Pilya Chaney and Laporsha Davis didn’t know each other before they applied for the Habitat for Humanity program. Now, they’re getting homes right next door to each other.
MARIANNA, Fla. - Dozens of volunteers picked up hammers and put on hard hats Friday in Marianna, helping build more than just a house — but a home — for two local families through Habitat for Humanity’s annual Women Build project.
Starting at 8 a.m., community members gathered at a Chipola-area subdivision to frame walls, paint, and lay the foundation — literally and figuratively — for two single mothers and their children who are on the verge of becoming first-time homeowners. Pilya Chaney and Laporsha Davis didn’t know each other before they applied for the Habitat for Humanity program. They met while logging volunteer hours at the Habitat ReStore — a requirement for all future homeowners.
Now, they’re getting homes right next door to each other.
“Becoming a homeowner is something that I’ve always wanted to be,” Davis said. “Since I was a little girl, I’ve always heard about Habitat for Humanity. But for it to come to fruition and actually see a house being built — it is amazing. My son and I are excited to finally have something that is our own.
”“This is my first time ever getting a house,” she said.
“And it would mean a lot for me and my daughter. My daughter, she’s really excited. ” Both women said they’re looking forward to picking up a hammer themselves and watching the walls of their homes go up with their own hands.
“Putting a hammer to a nail and seeing the walls go up, it’s going to be really exciting for me,” Chaney said. “I think because we’ve worked at the ReStore and been able to laugh and have fun — I don’t have neighbors ,” Chaney said. “I think it’s great being able to be close to someone. ”Both women were quick to address what they say is the most common misconception about the program: that Habitat gives away free homes.
Future homeowners are required to complete 500 hours of sweat equity — volunteering at the ReStore or on build sites — before receiving their home. They also take on a mortgage, just like any other homebuyer. Women Build: Community showing up for community Friday’s build is part of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative — a program designed to empower women volunteers to step directly onto construction sites and take part in changing lives.
Cynthia Williams, an outreach representative with Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity, said about 90% of the volunteers on site Friday were women — but the turnout reflects something bigger than a single event.
“The amount of people present is a direct representation of the people in the community believing in the mission,” Williams said. “Women, as most of us know, are able to multitask and do a lot of things. And so we have ladies out here who run businesses, who are in leadership, but know the value of community.
”“The need for affordable housing is drastic across the entire community, but very much so when there’s only one person bringing in income,” she said.
“The ability to know that I’m going to have this forever — but then also for their children, they don’t have to wonder where home is anymore. ”“Statistics show that once a family has stability, children do better in education. Adults dream more about the things they can do in their future. ”Friday’s build marks the fourth house of seven planned for the subdivision.
Chipola Area Habitat for Humanity has now helped build 112 homes across the region — all of them new construction. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. Available for FREE in the“Car battery killer” convicted, faces life behind barsHealth officials monitoring several people in US for hantavirus following outbreak on ship
Habitat For Humanity Florida Panhandle Pilya Chaney Laporsha Davis Cynthia Williams Habitat For Humanity Women Build Current Habitat For Humanity Projects Habitat For Humanity Marianna Projects
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Woman volunteers put finishing touches on 'Habitat' homes in Tooele CountyThe group Women Build has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build four homes in Tooele.ARC Salt Lake spoke with volunteers about the effort to help familie
Read more »
Two hospitalized following rollover crash in Franklin County: officialsTwo people were hospitalized following a rollover crash around 2 p.m. in Franklin County Wednesday.Fire officials said while responding to an accident at theLa
Read more »
Volunteers put faith into action for Pensacola Habitat’s Faith BuildOrganizers say the Faith Build captures Habitat’s core mission of bringing communities together in service.
Read more »
NASA’s Simulated Mars Mission Marks 200 Days Inside HabitatThe four crew members of NASA’s Mars simulation recently marked 200 days into their 378-day Red Planet mission on May 7. Currently, the crew is in a simulated
Read more »