...::: Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, About Us :::...

Owning a home is the epitome of the American dream. Yet for many hard-working families in Forsyth County, homeownership seems an impossible dream. Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County is a hands-on, tangible ministry that allows low-income working families to realize this dream and to make a better life for their children.

Habitat families are people you encounter every day. They drive your child’s school bus. They serve as nursing assistants in local hospitals. They may even greet you from behind the counter of a bank. Yet their salaries often preclude them from being able to do the things many of us find quite easy, such as meeting the day-to-day expenses of raising a family while also saving for a down payment and qualifying for a loan. Many live in substandard housing and unsafe neighborhoods.

Habitat for Humanity volunteers, and the families themselves, build quality homes in safe neighborhoods for qualifying families who meet income and work history requirements. Habitat families complete 300 hours of “sweat equity,” usually through working on other families’ homes or contributing volunteer hours at Habitat, before work begins on their own homes. They also attend a series of classes about subjects such as home ownership, maintenance, and financial management.

The families pay back Habitat through a 20-year, interest-free loan. Their mortgage payments enable Habitat to continue the cycle, building more homes for more families.

The results are life-changing. In Forsyth County alone, Habitat has built homes for 229 families. If you would like to be involved in Habitat, you may do so through volunteering, giving, and donating to, or shopping at, the ReStore. If you are a family wishing to apply for a Habitat home, the Home Ownership section will give you the basics of the program and tell you whom to contact.

If you would like to know more about the work of Habitat for Humanity International, click here.

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Our History

In May 1984, a group of local residents met to discuss establishing a chapter of Habitat for Humanity in Forsyth County. The first Habitat chapter had been established eight years earlier in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller.

Word of how this innovative ministry was transforming the lives of hard-working families inspired the Forsyth County group. They came from various walks of life, but they had one thing in common: the desire to establish a ministry of doing for others rather than simply talking about the community’s problems.

Local churches, the Winston-Salem Foundation and Smith Phillips Lumber and Building provided enough supplies, money and volunteers to break ground on the first home in late 1985. In 1999, Habitat broke ground on its 100th home; in early 2005, it completed its 200th home.

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[+] Visit Habitat International

We will focus the spirit and resources of future homeowners, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and the entire community to build affordable homes for all qualified families in substandard housing who desire to own a home. We will be a strong advocate for the elimination of substandard housing. We will provide training and a nurturing environment to build self-respect and personal responsibility. We will offer a unique opportunity to strengthen our community by bringing together people of all races and from all walks of life in a common effort to help their neighbors.

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2006 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeff Clark – President
Julio Lazaro- Vice-President
Maurice Johnson – Secretary
Jay Joslyn – Treasurer
Ken Carlson – Chair, Personnel
Aaron Singleton – Chair, Church Relations
Dek Driscoll – Chair, Development
Nell Cavanaugh – Chair, Family Selection
Dr. Kathy Stitts – ReStore Representative
Bob Jackson – Chair, Construction
Anne Armfield – Ex Officio
Anne Armfield
Ken Carlson
Nancy Carpenter
Nell Cavenaugh
Chris Chapman
Jeff Clark
Chris Cropps
Audrey Dalton
Dek Driscoll
Tony Hairston
Freddy Hornsby
Todd Isenhour
Bob Jackson
Maurice Johnson
Jay Joslyn
Cameron Kent
Julio Lazaro
Joyce McCarter
Mallory Oldham
David Patterson
Charlene Stuart Penn
Ollie Sadler
Aaron Singleton
David St. Clair
Fletcher Steele
Kathy Stitts
Jane Williams
Juanita Williams
Rosetta Williams

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STAFF LIST

Sylvia Oberle
Executive Director
765-8854, ext. 104

Beth Boswell
Director of Development
765-8854, ext. 105

Sherry Flynn
Director of Volunteer Services
765-8854, ext. 118

Ryan Froelich
Construction Superintendent
765-8854, ext. 103

Dave Tosi
ReStore Manager
765-8854, ext. 109

Kim Jones
Controller
765-8854, ext. 102

Hilda Moore
Director of Family Services
765-8854 ext. 133

Geri Wright
Office Manager
765-8854, ext. 101

Bonnie Cannon
Accounting Assistant
765-8854, ext. 113

Karen Bell Chandler
Faith and Community Relations Manager
765-8854, ext. 106

Mashunda Flowers
Family Services Coordinator
765-8854, ext. 131

Julie Morrill
Office Assistant
765-8854, ext. 116

Billy Tolar
Assistant Construction Superintendent

Justin McNally
Construction Assistant

RESTORE

John Thompson, II, ReStore Warehouse Manager
Josh Boger, ReStore Staff
Cameron Harris, ReStore Staff
Veronica Jeffers, ReStore Staff
John Madison, ReStore Staff
Tanishia Ross, ReStore Staff
Ben Wallace, ReStore Staff

AMERICORP MEMBERS

Debra Dillard and James Mulligan

VISTA MEMBERS

Jill Doub, Volunteer Services
Melanie Bowen, ReStore

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PARTNERSHIPS

Center for Home Ownership

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County is a partner agency of The Center for Home Ownership. Through a collaboration of local, state, and national partnerships, the Center provides families a single source to:

Learn about the home buying process
Resolve problems that prevent homeownership
Make contact with community professionals who will assist them
Maintain and enhance their experience as home owners

The Center helps families move from their current situation to being pre-approved and ready to purchase a home. Family members receive home buyer education classes based upon Fannie Mae approved materials, acquiring the knowledge and the confidence they need to navigate the home buying process and become successful home owners. Through the Center, community professionals are available to assist potential home buyers. These professionals include, but are not limited to, loan officers, realtors, insurance agents, title companies, and home inspectors.

Services do not stop with the home purchase; families can use the resource center and attend classes designed to enhance their lives as new home owners, helping them preserve their investment and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Should mortgage problems occur, financial counselors can assist the home owner in finding resolution to mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure threats.

The center is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), recognized by Fannie Mae, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, and local housing providers.

Services are available in Spanish.

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FAITH AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

"If every church and synagogue built (or repaired) at least one home a year, the United States could totally transform the problems of housing and homelessness." Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States and Habitat for Humanity Volunteer

Habitat for Humanity is an Ecumenical Christian Ministry

Habitat for Humanity is about tearing down walls and building bridges. It is about bringing hope and transforming lives. It is about serving God by serving others.

Habitat is founded on the deep belief that everyone should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. This ministry is based on the conviction that in order to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we must reflect that love in our own lives by loving and caring for each person. Many churches and faith communities have experienced profound blessings through their work with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County. Habitat provides a tangible opportunity to become the hands and feet of God on earth. By sharing resources with those in need, Habitat volunteers and supporters have made decent, affordable housing a reality for more than 200,000 families worldwide.

What Can My Congregation Do?

We invite any group to creatively think of ways to engage with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County. Here are some ways your congregation may help:

A Sunday School class may collect nickels for nails in November
Volunteer in our office or ReStore
Make a quilt for a new homeowner
Provide help at a house dedication
Participate in BirdFest, our annual fund raiser
Make lunches for construction workers on site
Partner with us by sponsoring (through labor and/or financial support) a house
Most importantly: Pray for the work of Habitat for Humanity in this community and around the world.

We welcome other ideas for church involvement. For more information, please contact Karen Bell Chandler, Faith and Community Relations Manager, at 765-8854, ext. 106.

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