When the concept of home is more important than ever, SCHFH is continuing our mission to build homes, communities, and hope. During the pandemic, not only did we complete several home repairs, but we welcomed three new homeowners to the Habitat family!
Join us in congratulating The Carter, The Roberts, and The Barber families to their new homes!
According to studies, there is a direct correlation between housing quality and academics. These graduates prove that the work we do at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity provides a great foundation for a successful future. Although graduation was a little different this year, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity celebrates the accomplishments of our partner families and graduates across the country.
A message from our CEO:
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.
The need doesn’t go away just because the economy has stalled. In fact, the need is growing.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, just like the millions who are under stay-at-home orders, is adjusting to this ever-changing situation. Build sites are suspended, Habitat ReStores are closed, and finances are impacted, but our operations continue. Every day, front-line Habitat for Humanity staff members continue to make affordable homeownership a reality for families. They are working virtually to service mortgages and coach homeowners to ensure that they can stay in their homes. They are pivoting homeowner services, education and financial planning to virtual environments and making payroll to ensure that when our economy reopens, we are prepared not just to continue building, but also to accelerate to meet the increased need for affordable housing.
Healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, Atlanta airport workers, MARTA employees, and postal workers are just a few professions held by Southern Crescent Habitat partner families. They are on the frontlines for us and thanks to you we can ensure that they have a decent place to call home!
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has 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.
Over the next few months, we will introduce you to some of our families that are on the frontline helping us get through this pandemic.
The Coronavirus pandemic has significantly impacted our communities and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is here to provide resources for our families and friends. We pray that each of you are safe and hope that we will be able to see you all soon in our office. Please send us an email at development@schabitat.org, if you know of additional resources that may serve families in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties.
FOOD RESOURCES
UTILITY BILLS
HOUSING RESOURCES
Habitat for Humanity International, Lowe’s and approximately 6,000 women volunteers will unite in more than 235 communities in the United States, India and Canada for International Women Build Week, March 1-8, to highlight the global need for safe and affordable housing. A prelude to International Women’s Day, the global event aims to build and improve 540 homes while raising awareness of housing issues facing women and their families.
“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,” said Sue Henderson, vice president of U.S. operations, Habitat for Humanity International. “History has proven that women and their families have the power to make remarkable changes and spark meaningful conversations. With the support of Lowe’s and thousands of volunteers around the world, we will advocate for positive change in the housing needs of women and their families.”
In the U.S., one in six families must choose between having a place to call home and paying for food, health care, childcare, education or reliable transportation. Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are calling on women across the world to help bring attention to this important issue by raising a hammer with their local Habitat chapter.
“Lowe’s and Habitat have seen firsthand the transformative power women can have when we come together for communities in need,” said Jennifer Weber, Lowe’s executive vice president, human resources, and board chair of the Lowe’s Foundation. “More than 138,000 volunteers have built or repaired more than 5,325 homes during our 12-year partnership of supporting International Women Build Week, and this year, we encourage all women, whether a home improvement professional or a do-it-yourselfer, to join a build alongside other women. Together, we can make a difference to improve access to safe and affordable housing in our communities.”
The Lowe’s partnership with Habitat began in 2003, and since then, the company has committed more than $71.1 million to support the nonprofit. Lowe’s longstanding support of Habitat has helped more than 6,500 Habitat partner families improve their living conditions.
For this year’s Women Build week, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity will be hosting employees from the Lowe’s in Stockbridge, GA. The event is a safe-haven for women to practice, excel, and build for other women. To learn more, visit habitat.org/womenbuild or follow #BuildHer and #WomenBuild on social media to share and view stories from around the world.
About Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry dedicated to providing low-income families an opportunity to become successful homeowners through a program of education and support, interest free lending, and volunteer driven construction. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to build attractive and affordable homes, repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has built 205 homes and repaired over 170 homes.
About Lowe’s in the Community
Lowe’s has supported the communities where its associates live and work for more than 70 years. As a FORTUNE 50 home improvement company, Lowe’s is committed to creating safe, affordable housing and helping to develop the next generation of skilled trade experts through nonprofit partnerships. Across every community we serve, Lowe’s associates donate their time and expertise through the Lowe’s Heroes volunteer program. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.
Air Force veteran Walter Jones was in dire need of home repair when Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and The Home Depot Foundation came to the rescue.
ELLENWOOD, GA (January 31, 2020) — Imagine a wave of orange t-shirts filling the driveway of a ranch home located in the northern corner of Henry County. This memory resonates with Air Force veteran Walter Jones as he recalls the day that volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation joined Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity to complete critical repairs on his home.
Despite his limited mobility, Mr. Jones is a big family man and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren whom he calls “little angels.” Not only will the repairs allow him to live comfortably, but they provide peace of mind and a sense of security. Some of the repairs completed by Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity included a new HVAC system, roof replacement, exterior/interior painting, and window replacement.
“Thank you! Thank you! You are doing GREAT service to those who are unable to do it on their own. Words cannot express the gratification we get from your kindness and the willingness of your work. I thank God for Habitat and the volunteers for the repairs to be done on my home,” exclaimed Mr. Jones as he learned about his acceptance into the program.
Mr. Jones is one of over 1,000 veterans that have received help through the Habitat for Humanity International Repair Corps program, an initiative funded by The Home Depot Foundation to help renovate, repair or construct homes for qualified U.S. veterans. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has participated in the program since 2014 and has completed more than 175 home repairs in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties.
For more information on the programs and services Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity offers, visit www.schabitat.org or call 770-477-2367.
It’s very seldom that you find film and philanthropy in the same sentence, but since 2014, Pinewood Studios has been an instrumental part of creating awareness and raising funds for Fayette County nonprofits through their annual winter gala. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is honored to be one of those benefitting nonprofits.
This year’s red carpet gala featured a mystical experience from META studios, photo booths, delicious cuisine from Hanna Brothers Catering, and more.
Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity uses the money raised from the “Reel People Care” Pinewood Studios Atlanta Winter Gala to go towards our mission of making sure that every one has a decent and safe place to call home. Last year, we were able to complete a project for a Peachtree City family that needed critical home repairs.
Photos from the event are courtesy of Dre’s Photography. See the complete album here.
Today, one in six families spend at least half their income in rent or mortgage, often choosing between paying for housing or purchasing food. Unfortunately, this is the story of far too many families. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is not only doing their part to ensure everyone has a decent place to live, but they are aiding Nothing but the Truth Ministries in their fight against hunger.
According to Cathy Cochran, Southern Crescent Habitat’s Family Services Manager, “Habitat works closely with families that fit the demographic serviced by Nothing but the Truth Ministries. They are low to moderate-income families that sometimes lack the basic necessities, such as food and shelter. We are just happy to be able to provide them with a place to serve our community. ”
Every Friday morning, Nothing but the Truth Ministries and several volunteers fill the Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity conference room to pack “Weekend Food Bags” for Clayton County students to take home in their backpacks. The “Weekend Food Bags” are given to children that school counselors identified as being “food insecure” and in need of additional food for the weekend. The bags typically contain easy-open/self-serve items sourced from Midwest Food Bank in Peachtree City, as well as donations from the local community.
“Some of these students do not get to experience the simple things that we take for granted…like going in the pantry and knowing that there is something to eat. We often associate hunger with third world countries, but it is happening right in our own backyards,” exclaimed Diane Soroko, the Nothing but the Truth Clayton County Program Coordinator.
The “Weekend Food” Ministry started in Gwinnett County over 10 years ago and branched out the Clayton County about 5 years ago. There are currently six schools and over 190 students that receive weekend food bags in Clayton County Schools.
For more information on how you can help Nothing but the Truth Ministries, visit www.nothingbutthetruth146.org. To learn more about Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s mission in Henry, Clayton, and Fayette Counties, visit www.schabitat.org.
On June 1st, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity celebrated the home dedications of five new homeowners and the volunteers that made it possible. The event kicked off with home tours provided by a few of our partner families followed by a beautiful program that culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
During the program, SCHFH CEO Cynthia Jenkins launched the Friends of Southern Crescent Memorial Fund and honored the memories of John Flowers and Sandra Childress. We also recognized Collective Insights (Volunteer Group of the Year) and Gray Ghost Dave Hesterlee (Volunteer of the Year).
After renting apartments for about 40 years, new homeowner Ms. Haney was ecstatic to cut the ribbon on her new three bedroom craftsman style home. Her story along with those of our other homeowners is the reason why we Habitat!
Special thanks to the former CEO Brenda Rayburn, former board president Elias Makres, Clayton County HUD, Wells Fargo, Georgia Power, and the numerous organizations that lent a hand to help us build these homes.
Southern Crescent Habitat