Things are looking up for three new Atlanta Habitat for Humanity homebuyers following their house dedications on February 25, 2017.
Since January, Mses. Lloyd, Haugabook and Slaton have worked alongside longtime Atlanta Habitat for Humanity partner Clark Howard—who leads the Team Clark Howard build with major support from MailChimp, Coupon Mom, the Dan and Merrie Boone Foundation—and 1,059 volunteers to build their new homes in the Dixie Hills community in northwest Atlanta.
Dedication day was a milestone for new homebuyer Haugabook and her three children. Speaking to the crowd of volunteers, relatives, sponsors, Atlanta Habitat board members and staff, Haugabook was humbled by her achievement: “Throughout my life I have had more downs than ups, but I never gave up,” says Haugabook, who works as a Certified Nursing Assistant. “It is now my time and my season, and I stand humbled today and grateful as I take this step on my journey to success.”
Atlanta Habitat expanded its mission last year to transform communities by acting as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization through education, partnerships, and by developing long-term relationships with families that go beyond the build. Each time a family becomes an Atlanta Habitat homeowner, they establish stability for their families to achieve other dreams.
“These seven weeks have been nothing short of amazing,” said Lloyd, who is a mother of three young boys. “I am forever grateful to Clark and all the volunteers. They have helped my boys and my dreams become a reality.” Lloyd has worked for UPS for more than 15 years and adds that buying her first home provides a solid foundation for her family.
Team Clark Howard has built 61 houses with Atlanta Habitat since 1996 for a total of 69 Habitat for Humanity homes across the nation. This year’s Team Clark build in Atlanta continues to impact families and to help Atlanta Habitat provide access to quality affordable housing in safe, vibrant neighborhoods.
“My daughter and I have been praying for a home that we can call our own, so we don’t’ have to keep moving,” says new homebuyer Slaton. “I am so thankful for everyone—Clark, the volunteers, and my family who came out to do this for me and my seven-year-old daughter.” Ms. Slaton has worked as a custodian for more than a decade. She is active in her church and volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club.
“We couldn’t do this without our wonderful sponsors—Clark and Lane Howard, MailChimp and the entire Team Clark. Atlanta Habitat appreciates these sponsors and the volunteers who invested nearly 8,000 hours into building these new homes!” says Lisa Y. Gordon, Atlanta Habitat President/CEO. “Atlanta Habitat aims always to be a good neighbor and to see families do well; and our communities thrive, and our sponsors and donors help us to achieve this goal. And, to have these three new families invest in this community as homebuyers is only the beginning of the transformative change that can happen through homeownership.”
The new homes are a short walk from the Verbena Place community, which has 37 Atlanta Habitat homes and is part of the nonprofit homebuilder’s broader focus and investment in Atlanta’s Westside communities. Atlanta Habitat also performs critical repair programs for homeowners in good standing and partners with organizations to engage in holistic neighborhood revitalization.
Also on Saturday, Howard dedicated each home in honor of William G. Woods, MD, director emeritus at the Aflac Cancer Center and Emory University; Donna Hall, vice president and market manager, Cox Media Group Atlanta Radio; and five dedicated volunteers who have served at the Consumer Action Center at WSB-TV Channel 2 for more than 10 years.
In 2016, Atlanta Habitat built 50 new homes and completed more than two dozen critical repair projects. The organization made an annual $6 million economic investment in Atlanta last year.
Atlanta Habitat for Humanity transforms communities through neighborhood revitalization, education, innovative development and partnerships. As one of the largest affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International, Atlanta Habitat has built more than 1,400 houses—impacting the lives of more than 5,000 families and 100 neighborhoods—since 1983. In addition to constructing affordable, green, quality homes, the nonprofit homebuilder also rehabs existing structures and performs minor repairs for qualifying homeowners. Houses are sold to first-time homebuyers through zero-interest mortgages in Atlanta and South Fulton County. Visit www.atlantahabitat.org.
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