Published: August 15, 2008 11:45 pm            

A new view

City housing ministry’s first build nears completion

EDMOND — Michele Baker and her two children live in an apartment on 150th between May and Portland, but their life is centered in the heart of Edmond.

Baker is the librarian at Santa Fe High School. And when she’s not spending time with family or at work, she likely can be found at the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, 1001 S. Rankin St.

Furthermore, Baker’s daughter will be a freshman at Edmond Memorial High School this fall. Their present location means transportation to and from activities and friends’ homes can be an issue.

Inspired by a desire to help individuals like Baker obtain affordable housing in Edmond, some members and staff at First Presbyterian have established a stand-alone nonprofit organization, Turning Point Ministries.

Turning Point is partnering with Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, which helps individuals buy homes at cost — and at no interest — by qualifying families.

Basic plans range from a two-bedroom, one-bath home for $60,000 to a four-bedroom, two-bath home for $85,000, depending on plan and location. No down payment is charged and monthly payments are based on 25 percent of the homeowner’s gross monthly income.

Mortgage payments go back into Habitat’s construction budget to build more homes for more qualified families.

Located in the 100 block of West Wayne, Baker’s home, a brick three-bedroom 1,295-square-foot model with a one-car garage, is the first build for the new housing ministry.

Dick Freeman, an Edmond resident who has served on Habitat’s oversight board, said the project began in late July and dedication is scheduled for Aug. 26. A second beneficiary already is going through the approval process, and the number of people helped only will be limited by the amount of funds donated by the community.

Habitat accepts no government funding for home construction and is not a United Way agency. Primary support is from churches, foundations, corporations and individuals. Cash contributions go directly toward the building of Habitat homes.

Freeman said close to 100 volunteers have worked on the project. They include a youth group from Henderson Hills Baptist Church and some military personnel from Tinker Air Force Base.

Habitat homeowners must contribute 300 hours of labor, or sweat equity. Baker said she already has reached that number and will be donating some of her sweat equity to others in her position.

Baker said for her family, the new ministry is living up to its name — Turning Point. Baker said her family is looking forward to living in the heart of Edmond.

“It’s been a blessing and it’s been fun to work with people you know,” Baker said.

Cora Boyd, a member of Turning Point’s oversight board, has known Baker for about four years. Boyd said she was thrilled when she heard that Baker had qualified for a Habitat home.

“She’s so grateful,” Boyd said.

Boyd said First Presbyterian member Bob Turner recognized a need in the community and now, with the first home nearly built, the ministry has become a visible reality.

Baker said there’s definitely a need in the area for affordable housing in Edmond. Organizers have said the ministry will help upgrade some neglected areas of the city.

Today marks the eight-year anniversary of the death of Baker’s husband, Kevin, who died from an aneurysm. The decorated corporal with the Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office would be thrilled about his family receiving a Habitat home, said Baker, who is planning a mid-September move-in date.

Through this experience, Baker said she has learned that a lot of people care about her.



FOR MORE information about how to help or to contribute to Turning Point Ministries, call the First Presbyterian Church of Edmond at 341-3602.

        

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