Posted April 22, 2024
By GRANT BROMLEY
Habitat for Humanity home dedications are often emotional and uplifting, and the Morelock Meadows quadplex dedication was doubly inspiring as the organization's executive director shared some of her own story.
Asking attendees of the Thursday, April 18, dedication to keep the question of "what is real love?" in their minds, Tammy Johnson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland began telling of her upbringing, noting she had never shared her story publicly.
"We were very, very poor growing up, to the extent that there were times we didn't have heat, there were times we didn't have food, and I personally have dug out of dumpsters to eat," Johnson recalled. "We also had times where we didn't have extra money to get clothing."
She told of how her mother would place clothes on layaway at stores, making her deposits to eventually bring home a couple outfits for her. There were also hand-me-downs, which she was excited to wear, but Johnson still recalls the full name of the girl who made fun of her when she was in elementary school for wearing a pair of pants that was two sizes too big.
Over a decade later, she was in college and working three jobs, she said, "I wouldn't take anything for my poor background and my poor upbringing, you know why? It taught me a huge dose of perseverance. When the going gets tough, I can keep going."
She went on to say that through everything she's gone through, she now can say that if she were to lose everything in an instant, she would be satisfied to still be here, adding, "No matter what you've been through, you're still here."
Pivoting to the homes behind her, Johnson said, "It's very easy, in our compassion and our love for people, to just give away things — give away money, give away food, give away clothes, give away housing. It's very noble to do that, but, as I've learned, the more noble thing is not to give someone a fish. Let's actually teach them how to fish."
Johnson went on to say that Habitat's mission of love is exemplified by the example it sets for the families it houses, with each of them showing that love by contributing to the construction of not only their own home, but the home of their neighbor at the quadplex.
Following Johnson's remarks was Jarrett Millsaps, CEO of Tennova Healthcare-Cleveland.
"[These homes are] the place where laughter is going to happen, where children are going to grow up, where tear tears will probably be shed at some point and where the entire human experience is going to occur," Millsaps said.
For one of the four families moving in, Millsaps' words could not be more true.
Pregnant with their third child, the Kholod family will soon be able to bring their child from the hospital to a home of their own.
Vadim Kholod spoke on behalf of all the families moving in to Morelock Meadows, saying, "I had completely different plans for my life, but God knows what's best for us. God knew what's best for me, and by the grace of God, I'm here today."
He then recited Jeremiah 29:11, which reads, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
Continuing, Kholod said, "Me and my family have seen God in our life. He knows what's best for us, even though sometimes we don't like it."
This remark got a knowing laugh from those in attendance, and he went on to express his gratitude to Habitat and the community for the home they're about to make their own.
Addressing the staff and volunteers of Habitat, Kholod concluded his remarks by saying, "You're showing the love of Jesus to many families in need. We pray and hope that you may continue to touch the lives of people around you."
The Kholod family was joined by their neighbors, which include the Moore family, Blair family and Alison Martin, as they cut a ribbon with the members of the community in attendance before receiving the keys to their homes.
