Posted Saturday, May 16, 2020 7:59 pm
By AUTUMN HUGHES
The sound of construction was accompanied by music from a neighbor’s radio Friday, when Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland held a community groundbreaking for five houses under construction in 2020.
Future homeowners were there to celebrate on Franitza Way with volunteers and Habitat Board of Directors members.
“As you know these houses have been a little bit delayed this year,” said Tammy Johnson, Habitat’s executive director.
However, it was finally time to plunge golden shovels into the gravel of one of the homes already under construction, and celebrate the families looking forward to new homes.
Johnson introduced Cathy Barrett, president of the Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County, which donated $75,000 to Habitat.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the groundbreaking today,” Barrett said, noting the Community Foundation believes it is “essential for every family to be able to have safe, affordable housing — and we know that affordable housing is a major challenge in our community.”
Barrett added she is grateful to Habitat for its efforts in not only building houses, but for doing it in a way that builds strength, stability and self-reliance.
She noted the Community Foundation’s financial support “to build one additional home this year, along with all the work of the Habitat volunteers puts us one step closer to becoming that community that we aspire to be.”
Johnson said Habitat had planned four houses this year, but because of the participation of the Community Foundation, a fifth was added.
She also expressed appreciation for the volunteers and board members working on houses Friday before introducing Kim Brooks, a member of Habitat’s Board of Directors.
Brooks said at Habitat “we build homes. We build community. We build hope.”
She noted the community “has been hit hard” lately with COVID-19, tornadoes, unemployment, and closed stores and businesses.
“So building hope is such an important part for all of us today,” Brooks said, adding Habitat works “to build and repair homes, to build and repair communities and to build and repair hope.”
Speaking about hope and appreciation was Anthea Blair, whose family will be recipients of the Heroes Build house.
The Heroes Build engages veterans, military members and first responders. Build dates are July 10 to Sept. 25.
Blair thanked God “for blessing us with a new home” and Habitat for Humanity “for allowing the families that were chosen this year the opportunity to work toward a new beginning.”
The process has taught her valuable education tools “and that there’s a community out there that truly cares.”
“Without Habitat for Humanity’s help, I would never be able to give them a home of their own and a chance for a better and safer environment,” Blair said.
Following the ceremony, Amanda Moore, recipient of the Women Build 2020 home, said her grandmother had mentioned Habitat to her “years ago.” However, it was at friend Felecia Kelley’s urging that Moore applied; Kelley had been selected to participate in the program.
Moore said she got her approval in April 2019 and began the process of taking financial and other classes to prepare her for home ownership, as well as putting in “sweat equity.”
“I think I have 80 hours left for my home,” she said, adding her home dedication is planned for Aug. 11.
She is looking forward to providing a home for her children: Jakia Young, 11; Johnathan Walker Jr., 5; and Amontay Walker, 3.
Blair said she also connected with Habitat through Felecia Kelley; she attended the dedication of Kelley’s home and decided to apply for a home of her own.
As a single mother of three — Ryan, 17; Delia, 15; and Abby, 14 — Blair was ecstatic when she got a call a month or so after she applied, asking her to come to the office for paperwork. Two months later she got a call to have a home visit, and she began taking her required classes.
“The Lord really was with me … we really needed a home,” Blair said, adding she is done with her “sweat equity” and is now volunteering to help others build their homes.
“We’ve been blessed,” she said.
Blair’s home build starts July 10 . She is counting down the days, driving by her future homesite often to check on the property and progress of her future neighbors’ homes.
Also present for the groundbreaking was Kelly Mulcahy, recipient of the Leaders Build home, who was excited to see construction on her home begin in less than two weeks. It will be the first home for her and her husband, Kyle, and their three daughters: Aurora Juliette, 5; Athena Grace, 3; and Amelia Penelope, almost 2 years old.
Mulcahy said her daughters know about their future home and are excited about it.
The other two homes slated for construction in 2020 are:
• Community Foundation Build 2020, for Vicente and Aurelia Rodriguez. The build, made possible by Community Foundation of Cleveland and Bradley County’s $75,000 donation, is scheduled to go through June 12.
• Legacy of Faith Build, for Sheila Smith. This build honors legacy and faith partners, along with construction volunteers. Build dates are March 6 to May 2.
For more information on Habitat, including how to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitatofcleveland.org or call 423-476-6947.
