Repeatedly televised images teeming with poor New Orleans residents left homeless by Hurricane Katrina hammered home a message reminding the nation about the plight of those who are less well off -- especially in times of great need.
Habitat for Humanity International, an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing, and faith-based financial services organization Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have teamed up to literally drive home that very same point aboard the "Thrivent Builds Mobile."
The 48-foot semitrailer, full of video images, lighting, sound and moving parts, is designed to connect visitors physically and emotionally with the plight of the poor.
In the next 15 months, the multimedia show on wheels will motor to 120 communities offering reminders about how one out of seven poor people get by day after day in substandard housing without heat, hot water, electricity, a toilet, bathtub or shower -- often spending more than 50 percent of their income for little more than a roof over their heads.
While Thrivent Financial and Habitat for Humanity designed the experience to illustrate the emotional impact of substandard housing and the hope and dignity that comes with decent, affordable housing, the partnership also hopes to motivate more people to take action to help eliminate the problem.
"A decent, affordable home is the foundation of economic stability for most Americans," said Bruce Nicholson, Thrivent Financial chairman, president and chief executive officer.
The message couldn't be more timely. Conditions found in New Orleans exist many places elsewhere in the nation, far outside the boundaries of the Big Easy.
Substandard housing occupied by the poor affects more than 13 million American families. More than 13 million American households pay more than 50 percent of their income for housing. About 6.1 million U.S. households live in overcrowded conditions, where the number of people living in the house is greater than the total number of rooms in the house.
The trailer's interactive experience provides a "tour" of substandard housing, while showing what can be done to overcome it. The partnership -- a $100-million commitment -- aims to make possible the construction of 500 homes per year and engage 500,000 volunteers.
"We can talk about substandard housing until we're blue in the face," says Paul Leonard, chief executive officer of Habitat for Humanity International."
Inside the trailer, testimonials are framed with stage lighting and sound, moving doors and videos in a 12-minute experience.
"But sometimes words just aren't enough to cause people to care. When people visit this one-of-a-kind mobile education unit and experience substandard housing first hand, when they see what it looks like and feel what it feels like, I believe visitors will be forever changed and motivated to take action," Leonard added.
Along with the look and feel of substandard housing, the exhibit includes testimonials of those who've lived in substandard housing and provides information, statistics and context for why some people find themselves in this situation, which goes a long way to dispelling myths about the poor, who they are and where they live.
Another section exudes with hope in the voices of volunteers and Habitat home owners in a more cheery display of Habitat housing under construction and later dedicated.
The exhibit hopes to attract more individuals and organizations to address the issue of substandard housing through advocacy, donations and volunteerism.
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