By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Jama Owens hopes to build on the success of her predecessor in her new role at Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County.

Jama Owens

Owens recently took over as executive director from Micky Kaufman, who retired. Owens comes into her new role having done nonprofit work through Cardinal Services. She also is on the board of Todos Juntos, which helps Latinos seek college educations.

Owens raved on about the work of her predecessor.

“She was with us for six years and really turned the affiliate around,” said Owens. “She got us really strong financially. She got us into a building we had never been in before, started a ReSale shop which is really helpful for the projects that we want to take on like building low-income houses for families.”

Habitat for Humanity’s primary focus is building homes for those who are poorer. Founded in 1976, the Christian organization does not merely give homes to those in need.

Instead, families have to help through so-called “sweat equity,” helping build the homes and contributing some of their own money or fundraising to help cover the cost.

Families may apply at any time to get housing. Applications do have to go through a review process by the organization. People may reapply again if they initially get rejected.

Owens said about two homes are constructed in the county every year. The county organization’s goal is to break ground on at least three homes a year.

“The opportunity to help local families get into a housing situation that they might not be able to do otherwise is awesome; it’s life-changing,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to put work and faith together.”

The organization also aims to build homes that can age with the families, being ready for when the adults reach old age.

The Kosciusko County organization gets funding from donations as well as from sales of items at its ReSale store, which opened in May 2019. People may buy donated household goods like furniture, electrical fixtures and appliances in the store, which is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. People may also donate during those hours or on Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Like everything, Owens notes COVID-19 has affected the organization.

Some of it has been positive, with people having extra time to clean out and donate items they don’t want or need. Some of it has been negative with fewer people wanting to volunteer with the organization.

Volunteers are the heart of the organization. The only paid employees in Kosciusko County are Owens, ReStore Manager Matt Abbitt, Construction Manager Dennis Judy and another part-time employee hired for the store.

All other work is done by volunteers with Owens estimating that the organization has 20-30 consistent volunteers and a total of 82-100 overall.

“Ninety-two percent of all Habitat homeowners feel better about themselves after they’ve been in their home,” said Owens. “And when you know that you’re not just helping their financial situation because generational wealth is generated by homeownership but we’re helping them feel better about themselves, I mean there’s no greater display of faith … than anything like that.”

To donate financially or learn how to volunteer, people should call Habitat for Humanity at 574-269-4104.

Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County volunteer Randy Manuel cleans up a donated heating unit on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Habitat building at 3970 Corridor Drive, Warsaw. The unit was one of the items donated through the organization’s ReSale store. Sales from the store help fund Habitat’s mission of building homes for those with low incomes. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

A look at Habitat for Humanity of Kosciusko County’s ReSale store. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.