Welcome to the President’s Blog!

Hey! This is Ruthie Holloman, current president of the Fuller Center for Housing of Madison County. Welcome to our new website, and my first “blog”! I will be sharing stories, fact, and needs here to let you in on some of the amazing things going on in the world of non-profit housing, specifically in Madison County and with Fuller Center for Housing in general.

I want to tell you how I personally became part of what was then Madison County Habitat for Humanity. The family and home pictured here are the main reason! I was invited to join the board several years ago, but at the time, I had a conflict with the scheduled meeting dates. As the Lord in His providence would have it, 2 things happened to bring me in: that meeting schedule was changed, and I was told by the one board member I knew, “I think we are working on a house for some of your kids!” The “your kids” referred to students of mine as the ESOL teacher at our local elementary school.

This home was originally built for a family who had moved. The board had decided that they could choose 2 families- one for refurbishing this home and another family for a new construction to be build next door. The second family is related to the first, including, you guessed it, another student of mine.

The JOY that comes from watching families like this is what keeps us moving! This family in particular has inspired me year after year. They, as with many of our partner families, came through difficult situations, challenges, and hardships. Their work ethic, determination, amazing fiscal wisdom, and desire to improve their living conditions for their 5 kids was, and still is, incredible. One day I visited this mom, and was in awe of her backyard garden, HAND TURNED using homeland methods. The humble way she toured me around, and through limited English, told me what was planted was such a blessing. Being a part of the success of this family has motivated me many times when the nuts and bolts of managing a non-profit have been frustrating.

I hope you will join us as we embark on our next challenge! Stay tuned for my next entry!