"It all started from a prayer request." -- Habitat Wake's first Board Chair, John Wilson
John Wilson had recently met a woman in Raleigh who was living in a tenant home on the edge of a larger property. "The house had no running water, and the windows were plastic. It was cold, and she was just in a terrible situation," John said. It was 1984.
John and his church community quickly began thinking and praying for ways they could engage the property owner—and then considered others who might be in similar situations around Wake County.
"That developed into thinking there should be a Habitat in the area," John said. "Some number of meetings, including one memorable one at Millbrook Baptist, led to inquiring about Habitat. We talked back and forth with the folks at the Georgia headquarters, and we started Heart of Carolina Habitat for Humanity, which was quickly changed to Habitat Wake."
To finalize the affiliate, representatives from the area were required to attend an in-person meeting in the fall of 1985. John and a few others made the drive up from North Carolina.
"We stayed in a convent in Brooklyn, and that was interesting. We went to meetings with folks from other affiliates across the country. Jimmy Carter was even there," John said. With that meeting's attendance and the documents delivered in person, Habitat Wake was officially recognized as a Habitat for Humanity affiliate.
When asked about the 40 years that followed, John paused for a chuckle. "When you get to be our age, it’s hard to believe we did anything 40 years ago. It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. It’s neat to see all the amazing things going on—larger subdivisions, incredible growth. Amazing to see all that and to know we had a teeny piece of impact in the very beginning. There’s something about supporting and helping something in its very beginning that’s powerful."
Beyond his work with Habitat Wake, John has co-founded other local organizations. He served as a founding board member for StepUp, which is dedicated to employment and life skills training. Since retiring, his main focus has been serving his church as an ordained deacon.
"I had to decide where I was going to put my energy. The church is the center of all the different work I’ve been a part of," John said.
As for the future of Habitat Wake, John returns to his core values. "I hope Habitat Wake can continue to grow and serve, and that everyone connected to it can know God working through us and the desire to honor our neighbor."
We are profoundly grateful to everyone who has contributed to Habitat Wake’s journey—from trailblazers like John to those who have joined along the way. Learn more about our organization here.