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My White Grandbaby
<br />By Elizabeth Grams,AmeriCorps Volunteer
<br />These days, if y ou ask Habitat for the model partner It was fittin that
<br />Y Y P ,:. g
<br />Phyllis Chandler how many family, due to her determination, Bryanne herself was able to
<br />grandchildren she has, she'll her kindness and affection for offer Phyllis the home that
<br />tell you that, well, she has volunteers and staff, and her 7' M " would become her own.
<br />36 black grandkids- and one unrelenting faith in God. : `: `:. '*'" The house was then built
<br />white one. Phyllis first got to know '' ° ._'..;.: =_ by Citigroup and other
<br />Phyllis showed up on Bryanne through Cornerstone. members of the community
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<br />Habitat's doorstep more than Not long before Phyllis arrived, along with the regular
<br />two years ago. Having raised a recent high school graduate named Bryanne Baker took Habitat construction crew,
<br />nine kids, currently caring on an AmeriCorps position as a construction assistant complete with a wheelchair
<br />for her many grandkids, and and began working with the Cornerstone program. She ramp.
<br />restricted to a wheelchair - watched Phyllis operate a table saw for the first time. In February of this
<br />because of severe arthritis, Since Phyllis' physical activity was restricted, Bryanne year, friends and family of
<br />she was nevertheless willing took special care to keep her up to date on construction the Chandlers gathered in
<br />to take on the responsibilities information and let her know when there was work to a new home to celebrate
<br />of becoming a partner family. be done for which Phyllis could provide assistance. its completion, bless it,
<br />She was gladly accepted in Even with Phyllis' efforts, and attention from and hand over the keys
<br />January 2004. It was not long staff members such as Bryanne, it was still a struggle to Phyllis. Bryanne, now
<br />before her name became for Phyllis to fit in all the sweat equity hours required. a regular and seasoned
<br />something of a catchword at However, Bryanne was able to provide further assistance staff member at Habitat,
<br />the St. Joe when she stayed on a second year as an Americorps and honored Phyllis for her
<br />became family services coordinator. She searched for dedication and shared, tears
<br />jobs Phyllis would be able to do from home and often in her eyes, about her love
<br />brought the work over herself. Phyllis and her children for the woman who had
<br />would welcome Bryanne in and invite her to stay for become a grandmother to
<br />lunch or at least for a chat. Soon Bryanne was having her. Phyllis, thanking God
<br />lunches with the Chandlers on a weekly basis. repeatedly, could hardly
<br />For the young AmeriCorps member, who speak to the small crowd
<br />had never known her grandparents, this was a kind of through her own joyful
<br />relationship that she had never been able to experience. tears. She had her own,
<br />For the older woman, Bryanne became a source of joy beautiful, new home. She
<br />in a difficult time. In addition to the strains of being a had dozens of new friends
<br />partner family, Phyllis mourned the loss of three close made over the past few
<br />family members in 2005. The two, however unlikely a years alone. And she
<br />pair, found in each other a friend. (GRANDBABY continued on
<br />It was fitting that Bryanne herself was able to offer back)
<br />arC your calendars. Iuneers Needed
<br />Important Habitat dates for Summer 2006
<br />=April 22: Cornerstone',G aduaton in'
<br />Help eliminate. substandard housing in St. Joseph
<br />County, one home, one at a time.- Contact our s^
<br />• April 28-- Ground Breaking for our '100th House! -
<br />.. .
<br />r office at, {574} 288-6967-"
<br />• April, 24th, 2prrr= 6use Blessing forAlma Gamez at' s
<br />,Computer Input .
<br />744 Warren St
<br />* . Graphics Design
<br />• May— Community House`'
<br />•
<br />Web De :May 12-- Grant! .Opening, "Sample .Street .Property . s4g &
<br />R Web Master
<br />.::
<br />• une S= Builder's Blitz Houses I & 2 page e 4),.
<br />Newstetter,
<br />J ( Pg � .
<br /><:.,.'., • June— Church House
<br />H o e. u� din
<br />• Kids for Habitat
<br />• . - p temb er 9--Official Kickoff for the annual. '
<br />WmnB
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<br />t � Land Development
<br />ReStare.
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<br />Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County —Spring Newsletter 2006
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