Right at home: Habitat's Williams receives Sagamore of the Wabash award
Jim Williams was saluted for leadership, humility and grace. Friends say he has immersed himself in helping others. Jim has been the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County for 15 years.
He has done such a great job that he was recently given the Sagamore of the Wabash at a late afternoon reception at Four Winds Casino's Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center. State Rep. Dale DeVon presented the award on behalf of Gov. Eric Holcomb.
The Sagamore is the highest award given by the Indiana governor. It was created in the 1940s for those who have given distinguished service to the state or the governor.
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Jim said he was overwhelmed but appreciative of the honor. “This is for so many wonderful people who are on the board, the staff and volunteers. This is a way to turn the spotlight on affordable housing. It is amazing. We’ve done this together.”
Jim earned a bachelor’s degree from Oral Roberts University in 1993 and a MBA from Regent University in 1996. He received an executive education certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard University in 2014.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit that provides affordable housing to people who need it. It has made headlines and garnered support for nearly 50 years. Participating families work alongside volunteers to build their own homes. They also volunteer for Habitat and participate in Habitat-sponsored homeownership classes. With volunteering and class attendance, they qualify for down payment assistance and favorable lending terms.
The seed of the idea started in the 1970s by farmer and biblical scholar Clarence Jordan. The concept of partnership housing was developed by Millard and Linda Fuller. Later, former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter embraced the cause. Now it works in all 50 U.S. stares and in more than 70 countries. It has helped 59 million people receive decent housing.
Since 1987, Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County has helped more than 650 families. The organization mobilizes volunteers and community partners to build entry-level, workforce housing and to promote homeownership. They also do repairs and home preservation projects for seniors and veterans. The affiliate serves the 12 cities and towns of the county in the northern part of the state.
The Mishawaka area was the center of attention in 2018 when 23 houses were built on Byrkit Avenue. The build brought the Carters, David Letterman, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks for the big construction week.
Jim served on the state board of Habitat Indiana from 2011-2017, and the county's organization received Habitat Indiana’s Large Affiliate of the Year Award in 2013 followed by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County’s Leighton Award for Nonprofit Excellence in 2015. In 2018, Williams was appointed to Habitat for Humanity International’s U.S. Council.
Missy Little, Habitat board chair; Mishawaka Mayor Dave Wood and Tim Sexton, associate vice president for public affairs, Notre Dame, all spoke of Jim’s vision and passion for Habitat.
Mayor Dave said that he has been blessed to be part of the Habitat journey and to know Jim. “I was known as the token Republican to Jimmy Carter” for the Mishawaka project. The mayor accepted the title and a chance to swing a hammer.
Tim Sexton said he “couldn’t be prouder of Jim and Notre Dame’s relationship with Habitat. The Habitat Club is the largest student club on campus.”
Notre Dame will be building seven homes in the next five years in the northeast neighborhood, all within walking distance of campus.
“He is a transformative leader. This work puts God’s love into action,” Missy said. “He has had a profound impact on Indiana.”
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A few side notes on people who deserve to be fondly remembered.
Cyd Maravolo was a community organizer, performer and go-getter. If she saw something wrong, she would talk and get it fixed. She was active in gardening, in theater and in local movie productions. If she had an idea, she didn’t see a reason not to carry it out. She died on Jan. 4.
People will remember her for a big laugh and personality.
Dennis Berg worked as a project engineer for the Indiana Department of Transportation. He said he wouldn’t retire until Capital Avenue was completed.
Dennis could build, fix anything and make you laugh. All at the same time. He died Jan. 24 at the age of 77. There was never a short story to Dennis. Somewhere, he is telling someone about how to build a bridge. The story will end with a laugh.
Jim Bilinski was basically cool. He was the cool cousin who played basketball at Washington High School and went on to IU to be cool there.
He died on Feb. 10 in a Chicago suburb. He was 74.
Through the years with a big family, we have lost track of the bits and pieces in our lives. At Jim’s funeral, we relearned about him being a good person, working with those who need a hand up and being involved. That’s what Jim did. It was still cool.
Contact Kathy at kfborlik@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Habitat for Humanity CEO given Sagamore of the Wabash award
