Qlarant employees from across the nation were among more than 90 volunteers to join Habitat Choptank on Tuesday, April 24 in an effort to help revitalize a Cambridge neighborhood. Mayor Victoria Stanley helped to kick off the afternoon addressing Habitat and Qlarant volunteers and staff present with words of welcome and gratitude and an overview of the City of Cambridge’s partnership with the State and Habitat to revitalize a specific neighborhood in Cambridge. She was joined by Senator Addie Eckardt, Delegate Johnny Mautz, and Commissioner Cannon.
In addition to Habitat’s traditional home ownership program, Habitat Choptank offers low-income homeowners, in and around the neighborhoods where it builds, an array of housing services that include new builds, weatherization services, and critical home repairs through its Neighborhood Revitalization program. Neighborhood Revitalization involves partnering with local residents, public officials, housing leaders, community groups and businesses to transform neighborhoods and enhance the quality of life in communities. “On a community level, the Neighborhood Revitalization program addresses real needs and strengthens connections within the community,” says Rhodana Fields, Neighborhood Revitalization Manager of Habitat Choptank.
With support from and in partnership with ShoreRivers, teams of volunteers worked together to clear invasive species and trash from vacant lots on High Street following a presentation by ShoreRivers on the importance of water quality and how all of these efforts make a difference in the positive improvement seen in the Choptank River. Groups of volunteers, with Supervision from Habitat volunteers and staff, also helped build Habitat sheds for homes that are being built, insulate the foundation of a new home, rebuild garden beds and community composts at the Community Garden at Waugh Chapel, and assist with repairs to a resident’s fire damaged property. Volunteers were also invited to tour a neighboring Habitat-built house to see the level of quality and efficiency in the homes built by Habitat Choptank.
Qlarant Chief Executive Officer, Ron Forsythe presented Habitat for Humanity Choptank with a $2,500 check to support Habitat in serving even more families.
“We are so grateful to have Qlarant here today supporting our mission,” says JoAnn Hansen, Executive Director of Habitat Choptank. “Our mission is much more than just building houses, it is about bringing people together to build communities and hope.”
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. For more information about Habitat Choptank, to make a donation or volunteer, call 410-476-3204 or visit www.HabitatChoptank.org.
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