Tag Archives: Habitat for Humanity International

A Day at Habitat – Partner Family

6 Jul

Aisha Morgan has become an inspiration to her family and friends. When Aisha was two years old, her father passed away leaving her mother to take care of Aisha, her sister, and her great-grandmother. Aisha’s mother worked very hard to provide for the family and gave them the best she could. It was hard, but Aisha said they did fine with what they had.

Aisha is now trying to do the same thing for her two girls, Jaenaria (8) and Kiyla (3). Aisha works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at LifeCare Centers of America of Hixson. By working hard and giving her children the best she can, she is setting an example for them. Aisha wants to show her children that anything is possible and to follow their dreams.

As an active member of Sharon Pentecostal Church of God, Aisha works with the youth to encourage them to stay in the church. Aisha organizing a praise dance team and sings in the choir at to connect with the youth and promote their involvement in the church. Aisha is motivating her church family to do better though the work that she does inside and outside the church.

Crew from State Farm working on Aisha's home.

The neighborhood that Aisha and her girls were living in was an unsafe environment, so she decided to apply for a Habitat for Humanity house. Aisha wants to give her children better opportunities and their new Habitat house will provide those for them. Their house is in a safe neighborhood so the children are able to play outside without having to be nervous, and it is bigger than their old place so there will be more room for their family to grow.

What Aisha is most excited about with her new home is the better environment for her and her family. She is glad that her girls will be safe. Aisha is also looking forward to the new opportunities that her children will have. “When I get older and am not able to do for the kids, they will have something to hold on to, a house,” said Aisha. Jaenaria and Kiyla are thrilled to have a place that they can call home with their own rooms, more space, and a better playing area.

Aisha said, “I am blessed to have this opportunity to get this new house.” She is glad for the Habitat for Humanity program, which provides homes for unprivileged families. “I am pleased with how they [Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area] help families have a better place to live and more opportunities,” said Aisha.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to families like Aisha’s please contact Dawn Hjelseth or go to our website. Also read about family Pat.

Barnes Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

9 Mar

Friends, Habitat homeowners, board members and staff gathered recently at the McCallie School to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Don and Diane Barnes to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s home building program.  The Barnes have worked as full-time volunteer construction site supervisors for more than 14 years!

Don Barnes (left) and Diane Barnes (middle) receive the 2009 HFHI Life Time Achievement Award Plaque from Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.

After heavy hors d’œuvres Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga introduced several people who spoke about how Don and Diane’s service has impacted their lives.    A plaque from Habitat for Humanity International was presented to the couple in recognition of their selection as winners of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of their work in making affordable housing available for those who need it.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a scroll containing the names of the 144 partner families and the funding partners the Barnes have worked with.  As the scroll was unrolled, it eventually encircled the entire room, dramatically capturing the impact that two individuals can have through service.

Sumner McCallie, Board President of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga begins unrolling a scroll with the names of the 218 families whose homes Don Barnes (center) and Diane Barnes (right) have helped build over the years.

“The Barnes have invested their time in building homes for families, and in helping thousands of volunteers see Habitat’s work, not just as an exercise in building a house, but in creating a home and a future for a family,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.  “Don and Diane are people of strong faith and conviction – they build as if they are building unto God – they set a high standard – we are truly blessed to have them as partners in our work.”

Habitat board members, staff, homeowners and friends of Diane and Don Barnes help hold up a scroll with the names of the 144 families whose homes they have helped build.

Chattanooga Habitat Connected to Haiti Through International Partnership

14 Jan

While Chattanooga is far from Haiti, the thoughts of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s staff turn to those impacted by the devastation – across Haiti 120 families live in homes built thanks to a partnership between Habitat affiliates here and there.

“Each year, every Habitat affiliate in the world shares a portion of its resources with a sister affiliate in another country.   This approach is a tremendous blessing to those working in poverty stricken areas where no local funds are available to fuel  the cycle of building homes with donated funds, and with mortgage repayments to drive future construction,” says Pete Palmer, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga.   We have chosen Habitat for Humanity of Haiti as our partner, and have supported their efforts for many years.”

“We have no way to know at this point how Habitat’s homeowners in Haiti have fared in this tragedy, but it is already clear that an already difficult housing situation has now become a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions,” Palmer says.  “In any situation of this nature, rebuilding follows rescue and recovery operations and continues for many years.”

There are several ways that Tennessee Valley residents can support rebuilding efforts in Haiti according to Palmer:

  • Habitat for Humanity International is gathering funds for rebuilding efforts – area residents can give through www.habitat.org to support those efforts.
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga will collect funds and forward to the international effort for those who prefer to give locally – donations may be sent to HFH of Greater Chattanooga, 1201 East Main Street, Chattanooga, TN 37408 – please note that they are for Haiti.
  • Continued support of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s work will also support Haiti as well.   “We share a percentage of the unrestricted funding we receive each year with the Haiti affiliate extending the impact of our community’s generosity beyond our immediate area,” says Palmer.
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