Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s team up for National Women Build Week

JONESBORO, GA (MAY 2, 2015) –  Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers were among more than forty volunteers to join Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity today to help build affordable housing in the Austin Meadows Subdivision of Lovejoy in recognition of National Women Build Week, May 2-10.

Volunteers worked to paint the interior and exterior of the home, install interior trim and complete the landscaping.  This is home number 6 in the Habitat community of Austin Meadows. We were so grateful to have skilled workers from Lowe’s to volunteer the very first day of this build and raise the walls, and now to finish it today by completing the final touches, said Jeni Klippel, Construction Manager for SCHFH. New homeowner Tamara will be starting her new journey thanks to Lowe’s and all of the volunteers.

National Women Build Week is a weeklong event created by Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program that challenges women to devote at least one day to help build affordable housing in their local communities. Across the nation, more than 15,000 women are expected to volunteer at Habitat construction sites this week to spotlight the homeownership challenges faced by women.

Lowe’s helped launch National Women Build Week in 2008 and each year provides the support of Lowe’s Heroes and conducts how-to clinics at stores to teach volunteers construction skills.

“National Women Build Week has made a difference in the lives of thousands of families since its inception,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “We’re grateful to all the women who got involved this week and were part of something bigger with Lowe’s and Habitat.”

Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to this year’s National Women Build Week, including a $5,000 store gift card to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. National Women Build Week is one of the major initiatives supported through Lowe’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity. Since 2003, Lowe’s has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped more than 4,000 families improve their living conditions.

Habitat’s Women Build program recruits, educates and inspires women to build and advocate for simple, decent and affordable homes in their communities. Since the program was created in 1998, more than 2,300 homes have been built in partnership with low-income families using Women Build crews.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build program and to learn about Women Build events in communities across the U.S. year-round, visit Habitat.org/wb or the Women Build tab on http://www.facebook.com/habitat.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

 

 

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a path out of poverty, since 1976 Habitat has helped more than 5 million people through home construction, rehabilitation and repairs and by increasing access to improved shelter through products and services. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and offers a variety of housing support services that enable families with limited means to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

About Lowe’s in the Community

Lowe’s, a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. Since 2007, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed more than $225 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com.

Southern Crescent Habitat Celebrates Their Supporters at the Golden Hammer Awards!

JONESBORO, GA (March 26, 2015) – On Sunday, April 26, 2015, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be honoring those who have provided exceptional support to their mission of helping low income working families who “need a hand up, not a hand out” towards home ownership and home repair services.  The Golden Hammer Awards will take place at Eagle’s Landing Country Club from 5pm-9pm.  Mark Winne from WSB-TV will be hosting, Daphne Maxwell Reid, actress who played “Aunt Viv” on sitcom, “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” will be presenting and showcasing her photography, the “Doors” collection. Also, Lucille O’neal, author and philanthropist and mother of Shaquille O’neal will be presenting and signing copies of her book, “Walk Like You Have Somewhere To Go”.

“We are looking forward to celebrating those who have rolled up their sleeves and believe every person deserves a decent place to live”, said Southern Crescent Habitat’s Development Director Lynne Washington.  All of the funds raised from ticket sales and silent auction items will go towards building new homes in the Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity community, Austin Meadows in Lovejoy.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.schabitat.org. Follow Southern Crescent Habitat on Facebook to preview the auction items to include the “Doors” photography collection by Daphne Maxwell Reid.  The first ever Golden Hammer Awards will include dinner, awards ceremony, and silent auction.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

Habitat Hosts Collegiate Challenge Week

JONESBORO, GA (March 6, 2015) – Emory and Henry College students will travel to Austin Meadows during their spring break to volunteer with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. The students will help build homes and improve the communities the week of March 9th as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program.

“We are excited about Emory & Henry College coming to work with us at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity,” said Chief Development Director, Lynne Washington. Shirley Chisholm once said, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth”. “The service these young people are willing to give to a family in a different state speaks to the depth of their willingness to serve and help others have a new start, we couldn’t be happier and they are an example to all of us”, said Lynne.

The students will be working on Southern Crescent’s Interfaith Build which kicked off February 24, 2015 by a group of Clayton County High School students from Mt. Zion and Lovejoy. The call to end poverty is shared by the world’s religions, along with the conviction that decent housing for all is critical to achieving that goal. Interfaith groups come together in pursuit of a shared goal to put their faith in action. Other groups that will be participating in the build include the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Destination Church, Knights of Columbus, Tau Alpha Delta, Klassy Kreation and more.

Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program invites students to spend one week working with Habitat affiliates to build homes and improve communities. Since 1989, nearly 240,000 college and high school students have volunteered during their spring break to help build or rehabilitate homes, donating over $25 million to Habitat affiliates.

“Collegiate Challenge engages thousands of students each year who work diligently towards improving communities and building decent, affordable housing,” said Mark Andrews, Habitat for Humanity International’s vice president of volunteer and institutional engagement. “We’re grateful to them for supporting our mission and help families realize their dream of home ownership. Communities will benefit from their hard work for years to come.”

The Collegiate Challenge program is one of the many programs Habitat has to engage the next generation of leaders in Habitat’s work. For more information, visit http://www.habitat.org/youthprograms/collegiate-challenge.

Habitat Puts Their Faith Into Action

(Jonesboro, GA) On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 8:30am Habitat invites you to celebrate the kick-off of an Interfaith Build at Austin Meadows in Lovejoy.  Mt. Zion High School will be raising the walls that they constructed in their classroom and will get to see the impact of their hard work.  Jeni, a single mother with 2 children, who is a flight attendant and part time fitness instructor will get to see the first walls put up in her new home.  Churches and civic organizations from all of Habitat’s service area have been invited to join this great event.

 

The history of the Interfaith build with Habitat began in 2006.  The Interfaith Forum of Habitat for Humanity International unanimously affirmed the call to end poverty that is shared by the world’s religions, along with the conviction that decent housing for all is critical to achieving that goal. The result was a commitment to mobilizing interfaith groups around the world in answer to our mission. Those that will be participating in this build include Mt. Zion High School, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, Destination Church, Knights of Columbus, Emory and Henry College, Tau Alpha Delta, Klassy Kreation and more.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is first and foremost a housing ministry.  We welcome all religions to come together with mutual values in pursuit of our shared goal to help families in need.  With your help we can present a unified picture of “faith in action” to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity would like to have as much of the community involved as possible in this very special Interfaith Build 2015.  For more information about the Interfaith build, please call 770-477-2367.

SCHFH Brings In The New Year With Homes & Hope!

Jonesboro, GA (January 7, 2015) – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be kicking off a Unity Build, January 15, 2015 in the Austin Meadows community of Lovejoy.  This is the first Unity Build to celebrate what we can accomplish when everyone comes together for the common good.  Carmax will be kicking off the build by raising the first walls of the home for future homeowner Ms. Kym Bradley.  GA Power will be participating on Martin Luther King Jr day to celebrate his legacy of peace and humanity for everyone.

This is house number four in the new community of Austin Meadows and we couldn’t be more excited about moving forward to change lives for low income working families.  Also scheduled this second week of January is a home dedication for our first Veteran Build on Wednesday, January 14, 2015 at 5pm.  All of the volunteers are invited to celebrate with veteran Renee and her family as they begin this new journey together.

 

Veteran Build Dedication Coverage-Click Link Below!

http://lovejoyledger.com/habitat-dedicates-third-home-in-lovejoy

 

Habitat Dedicates Second Lovejoy Home By Danny Harrison, Lovejoy Ledger

“Today is my Thanksgiving Day,” new homeowner Kathy Boucher said Monday afternoon as Clayton County, City of Lovejoy and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity officials along with family and friends helped dedicate her new home.

Boucher’s is the second Habitat home of 15 to be completed in the Austin Meadows subdivision on Hastings Bridge Road in Lovejoy. It was the “Women Build” home. The first home completed in that subdivision was the Delta Air Lines home, and the third, which is expected to be completed in a few more weeks, is a “Veterans Build” home.

“My prayer is that you’ll get back all the blessings you give out,” Boucher told her Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity friends. “To God be the glory, because He’s the One that makes all things possible.”

A single mother and grandmother, Boucher is a Clayton County Public Schools employee, and she has dreamed of being able to own her own home. Through the Habitat program, she was able to earn “sweat equity” as a volunteer, which helped to qualify her to purchase an affordable, zero-interest, brand-new home.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity representatives are known for saying they give “a hand up, not a hand out.” All of their homeowners must complete extensive home ownership education and training, and they must complete many hours of volunteer work, whether in the headquarters or on build sites.

Speaking to the small crowd assembled Monday afternoon, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity CEO Kem Kimbrough said, “Habitat will build a house, but it takes love to make a home. All of you have contributed that love.”

Visit www.schabitat.org or call 770-477-2367 for more information about Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.

Written by Danny Harrison of Lovejoy Ledger
http://lovejoyledger.com/habitat-dedicates-second-lovejoy-home/

Habitat Kicks off first Veteran Build

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity kicks off its first ever

Veteran Build on Veteran’s Day!    

 

Jonesboro, GA (November 6, 2014) – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be kicking off the first ever Veteran Build on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2014.  The new home will be constructed at the new Habitat community in Lovejoy, Austin Meadows.  Veterans from various community organizations will be participating to support a fellow veteran on this very special day.

“It overwhelmingly warms our hearts for us to give back to one of the many veterans who’ve served our nation so ably; after she provided us with safety in our homes during her time in uniform, now we can return the favor for Renee”, said veteran and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity Kem Kimbrough.  The Army Reserve Command Division, Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Military Life Group, as well as the color guard from North Clayton High School, are among just a few who will all be in attendance to support this build.

As required by Southern Crescent Habitat’s program, every homeowner completes 250 hours of sweat equity as well as 50 hours of education classes by the time they close on their home.  The mortgage payment will have a zero percent interest rate making it more affordable to live comfortably.  The home will be one of 15 others built in this Austin Meadows community.  If you would like to help serve our veteran family, please call Habitat at 770-477-2367.  We look forward to partnering with our community to build homes and hope.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income working families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

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Global Habitat Day

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity Celebrates Their Global Mission with Art Unveiling

 

Wednesday (October 22, 2014)-The Southern Crescent Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity will unveil the “Hands Across the World” mural designed by Henry Arts Collective artist: Moira Fisher, on Wednesday, October 22nd at 5:00pm, followed by a reception immediately afterwards.  The event is being sponsored by Himalayan Spice Restaurant & Bar who will be providing Nepalese food samples to enjoy.   In conjunction with World Habitat Day, several members of the Southern Crescent staff will be wished safe travels as they prepare for an international Habitat Build to Kathmandu, Nepal, scheduled for November 13-22.  Habitat is committed to “God’s love into action” through global and local service and we invite you to come and learn about our mission.

 

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

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Women Build Kicks off at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2014

 Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity begins Women Build

In New Lovejoy Community! 

 

New Austin Meadows Community will bring hope to families in Lovejoy. 

Jonesboro, GA (October 10, 2014) – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be kicking off a Women Build, October 13, 2014 in the Austin Meadows community of Lovejoy.  Women Build is part of a national effort to build affordable homes constructed completely by women.  It challenges and empowers women to come together to help eliminate poverty housing facing millions of women and children all over the world.  Women crews build more than 200 Habitat homes a year.

Shana Rooks, Board President of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity as well as Kim McNair of Kim McNair Productions will be speaking about the importance of the Women Build and the mission of Habitat on our kick off day.  Various women’s groups will be volunteering from the community including Shining Light Ministries, Georgia Power, W Club of Eagle’s Landing Country Club and Levo League Atlanta.

The future homeowner’s name is Kathy and she couldn’t be more excited about owning a home.  She has worked in education all of her life and currently works as a Registrar for a Clayton County school.  She moved to Georgia in 2012 from Arizona to be closer to her grandkids.  Kathy looked for homes for 2 years before reaching out to Habitat.  She couldn’t find a home in her budget that didn’t need a lot of expensive repairs and was about to give up.  Now Kathy can look forward to having her own space and independence.  She said that she can’t wait to bake her first batch of cookies in her new home.

As required by Southern Crescent Habitat’s program, Kathy will have completed 250 hours of sweat equity as well as 50 hours of education classes by the time she settles on her home.  Her mortgage payment will have a zero percent interest rate making it more affordable for her to live comfortably.  The home will be one of 15 others built in this Austin Meadows community.  If you would like to help bring Kathy home or other future homeowners by sponsoring a build, please call Habitat at 770-477-2367.  We look forward to partnering with our community to build homes and hope.

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and provides home repairs to low income families, who need a “hand up, not a hand out” through homeowner education, and financial literacy, provided by partnerships with communities of volunteers and donors.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

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Delta Air Lines employees to build Habitat for Humanity homes in six cities

Delta Air Lines employees to build Habitat for Humanity homes in six cities

More than 2,300 Delta people volunteer for construction projects from coast to coast

Delta celebrates 200th home through partnership with Habitat

ATLANTA (Sept. 8, 2014) – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) employees from across the country will build or renovate affordable single family homes with Habitat for Humanity. This year’s fall builds will take place in six cities, including Delta’s hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York City and Seattle as well as in Los Angeles, a key international gateway for the airline. More than 2,300 Delta employees will participate in the projects, which begin Sept. 8 and continue through Oct. 17.

“Delta people are committed to making a difference in the lives of others in the communities where we live, work and serve each day,” said Tad Hutcheson, Delta’s vice president – Community Affairs. “I am proud of our people and their dedication to helping families around the globe build safe, affordable homes and continue to display the values of our brand.”

During the 2 1/2-month project, Delta will celebrate its 200th build with Habitat for Humanity. This milestone will be commemorated with the Seattle build, which will be partially funded through proceeds from Delta’s in-flight recycling program. This is the sixth home Delta has funded by recycling aluminum cans, plastic bottles and other materials from flights. More than 1 million pounds of material were recycled in 2013, and more than 8.5 million pounds have been recycled since the start of the program in 2007.

“Delta’s partnership through the years has made a significant impact on helping families in need of affordable housing around the world,” said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat for Humanity International CEO. “We appreciate Delta’s support and generosity and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Through local and national support, Delta employees have helped build or rehab 199 Habitat homes in 11 countries around the world. Habitat is one of Delta’s core community partners in its Force for Global Good, a program that encourages employees to make a difference in the communities where they live, work and serve.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976. Habitat also advocates to improve access to decent and affordable shelter and supports a variety of funding models that enable families with limited resources to make needed improvements on their homes as their time and resources allow. As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70 countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to partner in its mission. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.

About Delta
Delta Air Lines serves nearly 165 million customers each year. This year, Delta was named the 2014 Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine and was named to FORTUNE magazine’s 50 Most Admired Companies, in addition to being named the most admired airline for the third time in four years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 334 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs nearly 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a newly formed joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York-LaGuardia, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on delta.com, Twitter @Delta, Google.com/+Delta, Facebook.com/delta and Delta’s blog takingoff.delta.com.