Jacomet and family break ground

Special day marks transformed life thanks to PCN, Habitat for Humanity

Originally published in the Piqua Daily Call March 17, 2014

By Bethany J. Royer

PIQUA — It’s about a hand up, not a handout, says Ann Hoover of the Piqua Compassion

Network (PCN) who teamed with Habitat for Humanity of Miami County for a groundbreaking

ceremony at the site of the future home of Jessica “JJ” Jacomet and her three children, Lexus,

Avery, and Ja’Tayla on Sunday.

Jacomet is a graduate of the PCN Getting Ahead program, which provides long-term training for

those who want to move from generational poverty into life stability. Three classes provided by

PCN at the Bethany Center on South Street include: Steps to Change, Parenting and Job

Readiness. And thanks to the Piqua United Way, the St. Anthony Foundation and the Paul G.

Duke Foundation will be able to offer two sequenced programs this year.

The program is aimed at people who may not have a 401k or necessarily own a car, for example,

and as explained by Hoover, with classes kept small — only 5 to 6 individuals at a time — so as

to build relationships and networks.

“It’s more than just money,” continued Hoover of the PCN class that focuses on finances and

another on gaining employment. “Poverty is simply not about a lack of money, it is about a life

skills set and a mind set that holds someone back.”

According to Hoover, the lack of employment had been a huge barrier for the mother of three,

but with the help of PCN and three mentors through the stability program Jacomet’s life has been

transformed. She is now the full-time manager of the Miami Valley Centre Mall Subway branch,

and thanks to the assurance and aid of her mentors, she made it through the application process

for her own home.

“You can do this!” Hoover said in echo of Jacomet’s mentors, who had encouraged her to sign

the Habitat for Humanity application and make a dream for her and her family a reality. The

future home on Boone Street will include a bedroom for each child and one for mom, two

bathrooms, an open kitchen-living room layout complete with a mud room leading to the back

deck and yard.

“My whole family can come,” said Jacomet who was very excited and emotional on what her

own home will provide for both her and her children, while also looking forward to cooking

meals for friends and family, spending time outdoors, and the opportunity to call something their

own.

Habitat for Humanity of Miami County builds affordable homes for low to moderate income

individuals, taking into consideration the economics of the family involved and the number of

children. And, as part of their stipulations, future homeowners must contribute time toward the

preparation/building of the home.

Jacomet will contribute 400 hours toward the project that should be move-in ready by the end of

August. The build days for the new home on Boone St., will be from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. every

Wednesday and Saturday beginning April 1. Those who may be interested in contributing time

toward the build are encouraged to contact Habitat for Humanity of Miami County or the Piqua

Compassion Network.

“Jessica has had to work very hard for this opportunity,” said Hoover, from managing finances to

putting in volunteer hours, along with the application process and her own employment. “Many

people think a Habitat home is a given thing, it is an earned thing.”

In fact, many make this mistake when it comes to a Habitat for Humanity home, the organization

a combination of institutions, from a construction company —given they do build houses— to

family services when seeking just the right partner family for a dwelling, to a financial institute

as the holder of mortgages, and even as a retailer with the Habitat for Humanity ReStores

offering new and gently used home furnishings, building materials, and appliances at a fraction

of the retail price.

Not only has Jacomet put in the hard work both on the job and as a volunteer, she is also giving

back as a mentor in the PCN getting ahead program or what Hoover states is being a model of

positive deviance — someone who has deviated from the norm and has now become an expert.

“Jessica has really become the expert,” said Hoover, and will share what she has learned and her

new-found knowledge with others.

“It’s kind of neat to be the role model,” agreed Jacomet on becoming a PCN program facilitator

and wanting to get the word out to others that there is hope and people who care. “Until I found

Piqua Compassion Network, I didn’t know anybody was out there. There are people out there

(who care).”

“Piqua is really amazing,” said Hoover, who has been with PCN for four of its seven years, and

has been a part of its move from basic needs assistance to getting ahead. “It’s a leap above crisis

assistance.”

Further explaining where other communities with a similar program seem to struggle for

mentors, Hoover says PCN has been blessed with a surplus as, “Piqua people really care.”

More information at www.pcncares.org and www.habitat.org.

Bethany J. Royer may be reached at (937) 773-2721 or on Twitter @TheDailyCall