Volunteer shortage affecting Habitat project

On March 25, a good part of east Cape Girardeau was abuzz with activity as workers divided a four-bedroom home into two sections and transported it from a parking lot on Broadway to a destination at 1640 N. Main St.

The house, built by Southeast Missouri State University students and other volunteers, was constructed under the direction of the Cape Area Habitat for Humanity program during a two-week period in March. The eventual owners, John and Ashlei Sterling and their four children, watched the move with excitement and anticipation.

Four months later, a lot of work remains before the Sterlings can move into their new home.

"It's been a little frustrating," Ashlei said. "But in the end, when we see the outcome, it will be so worth it."

The problem, according to Habitat for Humanity vice president T. Robin Cole, is that the organization currently has more projects in the works than they have volunteers to complete.

Most interior work still needs to be done on the Habitat for Humanity House at 1640 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. (Kit Doyle)

"The adequacy of volunteers is our key building constraint right now," Cole said.

Cole said there are currently three other Habitat homes under construction, two in Cape Girardeau and one in Jackson. Those houses have enjoyed priority because organizations sponsoring them are providing much of the volunteer labor.

Many of the roughly 300 student volunteers who worked on the Main Street house have left town for the summer, creating a temporary shortage of labor.

"We don't currently have enough volunteers to man four sites at a time," Cole said.

It typically will take about 20 volunteers to staff a particular home site, Cole said. With about 60 current volunteers, they have enough to work on three homes, but the fourth has to wait until another project is finished or until more workers are available.

There has been some activity at the site this week in anticipation of the availability of more workers soon. Plumbing, heating and cooling professionals have been on the job doing rough-in work, which has to be done by licensed professionals due to warranty and building code considerations. Electrical rough-in, done by volunteers under the supervision of a licensed electrician, will follow soon.

"Once we get the electrical in, we can come in and do the insulation and Sheetrock," said Terry Juden, who as construction manager overseers all the projects of Cape Area Habitat for Humanity.

Cole said he hopes many of the students who worked on the house in March will volunteer again when they get back on campus.

Discussions are underway with university officials to add a regular bus stop at the Main Street construction site to make it convenient for volunteers to go work.

Siding, drywall finishing, finish carpentry, floor coverings, fixtures and other final touches will still need to be completed before the Sterlings can move in. Cole said the house should be ready in time for the Sterlings to celebrate Christmas in their new home.

That means a few more months of waiting for the Sterlings, who remain upbeat while living in a cramped two-bedroom apartment.

"Without Habitat, we probably wouldn't even be able to afford a house," Ashlei said. "We'll be patient because we know we'll finally have plenty of room for everyone."

Pertinent address:

1640 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.