“I’ll be home for Christmas” has new meaning this year for Cassadi Pryor and her nieces and nephews.
On Wednesday, Nov 20th family, friends, sponsors, volunteers and Habitat staff gathered to celebrate the completion of Habitat for Humanity’s 6th house, the 2nd built in Chatham.
Cassadi along with community members, sponsors, volunteers and staff have worked tirelessly this summer to build her home. When asked what having a home means to her, Cassadi has said, “It’s something they (the children) can invest in to the future. It’s going to be a place where their dreams have a place to go and their nightmares aren’t allowed”.
Prior to purchasing the house, families are required to contribute 500 “sweat equity” hours. Cassadi, her family, and friends went above and beyond that commitment this year completing over 700 hours. Cassadi has said previously “It’s a different feeling when its your own”.
When working on the house, volunteers are encouraged to leave messages for the family on the unfinished studs in the basement. One message read “our forever home” written by Brooklyn, one of the children moving into the house. Anne Taylor, Volunteer Manager said “This house not only represents a new start for the Pryor family, but it also represents nearly 1300 hours of volunteer dedication, service, commitment, and support.”
In order for a family or individual to qualify for the program, they do need to have an income; this is a fact that often gets misconstrued. Families purchase their home through an affordable, zero-interest mortgage geared to their income – making the transition to homeownership possible for many
deserving families in the community.
This year with the support of over 20 local businesses, the Municipality, and thousands of volunteer hours from the community, Cassadi Pryor is now able to call herself a Habitat homeowner.
For more information please visit our webpage: www.habitatchatham-kent.ca
