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Breylinger Leaving Highlands Habitat For Humanity Position

Jasmina Meyer/Highlands Today

Jane Breylinger, Executive Director of Highlands County Habitat for Humanity, helped establish the Habitat Home Supply store in downtown Sebring. After 15 years of working for Highlands County Habitat for Humanity she is going to begin working for Habitat in Desoto County.

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By Bill Rettew Jr. | Highlands Today

Published: June 7, 2008

SEBRING — Jane Breylinger was a stay-at-home-mom who needed some "me time" with other adults when she first volunteered to hammer nails for Highlands County Habitat for Humanity.

Breylinger then moved to the top rung of the ladder for Habitat in the county. She publicly announced last week that she is leaving her job as the county's executive director — after 15 years as a local Habitat employee — to become executive director at the DeSoto-Arcadia Habitat for Humanity.

She will make the 55-minute commute each way, three days per week, and continue to work from her Highlands County home, two days per week.

"They taught me," said Breylinger. Just three homes were constructed when she started. "I learned how to build them square and plumb and how to cut wood at different angles. I learned how to caulk so it looks good and shingle a roof."

Breylinger is still a regular visitor to the work site when Habitat homes are built, sometimes wearing a skirt and high heals.

"I love going to the sites and seeing how the build goes," said the mother of two daughters. "I love to touch base with the volunteers and let them know they are appreciated.

"I love to see the progress — how well we're building — to make sure we're proud of what we build. We build as if we were building it for ourselves."

Since Breylinger's volunteer days about 20 years ago, 117 Habitat homes were built in the county, with nine currently under construction. Breylinger said on Friday, from her office overlooking Commerce Avenue, that the faith-based organization now builds 20 homes a year.

What was then an all volunteer office when she started professionally for Habitat has become a smoothly running machine. Twenty-two paid workers and dozen of volunteers enable volunteers to work, learn and shine.

Breylinger oversees the thrift shop, which generates enough income to fully pay the local organization's overhead expenses — including employee salaries. She also runs the in-house mortgage company, a building company, leads the fundraising for the non-profit and is charged with homeowner education.

Breylinger and Habitat are on a mission to eliminate substandard are housing in the county through partnerships with home owners, volunteers and the county, by building simple, decent homes.

Homeowners are required to perform several hundred hours of sweat equity on a crew composed of both volunteers and pros. They take ownership of the home at its actual cost.

After working construction as a volunteer, Breylinger took an office job as the county's Habitat president for more than two years, moved to director of development or fundraising, then her current position as executive director.

The 52 -year-old said she was most proud to improve the quality of the construction. Homeowners can now better afford the cost of utilities in energy efficient homes with more curb appeal.

The organization is also more careful about who it accepts as new homeowners and continues to keep the lines of communication open with them.

"You can lose the personal effect on that person, and it can become rigid business," said Breylinger.
Clients continue to make mortgage payment at the non-profit's office, next to the Habitat thrift store. Education continues and staffers stay in touch with the homeowners.

President Jimmy Carte helped to start Habitat nationally. Breylinger worked on three projects with the elder statesman. She seemed she most impressed with the work ethic of First Lady Rosalynn who continues to work construction.

Locally, staffers attend Bible studies during staff meetings of the faith-based organization.
"We share Christ with the homeowners through our work and actions," said Breylinger.
The DeSoto–Arcadia Habitat job is similar to when Breylinger started in Highlands County.

The DeSoto County affiliate built four houses to date, was wiped out by the 2004 hurricanes, including their offices and thrift shop, with volunteers, supervisors and funding taken "totally on faith."

"There's no staff except volunteers," said Breylinger. "I'm going back to square one...but the board is fired up and ready."

Breylinger said she is excited to tackle a new challenge and referred to herself as a "grower."

"This affiliate has grown to where the job has changed. I liked what I was doing. I love taking an affiliate just started and being able to be helpful."

For information on Habitat, call, 385-7156.

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