Community Comes Together to Build Home for Family of Five

Last Saturday, Habitat North Central Georgia held a first nail ceremony for the Alqaraghuli-Yousif family whose home is being built on Heritage Row in Woodstock. The home will be built by volunteers from local congregations and businesses that have come together to support this deserving family of five. The home is due to be completed in March of 2017.

On this home, Habitat is partnering with Muayad Alqaraghuli and his wife Zainab Yousif and their three children, Adian (12), Aya (10) and Lamar (1). Three years ago, the family immigrated to the United States from war torn Iraq. Mr. Alqaraghuli was an electrical engineer and worked for the U.S Department of the Army of Baghdad. When the enemy learned that he worked for the Americans, his life and that of his family were threatened. After sending his family to the countryside, he moved onto the American forces compound. It took two years to receive refugee status and make their way to the United States. The family is grateful to Roswell Presbyterian Church for sponsoring them as refugees and helping to relocate them. Mr. Alqaraghuli has found employment as a custodial supervisor at a nearby high school and Mrs. Yousif is working part-time in the nursery at Roswell Presbyterian Church.

The Alqaraghuli-Yousif family’s home is being sponsored by the following local congregations, businesses and civic groups; Blessed Trinity High School, Canton First United Methodist Church, Cherokee Association of Realtors, Citrix, Contributions from Habitat Staff and Board Members, Creekview High School, Church of the Messiah, The Eyl family, Hillside United Methodist Church, In Memory of Mary Cordes Kelley, Joe E. Johnston Foundation, Knights of Columbus Council #11768 of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, North Georgia United Methodist Housing and Homeless Council, Roswell Presbyterian Church, St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, Windsong Properties, and Workday.

About Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia

Habitat for Humanity - North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low- to moderate-income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 286 homes serving over 1000 family members in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Each family is required to attend 6 educational classes and perform 200-300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 30% 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. In addition to new home construction, Habitat North Central Georgia started a home repair program in 2014. To date, 20 repair projects have been completed serving veterans and seniors. For more information on Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.