Global Village Trip

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This November, Habitat International is organizing a trip to the Jaymangala village in the Chitwan district of Nepal to shine a light on substandard housing. Hundreds of volunteers will come from all over the world to build 100 homes in one week for deserving families.  Southern Crescent Habitat tithes 10% of every donation that we receive to assist housing development internationally. This year four of our staff members will also be traveling to Nepal to provide hands on assistance in building one of the homes.  Kendra, Kara, Minka and Lindsey will do their part in putting an end to the poverty cycle.  We are seeking an additional 3 volunteers to join our team.  For more information about the trip, contact kendra.heimbuck@schabitat.org.  

Lowe’s Grant To Revitalize Normandy & Faith Park Neighborhoods

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 SOUTHERN CRESCENT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY TO USE $70,000 LOWE’S GRANT TO REVITALIZE NORMANDY & FAITH PARK NEIGHBORHOODS

Lowe’s Heroes and volunteers to beautify lawns and perform critical home repairs

 College Park, GA (August 20, 2014) — Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has been awarded a $70,000 grant from Lowe’s to revitalize the Normandy and Faith Park neighborhoods in College Park, GA as part of Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization, a nationwide program dedicated to serving more families through community development partnerships. Lowe’s awarded nearly $1 million in grants to 11 Habitat affiliates across the country to support more than 100 community improvement projects ranging from critical repairs to new home construction.

Southern Crescent Habitat will use the funds to carry out various neighborhood revitalization activities in the neighborhood including lawn beautification, foreclosure intervention, critical home repair, resident leadership development and the establishment of a neighborhood park.

 “We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Lowe’s for this generous gift,” said Minka Parish, Interim CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat. “The work that Habitat does in communities is possible because of the support we receive from dedicated volunteers and partners like Lowe’s.”

Through Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

”Lowe’s is excited to partner with Habitat to bring lasting change to communities in need,” said Joan Higginbotham, Lowe’s director of community relations. “Through these Neighborhood Revitalization efforts, we’re serving more families and meeting additional critical needs in the places our customers call home.”

A national partner since 2003, Lowe’s recently renewed its commitment to Habitat for Humanity with a five-year, $23.5 million donation that will bring Lowe’s total contributions to more than $63 million.  In celebration of the renewed partnership and to help Habitat reach its goal of serving one million people annually by 2018, Lowe’s and Habitat teamed up to launch “Hammers for Habitat,” a nationwide volunteer drive to get more hands on hammers to support Habitat’s work. Individuals interested in volunteering can find more information at Habitat.org/Lowes.

 About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity helps low income families improve their futures and to find opportunity and stability.  They help build stronger families and neighborhoods through homeowner education which includes financial literacy and by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive, affordable homes and to repair existing homes.  To learn more, donate or volunteer visit schabitat.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 nearly $200 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.

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.

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Shopping for a Cause

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Now every time you grocery shop at Kroger or purchase items online at Amazon Smile, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity!

Simply register your Kroger Plus Card at krogercommunityrewards.com and select Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity as the recipient or enter NPO number 36507.  Then every time you swipe your Kroger Plus Card at the checkout, you will be supporting low income families in the community.

When you shop at amazonsmile.com,  0.5% of the total proceeds will be donated to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity once you select our affiliate among the organizations listed.  These proceeds will make many families smile as they become homeowners for the first time.

Happy Shopping!!!

Southern Crescent Habitat partners with “Nothing But The Truth”

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Long time volunteer of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, Dianne Jones, asked if we would be interested in providing some space for a very special ministry group called “Nothing But the Truth”.  During the upcoming school year, she and two other ladies, Diane Soroko and Gail Smith, will be assembling sacks of food to distribute to elementary school children to take home over the weekend.  Those children have been identified as being at risk of not having sufficient food over the weekends.  The schools this ministry will be serving are Suter Elementary, Arnold Elementary and Lee Street Elementary.

 The food, which is all non-perishable and something a child can handle preparing for themselves, is typically donated from the Atlanta Food Bank as well as private donors.  There will be a group of 3-5 folks that will come to Southern Crescent Habitat on Friday mornings at 10am during the school year to assemble the food bags.  Habitat volunteers and homeowners earning sweat equity will also be able to help.

 These same three ladies are doing additional ministry work at Keystone Apartments in Jonesboro over the summer.  Every Tuesday afternoon between 4pm & 6pm they take snacks and share Bible stories with the children, do activities with them and hold a Bible study for any parents that are available.   This is a sweet group of ladies and Southern Crescent Habitat is very honored that they have reached out to allow us to be a part of their ministry.

Heroes & Housing

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On Saturday, April 26, 2014, SCHFH  partnered with local veterans and supporters to begin home repair work for our very first veteran, Billy Pegram in McDonough, GA. Through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity International’s Repair Corps program, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help repair, renovate or construct the homes of U.S. veterans, SCHFH will be able to serve 10 veterans this year.  Billy served in the Air force during the Korean War from 1951-1954.  He is a survivor of stage four cancer and multiple heart attacks and in the words of his daughter Bonnie, “is a true survivor.”

We were grateful to have volunteers from the Home Depot SDC in McDonough led by their General Manager, Ernest Washington.  In addition, we were presented with $5,000 in gift cards, jacuzzi tubs and donations to our McDonough ReStore from the new Home Depot Direct Fulfillment Center in Locust Grove.  Thank you so much to Home Depot for your support!

Delta TechOps 2014 Spring Build

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On April 8, 2014, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will kick off the final build in our Avery Subdivision in Jonesboro.  This will be the 17th home built by Delta TechOps in this community and we couldn’t be more grateful for their continued sponsorship to complete this subdivision.  With over 260 volunteers, Delta TechOps will complete the home in just nine days.  The Avery community consists of 48 homes total, all of which have been built by Habitat for Humanity.

 The homeowner for this final build is Samilia who can’t believe that everyone wants to help her move into a new home.  This will be a blessing for her and her five year old daughter that will change their lives forever.  She will be earning sweat equity hours while working alongside the volunteers when she is not working or attending school to become a pharmacist.

Thank you to Delta TechOps and to all of the volunteers who are supporting the ministry of Habitat to make affordable attractive housing available to low income families and to provide the necessary education to be a successful homeowner.

An Evening for Homes and Hope

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An Evening for Homes and Hope

More than 100 people enjoyed our “Evening for Homes and Hope” fundraiser, and we raised almost $7,000 to support our mission.  We enjoyed the musical performances by the Spivey Hall Children’s Tour Choir as well as Richard Shaw on the saxophone.  We had over 50 auction items including the iconic product from TOTO, a Washlet S350E Toilet Seat which was our highest bidding item that went for $405!  Special thanks to our event sponsors, Community Bible Church, Italian Oven, Oakwood Café, Carrabba’s, Chick-fil-a Eagle’s Landing and Starbucks.

Special thanks to all of those who donated auction items:

1325 Salon, Alliance Theater, Atlanta Hawks, Bill Lacy, Bliss, Bo’s BBQ, Carmax – Southlake, Cheddars – McDonough, Chick-fil-A – Fayetteville, Chuck-E-Cheese – Fayetteville, Cinemark Theatres – Fayetteville, Clay Davis, Corbin Comfort Systems, Dabo Swinney, Eagles Landing Country Club, Elias Makres, Encore Accessories, Fern Bank Museum, Fringe, Grace Eckert, Habitat ReStore, Holiday Inn, Home Depot, Joanne Hicks, Kilroy’s Package Store, Kristin Roberts, Kroger, Lexus of South Atlanta, Margaret Kilgore, Marriot, Metro Café, Minka Parish, Morris, Hardwick, and Schneider, New York Yankees, Nick Saban, Nicole Boothe, Patsy Gullett, Peachstate Flooring America, Publix, Pro Studio, Sam’s Club – Morrow, Sandra Childress, SweetWater Brewing, Teiola Porch, Terry Chapman, TOTO, Stephen & Heidi Truax, Varsity – Atlanta, and Walmart – Union City

SCHFH selected to participate in Habitat for Humanity Repair Corps program, funded by The Home Depot Foundation

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has been selected to participate in Habitat for Humanity International’s Repair Corpsprogram, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help repair, renovate or construct the homes of U.S. veterans. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is one of  up to 20 Habitat affiliates selected for Habitat’s 2014 Repair Corps program.

“We are excited to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Repair Corps program, and grateful to The Home Depot Foundation for funding this project,” said Bob Johnson, Development Director of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. “We are honored to work alongside former service men and women, and their families, to provide critical repairs to their homes.”

Habitat’s Repair Corps program is funded by The Home Depot Foundation. With donations of $6.2 million, to date, including $2.7 million in 2014 in cash and in-kind gift cards, The Home Depot Foundation supports Habitat grants for Repair Corps projects ranging from new construction to home repair projects such as roofing and weather stripping to the installation of wheelchair ramps and renovated bathrooms and doorways to accommodate disabled veterans. Repair Corpsgrants will be allocated in amounts up to $15,000 for each project.

“While veteran homelessness has declined in recent years, it is critical that we have support systems in place for veterans covering the whole housing spectrum to ensure that a few years from now, we are not faced with a rising tide of negative statistics again,” said Kelly Caffarelli, president of The Home Depot Foundation. “That is why we support programs like Habitat’s Repair Corps as part of our mission to ensure every veteran has a safe place to call home.”

Funding for Habitat’s Repair Corps is part of a five-year, $80 million investment The Home Depot Foundation is making to multiple organizations to repair and renovate homes and public housing facilities for U.S. veterans.

As is required of new Habitat homeowners, veterans selected to partner with Habitat’s Repair Corps program, will repay zero-interest loans covering a portion of the costs of their repairs. Loan amounts will be determined on a sliding scale based on the veteran’s income to ensure affordability for the veteran. 

About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity helps low income families find opportunity, stability and improve their future.  We help build stronger families and neighborhoods through homeowner education, financial literacy, and by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive, affordable homes and repair existing homes for those in need.  Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 250 homes.  For more information, please visit us atwww.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 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 The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation is dedicated to improving the homes of U.S. military veterans through financial and volunteer resources to help nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has pledged $80 million to these efforts over five years, and since 2011 has invested more than $63 million to ensure every veteran has a safe place to call home.

Through Team Depot, the company’s associate-led volunteer program, thousands of Home Depot associates volunteer their time and talents to positively transform neighborhoods and perform basic repairs and modifications to homes and facilities serving veterans with critical housing needs.

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $380 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities. To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org.
For more information, contact:

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

Bob Johnson
770-477-2367 ext 12
Bob.johnson@schabitat.org

Habitat for Humanity International

Mollie Evans
(404) 962-3410
mevans@habitat.org

The Home Depot Foundation

Lisa Walsh
(770) 384-4281
lisa_walsh@homedepot.com

Habitat for Humanity opens McDonough ReStore

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s latest venture opens today.

The new ReStore is a 19,000-square-foot retail space near the intersection of Avalon Parkway and Ga. Highway 20 that sells donated hard goods, home furnishings and maintenance materials at a reduced price. Proceeds from sales go back into the services that Habitat provides.

Melissa Chapman, CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity told the McDonough City Council in July a Habitat ReStore typically employs as many as 15 people.

“Home ownership really makes a difference in a community and supports a community’s health and stability,” she said. “We help families have a safe, decent and affordable house to live in.”

Habitat does not build and give away free homes, but rather builds a partnership with new homeowners, requiring them to participate with a “sweat equity”-type investment while teaching principles such as home maintenance and financial literacy.

In exchange, families receive affordable housing they might not otherwise have the opportunity to purchase.

Following the announcement in July, McDonough Mayor Billy Copleland said, “We are so excited to have this here,” adding that Habitat serves “important needs in the community.”

Habitat for Humanity describes ReStores as “nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price.”

New ReStore to benefit local Habitat for Humanity efforts

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  The Southern Crescent’s Habitat for Humanity has had a presence in Henry County for 26 years and will now offer an even bigger impact with it’s new ReStore, to open on Saturday, December 7, 2013 in McDonough.

 Remodeling the kitchen and not sure what to do with your old cabinets? Changing out your curtains or appliances and looking to donate them? The Habitat ReStore is looking for donations of gently used home décor, furniture, paint, building supplies, tools and other items to be sold in the store, with the proceeds going to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing decent and affordable housing to those in need.

  Melissa Chapman, Chief Executive Officer for the Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, said the ReStore will offer a unique opportunity for the organization to have a physical presence in the community, which it has served for well over two decades.

  One of more than 700 stores of its kind across the United States, the 19,000 square foot space will feature a large sales floor as well as offices for staff and a room to serve as a meeting place.

  “The space will lend itself not only to the store and offices, but other community events and classes for participants and volunteers,” said Chapman.

  Chapman said the store is going to be a wonderful resource to those looking for a good bargain.

  “It’s going to be a treasure hunter’s paradise,” said Chapman. “We have a lot of DIYers who will be able to find great deals and unique items.”

  She said the store is looking for donations of hard goods, and even leftover building supplies, from individuals, contractors or businesses, and donations are tax deductible.

  “The store is going to build homes and hope in our community, and give us an opportunity to serve families in a way we never have before,” she said.

  The Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is located at 465 Highway 20 West, McDonough, Georgia 30253, near Avalon Church. To schedule a free pick-up of donated goods, call 678-782-5111. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on December 7.