Mt. Bethel UMC Builds Home for Family of Four in Woodstock

Last Saturday, Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia held a First Nail Ceremony for the Nyaga family whose new home will be located on Lyndee Lane in the City of Woodstock. This will be the third home that Habitat has built on this street.  Over 50 volunteers, community members, Habitat staff and Board members attended the ceremony. The rain didn’t stop the volunteers from getting the first floor framing completed.  The home is due to be completed by the end of September.   

The home will be built in partnership with Peter and Elizabeth Nyaga who have two young children, Leader (6) and Splendour (2). The Nyaga family, originally from Kenya, was thrilled when they were chosen in a lottery program in 2011 to receive a green card and come to the United States.  Peter is employed by a fabric company and has worked there for the last three years.  Elizabeth works at night in an assisted living facility as a caretaker.  They both are very appreciative of this opportunity for a better life and to be able to raise their children in a stable home. 

Habitat was able to build the home due to the generosity of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church.  Mt. Bethel’s partnership with Habitat began in 1992 and they have completed 33 homes all over the Metro Atlanta area. This is their first full home sponsorship with Habitat North Central Georgia. Their annual Habitat 5K Road Race is their major fundraising effort, and raises almost $90,000 annually through sponsorship and the participation of nearly 1,000 runners and their families. While this year's project will be their 34th home, it will be their first 2-story home. “We are excited to dive into another build with Habitat,” stated Ashley O’Neil from Mt. Bethel UMC. “We are looking forward to working with this deserving family.”

Several other businesses and organizations contributed funds to help build this home including; American Opportunity Foundation, Balfour Beatty, BB&T, Scott C. Dozier with Merrill Lynch, Smith Todd Company, Summit Midstream and The Eyl Family/Landmark Commercial Realty.   

Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent homes for purchase by low income families who demonstrate a capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, 253 homes have been completed and over 1000 family members have been served in North Fulton, Cherokee and Forsyth/Dawson counties. Each family is required to attend 6 educational classes and perform 200-300 sweat equity hours. Families earn between 30% and 60% of the Atlanta area median income and purchase their homes from Habitat which provides them with a 25-year, no-interest loan.  Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. These families not only get to experience the pride of homeownership but they also know that their lives will be changed forever. For more information on Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.