Latest Veterans Build is 192nd Home Completed by Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity

Navy veteran Janene Houskeeper and her three children were welcomed to their new home in Webb City, Missouri, Sept. 12, thanks to the Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity’s (JAHFH) Veterans Build Program.  

According to Scott Clayton, executive director, “Our Veterans Build program began in 2017 through the generosity of WWII Veteran Harold Layton. Mr. Layton appreciated the work completed by Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity after the 2011 tornado. Upon his passing, he asked his friends to donate the sum of $40,000 to Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity to build for a veteran in need of better housing. In gratitude to Mr. Layton’s vision and in honor of all who have served, we proudly continue construction for veterans through our Veterans Build program.”

The house dedication for Janene and her children was part of the Heartland Patriots Festival, a weeklong, vibrant celebration that honors the culture, contributions and sacrifices of veterans, military personnel and first responders across the Heartland of America. The festival features 19 unique events throughout the Joplin area and is organized by Heartland Canines for Veterans, Peterson Outdoor Ministries and OurVeteransFirst.  

Partners in the dedication project included General Mills, US Bank, VFW Post 7630, American Legion Post 322 and Taylor Homes. These organizations and their employees donated their talents, money, time and materials. They and their employees also volunteered labor to make this dream possible for the Houskeeper family.  

US Bank and General Mills donated substantial cash gifts to make the build possible. These two businesses have been long-time partners of Habitat for Humanity, making it possible for this build and many others to happen. US Bank employees volunteered by putting up siding, and General Mills employees volunteered by raising walls.  

VFW Post 7630 and American Legion Post 322 held a reception following the dedication and gave housewarming gifts to the family.  

Taylor Homes was the lead builder on the Houskeeper home and have led construction on many other JAHFH builds.  

Being a part of a build is rewarding to all who get involved. Derek Edwards, a US Bank employee volunteer who took part in the siding project, reflected: “Volunteering with JAHFH does not feel like work at all. I enjoy it when we have these workdays. It's a nice change of pace; we get out of the office into the open air, and it's a lot of fun. I am always eager to participate; it feels great to help. When we got to the build, we immediately met with Janene. We were able to listen to her tell her story first hand, and that makes it even more worthwhile knowing more about the people behind what everyone pulls together to do.”

It takes a lot of time, energy and love to see a home go from groundbreaking to a finished project. Janene’s groundbreaking work was last year. You may remember reading about her in our December 2024 issue. Janene, along with six other veterans, was honored on Veterans Day 2024 for their own service work for JAHFH. The individuals who benefit from JAHFH services are also volunteers who work on their own builds or help with builds and/or repairs for others. Janene and her family completed 200 sweat equity hours on her home. The entire process is a system of giving and receiving. A hand-in-hand and heart-to-heart effort, where everyone is rewarded.

It's a beautiful thing to see the community come together to make it all possible. Not all who volunteer are recipients of homes or repairs, but all who volunteer do receive the feeling of fellowship, of knowing they have contributed to the greater good for the people in their community.

According to Scott Clayton, “The Harold Layton donation was a wonderful thing, and we build in honor of his initial donation and for all serving or have served.”  

Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity’s vision is simple, yet beautiful: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. That, combined with their mission, says it all: Seeking to put God’s love into action, JAHFH brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

In fact, every aspect of JAHFH is a means to this very result. From their retail sales at ReStore and the latest expansion, ReStore Too, where shoppers find everything from bolts and screws to flooring, furniture, household items and gifts. Items sold in ReStore and ReStore Too are donated by people within the community. The money from the sales goes back into the community to serve others. The efforts of the charitable giving and purchasing go far to help local people just like Janene.  

It is difficult to grasp all the projects that come out of JAHFH and their strong force of volunteers. Scott said, “Our collaborative rebuild with Carthage Technical School for a homeowner who experienced a devastating fire will be complete at the end of the year. This build was funded by Boylan Foundation, Leggett & Platt, H.E. Williams and our ReStore. Through the ReStore and ReStore Too, we can add to our partnerships to facilitate more builds. It’s truly a community coming together for the betterment of affordable housing.

“In order for us to continue our impact, we’d welcome your involvement. From small repairs with A Brush With Kindness to new construction partners to donating or shopping at our ReStore, all this will collectively help us provide this unique opportunity to help homeowners with repairs and provide the opportunity for an affordable home.”

Janene said about her new home, “I'm so grateful for everyone who was able to assist us with this process. I still can't believe this is all happening. It has definitely given me back hope."

JAHFH began in 1989 and has built 192 homes and completed over 600 repairs for homeowners with housing needs.  

Currently, eight homes are under construction, and two more homes will begin in 2025, including the 200th home—a new construction in Carthage for the Rodas family—that is located next to the organization’s 150th home built. By the end of this year, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity will have built or started 14 new homes.  

For more information, contact JAHFH at 417.782.6533 or www.joplinhabitat.org.

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