Gina Elkins considered herself the coach of the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity team.
The nonprofit organization’s board of directors viewed her instead as a Master Gardener, “watering and feeding us, and even at times, pruning our branches so we would grow as we should,” said Marian Fields, the board’s president.
The board presented Elkins, 40, with a tree of life Thursday afternoon as Elkins departs the organization after serving as its executive director for six years.
She will now serve as the state of Indiana’s Habitat for Humanity director, adding to her 12 years of Habitat experience.
Former board member Pat Turner will serve as interim executive director for about two months as board members interview director candidates.
“We did this together. You give me too much credit,” Elkins said as she accepted the tree, which a Haitian artist created from a recycled oil drum. Truman Heritage pays 10 percent of its contributions to build Habitat houses for needy people in Haiti. “You are the light in a world filled with darkness.”
Elkins joined the staff in January 2004 shortly after the Three Trails Habitat for Humanity and the Eastern Jackson County Habitat for Humanity merged to create the Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity. According to Elkins and multiple Truman Heritage board members, about one or two houses were built annually six years ago. In 2009, the organization completed nearly seven houses for families in need.
Within four years, the organization’s strategic plan calls to build at least 10 houses annually.
“They are going to make it,” Elkins said, smiling.
As Habitat organizations grow in size, they often lose Habitat’s ministerial influence, “which is keeping God in the center and building simple, decent housing,” Elkins said.
“In all things that we do, put the people first and the houses second,” she said. “Our board is committed to continuing that mission, so I really do believe we’ll be able to get bigger and continue that ministry.”
Two Eastern Jackson County families that Habitat served visited Elkins on Thursday to tell her goodbye. Two Habitat homeowners, Gerardo Martinez and Shoneitta Brown, also serve on the board of directors.
“That makes me feel so great that the folks we serve are still very deeply invested in what happens here,” Elkins said. “One of the greatest ways to tell if an affiliate is healthy is, do their homeowners still maintain relationships? Our homeowners still want to be involved, which I think tells you the strength of this organization.”
Independence, MO —
