Students from Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City, Mo., spent four days in June on a Mission Trip to Springfield to help blitz-build construction on a Habitat for Humanity house for a central Illinois family. The group stayed at Little Flower Parish, where they slept on air mattresses on the school floor.
When a friend suggested to Patty Redpath last year that she look into Habitat for Humanity as a possible way for the single mother of seven to move her family out of their double-wide mobile home into a house, Redpath's first thought was her income might make her ineligible. After all, with her master's degree and full-time employment as a county school social worker, the 48-year-old makes a decent living.
Over the last decade and a half the Springfield native chose to adopt each of her children from foster care. She knew what she was getting into, understood the challenges she would face, and says, "I would do it again in a heartbeat if I could." She knows one person can make a difference in the life of a child who might spend years in foster care.
Redpath's children, four boys and three girls, range in age from 17 to 2. Only her twin boy and girl are natural siblings. "I always wanted to be part of a large family," says Redpath, who created just that, a large family of their very own for her children.
She was raised by her paternal grandmother and her father, who worked multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. Redpath's older sister was mentally impaired. Redpath went to Catholic schools her entire life - Blessed Sacrament School, Ursuline Academy, Barat College in Lake Forest, and then Loyola University in Chicago. While in high school, Redpath was in foster care for part of those years.
Her decision to pursue a career in social work, and to get involved in foster care, came naturally, she says.
Two of Patty Redpath’s seven children watch as a backhoe digs the foundation for their Habitat for Humanity home in Springfield.
A strong support group of friends really helps her raise her large family. Friends often provide respite for her by volunteering to care for her children for awhile. Several of her children have Big Brothers and Big Sisters. For 12 years, her children have gone to Camp Hands Around the World to learn about African culture.
She's learned what to do to make it work for her children and for herself. "My faith has sustained me. I really, truly believe this is my calling," says Redpath. "I always pray that I have what I need to have. I really, really believe God has called me to do the work."
"When you think about it, what Redpath is doing in her life is exactly what we in Habitat are encouraging people to do - to help each other," said Diane Plummer, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County.
Members of the Church of the Little Flower in Springfield, where Redpath and her children are parishioners, worked with Habitat to raise $25,000 to build Habitat House #75 for the Patty Redpath family. Lead partners in the project include AIG American General, Midwest Technical Institute, the Wells Fargo Foundation, Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and the TJ Hogan Memorial Fund. Other essential assistance has been received from ABC Club, Closet Designs, Crawford, Murphy & Tilley, GutterMasters, IBEW Local 193, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Painters District Council 58 and Local Union 90, Sandtrap Tavern, Springfield Electric, Springfield Rotary Foundation, St. Agnes Parish, and TD Crane Service.
Over 200 volunteers from Little Flower, St. Agnes Parish, Kohl's Department Store, Southside Christian Church, Sangamon County Area Special Education Office (where Redpath works), and Girard schools have signed up to work on the house.
The house will be the largest built by Habitat of Sangamon County. Monetary and in-kind donations were collected and contributions are still welcome.
Father Chuck Edwards, former pastor at Little Flower, presided at the site dedication in June. An all-day blitz build to jumpstart construction was held June 19-21 and again on June 27-28. The regular volunteer/construction schedule operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., until the home is complete this fall.
"The parish has been incredible. This truly is my parish, my family. A lot of people now come up to tell me, ‘Before I knew you, I wondered why, why would you want this?' Now they know me, they understand," says Redpath.
Moving from their mobile home to a house that Redpath can afford is like a dream come true for her, she said. "I am just so grateful to everyone for all the time and effort they have put into this."
Anyone interested in becoming involved in the Habitat project, should contact the Habitat for Humanity of Sangamon County office at (217) 523-2710, ext. 13 for further information or to inquire about making a contribution.
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