Southern Crescent Habitat’s Women Build Attracts Hundreds of Women to Repair Homes Across the South Metro Atlanta Area

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Southern Crescent’s CEO Cynthia Jenkins welcomes Women Build volunteers in Peachtree City, GA

A sea of pink t-shirts and the sound of heavy-duty machinery filled the South Metro Atlanta area over the last few weeks as Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity completed three critical home repairs for seniors in Henry, Clayton, and Fayette Counties for their annual Women Build event.

  • Ambassador Megan Elliott at work
  • The ladies from DELTA did not come to play

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 celebrity ambassadors Brandi Harvey of Beyond Her, Marie Denee of The Curvy Fashionista, Pauli Wade of Wade Works Creative, Dianna Williams of Lifetime’s Bring It!, HGTV Host Egypt Sherrod, Melissa Ingram of Aspire TV, Megan Elliot of Lush to Blush, and Nikki Free of NikkiFreeStyle. The homeowners included a former educator and cancer survivor, a disabled grandmother, and a current bus driver for Fayette County Schools.

  • Future Habitat Homeowner
  • Homeowner Gloria Saussy w/ Mrs. D
  • The JACOBS crew
  • The Wade Works Creative crew with Pauli Wade

With JACOBS engineering group serving as the Community Builder sponsor, SCHFH was able to finish two of the projects and get a jumpstart on the final one. Some of the additional sponsors included Piedmont Fayette Hospital, Wade Works Creative, and the Ladies on Spokes cycling club.

  • Brandi Harvey meeting SCHFH CEO
  • Marie Denee being pinned as an honorary member of the 100 Women Who L.E.A.D
  • Melissa Ingram ready to speak to the volunteers
  • NikkiFree landscaping in style
  • Egypt Sherrod signing our commemorative hard hat

SCHFH joins MOMS Club of Fayetteville for Church Street Park Dedication

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Over the past few years, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has assisted the MOMS Club of Fayetteville in their efforts to revitalize Church Street Park. On April 27, surrounded by all of the community sponsors and local families, Fayetteville Mayor Ed Johnson revealed a new sign during the 3rd annual Church Street Park Festival. In addition to SCHFH, sponsors include Heritage Bank, Clothes Less Traveled, Resurgens Orthopedic, Coweta-Fayette EMC, Main Street Fayetteville, and the city of Fayetteville.

Southern Crescent Closes on Five More Homes in Hannah Springs

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Hannah Springs

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is excited to welcome five new homeowners to the Hannah Springs neighborhood in Lovejoy, GA. As of March 2019, we completed and closed on these craftsman style homes located on Rockspray Court with plans to break ground on additional lots this Spring. The home dedications are set for Friday, April 12th. Check out our homeowners at their closings:

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity begins project to renovate home of fallen police officer

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Continuing our mission to build hope in the South Atlanta Metro area, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity partnered with Team Depot on March 15th to construct an accessibility ramp for Bradin Maddox, the son of fallen Locust Grove Police Officer Chase Maddox. Building the ramp was the first step in Southern Crescent’s extensive plan to make the Maddox home accessible for Bradin and those who care for him.

Last year tragedy struck the Locust Grove community when Officer Maddox was killed in the line of duty while assisting two Henry County deputies issue a failure to appear warrant. Officer Maddox, a McDonough native, was a veteran of the National Guard. Just four days after the fatal incident, his widow, Alex Maddox, gave birth to the couple’s second son, Bodie. The couple’s oldest son has cerebral palsy and his mobility is very limited.

Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer program, contributed $10k in gift cards to jumpstart the project followed by another $10k from the Home Depot Foundation. Employees from various Home Depot stores, Southern Crescent
staff, and volunteers worked tirelessly in the inclement weather to finish the ramp at the Maddox residence in Griffin, GA.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity hopes to rally additional community partners to complete other renovations in the home. For more information on how you can help Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity with the Chase Maddox project or other families, please email development@schabitat.org or donate to the GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/thechasemaddoxproject.

Check out some of the media coverage:
CBS 46: Organization Helps Family of Fallen Officer Chase Maddox
South Metro Neighbor: Family of Fallen Locust Grove Officer to receive home improvements
Henry Herald: Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity to build ramp at Maddox home
Henry County Times: Project ongoing in officer’s memory
11 Alive: A wheelchair-accessible ramp for a fallen hero’s son
AJC: Habitat, Home Depot workers to help son of slain Locust Grove police officer
13WMAZ: Volunteers came together to build an accessible ramp for son of fallen police office Chase Maddox
Fox 5: Help for family of fallen Griffin police officer

Southern Crescent joins affliates around the state for a Day at the Dome

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Georgia’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates gathered in the Capital for this year’s Habitat Day at the Dome on February 6th. Southern Crescent had 5 representatives from the 100 Women Who L.E.A.D to help advocate on the passing of House Bill 344. This bill approves a referendum- allowing for property tax exemption on vacant lots Habitat holds for future development. The passing of this bill can make an $8,000 a year difference in expenses.

Fulfilling the Dream: Georgia Power Joins SCHFH for a Day of Service

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Georgia Power joined forces with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity on January 21, 2019 for a day of service to commemorate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. A group of GA Power volunteers, future Habitat homeowners, and Southern Crescent staff worked together to complete homes in the Hannah Springs neighborhood in Lovejoy, GA.

Last year during the MLK Build, Georgia Power helped us raise the walls on the home of Jasmine Nance and by the end of this month, we will be closing on 4 other homes in Hannah Springs. “When you’re able to help build your neighbors home and they are able to build yours…you know each other, you look out for each other…great sense of community,” exclaims Ms. Nance about her experience with SCHFH.

  • Habitat Homeowners
  • GA Power & SCHFH

Pinewood Studios Winter Gala was a night to remember for Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity benefits from the “Reel People Care” Pinewood Atlanta Studios Gala 2019


The “Reel People Care” Pinewood Atlanta Studios Winter Gala was a huge success and Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity had the honor of being one of the selected nonprofits benefitting from the event.

The red carpet affair featured exquisite culinary selections from the Hanna Brothers, a silent auction, interactive media experiences, and even live entertainment.
 

Celebrating the “Home Grown” theme, the star-studded evening included speeches from actor and comedian Chris Tucker, filmmakers the Erwin brothers, and Chick-fil-a CEO Dan Cathy.

This unique event allowed guests exclusive access to Pinewood Studios’ Stage 17 where several of our favorite Marvel projects have been filmed.  Over 700 guests filled the room to get a taste of Georgia’s booming film industry while raising a half a million dollars for charities that serve the Fayette County area. 

Through events like this and with your support, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is able to continue our mission to build HOMES, COMMUNITIES, and HOPE in South Metro Atlanta. 

Photos from the event are courtesy of Dre’s Photography. See the complete album here.
 
 

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 200 homes and repaired over 150 homes.

 

Georgia Gives Campaign 2018

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Georgia Gives on Giving Tuesday: Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is fundraising to impact their mission

 

Media Contact
Name: Elizabeth Duncan
Title: Operations Assistant
E-mail: Elizabeth.Duncan@schabitat.org
Office:  770-477-2367 

 

JONESBORO, GA [November 1, 2018] —Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity (SCHFH) is joining over 3,000 other Georgia nonprofits this month as we participate in Georgia Gives on Giving Tuesday. Georgia Gives is a statewide event run by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits that helps the community balance holiday “getting” with community “giving.”

Georgia Gives on Giving Tuesday will happen this year on November 27th, 2018, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving.  SCHFH is asking the South Metro Atlanta area community to come together to help low-to-moderate income families with homeownership and home repairs in Clayton, Fayette, and Henry counties.  Last year, SCHFH came very close to raising $10,000 towards home repairs for senior citizens in need.  This year, SCHFH hopes to hit the $10,000 goal to build impact to our mission.

“Georgia gives donations are important because we have several families on our wait list for home repairs.” stated by Cynthia E. Jenkins, CEO of Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity. “Without these funds we will not be able to help them with the home repairs that are critical to their safety.  We want them to be safe and warm this upcoming winter.”

All month long, SCHFH will be highlighting some inspiring stories from our Habitat families.  Ms. Juwarn Gray has been residing in her Habitat home for 15 years in College Park. Mr. Walter Prayor, a senior living in Fayette county that until last year has been using an outhouse his entire life.  Ms. Martina Simmons residing in the Clayton county area started her relationship with us as an individual that received assistance with her critical home repair but now holds a seat as board member for our organization.  

“We know that $10,000 is a tall order, but we are confident that our community can come together and raise the funds needed,” said Cynthia E. Jenkins.

Donors can give online at schabitat.org/gagives or mail checks to 9570 Tara Blvd. Jonesboro GA 30236, payable to “Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.”

 

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 200 homes and repaired over 150 homes.

ABOUT GA GIVES ON GIVING TUESDAY:

GAgives rooted in the Thanksgiving season, has raised more than $20.4 million in donations for over 3,000 participating Georgia nonprofits since 2012. Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, the GAgives initiative maintains an online fundraising platform.  This initiative empowers all Georgia nonprofits to increase funds, gain new supporters, and raise awareness through one 24 hour statewide marathon giving. GAgives.org, is free to use for any registered 501c3 in the state.

 

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Our 200th Habitat Home! Meet Sheneshia

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We are ecstatic to welcome Sheneshia to the Habitat family. She will become our 200th Habitat homeowner this September 2017! Read on to learn a little more about her Habitat journey, and join us on September 23rd to celebrate 200 homes.

Please tell us a little about you and your family.

My name is Sheneshia Anderson and I am 38 years old. I have a very good heart, I love to help people, and I love to laugh. I have a son named DeMario Anderson who is 19 years old. He is very playful and has a heart of gold, he will actually give you the clothes off of his body!

How does your family spend quality time? What are your hobbies?

My family and I love to travel and just enjoy each other’s company. We love to have family gatherings and go to sporting events.

Where do you work?

I work at Genesis Healthcare (Foxglove Center). I have been there for 8 years working as a Certified Nursing Assistant. I also work at Riverwoods Behavioral Health Services.

Why did you apply to be a Habitat homeowner?

I have always wanted to buy a house but never succeeded because of personal reasons like my financial situation. After working on my credit to improve it, I decided to give the program a try.

What are you looking forward to the most when you are a Habitat homeowner?

As a Habitat homeowner, I look forward to knowing that I do not have to sign another lease and wondering whether my rent will increase. My personal goals are to become financially stable, finish school, and continue to volunteer to help future homeowners.

Where do you live now?

I [used to] stay in a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment with my son. I moved out of my apartment in June 2017. If I would have renewed my lease, my rent would have went up another $50. My current living situation right now is with my sister and her family. I know I’m not a burden on them because they love the company, but it’s nothing like having your own.

How did you hear about Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity?

I heard about Southern Crescent Habitat through a family member.

What about Habitat has been the biggest surprise to you?

The response time once I turned in my application in was a surprise because I actually thought it was going to take longer.

Describe the hardships you have faced on your road to the American Dream of homeownership.

The hardships that I have faced are working 2 jobs and making sure my son is well-taken care of while trying to complete all my hours in order to become a Habitat homeowner.

How will your life change once you move into your new home?

My life will be different because I will be able to work on my next goal of becoming financially stable since my living situation is not a burden anymore. It’s like having a load lifted off your chest.

What is the first thing you are going to do in your new home?

The first thing I am going to do in my new home is give thanks to my God all mighty for allowing me to be a homeowner.

What would you like to say to Habitat and the volunteers that are going to help you build your new home?

I would like to say thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the volunteers and donors and even those that wanted to participate but couldn’t for making it possible for my son and me to have a place to actually call our own!

SCHFH Teams Up with Warrick Dunn Charities for the Surprise of a Lifetime

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Jonesboro, GA [November 22, 2016] – Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity teamed up with Warrick Dunn Charities for the surprise of a lifetime. When Rickita pulled up to her new Habitat home on the morning of November 22, she thought she was just going to have a simple Home Dedication with Southern Crescent Habitat volunteers, her family and her friends. But she knew something was going on when she saw over 60 people in her front yard as well as a dozen cameras and different news crews.

Rickita walked into her home and found out that Warrick Dunn furnished her entire home for their “Home for the Holidays” initiative, free of charge, just in time for the holidays! Many tears were shed, and we thank them from the bottoms of our hearts!

We would also like to thank the wonderful people who worked on Kita’s home, including our construction team, the Atlanta Dream WNBA team, educators and administrators from the Fulton County school system, students from Clayton State University,  and our Grey Ghosts.

About Warrick Dunn Charities
Warrick Dunn Charities is a a 501(c)(3) recognized nonprofit that has helped single parents and children thrive academically, socially and economically. Warrick Dunn, former all-pro running back and philanthropist, began “Homes for the Holidays” during his rookie season in the NFL to honor his late mother, Betty Smothers. Ms. Betty was a Baton Rouge police officer and single mother who was killed while working an off-duty assignment.

About Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity
Southern Crescent Habitat For Humanity (SCHFH) helps low income families find opportunity, stability and improve their quality of life. SCHFH helps 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. SCHFH has created opportunities for hard working people to own an attractive and affordable home. To qualify they must have a stable job with a 2-year tenure, spend more than 1/3 of their monthly income on rental housing, meet income requirements and invest 300 hours in sweat equity (building homes) and home ownership education (financial and home maintenance). SCHFH has helped over 300 families in South Atlanta, and would like to invite you to be apart of our mission to double that by 2020.