Important Note: Our mailing address has changed to PO Box 189 Jonesboro, GA 30237 effective 3-28-23. Please mail any correspondence to this address, if applicable.
On Saturday, October 2nd, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity kicked off their 35th Anniversary year with the Grand Reopening of their ReStore in McDonough, GA. Southern Crescent Habitat took over the operations of the McDonough ReStore from Habitat for Humanity International earlier this year. The SCHFH ReStore is a home improvement store that sells new to gently used furniture, appliances, and building supplies at discounted prices. Every purchase made at the ReStore goes to fund Habitat programs, such as homeownership, home repair, and neighborhood revitalization. Founded in 1986, SCHFH has built and repaired the homes of over 400 families in the South Metro Atlanta area.
Over the next year, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will utilize funds from the ReStore to construct two new homes for families either Clayton, Henry, or Fayette counties. See more pictures here.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC_9456-1-scaled.jpg17092560developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-10-04 11:02:002021-11-01 11:15:36SCHFH kicks of 35th Anniversary with ReStore Grand Reopening
A Habitat home is more than a house, it provides the foundation that families need to thrive! These homeowners have created memories, raised their children in these homes, and now they are PAID in FULL! Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment! How awesome is it that we get to celebrate 6 mortgage payoffs at once?!!
35 years ago, we broke ground on our first Habitat home! Since that first home in Clayton County, many of our homeowners have paid off their mortgages and own their home – free and clear! They can pass along the wealth they’ve created to their own family.
Check out some of the photos from the celebration HERE!
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/DSC_9312-scaled.jpg17092560developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-09-27 19:29:002021-11-01 19:55:46Southern Crescent Habitat Celebrates Six Homeowner Mortgage Payoffs
Women Build is one of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s most anticipated events! Thanks to our 2021 Women Build community sponsors, Piedmont Henry and Piedmont Fayette, we were able to safely welcome all of the women back on our build sites this year. Although we significantly reduced the amount of volunteers allowed on our sites, the women were still able to complete projects in all three counties that we serve.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) provided a safe haven for all-women volunteer groups to learn more about construction and landscaping while ensuring our Habitat partner families have a decent place to call home. The volunteers joined our ambassadors Yvette Johnson of Reclaimed Karma, Barbara Coleman of Connecting Henry, and DeBlair Tate of 8figured Brand. The families we partnered with included two disabled seniors, a hardworking single mother, and a disabled veteran.
Four of the groups joined us in the July and our last women build group of the year included JACOBS Engineering Women’s Network in September.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/224602192_10159563797980127_2085917012550094530_n.jpg13672048developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-09-17 09:17:002021-11-01 10:50:10Piedmont Henry and Piedmont Fayette Hospitals team up with Southern Crescent Habitat for Women Build
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is grateful for American Trucks and their Positive Payload Program which awarded us $250 for our organization! The Positive Payload Program is designed to benefit non-profit organizations who use and rely on pickup trucks and pickup truck accessories to better their community.
American Trucks recognizes that pickups are the backbone of the American workforce, from job sites to disaster relief and everything in between, which is why they’ve launched the Positive Payload Program. Here at Southern Crescent Habitat, trucks are vital to our operations. From transporting supplies to meeting with contractors and officials, our trucks make it possible for us to continue serving families in the South Metro Atlanta area.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/at_positive-payload_desktop-1-e1630008697394.jpg410553developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-08-26 16:17:432021-08-26 16:17:46Southern Crescent Habitat Receives Positive Payload from American Trucks
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is building foundations to prepare families for the future through homeownership. Growing up in a decent, affordable home can have a powerful effect on children. Studies draw a straight line between the quality, location and affordability of housing and a child’s ability to thrive. Families who spend too much of their income on housing often must make critical trade-offs, including forgoing educational and enrichment opportunities for themselves and their children.
Not only are we celebrating homeownership month and the over 200 families that achieved their dream of homeownership through our program, but we celebrate our SCHFH graduates. Their educational achievements are a testament to the mission of Habitat and the hard work of our partner families.
Laura Jones
Jabari O’Neal
Kasyana Bouie
Crysma Roberts
Laura Jones: Georgia State University ’21 | Master’s in Social Work
Ms. Jones is a great example of perseverance! She became a homeowner 10 years ago and after her daughter graduated high school, she went back to school and earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work. She took a break after her mom passed, but returned to GSU in 2020. Now equipped with her Master’s in Social Work, Jones is excited about future opportunities through her current employer, Fulton County.
Jabari O’Neal: Lovejoy High School ’21 | Kennesaw State University
Kasyana Bouie: Lovejoy High School ’21 | Fort Valley State University | Veterinarian
Crysma Roberts: Charles Drew High School ’21 | North Georgia Technical College | Future Bakery Owner
Erica Dolcini is the newest member of the Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity family. Originally from a small town called Petaluma, California, Ms. Dolcini attended the University of Southern California as well as the University of Notre Dame. While at these universities, Ms. Dolcini learned the essential skills of Strategic Sales and went on to make multi-million dollar sales for companies such as the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). With a strong passion for helping others, she relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where she assumed the Operations Assistant role at the Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity. Although Ms. Dolcini misses her family and the California weather, assisting families acquire affordable housing while working with individuals who are genuinely passionate about helping others made the transition truly worth it.
Michael Demers
Michael Demers is the new AmeriCorps Construction Lead at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. Originally from Merrimack, New Hampshire, Michael relocated to Atlanta, Georgia in 2014. With an interest in Philosophy and Literature, Michael attended Emory University where he later graduated in 2018. When he’s not enjoying s’mores in a national park or playing basketball with friends Michael can often be found onsite assisting homeowners with the repairs and construction of their new home.
Being aware of the many on-going issues in the housing system, Michael saw working for SCHFH as the perfect opportunity to begin making a difference in his community. From learning financial literacy to helping new homeowners build their own home, Michael says working for SCHFH has been very rewarding thus far and will continue to extend his help in the ongoing effort to provide families with decent and affordable housing.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/fresh.png788940developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-04-06 16:22:042021-04-06 16:27:21Southern Crescent Habitat Welcomes New Team Members to the Family
Glenn Clontz posing in front of the garage of his McDonough home.
Sinking is a term often used to describe a ship, but never a house. In the case of Henry County veteran Glenn Clontz, this is the dilemma he faced until Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity stepped in to help.
Mr. Clontz, a veteran of the US Air Force, purchased his home a little over 10 years ago with intentions on living there forever. At its peak, the home located on a quiet McDonough street, was beautifully landscaped with a gorgeous Koi pond in front. Now, there are huge cracks in the interior walls and the foundation is visibly collapsing into the ground. Not letting his disability hold him back, Mr. Clontz attempted to repair it on his own, but realized it was more than he could bear. For about two years, Mr. Clontz has only been able to live on one side of the house while hoping to find some assistance.
The left side of Mr. Clontz’s home was sinking before Southern Crescent Habitat stepped in!
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is known for building homes, but since launching the Veteran Build program, they have helped over 50 veterans with critical home repairs. After learning about Southern Crescent Habitat’s Heroes & Housing through a friend, Mr. Clontz decided to take his chance — finally, he found hope.
After several expert opinions, Southern Crescent Habitat’s Construction Director, Jenifer Klippel, knew that this home would take a little more funding than a typical repair. Construction engineers to city officials, joined SCHFH to put their heads together and developed a plan that would save Mr. Clontz’s home.
Although this project was a huge undertaking for Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, they are committed to building homes, communities, and hope. For additional information on this project, the Veteran Build program, or Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, please contact info@schabitat.org.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/DSC_0883-scaled.jpg17082560developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-03-29 18:09:282021-03-29 18:09:31Southern Crescent Habitat Saves Sinking Home of McDonough Veteran
Women Build Week is virtual this year, but in 2020 we worked on a home for The Barer family in our Hannah Springs neighborhood
JONESBORO, GA (March 8, 2021) – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are partnering to raise awareness of the global need for safe and affordable housing for women during International Women Build Week (March 8-15). On International Women’s Day, Habitat and Lowe’s will kick off more than 300 Women Build projects supporting women-led households across the United States, Canada, and India to drive awareness and address the need.
Women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, from job loss to evictions and foreclosures. According to The National Women’s Law Center, 80 percent of U.S. jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic were held by women. The United Nations (UN) has reported that 40 percent of all employed women globally work in the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many of the families in our pipeline represent the frontline workers who have been hit the hardest by this pandemic. We had to postpone three closings last year and all of the families were comprised of essential workers. Although we are not able to kickoff Women Build Week on the construction site, Southern Crescent Habitat is proud to partner with Lowe’s and women in our community to raise our voices and advocate for affordable housing. Board members to a Superior Court Judge have joined us to create a PSA in the spirit of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Choose to Challenge,” exclaims Cynthia Jenkins, Southern Crescent Habitat CEO.
Despite the unprecedented challenges women are facing, women remain on the frontlines of the pandemic as essential workers, as caretakers within their households, and too often have to make the difficult decision between maintaining a place to call home and paying for food, health care, childcare, education or reliable transportation. Harvard University’s State of the Nation’s Housing 2020 report revealed that 37.1 million U.S. households spent more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing in 2019, including 17.6 million spending more than 50 percent. The effects of the pandemic have further highlighted the need for safe and affordable housing, as 29 percent of renters and 36 percent of homeowners experienced employment income loss between March and September of 2020.
Stephanie Barber, a Marta employee, knows this story all too well. She is a frontline worker and understands the hardships that women face, especially as a single mother of three. Although her dreams of homeownership were deferred due to the pandemic, she was finally able to close on her home last Summer and is advocating for other women.
This story is not unique. Every day, millions of women face the challenge of a future without adequate, stable housing. This issue underscores the importance of Habitat and Lowe’s efforts to bring awareness to the issue, as well as a partnership focused on ensuring that more women have access to affordable housing.
Lowe’s and Habitat’s partnership began in 2003. To date, the program has brought together more than 143,000 women volunteers who have built or repaired nearly 6,000 houses. Lowe’s has committed more than $78 million to support the global housing nonprofit’s efforts, including the Women Build program, International Women Build Week, and Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization program. Lowe’s support of Habitat has helped more than 18,000 Habitat partner families improve their living conditions.
To learn more or join the conversation, visit habitat.org/womenbuild or follow #BuildHer and #WomenBuild on social media to share and view stories from around the world.
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Women from around the South Atlanta region (Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties) use their voice to Challenge Change and advocate for affordable housing on International Women’s Day and to kick-off Women Build Week!
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Women-Build-Week-2021-scaled.jpg25601920developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2021-03-08 11:25:462021-03-29 17:11:55Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s to address COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on women during International Women Build Week
Many of the families in our current pipeline represent the front-line workers who are fulfilling essential duties during this crisis. These are the individuals bagging groceries, delivering packages, preparing food, and working in hospitals. The uncertainty that so many of us feel today, these families have felt for a lifetime — if not generations. Our families are essential!
The need doesn’t go away just because the economy has stalled. In fact, the need is growing.
Over 500,000 Americans are homeless.
Forty percent of renters are considered cost-burdened.
Nearly 6 million Americans live in substandard housing.
In an estimated 12 million of these households, at least one contributing member works in an at-risk industry.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity launched the “Our Families are Essential” campaign to ensure that we are able to continue — and accelerate — our work in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties. As the economic shocks from this crisis ripple out, the need for affordable, safe and healthy housing is more apparent than ever.
Giving Tuesday is December 1st and our goal is $10,000 to ensure everyone has a decent place to call home.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit housing ministry dedicated to providing low to moderate-income families an opportunity to become successful homeowners through a program of education and support, interest-free lending, and volunteer-driven construction.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GA-Gives-FB-Banner-1-e1606253748686.png4571200developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2020-11-24 16:33:352020-11-24 16:37:22GA Gives on Giving Tuesday to help Essential Workers and Veterans in the Southern Crescent
Every year, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity welcomes hundreds of women for their annual Women Build – an initiative that empowers women to come together to build homes and positively impact their community through housing. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Southern Crescent Habitat’s Women Build went virtual. Presenting Women Build Everyday!
Instead of building homes on a traditional Habitat job site, Women Build Everyday equipped women with the “tools” to physically and mentally build in various aspects of their life. Taking place October 19th – 23rd, the weeklong series of lifestyle sessions culminated with virtual home dedications for three single mothers.
According to statistics gathered by Habitat for Humanity International, “more than 18 million U.S. households spend half or more of their income on a place to live, and almost 31% of women-headed households with children are below the poverty level.” With a goal of $15,000, participants had the opportunity to create their own fundraiser or donate to Southern Crescent Habitat’s mission of building homes, communities, and hope in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties.
Thanks to community builder sponsor JACOBS Engineering Group, Southern Crescent Habitat offered all of the lifestyle session for free via their Youtube channel. Presented by the Women Build ambassadors, the sessions covered fitness, cooking, beauty, branding, and interior design. The Women Build ambassadors include personal trainer Alisha Filmore, fitness trainer DeBlair Tate, private chef Christan Willis, private chef Rhonda Plummer, celebrity makeup artist Shalawn Willis, business consultant Eboni Green, communication coach Angela Reed, and interior designer Jeannelly Hartsfield. Additional sponsors included Ladies on Spokes and Wade Works Creative.
https://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Women-Build-Everyday-Ambassadors.png800800developmenthttp://www.schabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/SCHabitat_LogoMain_Black.pngdevelopment2020-11-03 13:13:582020-11-05 15:54:46Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity Empowers Women to Build Everyday
