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.
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