Volunteers come from near and far to build two new Habitat homes

In October, two families saw the start of their new Habitat for Humanity homes in northeast Forsyth County. The excitement of the hammering of the first nail was felt by all, particularly the homeowners, Jennefer and Jeremy Stephens, and Dwaine Davenport and Copen Kendrick, and their children.

Over the course of this two-house build, volunteers will travel from local, national and international regions to work for the common goal of building decent, affordable housing for two hard-working families in need of secure shelter. These volunteers will work side by side with the families, long-time regular volunteers, and paid staff to frame, hang drywall, install siding, paint and landscape the homes, all the while building relationships and camaraderie with others from different faiths, races, and social and economic backgrounds.

Helping to support the families’ efforts to achieve home ownership, Cisco is providing funding and volunteers from their national and international Americas Sales Team for the Stephens’ Home. Teams of Cisco employees are arriving weekly over the course of the build. “We’re driven every day to enable our customers through technology – but that passion to serve doesn’t stop when the work day ends,” said Jeff Sharritts, senior vice president and head of Cisco’s Americas Sales organization. “Our team thrives on opportunities like this one to be the light and make an impact in our communities, so it is an absolute privilege to be able to partner with Habitat for Humanity and build this home for the Stephens family.”

Three high schools, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Northbrook United Methodist Church, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, Saint James United Methodist Church, and Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church are partnering together for our annual ecumenical project to build with the Davenport/Kendrick Family. Jason Zemke, Connect Pastor at Mount Pisgah UMC states “I am excited by the way people respond to a need. Having volunteers who are willing to give of themselves and their time to partner with a future homeowner is a beautiful reminder of the kingdom of God at work. Partnering together with Habitat for Humanity, the homeowners, local churches and businesses in this area is a reminder that God is still active and at work in our community and our lives for the glory of God’s kingdom.“

The two families were chosen from a pool of close to 100 applicants. Not only did these families have to demonstrate a need, meet strict income guidelines, and pass rigorous background and credit checks, but they are also providing 200 hours of “sweat equity” by working on their home and the other homes of partner families.

Picture 1: The first nail ceremony of the Stephens Family home in Northeast Forsyth County was held on October 27, 2018.

Picture 2: The first nail ceremony of the Davenport Kendrick Family home in Northeast Forsyth County was held on October 27, 2018.

About Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable housing for purchase by low- to moderate-income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has built or rehabbed over 300 homes in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Partner families are required to attend educational classes related to homeownership and perform 200 sweat equity hours; they earn between 30% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes through a 30-year, no-interest loan financed by Habitat-NCG. In 2014, Habitat-NCG started a home repair program targeted primarily at veterans and seniors. To date, 54 repair projects have been completed, bringing the total number of persons served by the ministry to over 1300, including more than 750 children. For more information regarding Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.