Stillwater Habitat for Humanity hires executive director

By Janet F. Reeder

After conducting a national search, Stillwater Habitat for Humanity has selected their first executive director to lead the non-profit internationally affiliated organization into 2011.

Jodi Taylor, from Broken Arrow, Okla., assumed the position in mid-December and was officially recognized by the Stillwater Habitat for Humanity board of directors at their December 16th meeting.

Stillwater Habitat for Humanity President Bud Lacy said Stillwater Habitat is pleased with their choice and plans to expand their building efforts in the coming year. Having a full time director will give Stillwater Habitat a face and accessible contact to help the organization grow and partner with the Stillwater community, Lacy said.

Taylor comes to the organization with a wealth of business experience that includes project management, operations management, asset management, budget control and planning and contract negotiation. Taylor also has a Real Estate background, has held broker licensing and has previously owned her own firm. She has a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Habitat for Humanity is not new to Taylor, who has been involved in Tulsa’s affiliate for more than six years. She began volunteering with her Sunday school class years ago and found the experience educational and rewarding, she said. Taylor served as a member of Tulsa Habitat for Humanity’s construction committee and was also active in the Lowe’s sponsored international Women Build program, where she was house leader for Tulsa’s Women Build 9.

“As house leader, I created the work breakdown for each day, formed teams of volunteers with varying skill proficiencies, conducted ongoing training and supervised the work,” Taylor said.

Taylor came to Stillwater last spring to serve as the house leader providing construction leadership for Stillwater Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build 1, the affiliates’ first day long Women Build. That effort brought out nearly 50 local church women who completely framed a home during the May 1st event. Women around the world worked during the week before Mother’s Day, always the annual Lowe’s sponsored event’s dateline, to help provide affordable, decent housing and eliminate poverty housing in their own areas. In the United States, Women Build 2010 participants worked on more than 200 homes.

Taylor is passionate about the work of Habitat for Humanity and says she has seen the positive results owning a home brings. “Owning a home changes the lives of the children that inhabit these homes. Home ownership provides stability and safety for them and gives the families something to be proud of,” she said. Statistics support the improved educational performance of children in Habitat for Humanity homes.

“As home foreclosures will force more families back into the housing market, simple, decent and affordable housing will become scarcer and the need will become more critical. Our communities will be looking to Habitat for Humanity to fill the need and to provide the model to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness,” Taylor said.

Taylor will be visiting with church and community leaders in coming weeks and months to share the mission of Habitat for Humanity with those who are interested in becoming involved. She will be seeking invitations to speak to both civic and church groups in the future to help individuals, Sunday school or mission groups and civic-minded organizations understand how the mission of Habitat for Humanity fits with their own desires and mandates to serve families in need in the Stillwater area.

Partnering with Stillwater Habitat for Humanity is a rewarding and team building experience for groups of any size. Habitat builds community as well as homes and depends on committed donors and volunteers in Stillwater to continue their efforts. Orientation and training are provided for volunteers.

Stillwater Habitat for Humanity has served the Payne County and Stillwater area for 20 years, working with churches, businesses and volunteer groups from the university and other civic and community organizations to fulfill the group’s mission to partner with families in need. F

Funding for homes Habitat builds comes through individuals, groups, churches, and interested sponsors, as well as the goods donated and then sold through the affiliate’s ReStore at 18th and Fern in Stillwater. The ReStore also operates Stillwater Habitat’s recycling program to benefit the affiliate and the community. Volunteers are always needed to help with Stillwater Habitat for Humanity efforts and can serve on job sites, in the retail operation of the ReStore, Habitat’s recycling operation and in many other areas that aide the mission of the growing group.

Applications for potential home ownership can be picked up at the Stillwater Habitat for Humanity office at 18th and Fern during regular business hours. To donate or volunteer, call 405- 377-0403.