Southern Crescent dedicates home #218 to one of our own!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is thrilled to announce the dedication of our 218th home, marking a significant milestone not only for the organization but also for one of our cherished staff members. This dedication is particularly special as the new homeowner is none other than Kiera, our dedicated Volunteer & IT Coordinator.

Kiera cuts the ribbon on her brand new home surrounded by her Southern Crescent Family.

From college to career to homeownership

Kiera’s journey with SC Habitat began in 2015 when she joined our team as a full-time college student at Clayton State University. Balancing her studies and work, Kiera’s commitment to our mission was unwavering. She earned her degree from CSU, becoming a first-generation college graduate in her family. Her passion for nonprofit work and dedication to our community led her to continue her journey with SC Habitat as our Volunteer Coordinator.

Kiera’s role as Volunteer Coordinator often kept her busy on the build sites, organizing and leading volunteer groups. Despite her demanding schedule, she was committed to completing her sweat equity hours, a requirement for Habitat homeowners. Her determination and perseverance paid off, and we are thrilled to see her reach this achievement.

This home dedication is a momentous occasion for Kiera and her family. As a first-time homeowner, Kiera has achieved a dream that holds deep personal significance. Having a place to call her own is not just about owning a property; it’s about creating a safe and stable environment for herself and her loved ones. This milestone is a testament to her hard work, determination, and the support of the community.

This build would not have been possible without the incredible support of our volunteers and the generous funding from Clayton County Government. We extend our deepest gratitude to all the volunteer groups who dedicated their time and effort to help build Kiera’s home. Your contributions have made a lasting impact on her life and the lives of her family members. As we celebrate this special occasion, we look forward to the many more lives we will touch and the homes we will build together.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity celebrates home for the holidays with our newest Veteran Homeowner!

Veteran Homeowner, Marsha Pettigrew excitedly cuts the ribbon on her brand new home! Southern Crescent CEO, Cynthia Jenkins, The Pettigrew Family, and The Patricia Terwilliger Family Foundation joins her in the celebration.

Marsha’s Story

Marsha Pettigrew is an Army Veteran who is simply “grateful!” Although she experienced a few rough patches along her journey, Marsha didn’t let it deter her from providing for her children. Often times, as a mother of six, she felt as though she was “robbing Peter to pay Paul.”

Her dream of becoming a homeowner seemed so far away, until she saw someone wearing a Habitat for Humanity t-shirt and asked them about the organization. The thought of becoming a homeowner is still mind-blowing to her, but she looks forward to the day when she can host gatherings for her children and their families all under one roof!

Marsha is currently a Marta bus operator and lives with her twins, Elizabeth and Elisha (Elijah), and her newborn grandson.

We are forever grateful for our partnership with The Patricia Terwilliger Family Foundation for sponsoring the entire build for Marsha’s home. The Patricia Terwilliger Family Foundation, which supports veterans through various charitable efforts, not only made a financial donation but also joined us on the build site numerous times. See the photos here.

Photo credit © Habitat for Humanity International/Carolina Guerrero.

At Southern Crescent, we recognize the immense sacrifices made by our Veterans and are deeply committed to supporting them through our housing programs. Through supporting Veterans, we honor their service and contribute to their well-being and reintegration, reinforcing our dedication to those who have bravely served our country.

Reflecting on a Successful Women Build Event: Southern Crescent HFH Empowers Women and Builds Home for a Brighter Future

Every May, people around the country prepare to pay homage to their mothers or mother figures in their life. This year, several women from the Metro Atlanta area joined Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity and this year’s Women Build title sponsor, Camille Rose Naturals, to help a single mother in their community achieve the dream of homeownership. Through the Women Build initiative, women nationwide devote at least one day to build decent and affordable housing in their local communities. Women-led crews along with our Women Build ambassadors worked on a new construction home in Riverdale, GA for five days straight, May 2nd – 6th.

Participants not only invested their time but financially contributed to addressing the vital issue of affordable housing and equity building. Statistics show that women, especially those who serve as head of their families and women of color, disproportionately face obstacles that make accessing decent, affordable housing seem impossible. The week-long build also provided a platform for women volunteers to flex their muscles and showcase their construction skills.


SCHFH was able to exceed the fundraising goal of $35,000 thanks to our sponsors and donations from various organizations, including 100 Ladies Who L.E.A.D, ExecuSource, HFHI BEST, iThink Financial, Southern Crescent Women In Business, and many others. Our sponsors were Jacobs, SCB Video TV Marketing and Camille Rose Naturals as our Title Sponsor. The event also saw the participation of female executives from these organizations who lent their support in various building activities.

“When this opportunity came to us, I jumped at it! So thank you guys, I know you’re thanking me, but I’m thanking you, for allowing our brand to be a part of something that is just this huge blessing to you and your family.” said Janell Stephens, Founder & CEO of Camille Rose Naturals and Women Build 2023 Ambassador as she shared words with the future homeowner.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is deeply grateful to all the volunteers, sponsors, and partners who helped make this year’s Women Build Week a great success. Special thanks to our other ambassadors Michelle Amara of SCB Video TV Marketing, Danielle Smith Clayton County Tax Commissioner & Owner of the D. Smith Agency, and DeBlair Tate Author & Wellness Coach. The organization remains committed to building more affordable homes for families in need, with a vision of creating a world where everyone has a decent place to call home.

PHOTOS

Day 1: SCBTV and friends

Day 2: HFHI Best, iThink Financial

Day 3: Execusource, Southern Crescent Women in Business

Day 4: Jacobs, Progress Residential

Day 5: Camille Rose and friends

The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill Thanksgiving Build

Caleb Robinson is a senior at Woodward Academy who has a passion to help his community. Serving as the Youth Engagement Intern at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, he has done everything from build walls to generate creative ideas.


Caleb decided to enlist the help of his friends and fellow members of The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill to help a family get one step closer to living in their own home. The group painted and built a shed for our next homeowner in McDonough, GA. With the help of fellow students, Caleb and The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill were able to raise over $2,150!


Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and completes home repairs for income-qualified families, who need a hand up, not a handout. Through education and financial literacy, families are prepared to be successful homeowners. By partnerships with volunteers and donors in Henry, Clayton and Fayette Counties, their mission of building homes, communities and hope is possible. Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 400 homes. For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

We’re Building Healthy Homes this Giving Tuesday!

This #GivingTuesday Southern Crescent Habitat hopes to surpass our $50,000 goal with your help!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is on a mission to ensure that individuals in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties don’t have to choose between which basic necessity they are able to provide for their families. Because of our homeownership and home repair programs, many of the families we partner with are able to focus on adequate heath care instead of spending the majority of their income on housing or repairs.

Housing and health equity are deeply intertwined. Poor housing conditions and the lack of affordable housing are associated with negative health outcomes. In Georgia, 1 in 7 households are severely cost-burdened — those spending more than 50% of their income on housing — and devote 57% less of their total expenditures to health care than non-cost-burdened households at similar income levels. 

Whether through campaigns for our essential workers or ensuring that or older population is able to age in place, we know housing has a huge impact on health. In fact, it’s proven that providing access to stable and affordable housing improves health and reduces health care costs.

As we celebrate 36 years of building homes and hope, we know that the work we do is only possible because of your support! Your gifts have impacted thousands of individuals, giving them healthy environments to thrive and building a community of neighbors – but there is still much work to do.

Your gift today means families like Nilka’s and Shaneeka’s will have a stable, healthy foundation on which to build a future. As seen throughout the pandemic, home is vital to your health and we are doing our part to build healthy homes through our programs.

Giving Tuesday is November 29th and Southern Crescent Habitat invites you to join us as we continue to build healthy homes in the South Metro Atlanta region

Here is how you can get ready to give:

  1. Mark your calendar: Add Giving Tuesday 
  2.  Give. Now through November 29th, go to www.schabitat.org/gagives and donate. You can also support our organization by joining a committee, starting a fundraiser, or volunteer on a build site. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
  3. Spread the word. Encourage your friends and family to join you in creating real impact on November 29th by sharing what our mission means to you and why you support our organization . Make sure to use hashtags #BuildwithSCHabitat #GAgives #GivingTuesday #gagenerosity and tag us so we can share!

ABOUT SOUTHERN CRESCENT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that helps low-income families find opportunity, achieve stability, and improve their quality of life. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive and affordable homes, to repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has helped over 430 families with homeownership and home repairs.

ABOUT GA GIVES ON GIVING TUESDAY:

GAgives, rooted in the Thanksgiving season, has raised more than $13.5 million in donations for nearly 2,700 Georgia nonprofits since 2012. Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, the GAgives initiative maintains an online fundraising platform, GAgives.org, free to use for any registered 501c3 in the state; it also helps teach and mobilize everyone with a stake in the community – organizations, corporate sponsors, government agencies, media partners, and citizens – to raise awareness and support for nonprofits.

Homecoming Week

Our Inaugral Homecoming Week will take place October 3rd-8th, 2022. Check out all the great events and come celebrate with us! Please download our #CostofHome flyer and take a photo for our socials Monday, October 3rd. Celebrate at our Alumni Mixer October 4th, Sign-a-Stud at our ReStore event Thursday Oct. 6th. Join us Friday, Oct. 7th for Markysa’s home dedication, and finally join us Oct. 8th at our Restore for our anniversary sale and tailgate experience! You don’t want to miss this! We’re so excited to celebrate with you!

Please click above to download the #costofhome flyers.

100 Women Who L.E.A.D. Kickoff Breakfast a success!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity hosted our inaugural 100 Women Who L.E.A.D. Kickoff Breakfast on September 13th at Living Faith Tabernacle in Forest Park, GA. The event was a great opportunity for women to network and learn more about our mission.

Shaneeka Grant, our newest homeowner, shared her family’s journey and how Southern Crescent Habitat helped her fulfill a life long dream of homeownership. By the end of her testimony, the room was filled with tears and applause. The face of housing affordability is changing and Ms. Grant is a prime example of how everyone could use a hand up.

Barbara Coleman, a past Women Build Ambassador, shared her Southern Crescent Habitat experience and encouraged other women to get involved in their community.

100 Women Who L.E.A.D. (Link, Empower, Advocate, Donate) is an initiative created by our CEO, Cynthia Jenkins. The goal is to draw women from Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties who may not be able to volunteer regularly, but believe in our vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live. Each member will donate $100 quarterly to a Habitat initiative in each county. That’s 4 events, $400, for a forever impact! One of the biggest events hosted by the 100 Women is our annual Women Build. 

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity receives grant from Lowe’s!

Lowe’s Partnership Renewal

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is excited to share that we were selected as a recipient of the Lowe’s Housing Plus Grant. This funding is a part of Lowe’s partnership renewal with Habitat for Humanity that includes a donation of $2.5 million to support 100 local Habitat organizations undertaking home repair and rehab projects across the U.S.

This year, 100 local Habitat affiliates will complete 628 projects, including 67 critical home repairs, 276 home preservations, and 285 housing plus projects to provide aging-in-place solutions that help make homes safe and accessible.

Helping families, fixing homes

Across our country access to quality, affordable home repair, and modification services are almost inaccessible to those with low to moderate incomes. With the support of this grant, we will be able to further help families in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties address critical health and safety issues in their homes.

Lowe’s and Habitat began their partnership in 2003. Since then, Lowe’s has supported many of the global housing nonprofit’s efforts, including the Women Build Program and Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization program. Lowe’s has also supported Habitat’s Cost of Home national advocacy campaign and sponsored local Habitat builds and employee volunteer days, in addition to providing affiliate grants and donated products. Lowe’s commitment through 2022 will bring the company’s total contributions to Habitat to more than $84 million.

Cans for Homes

Joining the Cars for Homes Novelis partnership

Novelis and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity have joined forces for an initiative to encourage our local communities to recycle more. Novelis is providing recycling bins and monetary grants to help Habitat for Humanity increase neighborhood sustainability across the U.S. and Canada. Novelis and Habitat for Humanity have also joined forces for an initiative to encourage local communities to recycle more. Novelis is a global producer of aluminum rolled products and recycler of aluminum. Their employees have volunteered on various Habitat house builds and have initiated fundraisers to help build homes in partnership with families in their communities.

Southern Crescent joins the fun

Here at Southern Crescent, we take recycling seriously. We joined this partnership with Novelis to help build more homes for families in need. Each can we collect helps build homes in our areas of Fayette, Clayton, and Henry counties. We can’t do this without you. Please bring in your aluminum cans to our ReStore at 1465 GA-20, McDonough, GA 30253 or schedule a pickup from our office. Schedule a time to drop off your cans between Tuesday – Thursday at our office or our ReStore. We will be collecting cans until the end of the year. Thank you for your support in helping our families.

Congrats Graduates 2022!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is building foundations to prepare families for the future through homeownership.

Southern Crescent Habitat’s Impact on our families


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. Through our mission of bringing affordable, safe housing to families they are able to give their children these opportunities.

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. Congratulations to all of our ’22 graduates! This is only the beginning of your endeavors and we can’t wait to see what is in your future. The sky’s the limit!

Congrats to our 2022 Graduates! See them below

Kendrick Marshall: Mundy’s Mill High School ’22 | The University of West Georgia College | Culinary Arts

 Shakilya Dorsey : Mercer University ’22 | Bachelor’s in Education

Zachary Simms: Jonesboro High School ’22 | Georgia Military College

Khali Burney: Stockbridge High School ’22 | Technical School 

Ta’Nya Black : Lovejoy High School ’19 | Nursing School ’22

Indya Black : Lovejoy High School ’22 | Bethune-Cookmen University | Accounting

Shamiah Pittman : University of West Georgia ’22 | University of West Georgia for Masters | Digital & Social Media Communication

Not pictured:

Nekita Pullins graduated from Mercer with her Specialist (2nd masters) degree in education.