Southern Crescent Welcomes New Partnerships

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Southern Crescent Habitat is excited to welcome new partnerships! Not only are these companies and organizations serving their communities, but they are supporting our mission! Without partners, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity would not be able to celebrate 36 years of building homes, communities, and hope. In the last quarter, we’ve had the pleasure to welcome Georgia Power, Anning-Johnson, Collective Insights, Clayton State Alumni Association and More Perfect Union.

More Perfect Union

More Perfect Union joined us on the build site to continue working on our 214th and 215th homes. They joined us on the wall building and raising in our Hannah Springs location in Lovejoy. Our homeowner Shakilya even joined us for a little sweat equity..

Collective Insights

Our long time partners, Collective Insights, joined us back at our Hannah Springs site to continue working on lots 14 and 15. Our future homeowner Nilka was excited to see the walls go up and even read a few of the messages that our ReStore customers left during our last sign-the-stud event.

Georgia Power | 2022 Annual Partner | Beloved Community Build

Georgia Power joined us for a Beloved Community Build on Friday, July 8th. As an Annual Partner, they are committed to our mission and will join us for four builds throughout the year. Georgia Power built walls and worked in our Hannah Springs subdivision in Lovejoy on this day of service.

Anning-Johnson

Our friends at Anning-Johnson Company joined us on our build site to put up siding in our Hannah Springs neighborhood on September 15th and 16th. Siding going up means we’re getting closer to our families being able to move in!

Clayton State Alumni Association

The Clayton State Alumni Association joined us September 24th at our Hannah Springs location to kick off their Alumni Week! How cool was it that they were able to give back while painting the home of a fellow Laker!

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

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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!

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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

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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.

LOCAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY’S ANNUAL INITIATIVE DRAWS WOMEN TO BUILD FOR FAMILIES IN SOUTH METRO ATLANTA 

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Since the beginning of May, women from around the South Metro Atlanta region have gathered to build for local families. Kicking off Southern Crescent Habitat’s annual Women Build, women from Habitat for Humanity International’s BEST group and Amy & Co Realty helped paint a new home and build a shed in downtown Hampton on May 11th. Just a few days later, members of Southern Crescent Women in Business and political figures traded in their power suits for power tools to build sheds at the future home sites for two new Habitat homes. On May 21st, Southern Crescent Habitat welcomed “Community Builder” sponsor Piedmont Fayette and other Fayette County women to continue building in their Hannah Springs community in Lovejoy. Celebrating Homeownership Month, “Community Builder” sponsors SCB Video TV Marketing and Piedmont Henry will host another group of women to help a single mother fulfill her dreams of homeownership on June 3rd.

Participants of Southern Crescent Habitat’s Women Build 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. 

Thanks to sponsors, ambassadors, donors, and countless volunteers, Southern Crescent Habitat’s 2022 Women Build raised over $30,000 to help families in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties. Michelle Amara of SCB Video TV Marketing, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce President Valencia Williamson, and Southern Crescent Women in Business Founder Ariel Shaw served as this year’s Women Build ambassadors.

Congrats Graduates 2022!

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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.

Shaneeka Grant’s House Blessing

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What’s a better way to kick off Homeownership Month than with a house blessing and dedication? This past Wednesday we were all in attendance for Shaneeka’s house blessing. She is also the 198th recipient of Warrick Dunn’s Homes for the Holidays! His charity along with other’s fully furnished her home. Every thing she could need was added so her family can start brand new and build new memories.

One step closer

Shaneeka Grant had a vision for her family but knew that she would need a little assistance in order to make it a reality. As a kid growing up in Atlanta, Shaneeka recalls living in various apartments around the city, so as an adult, homeownership was always a goal. Back in 2017, Shaneeka was one step closer to becoming a homeowner, but the high down payment and life events quickly crushed her dreams. “At this point, I thought I could never get a house,” says Grant. Since then, Shaneeka has been living in a two-bedroom townhouse with her children, mother, sister, nieces, and nephews – a total of 10 people. “My current living situation is a confined space that makes it tense at times, because of everyone and all of our belongings not being able to be separate,” she describes. Shaneeka knew that living in such overcrowded conditions was not conducive to the growth of her children and she wanted more.

Good things come in 3’s

There is an old saying that good things come in threes, so when Shaneeka heard about Southern Crescent Habitat’s Homeownership program on three different occasions, she took it as a sign. First, she learned about it through students at her job as an accountant for a Georgia university. Then her sister told her about Habitat. Then finally, she listened to stories from two families that went through the program. In 2019, the Grant family’s journey towards homeownership began. “Looking forward to taking the first steps” into her new home, Shaneeka and her family are also enjoying the process along the way. She believes that the homeownership program has the power to positively impact families in more ways than just housing. Her children now “understand how providing a selfless act by volunteering can create growth and humble you as well.” She’s even excited about building wealth with lessons learned through the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University and doing a little handy work around the house with tips she learned while doing sweat equity. Although Shaneeka’s original vision was blurred by circumstances, Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity helped her paint a clear image for her family’s future. “I imagine us having more happiness, my children being able to expand their creativity without isolation due to space, and our family personally growing individually,” exclaims Grant.

Older Americans Month Celebration

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During the month of May, we celebrate Older Americans Month. Throughout this month, we highlight older Americans that have been aging in place gracefully with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s help. We also acknowledge the Gray Ghosts volunteers who give their time and knowledge to help our staff with builds and repairs.

Aging in Place

At Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, they strive to keep older Americans in their homes. Installing bars in the bathroom shower and railings up the stairs are some of the ways they help to give older citizens help while they still keep their sense of independence. Throughout our time working to repair and help keep them in their homes, new floors have been added, wheelchair and mobility access has been added, doorways have been widened and bathrooms have received mobility updates. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity has also built a community geared towards the older population in the counties it serves. Because of this, they can live in their homes with a better sense of self-reliance. Their homes have been built with their age in mind. They have a greater sense of community, they know their neighbors and they help each other if needed.

Gray Ghosts

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s Gray Ghosts gives their time to volunteer and their knowledge to help our staff on home build sites and repairs for families. They are included in projects and have input. They do more than donate their time, they share their experience and knowledge with us. Each time a Gray Ghosts helps us, we know that the homeowner is getting the best.

Celebrating our Older Americans

Mr. Jones working with Home Depot to build the walls of his future home.

Over the past month, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with several of our older homeowners about celebrating Older Americans Month and Aging in Place. We recently did an interview with one of our homeowners named Mr. Jones. We spoke about future plans, what homeownership means to him and if he has any advice for those applying to our program in the future.

1. What made you apply to us? “A friend of mine created a flyer of the opportunity meeting for potential homeowners and insisted that I should attend.”

2. How was your experience working with us? “Working with Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity was wonderful.”

3. What does home ownership mean to you? “Homeownership means peace of mind, security, stability, joy and so much more.”

4. Do you have any recommendations for us? “I encourage you to continue God’s work pertaining to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity’s mission.”

5. Do you have any future plans for your home? “I’m thinking about putting in some rose bushes.”

6. Do you have any advice for others wanting to apply to our program? “Apply immediately and believe. Have faith in God and trust in Him. God is Love, love God, love others. Amen. Thanks for your patience.”

We’ve hired some new faces!

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Throughout our time as a company, we’ve continued to steadily grow. Since the beginning of 2022, we’ve hired some new additions to Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity.

Tyese Kimble

Tyese joined the Southern Crescent Habitat team in January 2022. She brings a background of finance to the team. She has taken over the role of Finance and Administration. She helps in the day to day operations of the team.

Tracey Monk-Shadee’

Tracey joined the Southern Crescent Habitat team in April 2022. Tracey brings 15 years of combined experience in finance and banking operations. As a project manager, she has successfully managed projects across industries such as finance, healthcare, and customer care.

Tracey manages the Home Repair Program and Veteran Outreach. She provides education about the opportunities that are available through Habitat For Humanity and guides our partner families through the application process and family selection.

Elaina Gonzalez

Elaina is one of our new hires who joined in April 2022. She is our new Marketing Coordinator. She’s worked with various companies over the years concerning marketing and advertising. Her job entails helping the development team work to continually spread the message of Southern Crescent as well as get sponsors and recruitment for the families we serve.

Nicholas McClendon

Nick was hired in April 2022. He has a background in construction. He works closely with Jeni, Director of Construction. Since he was hired, he’s worked on numerous projects including home repair and home builds for our families. He enjoys seeing the faces of families when they’re able to see their homes finished.

Annett Thomas

Annett was hired at the ReStore in April 2022. Her job includes taking care of the register area and the front. She has been very attentive to every customer that has shopped there. Her friendly demeanor and sweet personality keep them coming back to shop more with us.

Manuel “Manny” Thomas

Manny was hired at our ReStore in April 2022. His job entails prep work. He helps unload the truck as well as put various items together. Manny also takes care of all the items located on the floor. He makes sure everything is looking well and clean. He and the other warehouse employees also help load up furniture and other things customers purchase. He helps keep the back loading dock clean so each week the truck can be unloaded.

Home is the Key

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Habitat for Humanity believes everyone deserves a place to call home. A safe, stable environment to place your head at night. A backyard to play in. A bedroom to relax and unwind. For many families, this isn’t anything but a dream. During the month of April, the Home is the Key initiative was at the forefront.

Fatoumata’s journey to #homeownership is so inspiring! Not only does she have a place to raise her four boys, but now a home where they can all flourish!

What is a Home?

A house is just somewhere to live, but a home is what families hope for. Habitat for Humanity looks to build a brighter future for families by providing safe shelter. There’s a strong importance of togetherness and the community we strive for. Every parent deserves to be able to provide for their children and not have to choose between paying bills or buying groceries. Habitat for Humanity tries to give hope for a better tomorrow by building, bringing people together, and helping to create opportunity through safe, affordable, decent houses.

Monique is very proud to be a homeowner. She’s looking to a brighter future!

The Key

During the family build process, one thing is clear. All they want are a place to call their own. Through Home is the Key, we see what families are fighting for. Whether it’s a financial burden, a medical emergency, or an unexpected challenge lots of things can get in the way of homeownership. Habitat for Humanity aims to take some weight off of their shoulders by opening up a world of equality, better health, and opportunity.

Sponsorship

Thank you to our 2022 sponsors for supporting our 2022 #keyisthehome campaign including At Home, Carrier, Rocket Mortgage, and U.S. Bank Foundation. We couldn’t do this without your tireless dedication and commitment. Thank you for helping us give our families a place to call home.

Learn more at habitat.org/homeisthekey/partners