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Chapter HistoryEl Dorado Habitat for Humanity was the first chapter formed in the state of Arkansas. In the late 1980s, Wendell and Joy Barbaree, former teachers and retirees, "caught the vision" and decided South Arkansas needed to rid itself of substandard housing. After learning about Habitat first-hand in Americus, Ga., the Barbarees were determined to start a chapter in Arkansas. El Dorado is located 120 miles south of Little Rock, and about 20 miles from the Louisiana border. As is the case elsewhere, many, many people live in substandard houses or mobile homes. People pay high rent and high utility bills, yet still must endure water leaks, bad neighborhoods, uncooperative landlords and a bleak future. Children growing up homes like these can't be expected to do their best at school or when interacting with others. Like all Habitat chapters, the one in South Arkansas is a non-profit, nondenominational fellowship group. The chapter provides a "hand up," not simply a handout to the poor. Our homeowners are teaching assistants, secretaries, cooks, truck drivers, grocery store baggers, state employees, librarians, hospital workers and nursery home employees. There are single-parent families and the more traditional families with a husband and wife. More than 50 people, including many children, are living in quality, affordable homes because of Habitat for Humanity. In return, they repay the local chapter with 20-year, interest free mortgage notes. The city benefits from neighborhood improvement, the payment of taxes and insurance premiums held by the homeowners. El Dorado Habitat has built 14 houses through the summer 1998, including six rehabs. The average cost for a new Habitat home is around $30,000, much less than the national average. The average mortgage note, including taxes and insurance, is under $200 a month. With lower utility bills almost a given, the Habitat homeowners are able to live more within their means. One of the important sources of funding is from the existing homeowners, who have paid more than $62,000 since 1993. From the first house in 1989 to the 14th house in 1988, dedicated in July, the El Dorado chapter has seen both good and bad times, but has survived. The larger picture remains the same -- to eliminate substandard, unhealthy, costly housing from the city of 26,000 people. The specifics include the construction of two houses a year, the recruiting of more covenent churches and businesses, and the finding of even more volunteers. Each year the local Habitat group participates in "Building on Faith," a weekend of fun, special church services, community outreach and house construction. The Habitat Gypsies, a national organization of RVers, has twice worked with the local chapter, and plan to do so again in 1998. The local chapter has worked closely with youth groups from throughout the country. Help has come from the Mennonite Church in Ohio and Indiana, the University of Illinois, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and others. El Dorado Habitat completed its first "blitz house" in 1992 -- a three-bedroom house built in six days. In 1996, the local chapter built two houses at the same time, in honor of the late Rev. Floyd Lewis, former chairman of the board and volunteer. Like other chapters, El Dorado Habitat receives help from a variety of sources, such as covenent churches, businesses, members of the Carpenter's Club, civic groups and individuals. Since 1993, churches have provided 33 percent of the funding, with 27 percent coming from individuals and members of the Carpenter's Club. The chapter progressed enough a few years ago to hire an area manager. Bill Peel, a retired stocks and oil speculator, was hired for the part-time position. He retired in early 1998, and the board of directors unanimously voted to hire Sue Ellen Dillard, an El Dorado housewife with a background in agriculture and banking. The transition has been a smooth one. Special fund-raisers in the past have included auctions, yard sales, geranium sales, candy bar sales and media blitzes. The local chapter enjoys a good working relationship with the local newspaper, the El Dorado News-Times, KTVE-Channel 10 and several radio stations. TCA Cable provides free advertising.
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