 400 undergraduate and graduate students will join Habitat for Humanity volunteers and Whirlpool workers to build the fifth Habitat home for a Bloomington family, ?according to the University.
“Our mission on the IU Bloomington campus extends well beyond the borders of our campus; we also seek out meaningful community outreach opportunities,” said IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Lauren Robel in a University release.
“I have long served as a volunteer and board member with Habitat for Humanity and am so pleased to support this continued partnership with Whirlpool to help provide a home for a hard-working local family.”
Students, faculty and alumni from more than 15 Kelley and IU campus organizations will get their hands dirty to build the house.
“This build is one of the best examples of community partnership,” said Kerry Thomson, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, in a University release. “The Kelley School of Business along with Whirlpool Corporation and the many advocates for affordable housing come together with all their best gifts to create lasting change — one family at a time.”
As a single mother, Hodge supports her son Dante as a lab assistant at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital.
The Hodge’s have been living in Section 8 housing, as it is difficult for Hodge to balance housing and medical expenses on a single income, according to the University.
“This means I can stand on my own two feet,” Hodge said in the release. “It means my showing my son that even though you struggle, if you work hard enough and apply yourself and work with people, that you can do what you set your mind to.”
Hodge said she is looking forward to having a place to call home. She has already planned ahead to paint the kitchen orange. Dante describes his future kitchen as “Casa Brava,” according to the University.
To qualify for a Habitat for Humanity home, families have to have the financial means to pay a nonprofit mortgage and log at least 250 volunteer hours, Thomson said in a University release.
“It (this house) means stability for my son,” Hodge said. “It means having that ‘always’ spot for him to come home to, no matter what happens. I feel honored and appreciate being part of the IU/Whirlpool build.”
Lindsay Moore
