Volunteer Spotlight: Danny Britt

Danny Britt has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland since 2003. Danny just happened to go on the construction site when the members of the Regular Construction Crew were building Habitat home number 37 on Oak Tree Lane. It was during that build that Don Rollens, Danny’s good friend and fellow volunteer, talked him into volunteering. “The instant I met Danny there was something about him that I loved,” said LaManda Bowers, Volunteer Services Manager. “Danny is such a pillar for our affiliate. His warm smile is met with compassion and dedicated hands. He is devoted to building homes, providing leadership, and using his wisdom and insight to better Habitat for Humanity. It's people like Danny, who put compassion into action, that make our world a little brighter.”

Danny is from Mississippi and worked for the USDA Forest Service for 36 years. With the USDA Forest Service, Danny has worked in California, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana where he ended up retiring in 1998. He and his family lived in Cleveland for a short time in the 1980's, and then they decided to move to Cleveland permanently in 2002.

Danny said he loves volunteering because it provides him with the opportunity to work with old friends and new friends to accomplish something great. “And that great accomplishment is a house that you helped build that will benefit a local family,” said Danny.

When asked what his favorite project or memory was, Danny said there are many favorite projects and memories! However, Danny said the most memorable project he has been involved in was helping to build Habitat’s 100^th home in Century Village neighborhood. He said working on the build and being a part of the festivities that took place to celebrate the home was unforgettable.

Danny is an advocate for volunteering and invites anyone interested to join whether you have a background in construction or not! “You don't have to know carpentry to volunteer. You can learn on the job,” said Danny. “You will soon see results of your work, and I believe any volunteer would enjoy working with the regular volunteers."

Staff Spotlight: NaCole Harris-Massengill

By: Ben Clifton NaCole has years of experience making her passion of bettering the lives of families the driving force of her career. She joined the Habitat family in August of 2011, as the Family Services Manager after previously working for the Department of Children’s Services for eight years.

NaCole spoke at a meeting on Children’s Abuse and Neglect in 2008, where she met a representative from Habitat for Humanity. The Habitat representative spoke about the organization’s program and mission, and it was there that NaCole connected with Habitat, seeing that this was an outlet that could meet the needs of her clients. “What appealed to me about Habitat was the opportunity to continue to work with families in bettering themselves, breaking the cycle of poverty, learning to budget and achieving their dream of owning their own home,” says NaCole.

Though her job description changed, the passion remained the same after seeing the needs of clients in her former career come to fulfillment in her current position. “Having families tell me they want a place that their children can thrive and have stability and seeing them put forth the effort to make it happen is what keeps me here,” she says.

“I cannot find the words to adequately describe what an outstanding job NaCole does in working with our homeowners,” said Chip Willis. “She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, and a voice of reason when they need it. She is always happy to help any other staff member when they need assistance, offering a warm smile as she jumps right into action. NaCole is truly an asset to Habitat.”

Neighborhood Revitalization, 2016

Every year,  Habitat partners with Impact Cleveland, Ocoee Outreach, and Broad Street United Methodist’s Men’s Group to complete neighborhood repair projects in Bradley County. Through this initiative, we are able to revitalize neighborhoods in Bradley County into safe and inviting places for current and future residents. The Neighborhood Revitalization initiative aims to assist homeowners with repairs to their homes. Examples of Neighborhood Revitalization projects include: repairs and replacements of existing wheelchair ramps, porches, gutters, sheet rock, ceilings, and floor systems.

This year, over 20 families will be helped through the Neighborhood Revitalization initiatives in 2016. These projects are able to become a reality because of the support from sponsors and volunteer labor. The following sponsors and volunteer groups have partnered with us to make much-needed repairs a reality for families in our community:

Broad Street United Methodist’s Men’s Group Cleveland State Community College Habitat’s Regular Construction Volunteers The Home Depot Impact Cleveland Lee University Ocoee Outreach Thrivent  Builds Whirlpool Corporation

Herb Goronzy partners with Habitat to build hope

Herb’s Yard Barns has been operating and serving Collegedale and surrounding communities for 15 years. The business is independently owned and operated by Herb Goronzy. Herb has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland for close to three years. The partnership between Herb’s Yard Barns and Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland began when Herb visited Habitat’s South ReStore location. During that visit, Herb learned about Habitat’s mission of building and repairing homes, communities and hope in Bradley County. Upon hearing about the organizational mission, Herb decided he wanted to become a partner.

Through a conversation with Habitat representatives, Herb decided the best way he could give back would be to donate of his work to Habitat. This partnership began by Herb donating yard barns to be sold at the ReStore. Today, Herb donates one yard barn to each homeowner that goes through the Habitat program! Because of his generosity, each Habitat homeowner is able to enjoy their new home along with a custom-built yard barn that coordinates with the colors and design of their home.

Herb designs each yard barn and handcrafts them from start to finish. He offers many options for those looking for storage buildings. His buildings range from simple, well-made sheds to intricate and beautifully designed yard barns with windows and custom detailing. Each storage building is built with care, available in competitive pricing, and built using the highest quality materials in the area.

Bank of Cleveland partners with Habitat to build a stronger community

By: Ben Clifton Bank of Cleveland was established in 1987 and is Bradley County’s only truly locally owned and operated bank. Since 1987, Bank of Cleveland now has four full-service locations in the area as well as their BOC Home Loan Center.

Striving to serve their customers with the highest quality of service, Bank of Cleveland has made it a priority to be equipped with staff that is knowledgeable, sensitive, and responsive of the customers needs. With numerous employees having years of experience with Bank of Cleveland, familiar faces make banking with them a more personal experience. Bank of Cleveland has a long history in their partnership with Habitat for Humanity. CEO and Chairman, Scott Taylor, served as the first Treasurer for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland on the Board of Directors. Julian Sullivan, President and CFO, currently serves on the Board of Directors. Bank of Cleveland’s commitment to Habitat’s cause is upheld with annual contributions and employee volunteer hours serving on various building projects as well as the Women Build Initiative.

“Habitat not only strengthens our community but it has created small communities within Bradley County,” said Senior Vice President, Christy Goza. “These communities are a direct reflection of the greatness of Bradley County and the power of sponsors, volunteers and organizations working together for a common goal.”

Sponsor Spotlight: Johnson Family Foundation

The George R. Johnson Family Foundation has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland for over 10 years in support of the organization’s mission to build and repair homes in Bradley County. The George R. Johnson Family Foundation presented a check for $60,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland in September as part of a grant. The George R. Johnson Family Foundation was established in 2000 by George Johnson, an entrepreneur who owned and operated Hardee's restaurants in East Tennessee and Northwest Georgia. The mission of the Johnson Family Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves by supporting programs which improve the education, health or the general welfare of the citizens in those communities. Mr. Johnson's children, Mark Johnson and Julia Scoggins, continue to operate the Hardee's  restaurants and Janice Johnson Wilson is the Executive Director of the Foundation. “The Johnson Family Foundation supports Habitat because the families who are eligible for a Habitat home work to help build the homes and learn how to manage a home,” said Janice Johnson Wilson, Executive Director.

Volunteer Spotlight: Mara Grisham

Mara presently serves the Chairman of the Family Advocacy Committee. Mara has worked in the Administrative Offices, swung a hammer on the construction site, and she has served on the Board of Directors and on various additional committees. Mara began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in 1991, when Habitat was the regional service project for her church’s women’s group. Since Habitat was just getting started here in Cleveland, they decided to get involved and still include Habitat as a part of their budget. Mara’s first project as a volunteer was working on the construction of the second Habitat house ever built.

“Mara Grisham is a true Habitat Hero,” said NaCole Harris-Massengill, Habitat’s Family Services Manager. “When I think about Mara, I see a person who is enthusiastic, caring, determined and passionate about families and their opportunity to achieve their dream of homeownership.  Mara is a leader and by her example families stay the course of the homeownership program and leave a legacy for their family.”

When asked what keeps her coming back year after year to volunteer, Mara spoke of the families that go through the Homeownership Program. “It is amazing to watch the change as they go from renter to homeowner and a step into the American dream,” said Mara. “They walk with more pride and accomplishment, thanking God and Habitat with every step. Even the children who might not understand the whole process know that something important is happening! Knowing that I can help with that is why I come back.”

Mara is currently retired, but she worked in the Cleveland City School system as a Reading Interventionist for many years prior to retiring. Mara’s husband is retired from Merck (formerly Schering-Plough). Together, they love to travel and visit their two sons, Ben and Lee, any chance they get. Mara is also very involved with her church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), on the local and regional level. On top of all of this, Mara bakes amazing Apricot Bar Cookies (just ask her committee!).

FSG Bank, Partnering for Impact with Habitat

[two_third last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][title size="2" content_align="left" style_type="default" sep_color="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class="" id=""]FSG Bank[/title][imageframe lightbox="no" gallery_id="" lightbox_image="" style_type="none" hover_type="none" bordercolor="" bordersize="0px" borderradius="0" stylecolor="" align="none" link="" linktarget="_self" animation_type="0" animation_direction="down" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" hide_on_mobile="no" class="" id=""] [/imageframe][fusion_text]FSG Bank joined Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland Women’s Build initiative as a corporate sponsor for the second consecutive year. On June 4, a team of six female volunteers from FSG Bank were on hand at a Cleveland area construction site as part of build week, assisting homeowners with debris cleanup and the painting of their homes. FSG Bank’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity is one that began organically through outreach initiatives with the organization’s executive leadership. FSG successfully completed a commercial loan for Habitat and through that relationship the partnership took root and has grown over a span of nearly 15 years. Habitat’s mission of empowering residents to stand up, and together create genuine communities is near and dear to the hearts and minds of FSG’s leadership and employees.

“We are delighted to partner with Habitat of Cleveland in their efforts to make the dream of homeownership a reality for these local families. We believe in collaborating and investing for impact by directing meaningful resources to help local non-profits. We also look for opportunities to actively engage our employees as volunteers,” said Steve Pettit, FSG Bank’s Cleveland Market Executive.

Mr. Pettit says FSG Bank is highly committed to serving and prospering the communities across its footprint, highlighting a recent donation of $3,500 made to Habitat to help fund affordable housing for families.  FSG’s longtime partnership with Habitat has allowed the bank to directly impact the people of the Greater Cleveland/Bradley County area economically, through housing support and volunteerism. Partnering with community organizations is a passion for Steve. He knows the importance of giving back and continues to work with area companies in different capacities. As the Market Executive at FSG’s Keith Street location, Pettit has oversight over all aspects of the bank’s financial operations in Cleveland. He has successfully assisted small and medium size companies around the country with their commercial lending needs over the last 30 years and is very excited about the business growth in Bradley County.

Partnering with companies to help them meet their business objectives is what FSG Bank does best. FSG Bank is a division of Atlantic Capital Bank, serving small and medium size businesses with full service locations and a second-to-none team of experienced financial service providers. Atlantic Capital Bank, NA is a subsidiary of Atlantic Capital Bancshares, Inc. which is a $2.6 billion publicly traded bank holding company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlantic Capital offers banking, treasury management, capital markets, trust, and mortgage services to privately held companies and individuals in Atlanta, eastern Tennessee, and northwest Georgia. Atlantic Capital also provides specialized financial services to select clients nationally.[/fusion_text][/two_third][one_third last="yes" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][title size="2" content_align="left" style_type="default" sep_color="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" class="" id=""]Contact FSG Bank[/title][map address="3200 Keith St NW, Cleveland, TN 37312" type="terrain" map_style="default" overlay_color="" infobox="default" infobox_background_color="" infobox_text_color="" infobox_content="" icon="" width="100%" height="180px" zoom="14" scrollwheel="yes" scale="yes" zoom_pancontrol="yes" animation="yes" popup="yes" class="" id=""][/map][fusion_text]

Located In Cleveland, TN

3200 Keith St NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 | Phone: (423) 308-2000 | Web: www.fsgbank.com[/fusion_text][/one_third][one_fourth last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][fusion_text][/fusion_text][/one_fourth][one_fourth last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][fusion_text][/fusion_text][/one_fourth][one_fourth last="no" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][fusion_text][/fusion_text][/one_fourth][one_fourth last="yes" spacing="yes" center_content="no" hide_on_mobile="no" background_color="" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" background_position="left top" hover_type="none" link="" border_position="all" border_size="0px" border_color="" border_style="" padding="" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" animation_type="" animation_direction="" animation_speed="0.1" animation_offset="" class="" id=""][fusion_text][/fusion_text][/one_fourth]

Board of Directors Report: August 2016

Former President of the board, Jeff Morelock, rolled off of the Board of Directors in June as he came to the end of his two-year term. Jeff has an impressive amount of experience including spending about 40 years in the insurance business in Cleveland and also served one term on the Bradley County Commission. Jeff is now retired from Insurance Incorporated (not that Jeff really retires from anything) and has served on numerous boards throughout Bradley County. Jeff and his wife, Kathy, are faithful members of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, a wonderful partner of Habitat for Humanity.  Jeff has two children,  Kate and Davis, and also has four wonderful  grandchildren. “I like working with Habitat because the organization helps people who are willing to help themselves,” said Jeff.  Jeff will continue to serve on Habitat’s Finance Committee and work closely with Habitat. “As the new executive director, I could not have had a better Board President to introduce me to the community,” said Chip Willis. “Jeff was always available when I had questions and continues to work tirelessly to keep this affiliate moving forward. He is a man of honor and integrity and I benefitted from our time together.”

Keith Barrett, Area Manager of Pinnacle Bank, stepped into the role of President of the Board. He has served on the Habitat Board of Directors since July 2012 and most recently served as the Board Vice President. Barrett has received numerous achievements for his outstanding leadership in both his career and community endeavors and presently serves on many boards  throughout Bradley County.

The Board of Directors welcomed two new members in June, Alta-Maria “Marie” de Barros (Store Manager at The Cleveland Home Depot) and Julian Sullivan (President and Chief Financial Officer for Bank of Cleveland). Habitat’s Executive Committee welcomed Shawn McKay as Vice President, Joe Mason as Treasurer, and Carolyn Ingram-Franitza will serve as Secretary for another term.

2016 - 2017 Board of Directors

Keith Barrett, President Shawn McKay, Vice President Joe Mason, Treasurer Carolyn Ingram-Franitza, Secretary Alta-Maria de Barros Andrew Morgan Andy Anderson Cason Conn Doug Berry Ed McCartney Frank Thaggard Gene Sparks Julian Sullivan Father Mike Nolan Teresa Norman Dr. Tommy Wright Verrill Norwood

Staff Spotlight: Jerry Franitza

It is our sad duty to report that Jerry Franitza, previously Habitat’s Construction Director, is moving into retirement. The staff and regular volunteers at Habitat for Humanity are very sad he is moving out of a staff role, however, we are happy to report that he has agreed to return as a volunteer! Jerry first became involved with Habitat for Humanity in 1996. He was employed at Eaton Corporation at the time and volunteered to take on a project supervising volunteers installing siding on a Habitat home. During his time volunteering, he secured a $25,000 grant to build a Habitat home and led employees in building the home in Fitzgerald Village. He continued volunteering until when he accepted the position as Construction Director in 2002. During this time, Jerry worked closely with the late Bob Sain and the late Jim Tucker to build two homes per year.

“Wow, it’s hard to imagine it has been 14 years since becoming the Construction Director,” said Jerry. “They say time flies if you are having fun.” During those 14 years and with the support of so many volunteers, Jerry has been involved in building about 100 homes. “I’ve been a part of building homes in Fitzgerald Village, homes on Howard Circle, Crestview Drive, 6^th Street, 8^th Street, Century Village, Victory Cove and now Southgate Hills. Habitat’s supporters, employees and relentless volunteers can proudly say that we are family and have made and will continue to make a difference in Bradley County,” he said.

Jerry’s wife, Carolyn, is also involved with Habitat as the Secretary on the Board of Directors, serves on the Family Selection Committee, the Leadership Planning Team of Habitat and has also volunteered on Women Build teams. “I can remember one day she was on-site and I handed her a pneumatic nail gun to do some framing,” said Jerry. “When she pulled the trigger I thought she was going to jump out of her shoes. Scared the heck out of her and I will never forget that day!”

“I’m happy to be working with Jerry during this transition phase of his retirement,” said Tyler Bramlett, incoming Construction Director for Habitat. “He has done many great things for Habitat, and I look forward to building on the foundation that he has laid.” From Habitat’s staff, volunteers, donors and supporters: we are so grateful for your devotion, wisdom, leadership, and so thankful you have given of your life and talents to fulfill the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland.