5 minute read
MAKING A DIFFERENCE — HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
ONE FAMILY AT A TIME
By Elizabeth Shane
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habit for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat for Humanity is an international nonprofit dedicated to housing solutions, operating in communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and around 70 countries globally.
In 1992 Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) was fully incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Since then, HFHWM has successfully constructed close to 300 homes in Williamson and Maury Counties, with an ongoing commitment to building 10-12 new homes annually. The funding for home construction, essential repairs, and neighborhood development services comes from tax-deductible financial contributions, in-kind donations from local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individuals as well as the proceeds generated at the ReStore located in Franklin, Tennessee.
In November of last year, Westhaven volunteers teamed up with HFHWM in Columbia to assist in constructing a home for the Bettis family. Numerous Franklin Westhaven community members have dedicated many weekends to actively supporting HFHWM. Beyond providing hands-on assistance, the community has embarked on a mission to raise the necessary $70,000 to completely finance a Habitat home. This would mark the first time a local neighborhood has reached such a significant milestone for HFHWM.
Westhaven resident and longtime volunteer with HFHWM, Pam Schmidt said, “It’s been amazing to see it grow and it’s grown in a lot of ways; it’s not just coming out to build. We have scores of people on the grub crew who bring breakfast, snacks, and lunch to the volunteers during the day. There are so many ways for our community to plug in, it’s a huge volunteer effort! It takes a lot of different skills and interests to really make this happen.”
This specific volunteer event was designated as Parents with Teens Build Day, focused on imparting essential building skills to the upcoming generation while instilling the gratification of contributing to the community. Doug Swanson, a member of the Westhaven Foundation Board and co-chair of the Westhaven Build project, expressed his appreciation and stated, “What an awesome day of community spirit! It was especially fun to watch our young bucks learning power tools and doing the heavy lifting!
I am grateful for our generous Westhaven neighbors.” Throughout the day, Westhaven teenagers and families collaborated on the construction project in Columbia, working alongside other volunteers and the future homeowners, D’Angelo and Tierra Bettis.
Born in Mobile, Alabama, D'Angelo moved to Columbia, Tennessee, during his high school years. Coming from a tightly-knit family, he fondly recalls playing games with his younger brother and sister. Tierra, on the other hand, spent her upbringing in Columbia, Tennessee, with her five siblings. Unfortunately, she experienced the loss of her father at a young age, leading her family to relocate frequently during her childhood. The prospect of establishing a stable, permanent home for their family is regarded by Tierra as a genuine blessing.
Currently employed as a utility floater at Magna Seating of Spring Hill, D'Angelo has aspirations of pursuing industrial maintenance through trade school and harbors dreams of establishing his own business in the future. Meanwhile, his wife, Tierra, dedicates her time as a stay-at-home mom to their energetic quartet of children.
In his spare time, D'Angelo finds joy in activities such as fishing, hunting, working on cars, and quality time with his kids. Undoubtedly, his most cherished role is that of a father, and he expressed, "We like being adventurous and doing things together as a family." On the other hand, Tierra has a passion for cooking and eagerly anticipates crafting homecooked meals in their kitchen.
For the Bettis family, this home marks the realization of a long-cherished dream. Despite homeownership being a lifelong aspiration for the Bettis family, traditional mortgage options remained elusive for them. Their current living conditions are not only unsafe but also overcrowded, with three daughters sharing a cramped bedroom. Gratefully, with the support of HFHWM, The Westhaven Foundation, and the generous backing from Westhaven residents, they eagerly anticipate a positive transformation in their lives and the promise of a brighter future.
Habitat-built homes are not supplied as gifts; instead, partner families are required to undergo a homebuyer's education program and contribute a minimum of 200 hours of sweat equity by participating in the construction of their own home and others. Following a rigorous qualification process, applicants are chosen based on three key criteria: the demand for affordable housing, the capacity to meet mortgage payments, and a readiness to collaborate. The finished homes are then SOLD to families at an affordable mortgage rate, contributing to the development of strength, stability, and independence to build a better life.
If you are looking to make a difference in the community in 2024, look at what HFHWM has done for the local families in Williamson and Maury Counties and consider helping. For more information about their homeownership program, volunteering, or sponsorship opportunities, visit hfhwm.org and follow them on social media at @hfhwm. You will be amazed at the difference one person can make!
TO THE SPONSORS OF THE WESTHAVEN COMMUNITY BUILD
The Westhaven Foundation, Southern Land Company, California Closets Tennessee, Best Supply, Franklin Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, L & H Flooring, Ferguson, Gotcha Covered, Kelly Dougherty Realtor, Thompson Landscape & Excavation.
