Guest blog written by Shelby Vraspier
Twin Cities Habitat Engagement Associate
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is extremely lucky to have our Women Builders on site during the summer swinging hammers and building homes. Last summer, around 1,000 women build volunteers worked together to make a difference as change makers in the community.
We recently dedicated a home that was special in the hearts of many. The site on Jenks Avenue was an adventure in many ways, and as we dedicated the home we looked back on the journey that took place in the house.
It's been a fun and interesting ride, but the time finally came for the first House That Beer Built to be dedicated!
If you haven't been to a Habitat dedication yet, we highly recommend them. These joyful events show the full extent of what Habitat is able to accomplish through hard work and team effort with the community.
Every Habitat home dedication is unique in its own way, but the one held on December 12 was incredibly special for the home's sponsor - Ryan Companies. This year, Ryan Companies took the big step to be the main sponsor and volunteer team for the entire build!
Dedications are one of the special pieces of Habitat's program. They help show the impact stable, affordable housing has on families that partner with us. They also give the opportunity to bring a community together to celebrate and "send the family off to success beyond their dreams," as Board Member Dan Shapiro wished one of the celebrated families this past week.
This story began with a member of the Maple Grove community deciding to donate land and say "yes, in my backyard" to Twin Cities Habitat and the partner family that worked so hard to buy their home.
After countless teams of volunteers, two AmeriCorps members, and one awesome Rhonda (the site supervisor) worked on the home with Annie, Jean, and their family - the home was finished and ready to be bought!
Then came the day we all wait for in the process of home purchases here at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity - the home dedication.
Last Thursday, Twin Cities Habitat dedicated the home of the newest Habitat Homeowners, Ying and Kou. It was a gorgeous evening with many smiling faces, not to mention a house full of amazing volunteers and adorable kids.
On Monday, August 27, Twin Cities Habitat celebrated five families who purchased homes on the open market through Habitat's Homeownership Program. The families gathered to share their stories with each other and Habitat staff.
