Habitat for Humanity of McLean County broke ground on its 200th house on Saturday, holding a ceremony to recognize both the home's recipients and agency co-founder Judy Stone.
Sharee Conely has lived in Bloomington-Normal since 1998. She works as a teacher's aide at Kingsley Junior High School, and and part time in home care.
Before she and her family grabbed their shovels to dig dirt and put on gloves to carry the walls of their new home, she expressed only positive thoughts and feelings about building their house on Taylor Street in Bloomington.
“I am feeling so happy. I’m happy to get the house built, it’s been a long time coming,” she said. “I am just so excited for it. My house is about to get built. I’m just really so happy!”
Conely said the wait for their very own house was “a long time coming.” She and her three children, 20-year-old daughter Jasharar and 18-year-old and 9-year-old sons Jakalib and Jashawn, have moved repeatedly from different areas of low-income housing or shelters.
“I used to stay a long time in the mission, then after the mission and I was there for a couple years, then I move into a two-bedroom, then I had Section 8 for a little bit,” Conely said. “Where I’m at now is not a good neighborhood ... [we're] just holding on until we get our house built.”
Remembering Judy Stone
Saturday's ceremony was not only special for the Conelys, but also for Habitat McLean as it honored the contributions of co-founder Judy Stone.
Jolene Aldus, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of McLean County, said this week 40 years ago, is when Stone and other co-founders started the local chapter. That same inspiration is with them during every home they build.
“Her only mission was to put love into action by building one house at a time, one family at a time. So, since that time, we have built 200 homes,” said Aldus.
“Her legacy is with us, and it will be for the next 200 homes. She has definitely made an impact on the work that we do, we carry it with us in every decision we make. Sometimes, we will find ourselves saying, ‘What would Judy do?’”
She added, "It’s all about lasting change. Our mission is to empower families by providing affordable housing. A place for them to thrive, grow, learn, a place to call home."
'A safe place'
Conely sees it the same way, saying her family's new house it is going to be a place for them to grow into, and feel comfortable in.
“To have a safe place to live for my son, to be outside more — where we stay at now, he can’t be outside, it’s too many car accidents and too dangerous,” she said. “To be able to play outside in the backyard and feel safe at home."
Conely said while her son is looking forward to having playing outside, he is most looking forward to finally having his own room so he can spend time together with his cousins and friends.
Aldus said when the organization is ready to build a home, it opens an application process, which is how she got to know the Conely family.
“There is a pretty lengthy vetting process, we just need to make sure they qualify, that we’re setting them up for success, because the last thing we want to do is take them out of a situation where they can afford their rent or their mortgage and put them into one where the same thing is happening,” said Albus, who introduced the family to the volunteers who will help build her new house.
The families go step-by-step with the organization, so they not only understand what it takes to build the home, but also have the chance to help in the building — like Conely and her family are doing.
Aldus said the assistance process does not stop with just the building of the home. Habitat continues to work with families to make sure they are fully supported and hopefully join them in helping more families. Conely said she wants to volunteer with the local Habitat after her home is built.
Bloomington City Council member Cody Hendricks from Ward 6 was at the ceremony to support the Conely family — the newest residents of his ward. He spoke about his recent unsuccessful run for Bloomington mayor.
“The number one reason for that was affordable housing,” Hendricks said. “We have a true crisis in our community, and I know that mayor-elect [Dan] Brady and I are going to be working together to tackle that crisis, but truly it takes everybody to do that. So, the work that you’re doing here today is part of that larger work…”
Brady also attended the ceremony.
