‘Hands and Hearts Together’ Help Frame Homes in The Village

Despite the early rain on Sept. 19, 2025, over 30 employees from Johnson & Associates LLC (J&A) joined volunteers from local Lutheran churches to help frame two new and affordable Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) homes in The Village, Oklahoma City.

Volunteers were dressed in the civil engineering firm’s blue T-shirts, while those from the Lord of Life Lutheran Church wore maroon. They all arrived ready to help COHFH’s construction crew frame several new homes. The effort came almost three years after Our Lord’s Lutheran Church donated the land to Habitat.

KFOR-TV covered the construction, showing volunteers raising walls and celebrating with Habitat staff. The station interviewed Mark Zitzow, J&A’s principal urban planner.

“It’s inspiring to see what faith and community can accomplish when we put our hands and hearts together,” Zitzow said. “These homes will bless families for generations.”

Future homeowner Donna M. also helped during the framing event, fulfilling part of her 100-hour volunteer commitment to build her own and others’ homes with Habitat. She told KFOR TV’s videographer that she’s “happy” to see her house taking shape.

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland called the day a “blessed event.”

“We’re thrilled to finally build the land generously donated by Our Lord’s Lutheran Church,” Felton Gilliland said. “The church family, their volunteers and our partners at J&A made this possible. Together, they’re helping three families move closer to their goal of homeownership.”

Despite initial delays, Habitat worked closely with city leaders and neighbors to reassure the community. COHFH successfully addressed infrastructure issues by extending sewer lines and implementing other improvements, including the construction of a detention pond. J&A also contributed over $43,000 to the project and provided pro bono engineering services, while also helping to address community questions.

“Building these beautiful, energy-efficient new homes has been a long time coming, and we’re so grateful to our partners, volunteers and community leaders,” Felton Gilliland said. “We’re excited to launch this small, affordable housing community for our future homeowners.”