Cobb County High School Coalition and Smyrna-based Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta dedicated the affiliate’s first home build of the year. The one-story house will be the home for single mother Laurelle and her two children.
This is the 26th Habitat home built by the students of the Habitat clubs of the Cobb County High School Coalition. The Habitat for Humanity student chapters at four Cobb high schools participated in this year’s coalition: Pope, Walton, Campbell, and Hillgrove High School.
The house is located in Marietta. Laurelle currently lives in Smyrna with her two children and works as a Paraprofessional in the kindergarten class at Birney Elementary School. She spends 46 percent of her income on housing costs, and their current apartment makes her concerned for her family’s health. She is also looking forward to being able to provide her son and daughter
separate bedrooms. Laurelle says she heard about Habitat for Humanity’s international work where she grew up in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, but she decided to apply when her son’s therapist told her about the home ownership program. Now, she’s on her way to closing on a new home in Marietta, with an affordable, zero-interest mortgage.
“Every year, it is amazing to see busy high school students give up their Saturdays for nine weeks to build this house,” says Jessica Gill, CEO, Habitat for Humanity, NW Metro Atlanta. The students are led by great teachers who help them raise the funds for the project all year and build alongside them and the homeowner each Saturday.”
Cindy Cassanova, Habitat Club sponsor from Pope High School, says, “They not only get to be a part of building a home for a family, but they also get to do it with peers from other area schools,” says Cindy. She says dedication day is an amazing experience. “Seeing the family and crew all dressed up and celebrating a new home that will be loved and lived in for years…well that is what it is all about.”
Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta was started in 1985. On April 1, 1986, Cobb County Habitat for Humanity was officially incorporated as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. In 2008, the organization expanded to include Douglas and Paulding counties and the name changed to Habitat for Humanity of
Northwest Metro Atlanta. Since 1986, nearly 600 homes have been built, rehabilitated, or repaired as part of our pursuit to provide decent, affordable housing in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties. To learn more about the local affiliate, visit habitatnwma.org or habitat.org.
