Print Issue: November 14, 2002

Cobb Catholic Coalition Has Hammered Away For Habitat For Nine Years

Members of the Cobb-based Catholic Coalition and the future homeowners take a break from their latest house project in Powder Springs to pose for a photo. The coalition formed nine years ago, and has since renovated six houses, and built from the ground up 11 more homes in Cobb County.

By Rebecca Rakoczy, Staff Writer

MARIETTA - There is nothing like being "habitized." That's the word Joe Loviska uses to describe the feeling of what happens after you help build a Habitat for Humanity house. The commercial building superintendent got his first dose of Habitat more than eight years ago, building the houses through his involvement with his church, Transfiguration.

For the seasoned builder who has overseen multi-million dollar construction projects, the sweat equity put into these homes creates a bonanza of good feelings and friends, with lasting memories. His involvement has extended to his wife Connie. The couple regularly gives up their Saturdays to Habitat projects throughout metro Atlanta, and they have even enlisted the help of their 32-year-old daughter.

For Don Fesko, a parishioner at Holy Family Church, Marietta, building Habitat homes represents the perfect way for him to "give back" for the blessings he has received. Now more than six years and at least six houses later, the Anheuser-Busch administrator still remembers the first house he helped build.

"My first house was for a family and the man was somewhat disabled. On dedication day we turned the keys over to them. He looked at me and said, 'Don, I have never owned anything in my life. Thank you.' And then he hugged me. That really sticks with me - it was my first one I did and it really inspired me."

Fesko has remained involved, serving as both crew leader and site project manager, and as a board member and instructor at Cobb County Habitat offices.

Marilyn Spence, also of Holy Family, got involved more than eight years ago, even though she did not have any experience with building. Now she can drywall, caulk and has installed vinyl siding among other things. She has enlisted her son and son-in-law, who both build Habitat homes in their respective states.

"It's addicting, mainly because it's like in the old days of building a barn for someone," she said. "Here, the homeowners are out there working harder than you are. These people earn it and you just help them. It's the most wonderful thing."

All three are part of a band of Cobb parishes who have dubbed themselves the "Catholic Coalition." Formed nine years ago, the coalition now includes Holy Family, Transfiguration, St. Ann's and St. Joseph's, Marietta, and St. Catherine of Siena, Kennesaw. Loviska is currently chairman of the coalition and is also a crew leader. He has trained with Cobb County Habitat, and sits on the Cobb Habitat board.

The five parishes have remodeled six rundown houses in Cobb County, and built from the ground up another 11 houses, the most recent in Powder Springs, which was dedicated Nov. 10.

While individual parishes have been able to complete several homes on their own, it is often financially a challenge to pull together the resources. The Cobb coalition came together through St. Joseph's initial desire to get involved in the Habitat program, Spence said. But with little up-front cash-it takes $42,500 to build a 1,100-square-foot Habitat style home - the call went out to other parishes. Jim Rothschild at St. Ann's produced a video depicting Habitat work around the metro Atlanta area. (The cost of building a Habitat home varies by county.)

"We showed it (at Holy Family)," recalled Spence. "Tears were rolling down my cheeks. When you see God working, it draws you. This is all Christian-based. Nothing can be done without prayers - it's all to the glory of God." She signed up immediately.

Spence reports that all the parish pastors have been very supportive of the coalition's efforts - and even Father Bob Susann of St. Ann's has wielded the Habitat hammer at more than one project.

Any adult can volunteer for Habitat-even those with little or no construction experience. Spence jokes that she showed up on her first project with a "little, tiny measuring tape," and the site project manager slapped a giant tape into her hands.

While volunteers and the homeowners do the majority of the home construction, licensed contractors do the electrical, plumbing and cabinetry work. It's no frills, said Loviska, but no corners are cut either. Local restaurants often donate lunches to the homebuilders; but most materials are purchased, with some in-kind donations.

Many churches throughout the archdiocese are involved in Habitat programs; the coalition represents one way churches can pool resources to help the cause. And since Habitat is an ecumenical organization, there are also many Protestant church-based Habitat groups, and coalitions that bring together people from different faiths and walks of life to build a house. (Habitat founders Linda and Millard Fuller are members of the Disciples of Christ.) A house can go up on 10 consecutive Saturdays. The only requirement to volunteer is that you must be 16-years-old to build a Habitat home; 18-years-old to work on the roof.

All of those involved in Habitat mentioned that the homeowners put in as much-and sometimes much more-energy into helping build the homes. These homeowner receive a no-interest loan, but are also required to put in at least 100 hours in helping build other Habitat homes, as well as their own house.

The community and friendships that arise out of getting "habitized" is something few people forget - and some find addicting. It's a Saturday ritual for the Loviskas, who have become so involved they also volunteer around the country. At one point, as site project manager for a massive Habitat project in Houston, (100 homes in 4 1/2 days) Loviska met and worked with Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn.

"I was site manager and Jimmy and Rosalynn came by, and he said, 'Joe, is there anything you need?' And I said, 'Mr. President, I need insulation, a building inspector, some drywall . . . and all the while Rosalynn was writing these things down."

He got his materials - and the building inspector.

While working side by side with former President Carter may be unusual, working with CEOs wielding hammers is not.

"There are no divisions of class . . . You will have a CEO working right next to a guy that sweeps a street. They are all there for one thing," he said.

When a house is dedicated, there is never a dry eye in the place, he added.

Spence said, "If you have ever felt God working in your life, when you do something for his people, that's what we're called to do. It gives you goose bumps. It's overwhelming the feeling; the people are so grateful and you know them. You can't give enough money to get back what you get from doing this . . . and you don't do it in order to get something back, but that's what God does-he blesses you abundantly when you become his hands and feet."