Fayette County Habitat and the Wright Family: A Community Effort Bringing a Dream Home to Life
Fayette County Habitat for Humanity is delighted to share the latest milestone in the construction of the Wright family’s new home. This project has been a labor of love, and the spirit of community shines brightly as local businesses and volunteers unite to bring Johnny Wright and his children closer to their dream of a stable, safe, and loving home. With the siding just installed, the vision of a warm and welcoming future is rapidly becoming reality.
Johnny Wright, a devoted father to four children—Demarion (18), Dereon (10), Dylon (7), and Sydney (5)—has partnered with Habitat to build a better future. The family, currently living in a two-bedroom apartment, will soon move into a spacious new home designed to meet their needs and give them the comfort they deserve. Johnny, who works tirelessly as a lead prep chef at Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas and as an assistant cook at the Schulenburg Regency, is deeply committed to providing a secure and bright future for his children.
This home, built by the community for the Wright family, marks a new chapter of hope and stability for Johnny and his children.
Construction Progress: From the Ground Up
The home’s construction has been marked by steady and exciting progress. What started with a foundation has quickly become a structure full of promise. Here's an overview of the work that’s been done so far:
Dirt and Concrete Work: Joe Rodger and his team prepared the ground and poured the concrete foundation, ensuring a solid base for the home.
Framing: Habitat volunteers took charge of framing the walls and installing the trusses, giving the home its shape and structure. A big thanks to Anthony Lira for his crane work!
Sheathing and House Wrap: Volunteers also sheathed the walls and applied the house wrap to protect the home from the elements, ensuring that it will be weather-tight as the build progresses.
Roofing: Jef Brenner from American Shield Roofing provided his time and expertise to install a high-quality standing seam roof, which will provide long-lasting protection for the Wright family.
Windows and Doors: Volunteers hung all of the doors and windows in the home.
Plumbing and Electrical: Daniel Cernoch Plumbing completed the rough installation of the plumbing system and Kyle Adamcik did a beautiful job on the electrical rough-in.
HVAC Installation: Reeder’s Air Conditioning and Heating installed the HVAC system, ensuring that the home will remain comfortable year-round.
The construction team is looking forward to putting in insulation and hanging sheetrock, bringing the home closer to its final appearance.
Johnny and his eldest son, Demarion, have been hands-on throughout the process, working alongside Habitat volunteers on Thursdays. Their commitment has touched everyone on the site, and their presence makes the build even more meaningful.
A Community of Friendship and Support
This build isn’t just about construction—it’s about friendship, camaraderie, and the bonds that form when people come together to make a difference. The volunteers working on the Wright family home have shared countless stories, laughs, and experiences on-site, building not only walls but lasting relationships. The collective effort of volunteers and professionals has truly shown what can be achieved when a community rallies around a common goal.
No Habitat build would be complete without the incredible meals prepared for the hardworking volunteers, and this project has been no exception. Mary Behal and Jill Steuber, along with Johnny’s mother, Terri Wright, have organized and prepared meals that keep spirits high and workers energized.
Among the standout meals so far, Jill and Mary’s chicken noodle soup was the perfect remedy on a particularly cold day, warming both bodies and hearts while Ms. Terri’s famous gumbo earned its place as a fan favorite, creating one of the rare quiet moments on the job site—after all, "you can’t talk when you’re too busy eating!"
If you, your church, or your organization would like to contribute by providing meals for the volunteers, please contact Mary Behal at 979-9667054. Providing a meal is a great way to be part of the effort, even if you can’t be there to swing a hammer.
A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out: Habitat’s Homeownership Program
Fayette County Habitat for Humanity is committed to providing homeownership opportunities for families in need. Our approach is simple: we offer a hand up, not a handout. Partner families like the Wrights are required to provide “sweat equity”—a set number of hours spent working alongside volunteers on their own homes or other Habitat projects. This hands-on involvement ensures that they are fully invested in the process of building their futures.
Once the home is completed, families enter into a 0% interest, 30-year mortgage with Fayette County Habitat for Humanity, making their homeownership dreams a reality without the burden of high-interest rates. This affordable mortgage enables families to pay a reasonable amount each month while building equity in their home.
How You Can Help
Fayette County Habitat for Humanity invites the community to get involved in this transformative project. There are many ways to make a difference:
Construction Crew: Whether you have construction experience or are eager to learn, there’s always room for more hands on the job site. To join the work crew, contact Habitat at 210-816-0942
Donate: Financial contributions go directly toward building materials and supplies, helping to keep projects like this one moving forward. Donations can be made online or through the mail.
Shop and Donate: Visit Habitat Home Supply in Schulenburg to shop for great finds, donate items, or volunteer your time. Proceeds help to fund Habitat’s mission.
Volunteers: Rather it be serving on a committee, helping set up for an event, or helping cook meals for construction volunteers there are always ways for folks to get involved with Habitat.
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