Santa Cruz Valley
Habitat for Humanity Tucson has worked in partnership with Sahuarita High School and volunteers from Green Valley, Sahuarita and Amado for many years to construct homes on campus that are eventually moved to their permanent location in Amado.
There is currently a home under construction at the High School. It is anticipated that it will be moved from the campus to a lot in Amado in late 2011 or early 2012. Volunteers will be recruited to put the finishing touches on it for a Habitat family.
Individuals are needed to help raise awareness about Habitat for Humanity Tucson in the communities of Green Valley, Sahuarita and Amado which, in turn, will help us recruit future homeowners, volunteers and the financial support needed to continue our construction program. If you are interested in participating in this type of activity, including everything from special events, booth sitting at community gatherings, and speaking to local organizations, please contact Maureen Vosburgh, Director of Philanthropy, at (520) 326-1217 ext. 211.
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Meet J. J. Swinney:
Habitat’s High School Program Shapes Future
Like a lot of high school students, J. J. Swinney didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. Growing up in the small town of Sahuarita, he had taken to partying with his friends for entertainment and wasn’t thinking much about his future or education.
Then he met Chuck Gallagher, a teacher at Sahuarita High School who convinced him to sign up for carpentry classes and participate in the Habitat for Humanity Tucson school build project.
Little did J. J. know then, but Mr. Gallagher and Habitat would permanently shape the course of his future.
Mr. Gallagher “was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had,” J. J. said. “He took his students under his wing and taught us something useful.”
He added, jokingly, “I think he likes a challenge.”
Carpentry classes became something J. J. looked forward to every day because it was tangible and he enjoyed working with his hands. Seeing progress on the Habitat home was also motivation to attend class.
After graduation, J. J. became a professional homebuilder. Over a ten year period, he framed over 100 homes for companies such as AmericaBuilt Communities and Johnson Manley. He has passed along his knowledge to his two younger brothers, who now both work in construction. And today, J. J. has returned to work for Habitat for Humanity, serving in a leadership capacity and overseeing crews of volunteers building homes.
What’s unique about working for Habitat, J. J. said, is that the homeowners are so excited to move in—they really appreciate the sweat that goes into each one. That isn’t always the case with other homeowners because “it’s really hard to make people happy.”
J. J. likes the challenge of working with volunteers, especially those who have had no construction experience at all. Through Habitat, J. J. has also worked with the women inmates from the Arizona Department of Corrections, a partnership that provides them with some basic skills so they can more easily return to the workforce upon release.
Carpentry is physically demanding work, but J. J. said he’s impressed with the women’s tenacity. “It’s exciting because they’re stepping into something brand new,” he added.
While holding down his full-time job with Habitat, J. J. attended the University of Phoenix, graduating in May 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is enrolled at the University of Arizona to pursue a master’s degree. In his free time he enjoys the company of his wife, Amber, and their daughter, Katelyn. Another baby is on the way, due in July.
“The school build is very important,” J. J. added, reflecting back on his high school years. “Had I not been given that opportunity, I would have headed in a different direction—maybe a downward spiral.”
J. J. Swinney
Check out our page on the Green Valley-Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse website here.
