INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — One of Indian River Habitat for Humanity’s more recent endeavors is the Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative (NRI), a program that provides repair, weatherization and painting for qualified Indian River County homeowners – not limited to Habitat homeowners – who are unable to do the work themselves. Habitat is known as a community leader in sustainable, affordable housing, and the NRI program significantly expands Habitat’s community outreach.
Well into its second year, the NRI recently completed a project for a well-known and respected member of the community. Especially to long-time residents, the name Victor Hart is virtually synonymous with a time in Indian River County history that was, at once troubling, exciting and, ultimately, transforming.
Hart is a Bahamian native who came to the area as a migrant worker at the beginning of the tumultuous, pivotal ‘60s. After moving to Gifford, Hart, a natural leader, wasted no time in becoming active in the community, quickly earned the nickname “Chief,” and founded, along with other like-minded citizens, (including his wife, the late Valerese Hart) The Progressive Civic League of Gifford Florida, Inc. In 1963, Hart co-founded the local chapter of the NAACP and served as its president for many years.
Over the years, this dedicated leader helped found the C.O.P.E. Commission, an auxiliary of the GPCL, which worked with the Sheriff’s Office to address various local issues and concerns. Hart has also served on the Florida Community Health Board, the Gifford Health Center Board, for which he is current president; and as chairman of the Juvenile Justice Council.
In the spring of 2011, after decades of championing his community, Hart found himself unable to perform much needed repairs on his home. Learning of his plight, Habitat clearly saw Hart’s predicament as a perfect fit for its NRI program.
In just under a month, Habitat’s NRI crew repaired/replaced Hart’s kitchen and dining floor; installed new, more spacious kitchen cabinets; and replaced the kitchen sink, fixtures, stove and fridge with new units.
Habitat Construction Services Manager Larry Gibson shared that Hart was “very happy, very grateful to Habitat. And he was especially pleased with the new, stronger, no longer creaky floors.”
After all the years Victor Hart has spent in dedicated service to his community, Indian River Habitat for Humanity is honored to be able to offer him a helping “hand up.”
