LAKE COUNTY — Habitat for Humanity of Lake County is seeking a new executive director as its current director, Lisa Willardson, prepares for motherhood.
Habitat for Humanity President Richard Birk said more than 50 applicants were narrowed down to one, pending a vote this week by the organization”s board of directors. He said Habitat”s goal is to continue growing in Lake County to meet the housing needs for the county”s low-income families.
“With that comes a greater need for organizational infrastructure and being able to raise more funding locally through contributions and the grant process. As we fill more homes the family selection process gets more intense, and then we are supporting families with the different workshops they might need. The whole organization needs to grow, and that”s what the director”s job is part of,” Birk said.
Willardson said an integral part of what she does is working with volunteers, the organization”s bread and butter for completing everything from filing papers and answering phones to raising walls and installing cabinetry in the homes the organization builds in partnership with qualifying families.
Willardson was hired in August 2007 as the organization”s executive director and its only paid employee. Birk said he was able to pay her salary using grant funding. Willardson said she will be flexible about her last day, but plans to leave around Thanksgiving.
“I always wanted to be able to stay home with my kids if I could, at least until they go to school. I would like to come back and volunteer, but my main focus right now is to learn to be a mom and get used to that. I have enjoyed my time here, and it”s been a big blessing to work here and meet all the neat people in the community,” Willardson said.
Habitat is planning a dedication ceremony for its 11th house built in the county on Nov. 22, and broke ground on its 12th house last month. The organization has just selected a family to qualify for and to help build the 13th Habitat home in the county.
In addition, the organization plans to collaborate with city and county governments to increase its production of homes.
“There is so much need here in Lake County,” Birk said.
Birk said Habitat always needs volunteers, skilled or unskilled, as the organization moves forward with its goal to build five new homes per year.
“You increase the need for volunteers as you build more homes each year ? at all levels, not just out at the construction site but in the office,” Birk said.
For more information or to volunteer, call Habitat for Humanity of Lake County at 994-1100.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
