Elizabeth “Liz” Dyer is a native of Baton Rouge, but it’s been volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity Greater Baton Rouge and Capital Area CASA that’s opened her eyes to the many needs and challenges within her hometown. Beginning in January 2025, she’ll serve as President of the Board of Directors for Habitat. She first connected with the organization fifteen years ago while in graduate school for architecture, attending builds organized by AIA Baton Rouge and AIAS, the student organization. “I just kept going from there,” said Liz.
Tipton team member Bryon Hume had previously served on the Habitat board and nominated Liz to join when his term expired in January 2021. “I’ve learned a lot about how the process works,” said Liz. “I’d been out in the field and saw how volunteers build on site but didn’t know the ins and outs and how much work homeowners put into getting the house ahead of time.” Homeowners have to meet certain criteria, including attending financial literacy classes and completing 255 hours of sweat equity. “Everyone who’s a homeowner has put in a lot of time helping others achieve homeownership, whether in the field or working in the ReStore.” When Liz joined the Board, operations were still heavily impacted by COVID precautions. “A lot of challenges came from that: supply chain, the amount of volunteers that could be on site together, remote meetings. It’s been great transitioning out of that back into an in-person environment.”
The Board developed a Strategic Plan recently, and as Liz begins her term as President, initiatives include finding additional sources of funding to address rising costs, growing Habitat’s land bank of potential lots in Baton Rouge, and expanding partnerships. “Another big initiative in the past few years has been increasing our Critical Home Repair Program,” said Liz. “If you volunteer and go out to a site, you’ll be at a New Build. The Critical Home Repair is for existing homes that are badly in need of repairs. There’s a big need and a big backlog. We’d like to be able to partner with different groups to get more repairs done each year.”
Why has Liz stayed connected to Habitat all these years? “It’s the sense of being part of our larger community,” she said. “Everyone involved with Habitat is truly mission-driven, working together with the goal of eliminating poverty housing. It’s really inspiring. I love stepping out of the office and spending time on site. I’ve made some great friends and mentors along the way. It’s also rewarding when I can share my expertise as an architect through design opportunities.”
Liz is co-chair of Tipton’s Community Outreach Committee, along with Taylor Saxena. This year, the committee did conceptual planning to brand the Habitat office. “We’ve designed a nice environment for homeowners and partners to feel comfortable when they visit and as they learn about the program. We want the office to tell the story of Habitat. As soon as people walk in, they can start to understand what the values and mission are.”
The committee is also in early stages of planning and redesigns for two of Habitat’s ReStore locations.
Liz’s volunteer work does not stop with Habitat. This past year, she completed training with Capital Area CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which allows her to support and serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in the foster care system. Tipton designed the Capital Area CASA office and has continued to support the organization. “When I took over the Community Outreach committee,” said Liz, “I met with a bunch of Tipton’s past partners. When I met with CASA and learned about what they do for all the children in foster care in the community, I thought, I would really like to do that one day.”
Since 1992, over 1,500 CASA volunteers have provided a voice in court for 3,667 abused children in East Baton Rouge Parish. Volunteers sign up for a minimum of a year. “Children in foster care have a lawyer and a DCFS agent. Everyone has a lot of cases, and everyone is busy. With CASA you get to know the child, learn about their case, and be an advocate for them. Every child that has a CASA has someone that joins them for family meetings and court hearings, and serves as a consistent adult in their life that can advocate for their best interests.”
Learn more about Habitat for Humanity for Greater Baton Rouge (habitatbrla.org) and Capital Area CASA (casabr.org).