Local Churches Partner to Build Home in Woodstock

Last Saturday, Habitat North Central Georgia held a first nail ceremony for the Dawson family whose home is being built on Reece Road in Woodstock. This will be the first of two homes built on this street. The home will be built by volunteers from local congregations who come together twice a year for a common purchase, to provide affordable housing to families in their community. This ecumenical effort has been a tradition for over fifteen years with Habitat North Central Georgia.

On this home, Habitat is partnering with Dane and Brittany Dawson, longtime residents of Cherokee County. The couple has two young children; Rhett (5) and Brandi (2). Dane Dawson is a veteran and served in the Army National Guard for six years. For the last four years, he has worked with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office. Brittany Dawson is a stay at home mom caring for their two children. The Dawson family’s home is due to be completed in February of 2017.

Dane and Brittany Dawson were overwhelmed by the show of support from the congregations. “I cannot express how much we appreciate everyone who will be helping to build our home,” said Dane Dawson. “We never imagined we would have a home to raise our children in. God has answered our prayers.”

The Dawson family’s home is being sponsored by the following local congregations; Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, Canton First Baptist Church, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Northbrook United Methodist Church, Roswell United Methodist Church, Saint Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Saint Brigid Catholic Church, Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Saint James United Methodist Church, Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, and Zion Missionary Baptist Church. These congregations will be providing both the funds and the volunteer labor to help build the 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 287 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.