Angelique Nesbitt turned 40 this year. She recently looked back at a diary entry and was reminded of a goal she had set for herself: to be a licensed practical nurse and a homeowner by the time she reached that milestone.
The mother of six plans to graduate with her nursing degree in December, and her new five-bedroom home is nearing completion, through a partnership between Whirlpool Corporation, the Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County.
The build continued a collaboration with Whirlpool Corporation, a key corporate partner for Kelley, that began in 2010. This is the fourth home in Bloomington’s Osage Place neighborhood — and 14th overall — that has been built through the partnership.
More than 3,200 IU students, staff, faculty and alumni have come together over the years to build homes alongside Monroe County families.
Nesbitt and her family symbolically received keys to their home Oct. 19, at a ceremony at the build site and on the field at Memorial Stadium before IU’s homecoming football game against the University of Nebraska.
Build site as a classroom for life lessons
Many students participating in the build are involved with the Kelley Institute for Social Impact, a hub for socially conscious undergraduate students who want to make a difference in local and global communities through education, service, career development and leadership opportunities.
“This build provides our students, faculty and staff with an opportunity to put into action the values that we stress at the Kelley School and rewards us when we see the impact that it has on a local family,” said Ash Soni, dean of the Kelley School and the Sungkyunkwan Professor. “Whirlpool Corporation is one of today’s most socially responsible companies. This experience enables our students to see how a company that cares and has a commitment to principles can positively impact the lives of others.”
This was the first time that Kofi Bugyei, a sophomore majoring in accounting from Chicago, had ever been involved with a construction project.
“The most fun part is learning on the job,” he said. “I’ve never been part of building a house before, and two hours later I can confidently say I know how to side a house!”
“This experience means that I’m getting to give back to a community that has given me a second home, which I think is perfectly fitting,” said Hala Ansari, a junior from Granger, Indiana, who is majoring in finance. “It is incredibly important that Kelley teaches its students practical ways to implement philanthropy at the corporate level, because a large portion of its students are preparing to be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Working on Nesbitt’s home was a continuation of what student Conor Daniels did over the summer, when he spent more than 370 hours volunteering with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, building affordable housing in Durango, Colorado.
“I really enjoy getting to watch the progress I am able to make toward the overall completion of the house,” said Daniels, a junior from Carmel, Indiana, majoring in economic consulting and business analytics. “I hope to continue to work with Habitat builds and encourage my co-workers to take part in them with me.”
Local volunteers and Soni were joined at the dedication by current and retired Whirlpool Corporation executives. They include Kelley alumni such as retired CEO Jeff Fettig, who earned a bachelor’s degree and MBA from IU before joining the company in 1981; and Jim Peters, a 1998 MBA graduate who is the company’s executive vice president and chief financial and administrative officer.
A new home with sustainable features
Nesbitt’s new climate-resilient and energy-efficient home is being built through BuildBetter with Whirlpool. The initiative aims to deliver an average of 45% predicted energy-cost savings per family, compared to code-built homes, and a 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per home.
As a result of prior efforts through the initiative, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County recently received a $250,000 grant from the City of Bloomington. Combined with private donations, the organization has raised nearly $300,000 to install solar panels on 30 homes.
“We’re thrilled the BuildBetter with Whirlpool program is delivering energy-efficient homes and inspiring even more sustainable actions like the city’s grant to support solar panels,” Peters said. “And as an IU grad, working side by side with the homeowners, students and community members to build sustainable homes makes me incredibly proud of the work Whirlpool has done and continues to do in Bloomington.”
Homecoming takes on new meaning
Families qualify for the Habitat program based on three criteria: need for housing, ability to pay back their affordable mortgage and a willingness to partner. Each adult member living in a Habitat home must invest 250 hours of volunteering, called “sweat equity” before closing on their house.
As she’s met those requirements, Nesbitt also held a part-time job and worked toward completing her nursing degree and its clinical requirements.
“At first, I thought, ‘Do I really want to do this?’” she said. “But then I reminded myself, ‘It will be done by 40.’ I have no idea how I am doing all of this, but I am doing it — me and God.
“This time next year, I’ll thank myself for it.”
Since its founding in 1988, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County has housed over 863 individuals, including more than 493 children, averaging eight to 10 homes built each year.
“Habitat’s work is about building hope and opportunity, as seen in our partnership with Angelique and her family,” said Wendi Goodlett, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. “Not only will they gain a place to call home, but we know homeownership has a long-lasting, generational impact. Whirlpool’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and their 25 years of support for Habitat, including generous donations of energy-efficient appliances, have greatly impacted our community and countless families like Angelique’s.”
Nesbitt said she is looking forward to the stability that home ownership provides, after years of renting and receiving public assistance. The assistance fluctuates, which has led to frequent relocations that were difficult for her children, who constantly had to adapt to new environments.
“Anytime you are on any assistance, you have to move a lot,” she said. “It’s not necessarily hard to find a place; it’s just finding a place where you can stay.”
In addition to the repeated moves, unscheduled maintenance visits and the inability to fully personalize their living spaces have kept her family from ever feeling truly at home.
“I’m always reminded that my place isn’t really mine,” Nesbitt said.
She said she appreciates the support she has received, including from the many who are involved in building her home.
“That restores your faith in humanity,” she said. “We see so much bad, and the good that’s come from this is overwhelming.”