Forsyth Community Builds Home for Cumming Family

Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia held a Dedication Ceremony for the Fields family whose home is located on Hammond Lane in the City of Cumming. It was a beautiful morning for the celebration and supporters from all over the community attended to share this moment with the Fields family.

“I want to thank all of the sponsors and volunteers who helped build our home,” said Melinda Fields. “This is truly a blessing for me and my family and we are so thankful to finally have a home to call our own.”

The home was built in partnership with Melinda Fields whose family includes her mother, Jewel, and two daughters, Hayley (19) and Briana (12). The family has faced many challenges over the years. As the sole income earner for the family, Melinda longed to provide a better home for her family. Melinda has worked for the last fifteen years for the Forsyth County School System as a paraprofessional teacher.

Habitat was able to build this home due to the generous contributions from the following local foundations, civic groups and businesses; Alcon, Cisco, Cumming First United Methodist Church, E*Trade Financial, Forsyth County Community Foundation, KeyWorth Bank, MedAssets, North Georgia United Methodist Housing & Homeless Council, the Patterson Barclay Foundation, PCL Industrial Construction Co., State Farm and Verizon Wireless.

“We are excited that the Forsyth County Community Foundation could give our first community grant to Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia and help provide the Fields’ family with a safe and affordable new home,” said Michelle Prater, Forsyth County Community Foundation CEO. “It was an honor to be a part of the dedication ceremony and to see first-hand how Habitat improves the lives of families in our community. FCCF is thrilled to be a part of creating lasting change in Forsyth County.”

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 277 homes serving an estimated 1,000 family members in the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties. Habitat-NCG does not give away its homes. Partner families, who earn 30% to 60% of the Atlanta area median income, purchase their homes at or near appraised value utilizing 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat. In addition, each partner family is required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of construction “sweat equity.” Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. Habitat-NCG’s slogan is “A Hand Up, Not a Handout.” For more information concerning Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.