September was an exciting month for two local families who partnered with Habitat for Humanity Choptank to buy homes in Dorchester and Talbot Counties.  Friends, family, public officials, Habitat home buyers, and volunteers gathered for the home dedications of home buyers Nishika Palmore and Tykeshia Jenkins.  Both homes on Oakley Street in Cambridge and Port Street in Easton were new construction houses built using durable, energy efficient materials by dedicated volunteers who poured their love into these homes so that two new families can have a place to call their very own.

Palmore and Jenkins made a commitment to partner with Habitat Choptank to own a home which involved dedicating hundreds of “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals.

Homeowner, Tykeshia Jenkins was joined for her home dedication, Habitat Choptank’s 78th, by supporters of the organization’s mission of building homes, community, and hope. (Photo by Tim Poly).

In keeping with Habitat tradition, after each home buyer purchases a Habitat home, a home dedication celebration is hosted at each home.  After being presented with the keys to their new homes both families expressed appreciation to Habitat Choptank volunteers, staff and donors for their support.  Palmore and Jenkins now assume the full responsibilities of home ownership including repaying a mortgage over the next 30-33 years, maintaining the home, and paying home owner’s insurance and property taxes.   However, coming with these responsibilities is also the joy and sense of accomplishment that comes from owning a home.

With the sale of these homes, Habitat Choptank has built and sold a total of 78 homes to local, hardworking families in Talbot and Dorchester Counties since its inception in 1992.  That effort continues as nine more Habitat homes are in progress in Easton, Cambridge, and Hurlock, and four more are scheduled to begin in St. Michaels in the coming weeks.  Currently, 16 home buyers are working through the homeownership program.  For more information, to donate, volunteer or apply contact 410-476-3204 or visit habitatchoptank.org.

On Saturday, September 8, Habitat for Humanity Choptank celebrated breaking ground on a seven-home neighborhood on Brooks Lane in St. Michaels.  The groundbreaking recognized the benefactors and partnerships that have helped to make this much-needed neighborhood a reality, and dedicated the ground on which seven affordable homes will be built and purchased by hardworking homebuyers.  Beyond this, the ceremony gave those with a vested interest in bringing affordable homeownership opportunities to St. Michaels a chance to come together in an effort to build new beginnings and brighter futures for seven local families.

Charlie Bohn, President of the Board of Directors of Habitat Choptank, addressed those in attendance with words of welcome and gratitude, and expressed that the Brooks Lane neighborhood would not have been possible without the generous donation of property by the Dodson Family; the additional support provided by the estate of Robert and Beverly Wolffe; and the collaboration between Habitat Choptank and Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development, Talbot County, and the Town of St. Michaels.

Guest speakers and Habitat home buyers were invited to grab a shovel to officially break ground on the soon to be Brooks Lane neighborhood. (Photo contributed by Tim Poly)

Rev. Steve Mosher— Rector of Christ Church of St. Michaels asked God for blessings for those who gathered for the groundbreaking, our sisters and brothers who will benefit from shelter, and asked that the spirit move every human heart and instill in us to be stewards in his creation.The blessing was followed by a rendition of “God Bless America” by the Trinity Singers of Trinity Cathedral in Easton.

Guest speaker, Mary Jane Dodson, then shared her remarks on leaving a legacy, emphatically stating that,“roots matter.”  She explained how the property on which the seven homes will be built had sustained her family for many years, and now new families will have land of their very own to plant their own roots and sustain their families.

Barb Pollard, the daughter of Robert and Beverly Wolffe, followed by invoking remembrance of her parents, saying that they would be “bursting with pride and joy” over the impact these homes will have on the community, homeowners, and those who will roll up their sleeves to help, as their civic-minded philosophies aligned well with those of her parents and Habitat’s guiding principles.

Guest speaker, Bridgette Lundfelt, Director of Community Outreach for the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, spoke on behalf of Governor Hogan to congratulate all parties involved and recognize the community effort it takes to change Maryland for the better.  Followed by the endorsement of William E. Boos, the President of the Commissioners of St. Michaels, who expressed that the work of Habitat is so much more than just building homes— it transforms communities and lives.

Amy Morgan from Trinity Cathedral in Easton sings Psalm 84. (Photo contributed by Tim Poly)

Finally, the event culminated with closing remarks from JoAnn Hansen, the Executive Director of Habitat Choptank, who read from Psalm 84 by stating her gratefulness for the dwelling place that St. Michaels will serve for new homebuyers but also for the dwelling place that exists within the hearts of those who have supported this project.In a closing prayer, she asked for God’s protection, provision and blessing on the project.

Construction of the Brooks Lane neighborhood is projected to begin in the fall of 2018 and will continue for two to three years, relying mostly on volunteer labor as well as the “sweat equity” of the prospective homeowner.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, seven families will purchase their homes and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership, including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying an affordable mortgage.

About Habitat for Humanity Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made homeownership possible for 78 local Dorchester and Talbot county families.  Income qualifying home buyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage. Habitat Choptank’s toolkit of services also includes Neighborhood Revitalization which helps existing homeowners with critical repairs. Currently 15 home buyers are working through the home ownership program. Eleven homes are under construction at this time with plans to start at least nine more over the coming year. For more information, to donate, volunteer or apply contact 410-476-3204 or visit habitatchoptank.org.

Once blank chalkboards are now filled with resident’s hopes, dreams and aspirations for themselves and for the future of the Historic Pine Street Neighborhood in Cambridge.

The chalkboard project was central to the purpose of the Community Resource Fair that took place on the lawn of Waugh Chapel on Wednesday, August 22nd.  The event celebrated the kick off of the Neighborhood Revitalization partnership between the City of Cambridge and Habitat Choptank and involved other community partners and resources.  It was a unique opportunity for residents to come together to share their vision for the community with Habitat, the City and each other.

Community chalkboards filled with resident’s hopes, dreams and aspirations for themselves and for their neighborhood.

Reverend James Whitaker of Waugh Chapel thanked those in attendance for coming together to take advantage of this opportunity, and asked God to bless the community and the work that Habitat is doing there.  Mayor Victoria Jackson Stanley encouraged residents, “to all do something to support the neighborhood by working together to build a better Cambridge — a better community.”  George Fox, President Elect of the Board of Directors of Habitat Choptank shared his enthusiasm for Habitat Choptank’s expanded toolkit of housing services which includes the Neighborhood Revitalization program that offers owner occupied repairs, in addition to rehabs and new construction.

“What is unique about the Neighborhood Revitalization program is that the work will be shaped by the people who live within the community.  The community chalkboards drew a lot of attention, and we received positive feedback from many residents, including children who stopped by to share their visions,” says Habitat Choptank Neighborhood Revitalization Manager Rhodana Fields.

Painted on one chalkboard on High Street was, “When I dream about Cambridge, I see,” and in colorful chalk read messages like “I see progress” and “I see community.”  Another chalkboard on the corner of Muir and High Street read “If this lot could be anything it could be a place to,” and was filled with statements from the profound to the practical, like “be a family” to “read.”

Mayor Victoria Jackson Stanley welcomes the community to the event. Cambridge, a better community.”

Cambridge resident, Lynette Wongus shared her personal aspirations finishing the sentence “If I owned an affordable home” with “I could leave a legacy for my family.”  She added, “Without Habitat the dream of home ownership would be almost impossible for a lot of hardworking people.  I believe it is important for people to own their own property, and to be able to leave a little security behind for their families.”

Fields adds, “The next step is to share the information we heard about housing needs, desires for the use of vacant lot space, and what makes the Historic Pine Street neighborhood a great place to live with the community.”

Yvette Robinson, City of Cambridge Housing Specialist will spearhead ongoing community revitalization efforts, seeking input from the community and partnering with local leaders, non-profits, and businesses who share the same vision to develop a collaborative plan to support the community’s aspirations and to create a better quality of life not only for the Pine Street Neighborhood, but Cambridge as a whole. She can be reached at Yrobinson@choosecambridge.com.

To secure funding for the Neighborhood Revitalization program in Cambridge, Habitat partnered with the City to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds through Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development.

About Habitat for Humanity Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made homeownership possible for 76 local Dorchester and Talbot county families.  Income qualifying home buyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of homeownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage. Habitat Choptank’s toolkit of services also includes Neighborhood Revitalization which helps existing homeowners with critical repairs. Currently 15 homes buyers are working through the home ownership program. Eleven homes are under construction at this time with plans to start at least nine more over the coming year. For more information, to donate, volunteer or apply contact 410-476-3204 or visit habitatchoptank.org.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank will host a Community Resource Fair and Block Party on Wednesday, August 22. This free event will take place from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Waugh Chapel located at 425 High Street in Cambridge. Attendees will have the chance to visit with numerous community resources, enjoy a free lunch, and meet with program representatives about critical home repairs. From tax prep assistance to an exploration of the history of the neighborhood as well as craft and home repair demonstrations, the event will be a fun, informative opportunity for the whole family.

There will be games for kids, and crafts and Rita’s Italian Ice.  Central to the day’s events, is a Community Chalkboard Project.  The project will place five Chalkboard Signs in the Pine Street neighborhood for people to fill in the blanks with their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future— both for themselves and for the community.  Participants can text a picture of their entry to 443-291-9925, to be entered in a drawing for a $250 Lowes gift card. The contest kicks off on Wednesday, August 22 and ends Saturday, August 25.

“The City of Cambridge and DHCD [the Sate of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development] share Habitat’s vision that having a safe, stable home helps bring strength, security and pride to families and ultimately communities” said Habitat Choptank’s Neighborhood Revitalization Manager, Rhodana Fields. “This event will be a fun way for neighbors to share their vision for the community with the City, with Habitat, and with each other. Working together, the vision can become a real plan –a road map– for the future.”

Pictured L-R: Rhodana Fields, Habitat Choptank; Adrian Holmes, Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation; Habitat Choptank volunteer, Terri Spence; and Jermaine Anderson, Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation.

Habitat Choptank partnered with the City to apply for a grant from DHCD to secure funding for Neighborhood Revitalization in Cambridge including new construction and renovation, as well as homeowner occupied repairs. DHCD supported this collaborative approach with additional funding, hoping the program will demonstrate a positive impact for the community, and serve as a successful model to expand to other neighborhoods in Cambridge. The total investment from the City of Cambridge, Habitat Choptank and the CDBG grant will be over $1 Million.

Under this grant, three homes will be purchased for renovation and future homeownership opportunities.  At least three owner occupied homes will be repaired, including major repairs like stabilizing floors, and replacing roofs. Three energy efficient new homes will be constructed, designed to complement the historic community, and built with durable materials to last for the next hundred years.  New construction or rehabbed homes will be offered to income qualifying home buyers who may not be able to access affordable mortgage financing in the market. All of the funds generated from the affordable mortgage payments are reinvested in the community as more homes are built.  “I get a lot of satisfaction paying my mortgage each month, knowing that those dollars are creating opportunity for the next person to become a homeowner”, says Habitat homeowner and neighborhood resident Nora Skiver.

In addition, the grant funds a City of Cambridge Housing Specialist who will coordinate ongoing community revitalization efforts, seeking input from the community and partnering with local leaders, non-profits, and businesses to support the community’s vision.  Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley spoke about the City’s support for the project:  “We are truly excited about our partnership with Habitat Choptank, Maryland DHCD and the Community.  This partnership provides vital resources that allow us to effectively implement our commitment to neighborhood revitalization by providing essential services to those most in need.  The preservation of the history, community and pride represented in the Pine Street community is important, not only for Pine Street, but for Cambridge as a whole. We are looking forward to the Community Resource Day and invite all to come out and be about of our revitalization kick-off.”

Through Habitat’s Neighborhood Revitalization approach, Habitat affiliates offer an expanded array of housing services and partner with local residents, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities.

For more information about the August 22^nd event, contact Rhodana Fields, Habitat Choptank’s Neighborhood Revitalization Manager at 410-476-3204 or rfields@habitatchoptank.org.

About Habitat for Humanity Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has partnered with 190 local households to improve a place they call home. One hundred and eighteen of those families have been served through weatherization services since Habitat Choptank initiated its neighborhood revitalization program in 2015. Seventy-six families have purchased new or rehabbed homes from the nonprofit and currently fifteen local home buyers are working through the home ownership program.  Eleven homes are under construction at this time with plans to start at least nine more over the coming year. Income qualifying home buyers are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s project inventory of durable and energy efficient homes.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of home ownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its housing programs throughout the year. To donate, volunteer or apply, visit habitatchoptank.org or call 410-476-3204.

(L to R) Golf Committee members Dr. Paul Brant, Abby Messick, Fred Haller (Co-Chair) & Brett Whitehead (Co-Chair)

Habitat for Humanity Choptank invites area golfers to swing their clubs and help build affordable, energy efficient homes in partnership with local working families. The nonprofit’s annual Golf Outing is slated for Friday, June 8, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge, MD.

Funds raised from the event, including sponsorships and registration fees, support the home building program through which qualifying low-income individuals and families can purchase homes with affordable mortgages. Habitat Choptank currently has seven homes in progress between Cambridge, Hurlock and Easton and there are plans to begin six more homes in the coming year if the organization can raise the funds needed.  Over its 26 year history, Habitat Choptank has completed and sold 76 homes and the need for affordable housing continues to grow.

Habitat Choptank welcomes golfers and sponsors to be part of the organization’s mission of putting God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.  On the ground, that involves creating opportunities for hardworking local people to build a better future for themselves through the power of home ownership.

Golfers may enter as a twosome or foursome. The Golf Outing package includes a morning of golf, refreshments, and lunch with awards presentation. Golfers will also enjoy a putting contest challenge with a host of fabulous prizes. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.  To learn more about Habitat, to register for the golf outing, or inquire about sponsorship, contact JoAnn Hansen at director@habitatchoptank.org or by calling 410-476-3204.

For the 11th year, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s are engaging women nationwide to work together to build Habitat homes during this year’s National Women Build Week from May 5-13.

National Women Build Week, a nationwide initiative created by Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s in 2008, has brought together more than 117,000 all-women construction volunteers to build or repair homes with nearly 5,000 families over the past 10 years. This year, Lowe’s donated nearly $2 million to Habitat for Humanity to support the 2018 National Women Build Week, which is set to take place in 300 communities nationwide.

Habitat and Lowe’s encourage all women to volunteer—no construction skills or experience in Habitat builds is necessary.  Since Lowe’s national partnership with Habitat for Humanity began in 2003, the home improvement company has committed more than $63 million to Habitat and helped nearly 6,500 families improve their living conditions.

“We’re excited to partner with Lowe’s to educate, inspire and empower women to advocate and help Habitat homeowners love where they live through building or improving an affordable place they can call home,” said JoAnn Hansen, Executive Director, of Habitat Choptank.  “We want to engage women of all skill levels to join their friends, families and neighbors to build up their communities and volunteer where women will gain invaluable skills to bring back and use in their everyday life.”

Carol Hill Miter practices using a hand saw with the support and oversight of an Easton Lowe’s representative.

“Lowe’s is in the business of helping people improve and maintain their homes,” said James Frison, Lowe’s Director of Community Relations. “Lowe’s Heroes have helped build hundreds of Habitat homes across the country and National Women Build Week is another chance for Lowe’s to reinforce our long-standing commitment to Habitat, Women Build and communities where our employees and customers live and work.”

In preparation for the build week, Habitat Choptank and Lowe’s are hosting “how to” clinics to equip volunteers with knowledge and skills in construction and home interior, basic safety techniques and what to expect when building a Habitat home.Lowe’s will host clinics at its Easton location on the following dates:

Saturday, April 28th at 9am: Household Garden Tools
Saturday May 5th at 9am: Paint and Trim

Habitat Choptank will be offering the following build days for volunteers to get involved for a full day or a half day.  The build days will be hosted at one of the following locations in Talbot and Dorchester County.

Tuesday, May 8th or Wednesday, May 9th in Cambridge
Friday, May 11th or Saturday May 12th in Easton
Saturday, May 12th in Hurlock

To sign up to attend a Lowe’s clinic or volunteer on a job site, please call Nora Skiver, Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat Choptank, at 410-476-3204.

About Habitat Choptank

Since 1992, Habitat Choptank has made home ownership possible for 76 families and currently partners with 15 local home buyers. Income qualifying individuals and families are offered access to affordable mortgage financing in order to purchase a new construction or rehabbed home from the nonprofit’s inventory of durable and energy efficient houses.  After completing “sweat equity” hours, attending pre-homeownership classes, and meeting debt reduction and savings goals, these individuals and families will purchase homes that they helped construct and assume the full responsibilities of home ownership including maintaining their home, paying property taxes and repaying their mortgage over 30 to 33 years. Habitat accepts applications for its home ownership program throughout the year.For more information, to make a donation or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.

About Lowe’s in the Community

Lowe’s, a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company, has a 60-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. In the past decade, Lowe’s and the Lowe’s Gives Foundation together have contributed more than $300 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe’s Heroes volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. For the latest news, visit Newsroom.Lowes.com or follow @LowesMedia on Twitter.