In 2014 Habitat for Humanity came into Clarke County to help with a home repair project for one of our residents who won the “Companies that Care.” This home had deplorable conditions that had deteriorated so badly that the resident was scared to use her bathroom for fear of falling through the floor.
At a meeting held at Cooper’s Chapel Church, Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Fonda Rush expressed a desire to form a partnership with Clarke County in an effort to expand outside of the Lauderdale County area. There are many residents right here in Clarke County who are living in deplorable homes that need some type of weatherization and or critical care repairs.
The ball is rolling on this partnership and I currently serve as one of the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. As this partnership progresses, I hope to serve as a voice for those in Clarke County. Each county that is expanded into Habitat will also have local committees comprised of local residents who will be willing to volunteer to work directly with Habitat for Humanity and the contractors who will do the work. It is exciting to know that Habitat will be coming into Clarke County on a permanent basis and there will definitely be a need for many boots on the ground volunteers to help with these projects.
As this partnership gets finalized, we will definitely keep you informed as things develop that will benefit our local residents one of which is a much needed weatherization program.
The weatherization program is for low income families who need assistance with energy efficiency heating and cooling repairs to the home. Other projects that are offered through Habitat are A Brush with Kindness/Critical Care Home. A Brush with Kindness focuses on exterior home repair services such as painting, minor exterior repairs, landscaping, clean up. Critical Care focuses on interior or exterior work performed to alleviate critical health, life and safety issues or code violations.
Habitat for Humanity will have a fundraiser this Friday, April 22nd from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 1001 29th Ave., Meridian. The Earth Day Fish Fry will offer fried fish, Cole slaw, fries, bread and dessert for $10. Proceeds will help with the Isaiah 58:12 renovation and rehabilitation repair projects.
In the meantime, we will publish updates to these programs for Clarke County as they progress.
