Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland Broke Ground at Century Village

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland hosted a groundbreaking ceremony this morning in Century Village of Cleveland Tennessee. Partner families and representatives from Whirlpool of Cleveland, Women United, Cleveland’s City Development Block Grant, and Women Build.   

Habitat’s Executive Director, Tammy Johnson opened the groundbreaking event, followed by Rev. Jennifer Newell from First Cumberland Presbyterian Church leading everyone in an opening prayer. Teresa Torbett from the City of Cleveland's City Development Block Grant and Brandi King of Whirlpool spoke to the people in attendance at the event.

The Bradley County Mayor, D. Gary Davis was also part of the groundbreaking event.

Volunteer Spotlight: Billie Jones

Billie Jones uniquely got involved in Habitat by volunteering for a partner family on a Saturday. From there she encouraged her niece Jill to fill out an application and Billie started volunteering on faith for her niece.

As the application process continued Billie learned that her niece got accepted into the program and fast forward a few years is now the owner of a Habitat Home.

Billie volunteers in the ReStore in the clothing department and always serves with a smile.  " Habitat gives me somewhere to go and provides people to laugh with. I enjoy putting out nice clothes for a great price for the community," said Billie.

Habitat becomes a little brighter each time Billie volunteers! Billie is proof of how a little spark of faith can create a chain reaction for the greater good.

It's DIY Time

The trees are blooming and the birds are singing. The warm weather is quickly ushering in Spring and that can only mean one thing, it's DIY project time. 

The ReStore is a treasure trove for the DIY enthusiast. Interested in making a personalized mug? We have plenty to choose from ranging in price from 10 to 50 cents. 

Is it time to learn how to lay new flooring? We have a large selection of tile and vinyl wood flooring that will fit any decor style. Stop by and ask Dave or JK for help picking out just the right pieces. 

If redoing furniture is your passion, the furniture floor is calling for you to visit. You can reupholster a $30 chair, paint a bed frame for your shabby chic guest room or distress a table to complete your farmhouse kitchen. 

Whatever your passion, we have items to get you started on your next project. 

Drop by the ReStore today between 9 and 5 and let us know how we can help. We would love to match you up with the perfect piece. 

Women United Partners with Habitat of Cleveland at Annual Event

Women United announced an anonymous $50,000 matching gift donor for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland at their quarterly meeting in February. Have your gift doubled this year by attending Women United's event "An Evening Along the River's Edge". 

Check out the invitation below for more information. We will see you March 24th!

Habitat of Cleveland Visits 3 Plus You

Eyvonne Vance and Shiloh White joined Habitat staff and Julie Edwards on the set of 3 Plus You on February 12th. Vance and White are families partnered with Women Build 2018. 

Sign your team up for Women Build today. Businesses can sponsor a team by February 15th to have their logo placed on 400 shirts! 

Sign up now!

Watch here.

Habitat’s Women Build Initiative Empowers And Unites Women To Build Two Homes

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland’s fifth annual Women Build initiative brings 40 teams of women together to build two homes for Bradley County families. Women Build 2018 will have volunteer spots open beginning in March and going through June. This year, Women Build teams will build homes for two families: Eyvonne Vance and Marvin and Shiloh White.

Currently Eyvonne Vance, lives in an apartment where her rent continues to increase even though she has a fixed income. She wants a place to live that is safe for her family to visit and free from the influence of drugs. Vance babysits her grandchildren and hopes to have a safe space for them to play outside. She believes in hard work and believes the Habitat process is not hard because it is such a huge blessing to her.

“Take the hard out of it and just do it,” is her life’s motto. “This is an opportunity for a new home, peace of mind and a blessing that my heart has longed for. It is a blessing from God. I have never owned a home before and this means so much to me,” said Vance.  

Marvin and Shiloh White are originally from Kentucky, but they have made Cleveland their home. The White’s have one son, Kainaan, and hope to grow their family. Marvin works at Coca-Cola and Shiloh is a stay at home mom. They currently live in an overcrowded apartment with the three of them sharing one bedroom.

“Having our own home means to have stability for our family and a place for Kainaan and our future children to grow up,” said Shiloh. “Even though the sweat equity hours are the hardest part of the process, it is WORTH IT. Habitat for Humanity means everything to us.”

Women of all ages and experience levels are welcome to be a part of Women Build. In order to sign up your team, choose a team leader that recruits 5 - 10 women. Women Build is a “Pay-to-Play” volunteer experience in which each team member pays a $50 build fee. The $50 “Pay-to-Play” fee goes back into funding the construction of the Vance and White family homes. This unique volunteer experience empowers local women to work together to build two homes from start to finish through their donation of a 4-hour build shift and $50.

Businesses are encouraged to get involved as well. A Build Day Sponsorship can be made by giving the $500 Pay-to-Play fee and sponsoring a group of volunteers. Sign up by February 1st to have your business name on the t-shirt and all marketing materials. Businesses like Cleveland Eye Clinic Cortney Bramlett and McNair Media have already signed up to sponsor a team.

DAVE WILLIAMS JOINS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF CLEVELAND AS RESTORE MANAGER

Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland announces that Dave Williams will join the organization as ReStore manager.

Williams is no stranger to Cleveland. Originally from Perterborough, Ontario, Williams came to Cleveland to pursue his Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministries at Lee University. He has been serving the community ever since.

“I am first and foremost a people person,” said Williams. “I am passionate about seeing individuals reach their full God given potential, and succeed in whatever area of life they are created for.  Habitat for Humanity is affecting families in our community, both, in the present, and future generations.  Having the opportunity to serve as the ReStore manager is an honor and privilege that allows me to be a part of the bigger mission.”

Williams has 17 years of general manager experience in the restaurant industry. He has also served in youth ministry for 15 years and as a Scout Leader in local Boy Scout “Troop 10”.

"Dave is a welcome addition to the Habitat family and comes to us with an outstanding background,” said Tammy Johnson, Executive Director. “He has strong skills in customer service, volunteer management and will work well with our donors and Habitat families to further our mission of building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. He's well respected in the community, and I know he'll do a great job as our new ReStore Manager. Over the next few months you'll see many positive changes at the ReStore, and I invite you to stop by and meet Dave soon!"

Williams is looking forward to leading and has a vision for growth. He is excited to work with the ReStore staff and the Cleveland community.

“The ReStore is a vital part of what makes Habitat work in our community.  It is my vision to continue, and build upon, the stores success, in order to support the Mission of Habitat for Humanity in Cleveland,” added Williams.

Habitat of Cleveland Receives State Grant from Tennessee Housing Development Agency

Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee is directing $15,500 in state grant funding to Habitat of Cleveland to build a new home in Bradley County.

The funding comes as part of a half-million dollar grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Habitat of Cleveland and its sister organizations throughout the state will apply the grant toward the construction of 30 new homes for low-income families.

 "We are extremely grateful for THDA's partnership and consistent support,” said Colleen Dudley, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, “This THDA grant provides us with a solid foundation to jump-start our larger fundraising efforts, which will reach $2.8 million from individuals, churches, foundations and businesses to complete these builds.”

Local Habitat chapters could apply for $15,500 per build in THDA funding from the grant. When construction is complete in June 2018, more than 100 adults and children will be living in the 30 high-quality, energy-efficient homes built in part from this funding.

 “We share Habitat’s mission and its passion for creating new homeownership opportunities to Tennessee families, so it’s a very natural partnership,” said THDA Executive Director Ralph M. Perrey. “We’re always confident that Habitat is going to put our funding to good use, and I’m sure more than a few THDA staffers will be among the volunteers at build sites across the state.”

In addition to supporting Habitat for Humanity with grant funding, THDA also provides zero-interest home loans to qualified Habitat homeowners. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers, and pay an affordable mortgage that, in turn, helps fund future Habitat builds.

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in South Georgia. The Christian housing organization came to Tennessee in 1978 and has grown to being ranked the fourth-largest builder of Habitat for Humanity homes in the country.

Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. "Through shelter, we empower," the organization states. To learn more, visit HabitatTN.org.

 Funding for the $500,000 THDA grant came from the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund, which receives no state tax dollars but is instead funded by revenue from THDA’s mortgage loan program. Since 2006, THDA has provided more than $75 million in THTF grants. For more information, visit THDA.org.

 Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build and repair homes, communities and hope. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland, visit habitatofcleveland.org.

A Look Back at Women Build 2017

Women Build 2017 brought together 40 teams of 10 women to build two homes in Bradley County. Here is a look back at the families empowered and the fun had in 2017. What will 2018 bring? Sign up for our newsletter to find out! 

Volunteer Spotlight: Deb Flower

After she retired from teaching, Deb Flower joined her husband Dave in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland in 2007.

Deb volunteers in many capacities with our affiliate. She paints on our build site, has helped lead Women Build Groups, spends countless hours volunteering at our ReStore, and constantly advocates our mission. 

Known to many as the Christmas lady, Deb Flower organizes all of the Restore's holiday donations. She then recruits a team of volunteers who come together and transform the ReStore into a Christmas wonderland for the Holidays. Deb's contribution to our organization is immeasurable. She is passionate, driven, and organized. Deb is proof that one person can make a difference.