By Dan Murphy
The Fuller Center for Housing of Greater NYC, and its leader in Westchester, Jim Killoran, has survived the Pandemic and continues in its mission to build affordable home ownership for Veterans, Seniors and the lower middle class in the county. And over the next week, Killoran and the Fuller Center will hold its annual MLK Build a Thon from Saturday, January 16 to Sunday, Jan. 24.
This will be an opportunity for Westchester residents to step up and vounteer, (no building experience necessary). This was also an opportunity to catch up with Killoran, who has spent the last three decades helping Westchester residents stay in their homes, and giving home ownership to young families who never could afford a Westchester house without him.
Like every non profit and business in Westchester, the Coronavirus has affected Killoran and The Fuller Center for Housing. “We have had 700 volunteers since COVID. We usually have 3500. Most of our work is outside, where you can social distance from each other. It’s a safe way to get out and help us help others. Everyone deserves a simple home to live in,” said Killoran.
Young volunteers continue to come forward and help Killoran. They come from Iona College and Manhattanville College. And from many Westchester High Schools, including Byram Hills High School, Mamaroneck High School, and Fox Lane High School.
IBM has sent a crew of volunteers for many years and continues to do so. Local churches and synagogues of all denominations have come to help Killoran build a house. “If you asked me last March, I wasn’t sure that we could survive, but we made it and we continue to do some good, with the help of the people of Westchester, local corporations and generous donors.
We think the pandemic has given us a chance to think about what the important things in life are. We are still doing gods greater blessings by building houses.”
Killoran also steps forward to help homeowners, usually seniors who have lived in Westchester for generations, to help repair their homes so that they don’t have to move out. A recent letter from the Town of Lewisboro thanked The Fuller Center for their work rehabbing a senior’s house.
“This pandemic has upended all of our lives. Most of us are stuck at home. We give you a chance to get out, volunteer, and get away from home for a while and do some good. COVID is here with us but the need for affordable homes in Westchester continues to grow. We want our young people also to be able to stay here and not have to move to Texas.”
“We have been holding our MLK Build a Thon for 20 years, to honor his life and his dream. Our dream comes when we can build a home for someone and watch them sign that mortgage. We have a dream that everyone can have a decent home. We will be doing it all week and come one and all. The more the merrier,” said Killoran.
This year’s Build a Thon will honor Keith Yizar, a longtime Mamaroneck resident who was a fixture in the community and a model citizen for decades. Every month, The Fuller Center will honor a volunteer who helped bring home ownership to others. John Gallagher helped build 8 homes in Ossining and was the first monthly honoree.
The beauty of Jim Killoran and The Fuller Center for Housing, named after Millard and Linda Fuller who used their wealth to start building housing for others in 50 years ago, and were friends with former President Jimmy Carter, is that he is always building, or looking for a place to build his next affordable home, or asking for your help.
“Our motto this year is Blessed and Fun in 2021! Come out and socially distance build. We already have the Inter Relig Council, Iona College, Monroe College, the Church of Latter-day Saints, Mamaroneck high school, and Temple Israel have signed up to help us in what kicks off our year to celebrate all faiths, colors, and ethnicities in the “Theology of the Hammer.”
For more information visit https://www.fullercenterny.org/ or call 914-636-8335.
