Habitat Completes Three New Homes in Time for Spring

Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia recently held a Dedication Ceremony for three families at the Villages of Park Creek neighborhood in Woodstock on the border of Cherokee County and Fulton County. It was a beautiful morning and over 50 family members, sponsors, community members, and Habitat staff and board members attended the heart-warming ceremony.  The three families were overjoyed with the prospect of becoming homeowners and expressed extreme gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received over the last four months. They each had a chance to thank everyone who helped make their dream of homeownership come true. Many of the onlookers wiped away tears as each family talked about their emotional journey. 

The first home was built in partnership with Amir and Sameya Yousuf, who have six children between the ages of 2 and 11. Amir and Sameya moved from Ethiopia almost 30 years ago to start a new life and build a family.  Amir worked hard to earn a Liberal Arts degree and is employed as a taxi driver.  Their home was part of the annual ecumenical build and was sponsored by Mount Pisgah UMC, Saint Brigid Catholic Church and the Sawnee Electric Member Foundation. 

The second home was built in partnership with Takeesha Walker, mother of two children, Thomas (13) and Dylan (1).  Takeesha is a determined woman who works full time and attends college. She has been employed by a medical insurance company for eight years.  Her home was the second of the ecumenical builds which included the participation of eleven local churches including; Alpharetta First UMC, Hillside UMC & the North Georgia United Methodist Housing & Homeless Council, Mount Zion UMC, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Roswell Presbyterian Church, Roswell UMC, Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Saint James UMC, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and the Zion Missionary Baptist Church.

Habitat partnered with Jean and Paulone Dorcemon on the third home, who have one young son, Syesken.  Jean and Paulone are originally from Haiti. Jean came to the United States in 2004 and Paulone joined him when granted permanent residency after the devastating earthquake in
Haiti. Jean has been working at Wal-Mart for the last 7 years.  The new parents are thrilled and very appreciative of the opportunity to have their own home.  This home was sponsored by the Youth United Program which partners local high school and rotary clubs to raise funds to build a home. The following groups sponsored the Dorcemon home; Schoen Insulation Services, Atlanta International School, Blessed Trinity Catholic High School, Creekview High School, Etowah High School, Joe E. Johnston Foundation, Lambert High School, Milton High School, Mount Pisgah Christian School, Northview High School, Roswell High School, the Rotary Club of Canton, the Rotary Club of Roswell and the Rotary Club of Windward.

Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, 236 homes have been completed and over 850 family members have been served in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Each family is required to attend 10 educational classes and perform 300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 25% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes from Habitat which provides them with a 30-year, no-interest loan.  Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. These families not only get to experience the pride of homeownership but they also know that their lives will be changed forever. For more information on Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.