Habitat Happenings

Celebrating the Reality of a Dream and a 20 Years of House Building

The Habitat dream started in Cleveland when just three local community members got together for a hot cup of coffee in 1989.  From that meeting a vision was born, and soon after the cups of coffee turned cold the dream remained hot. In 1990, a Habitat for Humanity affiliate was organized and a short 20 years later 79 homes have been built and the mission remains the same; to eliminate substandard housing in the area by giving hard working families a decent, affordable home where they could live and raise their children. 

These three men knew they would need lots of help and many volunteers and since all three were members of Broad Street United Methodist Church, they went to the Broad Street Methodist Men’s Club and asked them to take Habitat on as a project.  The club accepted, giving Habitat the core group of volunteers needed to get started.  After two years of organizing, planning and fundraising, the affiliate began construction on their first house and completed it in the summer of 1992.  Since that first house build, Habitat has grown tremendously with many individuals and organizations in the community becoming actively involved.

David Ketchersid loves how successful Habitat has been in the community.  “Habitat is about people helping people.  I think it is great that Habitat has reached the 79 house level.  Due to the dedication and work of many individuals and a call and passion that would not stop, 79 families have new hope and essentially a new life.”

Bob Sain, a former president and longtime volunteer for Habitat, talks about why he works with Habitat.  “When you see the living conditions of some of these families: no heat or air, no beds to sleep on, some homes with no plumbing, you really want to help these families.  When the new home has been completed and you see a child’s face light up because they now have a decent, warm, safe place to sleep, you realize you have helped contribute to a better life for this child and the family.”

Local Habitat affiliates are unique in the fact that almost all support and direction comes from the local community.  “Every affiliate gets almost all of its support from the local community, whether it is volunteers, strategic planning, building donations or financial support,” commented Annie Kinworthy, Coordinator of Volunteer Services.  “We depend on area organizations and individuals to get involved with our cause and to help support it.  We’ve had many local organizations support us over the years and are very thankful for their dedication in making the community a better place to live for many families.”