Member Spotlight
Henry Mancuso
We know you and Willie King had the vision for Project Build a Future over 20 years ago when you were the Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. What inspired your vision for Project Build a Future over 20 years ago?
I moved from St. Margaret Parish to Sacred Heart Parish in 1999. The move was less than two miles. There seemed to be a lack of quality affordable housing to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood around Sacred Heart. I read an article in the Houston Chronicle about a Houston Church that addressed a similar concern by forming a nonprofit organization to build new homes for first-time homeowners. I went to see Mayor Randy Roach who supported the idea and challenged me to be the one to do something about the issue. Having come to know Willie King as a "mover and a shaker" with an entrepreneurial spirit, I asked if he was interested in working with me to begin a nonprofit organization that might be able to build 10-12 homes around Sacred Heart Church. Twenty-three years later, 120 homes have been built and sold and more are in the planning stages.
Project Build a Future (PBAF) was chosen as the name of the organization as I believed home ownership was part of a hopeful future. PBAF builds hope by building houses. People will build the home.
Reading that article in the newspaper changed my life and my involvement in the Community of Lake Charles. Two people can accomplish more than one when they share a common spirit. Many people are willing to get involved when they see a worthy cause and results - not just words. Faith and ministry must flow from inside a church building into the streets surrounding a church.
Tell us one of your favorite stories about the positive impact of providing quality, affordable housing for first-time home buyers.
One of my favorite stories comes from the early stages of our work. A mother and her two children were moving into their new home when I stopped to visit. The son, a high school student, told me that for the first time in his life, he would have his own room. He was moving from his grandparents' home where he had been staying in the living room and sleeping on the couch. He spoke with such pride and delight, I will always remember that conversation.
In addition to being retired as a priest, a clerk with the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, and with the Charter Schools, what made you decide to take on more?
After retiring three times, I did nothing for about six weeks. Then, knowing I wanted to DO SOMETHING, I turned to volunteer work at Project Build a Future. It just so happened that PBAF was building their regular homes, establishing a subdivision on Fitzenreiter Road, committed to a special building effort in the Nellie Lutcher District, and the Mid-City Transformation effort. There were many ways to be involved. I was asked to serve as Project Manager for the development of Kingman Crossing on Fitzenreiter Road and quickly said "yes".
As a long-time annual CF member and someone actively involved in the Just Imagine planning, how do you see the catalytic projects positively impacting the community?
Somebody, some need, some project can serve as a catalyst for impacting a huge area and many people. I support the Community Foundation because of what I see as a commitment to building a better community for all people. With Just Imagine I see a challenge to put aside thinking that limits, to stay away from negative people, and to just imagine what could be if ..... Right now I am focusing on housing in the northern and mid-city parts of our community. Joined with committed people, government, and private enterprise, I know our entire community will be impacted from north, south, east, and west by the varied projects involved.
We know you love to travel. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been? Where are you headed to next?
Yes, travel is a favorite activity. This is something in my genes and inherited from my parents. Because of my heritage and the country's natural beauty, Italy is my favorite destination for travel. I have been fortunate to have traveled to Italy more than a dozen times. Florence, Venice, and Rome are favorite landing spots in Italy. In April I will travel to Egypt and Jordan, making these my 41st and 42nd countries to visit.