Habitat for Humanity Makes The Dream of Owning a Home Come True for Nine Baltimore Families
On September 9th, 2009, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, our client, kicked off construction on nine new modular homes on the 2400 block of East Fayette Street in Baltimore City. The 9.9.09 Build, named because of the date of kickoff and the high volume of homes being built, is the largest project in the history of the organization, a newly merged affiliate from Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity and Arundel Habitat for Humanity.
With hard-working, dedicated volunteers, the nine homes were finished in a little over one month. In order to commemorate the accomplishment of the organization and welcome the new homeowners into their neighborhood, Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake hosted a celebration in Patterson Park. Volunteers, staff members, new homeowners, board members, friends and family were invited to attend the celebration and enjoy light refreshments, get more information on the organization, tell their story about their relationship with Habitat for Humanity and listen to the kind words of Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano.
We helped plan, organize and run the event earlier this month. After the speaking program commenced, all in attendance walked a couple blocks to the build site on the 2400 block of East Fayette Street for the nine dedications. Complete strangers, all who play a range of roles in the organization, huddled together beneath a tent on the street to watch as each homeowner and their family members joyously received their keys. Each homeowner was invited to address the crowd and share words of advice, encouragement, and in most cases, words of gratitude.
We were amongst the crowd beneath the tent on that rainy Saturday night and we watched the eyes of each individual light up as their hands grasped the tiny key. They all held on tightly to the key, the first tangible item signifying their home. As each homeowner spoke, we began to notice a common theme in each of their messages. After thanking everyone involved in the process, the new residents spoke of being a homeowner, and the power and confidence that comes with owning a home.
While many may take for granted the fact that they own their own home and have the freedom to decorate, modify or improve it whenever they please, we should all take some time to reflect on the how important homeownership is and how much it can change the lives of those who would have never, in their wildest of dreams, thought that they would have a structure and foundation to call their own.
Watching a community come together and work with these nine individuals in order to make their dreams become reality was a truly touching experience. We wish all nine homeowners and their families the best, and we are confident that they will take pride in their new homes and create lots of great memories under their new roofs.
