GAINESVILLE – Tears and laughter filled the warm spring air Thursday afternoon as keys were handed over to two families, keys to a new house for each; Habitat for Humanity Hall County had completed work on homes number 52 and 53.
Last year Habitat Hall announced that they would be turning their attention and focusing their resources on Copper Glen, a partially developed 42-acre subdivision that had been donated to the ministry.
Courtney Young and JuJuan Johnson will be across-the-street neighbors, but both will tell you that the keys they were given were not the result of a hand-out. They both have callouses to prove that they worked hard for their new homes.
Ann Nixon, Executive Director for Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, explained to the crowd gathered for the lunch hour ceremony that Young and Johnson had invested themselves in the process at a very high level.
“Our families have joined us in a long journey to home ownership,” Nixon said.
“When they first come to us and express interest, that’s when they learn that if you want to be a Habitat homeowner…there’s a whole lot of partnership that we have to enter into together before we get to your home,” Nixon said.
Classes in home ownership and finances are blended with sweat equity, at least 200-hours working on houses of others.
“Before we get to their home they’re working hard for other people, without knowing for sure that they’re going to get their own home. They’re paying it forward.”
“Habitat Hall is a hand-up, not a hand out,” Nixon emphasized.
Young and Johnson have no complaints; in fact, they look back and savor the experience.
“I thank God that I had my hands in building my own house,” Young said. “If something messes up I won’t have to bother y’all as much, I think I can do it!”
Johnson was in step with her new neighbor. “When they say it will be a partnership, it truly is a partnership. Trust me. They do not give homes away.”
“That is definitely a myth,” Jonson added. “You work and you earn every bit of it.”
If you are interested in the 19 homes yet to be constructed in Copper Glen by Habitat Hall, either as a donor or a volunteer worker, or as a possible recipient, you are invited to contact them at (770) 718-1071 or at their website www.habitathallcounty.org.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/3/378246/habitat-hall-makes-homeowners-of-two-local-families