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A Homeowner’s Journey to Hope in Historic Downtown Jonesboro

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Tukuanda, affectionately known as TK, is a proud mother of three and grandmother of one. Her path to homeownership has been far from easy — but it’s one defined by unshakable perseverance and deep love for her family.

Having spent part of her childhood in foster care, TK’s early years were marked by instability. Yet, she never let hardship determine her future. Even after facing homelessness following a difficult divorce, TK’s determination never wavered. With her children as her motivation, she worked tirelessly to rebuild her life — from living in a hotel to eventually finding an apartment where she could begin to restore stability for her family.

Finding Hope Through Habitat

TK holds up the key to her new home.

TK’s life took a hopeful turn when she learned about Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity through her job’s HR department. What began as a simple inquiry became a defining moment in her story.

Through the Habitat program, TK found not only the tools to achieve homeownership but also a community of people ready to support her dream. Her dedication and hard work through the homeownership process reflected her unwavering belief that her family deserved a safe, stable place to call home.

On the day of the home blessing, TK and her family were overcome with emotion when they discovered that their home had been fully furnished as a surprise, thanks to a generous partnership with iThink Community Foundation.

This unexpected gift transformed the moment into something truly unforgettable — every room filled with warmth, comfort, and care. From cozy living spaces to beautifully decorated bedrooms, the furnishings reflected not just generosity, but the shared belief that every family deserves a home that feels like home from day one.

iThink Family Foundation Team alongside TK & her family.

The celebration of TK’s new home was a true example of community collaboration. Alongside the contributions of our partners, Hampton High School Architecture Students played an important role in this project by designing and building the shed that now sits in TK’s backyard.

Their craftsmanship not only provided practical storage for the family but also served as a learning experience in service, design, and the power of giving back. It’s partnerships like these that make our mission come alive — where every helping hand, young or old, plays a part in creating lasting impact.

Hampton High School Students with TK

Revitalizing Historic Downtown Jonesboro

This home blessing was particularly special as it took place on lots made possible through the partnership and generosity of the City of Jonesboro, Clayton County HUD, former City Manager Ricky Clark, and former Mayor Joy Day. Their commitment to revitalizing the downtown area has created new opportunities for families like TK’s to thrive in a vibrant and supportive community.

We remain deeply grateful for these partnerships that allow us to continue transforming lives and neighborhoods through affordable housing.

TK’s home is more than a house — it’s a foundation for a brighter future. Her story is a powerful reminder that with perseverance, faith, and a helping hand, dreams of homeownership can become reality.

As we continue our mission in the South Metro Atlanta area, we’re honored to walk alongside families like TK’s — building not just homes, but hope.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on new development in Historic Downtown Jonesboro

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Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity CEO, Cynthia Jenkins stands alongside Jonesboro City & Clayton County Officials, and Southern Crescent Board Members as they break ground on the new development in Historic Downtown Jonesboro, GA.

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce the groundbreaking of an exciting new development in Historic Downtown Jonesboro, GA! This project marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide families with the opportunity to achieve their dream of homeownership, helping them build stronger, more stable futures.

The new development will allow us to build three beautiful homes on the land, giving hardworking families a fresh start. This project not only supports our mission but also enhances the vibrancy and history of the Jonesboro community. We are honored to play a role in revitalizing this treasured area while helping families build the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

Southern Crescent CEO, Cynthia Jenkins addresses the audience with Jonesboro Mayor Donya Sartor and Clayton County HUD Program Manager Linda Boswell
Attendees look on as various official make remarks about the journey of this development

Meet Marinda

One of our future homeowners, Marinda was present at the groundbreaking, and her excitement was truly contagious. Marinda, who is expecting her baby girl in November, shared her joy and relief in knowing that she will soon have a stable, safe place to call home for her growing family. Standing on the lot where her future home will be an amazing feeling for her. As a dedicated participant in our homeownership program, she has put in the time and effort to make this dream a reality, and we are thrilled to support her on this life-changing journey.

As we move forward with construction, we’re reminded that each nail, brick, and beam represents the hopes and dreams of families like Miranda’s. Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is committed to continuing our work in creating affordable housing and strengthening communities, and we couldn’t do it without the support of partners, volunteers, and donors.

We are deeply grateful to the City of Jonesboro, Clayton County HUD, former City Manager Ricky Clark, and former Mayor of Jonesboro, Joy Day for their dedication to making this possible. We are excited for what the future holds for the upcoming residents of Historic Downtown Jonesboro and their families.

The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill Thanksgiving Build

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Caleb Robinson is a senior at Woodward Academy who has a passion to help his community. Serving as the Youth Engagement Intern at Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity, he has done everything from build walls to generate creative ideas.


Caleb decided to enlist the help of his friends and fellow members of The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill to help a family get one step closer to living in their own home. The group painted and built a shed for our next homeowner in McDonough, GA. With the help of fellow students, Caleb and The Lake Spivey Chapter of Jack and Jill were able to raise over $2,150!


Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes and completes home repairs for income-qualified families, who need a hand up, not a handout. Through education and financial literacy, families are prepared to be successful homeowners. By partnerships with volunteers and donors in Henry, Clayton and Fayette Counties, their mission of building homes, communities and hope is possible. Since 1986, we have built, renovated and repaired more than 400 homes. For more information, please visit us at www.schabitat.org.

We’re Building Healthy Homes this Giving Tuesday!

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This #GivingTuesday Southern Crescent Habitat hopes to surpass our $50,000 goal with your help!

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is on a mission to ensure that individuals in Clayton, Henry, and Fayette counties don’t have to choose between which basic necessity they are able to provide for their families. Because of our homeownership and home repair programs, many of the families we partner with are able to focus on adequate heath care instead of spending the majority of their income on housing or repairs.

Housing and health equity are deeply intertwined. Poor housing conditions and the lack of affordable housing are associated with negative health outcomes. In Georgia, 1 in 7 households are severely cost-burdened — those spending more than 50% of their income on housing — and devote 57% less of their total expenditures to health care than non-cost-burdened households at similar income levels. 

Whether through campaigns for our essential workers or ensuring that or older population is able to age in place, we know housing has a huge impact on health. In fact, it’s proven that providing access to stable and affordable housing improves health and reduces health care costs.

As we celebrate 36 years of building homes and hope, we know that the work we do is only possible because of your support! Your gifts have impacted thousands of individuals, giving them healthy environments to thrive and building a community of neighbors – but there is still much work to do.

SHANEEKA, Habitat Homeowner
NILKA, Future Habitat Homeowner

Your gift today means families like Nilka’s and Shaneeka’s will have a stable, healthy foundation on which to build a future. As seen throughout the pandemic, home is vital to your health and we are doing our part to build healthy homes through our programs.

Giving Tuesday is November 29th and Southern Crescent Habitat invites you to join us as we continue to build healthy homes in the South Metro Atlanta region

Here is how you can get ready to give:

  1. Mark your calendar: Add Giving Tuesday 
  2.  Give. Now through November 29th, go to www.schabitat.org/gagives and donate. You can also support our organization by joining a committee, starting a fundraiser, or volunteer on a build site. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.
  3. Spread the word. Encourage your friends and family to join you in creating real impact on November 29th by sharing what our mission means to you and why you support our organization . Make sure to use hashtags #BuildwithSCHabitat #GAgives #GivingTuesday #gagenerosity and tag us so we can share!

ABOUT SOUTHERN CRESCENT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:

Southern Crescent Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit housing ministry that helps low-income families find opportunity, achieve stability, and improve their quality of life. SCHFH builds stronger families and neighborhoods by partnering with donors and volunteers to construct attractive and affordable homes, to repair existing homes, and to address community needs through neighborhood revitalization. Since its founding in 1986, SCHFH has helped over 430 families with homeownership and home repairs.

ABOUT GA GIVES ON GIVING TUESDAY:

GAgives, rooted in the Thanksgiving season, has raised more than $13.5 million in donations for nearly 2,700 Georgia nonprofits since 2012. Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, the GAgives initiative maintains an online fundraising platform, GAgives.org, free to use for any registered 501c3 in the state; it also helps teach and mobilize everyone with a stake in the community – organizations, corporate sponsors, government agencies, media partners, and citizens – to raise awareness and support for nonprofits.

Homecoming Week

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Our Inaugral Homecoming Week will take place October 3rd-8th, 2022. Check out all the great events and come celebrate with us! Please download our #CostofHome flyer and take a photo for our socials Monday, October 3rd. Celebrate at our Alumni Mixer October 4th, Sign-a-Stud at our ReStore event Thursday Oct. 6th. Join us Friday, Oct. 7th for Markysa’s home dedication, and finally join us Oct. 8th at our Restore for our anniversary sale and tailgate experience! You don’t want to miss this! We’re so excited to celebrate with you!

Please click above to download the #costofhome flyers.

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.

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