On Saturday, September 23, Habitat Greensboro dedicated a single-family home in the White Oak Heights Community.
Attendees gathered inside the recently completed home to celebrate the joyous occasion, marking the completion of the building process. As Habitat Greensboro President and CEO David Kolosieke shared, “We are thrilled to have the end of the home building journey today, and we pause to recognize Naomi’s future as a new homeowner and the strength and stability that’s going to provide for her daughters and her family.”
Habitat Greensboro Board Chair Ben Brown opened the ceremony, sharing, “The most joyous point of doing anything with Habitat is to do these home dedications. And you know, that’s when the family’s finally seeing that goal and about to step into becoming a homeowner. We thank the Lord that Habitat organizations such as our affiliate here in Greensboro are given the opportunity to provide opportunities to folks making that journey into their first effort at homeownership.”
As a faith-based organization, Habitat Greensboro begins every ceremony with an opening prayer. Brown’s prayer echoed the sentiment of every staff and Board member present when he prayed, “We thank you, God, for this family. We pray that you walk with them, be with them, and give them strength as they begin their journey as homeowners. We thank you, Lord, for Habitat Greensboro. We ask, oh God, that you continue to bless us with the ability to provide this kind of help and service to those wanting to reach out and get a hand up. We ask that You bless us as leaders and guide and direct us. Amen.”
The partnership of the Greensboro community, area businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations enables Habitat Greensboro to support families in their journey to homeownership. The larger community is integral to this work through financial contributions or volunteer hours spent on the build site. However, this home build was unique because it was sponsored by a single family – the Richard Evans Family.
Glenda Evans, the family’s matriarch, sponsored this home in memory of her late husband, Richard Evans. Evans shared, “It’s a privilege to be here. Thank you. My husband and I used to drive through this area. He wanted to check it out and be sure things were being done properly, and he was satisfied with that. He would be thrilled today to see this beautiful family move into this lovely home. I suspect he’s taking a break from building mansions and streets of gold just to look down and observe this occasion.”
Through his company, Evans Engineering, Richard Evans was a long-time supporter and friend of Habitat Greensboro. As Kolosieke shared, “Evans Engineering Firm continues to this day to support Habitat Greensboro through the development of not only individual lots but also neighborhoods like this where we build many, many homes in the community. We are very grateful for that legacy that Mr. Evans started and that Bob Dissinger continues to this day.”
The celebration of homeownership continued with the introduction of future homeowner Naomi, who shared, “Thank you so much for coming out and sharing this with me. I want to thank, of course, the Evans family. I have grown a connection with them outside of Habitat, and I’m so appreciative of it. And I want to thank my girls for being so patient with me as I go out and do sweat equity hours every Saturday. They have been so patient and understanding, and I really appreciate them … I want to thank God. God, I thank you, Lord, for giving us this opportunity. Thank you.”
Naomi took a leap of faith three years ago to create a better life for her daughters. After praying, “Lord, where am I supposed to go?” Naomi saw an advertisement for Greensboro, NC. Naomi moved her two children from Flint, Michigan, to Greensboro without any connections in the area.
Greensboro provided better school opportunities for her daughters and an opportunity for Naomi to pursue her education in social work. The young family flourished in Greensboro, yet Naomi had one more dream for her family – a home.
Naomi’s first friend in Greensboro mentioned Habitat Greensboro’s Homeownership Program, and Naomi applied and was accepted. She shared, “I’m so excited and grateful. If it wasn’t for this opportunity, I don’t know how I would have gotten into a home.”
The ceremony concluded with Habitat Greensboro’s traditional blessing of the home, after which attendees had the opportunity to tour the home that will soon be filled with family, love, and laughter.
Click Here to Hear from Naomi
Click Here to View the Full Dedication
Click Here to View Excerpts from the Dedication
