Habitat Builds Home For Domestic Abuse Survivor, Children

On May 3, The Travelers Companies, Inc., a leading provider of property and casualty insurance, held a volunteer work day to help complete a home in Woodstock for the Akachi family. More than 25 Travelers employees, including CEO Alan Schnitzer and Regional President Henry Furtick, joined forces and spent the day painting the interior of the home and landscaping the yard. As a special gift, the volunteers built a garden in the back for the family to enjoy year round. The house is located in the Villages of Park Creek neighborhood in Woodstock. A ceremony will be held to dedicate the home to the family on May 21.

The Woodstock home is being built in partnership with Asha Akachi, who has three children: Akilimali, 14, Ato-Mbiro, 10, and Ayokunle, 6. Asha fled her home with her children after experiencing severe domestic violence. She received support services from the Cherokee Family Violence Center where she was able to transition from homelessness to a temporary apartment. On their path to healing, Asha and the children have graduated from counseling, developed a strong support system and are now having a second chance at life. Asha is enrolled in school and is pursuing her degree in nursing.

“I am blessed to have Travelers as a sponsor for my home,” said Akachi, Habitat homeowner. “The Travelers employees have been wonderful and helped so much in building my home.”

Travelers provided a $30,000 grant to Habitat to support the Akachi family home. Throughout the last three months, the company also has provided more than 70 employee volunteers to help build the home.

Through corporate funding and the Travelers Foundation, Travelers focuses on supporting academic and career success, developing thriving neighborhoods and enhancing lives through arts and culture. In 2015, Travelers contributed more than $200,000 to communities in Georgia, and Travelers employees donated more than 2,000 hours of their time toward important causes throughout the state.

“Having been a part of this Habitat build was an extraordinary experience, and Asha couldn’t be a more deserving person for this opportunity,” said Schnitzer. “Travelers is deeply committed to community service, and it’s truly gratifying to have played a small part in helping Asha and her family. We wish them the best in their new home.”

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 276 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.

About Travelers

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has approximately 30,000 employees and generated revenues of approximately $27 billion in 2015. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.