TESTIMONIALS
A sampling of what some have had to say about The Fuller Center for Housing
Homeowner partners
We built our home. We worked here every day for a long time. Just knowing what goes into that, the sweat equity is more than just sweat equity. It’s a pride and a sense of ownership that you can’t otherwise get.
Rachel Henderson
Warrensburg, Missouri
Programs like the Fuller Center remind me how fortunate we are to live in a community where people truly care about each other. It means everything to know there are people willing to help when you need it
Frank Ori,
Greater Blessing partner in Price, Utah
The Fuller Center is just the hands and feet of God, and they're doing His work. ... Sometimes you just feel so unqualified or so unworthy of things, but I had so many people there cheering me on and supporting me. It made me feel like I was worthy of a wonderful thing.
Kathryn Rider,
became a homeowner partner in Ekron, Kentucky, after overcoming addiction
For my family, and especially for my granddaughter, it’s going to be a great benefit because they are going to be safe in a decent home. I never imagined that I was ever going to have my own home. I’m really grateful, first of all, to God, and to everyone from The Fuller Center for Housing. I never imagined that I would ever have a safe house for me and for my family.
Martha,
homeowner partner in El Salvador who is helping raise a young granddaughter with leukemia
You see all the hate that's one the news, and you miss out on all the good love that's out there. This tells me there's more love in the world than hate. This is a miracle!
Napoleon Darby,
homeowner partner whose previous home was destroyed by a tornado in Alabama
It’s been nice to see everything kind of being rebuilt from the ground up, and it’s fun to see everyone’s kind of personal touch to it. I know it’s brought the community, our whole neighborhood back together. I think there’s an even stronger sense of community now. ... There are no words to truly express how grateful I am that the Disaster ReBuilders and volunteers have really put in the work and dedication for our neighborhood specifically,
Elizabeth Barker,
one of multiple homeowners in Swannanoa, N.C., whose homes were rebuilt or restored after Hurricane Helene
This home is more than a blessing — it is a testimony that hard seasons don’t have the final word. Faith, perseverance, and community support can change a family’s story. ... This home represents restoration, responsibility, and a fresh start. It represents prayers answered — not just for a house, but for healing.
Amanda Gilmore,
Monett, Missouri
Many people have stepped up and are giving of themselves, and in some cases, I’m a complete stranger,. They only know I need help. I feel so blessed and loved. I will forever look out my windows and see the light of Christ and tend to my yard with a thankful heart.
Becky Oberg,
Greater Blessing partner in Payson, Utah
I sleep better, and we are happier,. And now my friends can visit.
Laura,
whose family moved from a dangerous shark to a new home in Pignon, Haiti
It’s like a new beginning and a start-over for me. Instead of turning the next page, I’m closing a book and starting a new one. That house is going to be mine, and that’s very good to say.
Katy Arnold,
mother of three in Indianapolis
Having our house gave stability and security to everyone in my family. We are very happy and grateful. This home helped me see the positive side of everything and persist in the face of problems.
Zuinmy Tarazona,
grew up in our first Fuller Center home in Peru; now a college graduate
It's not a handout — it's the best opportunity I've had to own something that's affordable without having to pay a whole lot of ridiculous interest.
Charles Smith,
veteran in Shreveport, Louisiana
It's just blessings on top of blessings. These are God-fearing people. I grew up in the church, singing in the choir, so it means something extra that these are Christian people who are helping.
Rita Rowland,
veteran in West Point, Georgia
I'm really seeing the effect on our kids. I'm seeing our kids do well in school. I'm seeing our kids do well socially. I'm amazed. I feel very blessed.
Kendra Singleton,
Louisville, Kentucky
Every night I thank God for The Fuller Center. I'm so appreciative. To see it now is just amazing. I wake up every day, and I'm amazed — every day.
Cathy Carrier,
Sulphur, Louisiana
The American Dream didn't apply to me. Life was just one long day. But when The Fuller Center for Housing came along, I knew I was going to have a tomorrow.
Thad Harris,
Americus, Georgia (Thad far surpassed his required sweat equity working from his wheelchair and has been a volunteer ever since.)
I always wanted to have a house with walls because on Mother's Day my daughters would give me pictures, but I didn't have any place to hang them because the house was made of sticks. Now I can hang them up. I thought I would die without ever having a house with walls.
Petrona,
Las Peñitas, Nicaragua
Volunteers & supporters
I just think it’s important — and not only just for the families, but also the community. It shows that the community cares. When a house is built, the community is immediately better. Health is better. Crime goes down. Taxes are paid. It’s just a general sense of pride and accomplishment. It takes away the blight that’s in the city. It’s a win-win for everybody.
Marcus Johnson,
who spent his teen years in a Habitat for Humanity house owned by his grandmother and now volunteers with The Fuller Center
That bridging from going to church and taking somebody with us on one hand and demonstrating what Christ told us to do is a very difficult thing to tie together. But Millard Fuller taught me how it could be done.
Jimmy Carter,
39th President of the United States
Everybody you meet all has that same heart. When they finally get their home and they see it going up and you just feel that joy, it just gives you goosebumps sometimes. It's just such a beautiful thing to see and so appreciative and so grateful. Still, it’s like I get more out of a build than they do.
Gretchen Heilman,
Global Builders volunteer
Doing this kind of work combines my two greatest loves — helping people and making things. I get the satisfaction of a job well done and the satisfaction of knowing I’ve helped someone.
William Skidmore,
Eagle Scout and volunteer from Johns Creek Baptist Church (Georgia)
I like that we very subtly share our Christian faith by being the hands and feet of Jesus. Everybody there is at a different level in their walk with Jesus. Some are very outgoing with wanting to pray, and others are more reserved. And there are some who go on the bike rides who don’t have a relationship with Jesus at all, but everybody just comes together to serve and is accepting. The light of Jesus just shines, and it’s such a very positive experience.
Nancy Fish,
volunteer & Bicycle Adventurer
It's been a lot of heavy work and a lot of sweating, but I've built some friendships, and we’re building character. And, it's just nice to help people. I'm speechless. It is so beautiful and so much bigger and greater than I imagined that all of us students could do.
Maddie Taylor,
2026 Outstanding Scholar at Georgia Southwestern State University
There were Democrats and Republicans out here working together, with joy, and getting things done. Our country could learn a lot from what happened here the past three weeks.
Cauley Bowen,
Volunteer in Fitzgerald, Georgia
We don't get roped into it. We just get Fuller Fever. Once you've been on a build project on the Bike Adventure—and we almost regularly stop once a week and do a build project—it's just so exciting to do that. We develop so much camaraderie doing that. I think people have found out more and more that it's such a great thing to come and do the builds, as well.
Diane Bies,
Bicycle Adventurer and volunteer
It's amazing. I almost want to cry every day with joy because it's so meaningful and special to see how we're improving their lives. It's something I will carry with me forever.
Brandi Heamon,
Global Builders volunteer
The best thing is when you get to meet the families, especially when the families are working alongside you. You don’t see that if you go as a tourist. You don’t see how people live.
Vicki Steinwurtzel,
volunteer
It is an island of hope, of faith in a world that is running away from God as fast as they can. And here He is! We’re not just here to build a house; we’re here to spread the word of God — demonstrating His love through the hammer.
Chuck Ingraham,
veteran volunteer and house captain
It fills your chest — it fills your heart. It feels good to be with people who have a common goal that is helping, making sure that everyone has the opportunity to call a place home.
Camilo Leal,
homeowner partner from New Jersey who became a repeat volunteer at multiple builds in other states
I love the ethos of this charity. It's not a handout — it's a hand-UP, giving something back to people who have lost their homes or perhaps their pride, confidence or ability.
Tim Bruce,
volunteer and Bicycle Adventurer from England
You'd be really surprised how quickly you take value in your work once you start putting the first couple of brush strokes down. All of the sudden, I feel like we have a common goal. It's been really cool to get hands-on. I haven't gotten enough paint on me yet.
John Mayer,
Grammy-winning musician who helped build homes for veterans in Shreveport, Louisiana (He also brought along some fans to volunteer.)
It's honestly a blessing, and it's important to my faith because we're doing what Jesus would do. We're loving others, but we're actually doing it with action. There is no greater feeling than helping others.
Karlee Patterson,
volunteer with an Erin's Gift of Hope team from New Jersey
I always receive way more than I give. The feeling of being part of a team that provides a new home for a deserving family is not easily described. Wonderful, awesome and fantastic are words that come to mind, but somehow those words are not enough.
Kaye Hooker,
Grandville, Michigan
I like the idea that you're helping people make their lives better — not with a handout but with a hand-UP. To me, this isn't charity — it's being part of a community.
Mary Ann Hernandez,
Jackson Heights, NY