Quad City Times
Sunday, November 6, 2005
Habitat
for Humanity unites people from all walks of life
By Lynne Voelliger
What does an 82-year-old retired Quad-City doctor and Haitian art aficionado have in common with a 40-year-old mother of six from the housing projects of Chicago?
A Habitat for Humanity home being built in Davenport.
Last year, Dr. Walter Neiswanger of Davenport, a retired Quad City pathologist, partnered with Habitat for Humanity to become the financial sponsor for Home No. 35, located at 914 Tremont Ave. in Davenport. When partner family Mary Dean Nash takes ownership of the home this fall, it will be a dream come true for the former Chicago woman and four of her children.
"This partnership illustrates a beautiful story of bringing together people from all walks of life," said Kathy Anderson, public relations committee chairwoman for Habitat for Humanity.
Before moving to the Quad-Cities in 1996, Nash and her children were living a life of survival in the housing projects of inner-city Chicago. About 3,000 people lived in the 22-story building that housed the one-bedroom apartment they shared for five years.
For
Nash, the years spent there were a matter of economics. Although life
was difficult and dangerous, the $67-per-month rent was affordable for
the mother who had been on her own since she was 18 years old.
"Getting in and out of the building safely was difficult," Nash said. "We had to duck, dodge or roll into the building to avoid gunshots. We were living in a prison of our own making, and we had to break away."
"In the projects, we always had to stay inside," said Nash's 17-year-old daughter, Victoria. "But no matter how bad it was outside, my mom made it nice and fun for us inside. She helped us cope."
As Nash began the search for a better life, she considered communities such as Minneapolis and Rockford, Ill., before choosing her aunt's hometown of Davenport.
"It's more relaxed and peaceful here than in Chicago," she said. "And with my auntie living here, I have more help."
Nash's children, who range in age from 5 to 23 years old, also believe they have a better chance at an education in the Quad-Cities.
"The teachers give us individual attention and make
me feel like I have a chance to grow," Victoria said.
In Davenport, Nash found a job a job as a laundry aide at the Kahl Home for the Aged & Infirm and an affordable home to rent. Unfortunately, the living conditions were poor and the landlord was uncooperative.
"We had mold growing out of the floor and no heat or hot water for eight months," she said.
All that began to change when her daughter discovered a Habitat for Humanity flyer at the laundromat.
"As I read it, I began to believe that I could possibly own my own home," Nash said. "I was afraid to get my hopes up, but I applied anyway."
After fulfilling the four hours of required "sweat equity" at Habitat's Re-store, Nash submitted her application, along with photographs of their current living conditions.
Nash was initially turned down because her income of $550 per month was inadequate. Nash was devastated, but remained determined.
"The people from Habitat told me how much monthly income I would need, and I didn't stop until I reached that number," she said.
Nash remembers the day she met her sponsor, Dr. Neiswanger, whom she considers "her angel."
"God works through people," she said. "As we talked about my past and the goals I have for the future, I told him that he had saved five lives."
Neiswanger has long been one of the Quad-Cities' most generous citizens. Over the years, he has gifted more than a million dollars to cultural and educational organizations, among others.
"In the process of updating my will three or four years ago, my attorney suggested that I look at some additional organizations," Neiswanger said. Added to the list were Habitat for Humanity, Gilda's Club, Sierra Club, John Lewis Community Services, Sisters for Humility and Ghostlight Theatre.
"I donate to things that I can see happen, like Habitat for Humanity," he said. "As a bachelor with no kids, I involve myself in a lot of work with young people."
On Saturdays, Neiswanger can be seen working side by side at the building site with Nash and Habitat volunteers.
"I won't climb a ladder, but I will clean up junk or hold up a piece of dry wall," he said. "Call me a go-fer."
Neiswanger is grateful to be in the position to help.
"Giving to others makes me happy," he said. "That is the bottom line. No further explanation necessary!"
As the Nash family works on their future home, they look forward to moving day. "I will actually be able to put a poster on the wall!" Victoria said.