Welcome Home, Sharon and Kevin! [back]
June 6, 2010 marked the dedication of the 31st Habitat house built in Washington County – the home of Sharon Belair and her son, Kevin. The house, Habitat’s first in Smithsburg, was made possible through Dan Ryan Builders, who donated the building lot; Citi, who provided financial support and employee volunteers; as well as UAW Local 171, who helped construct the home.
View more pictures from Sharon's dedication here »
What My New Habitat Home Will Mean To Me
By Sharon - May, 2010
I have been blessed to soon have a home. One that is being built by materials mainly donated or bought by donations. It is being built by volunteers—people coming together to build my family a home. They’re doing this because they want to. Imagine if we all did this. No one would have to be homeless. For this reason, they are heroes. They are helping pick up the pieces and helping us to keep our heads up.
This home will mean I no longer have to worry about my unsafe electrical system in my small apartment or the wind I feel blow through the windows during the winter. I will no longer worry about my son hearing and seeing fights right outside—and much more. My son rarely was able to go outside in our yard because I feared what else he would be exposed to. My son and I once saw gang members attacking someone. I was threatened after I called the police. I will no longer worry if the neighbor below or on the side of us left their stove on unattended. I feared this often because my first apartment burned to the ground leaving me homeless many years ago. I will no long be renting and knowing I will never own. I lived mainly isolated from our surroundings, feeling that was the safe thing to do.
Now, I will have a place to call our own—a safe place. Habitat has opened my eyes and heart to the positive in life. It taught me how houses are built. I have helped with five houses. I’ve taken workshops on how to take care of a home.
Being part of Habitat has been one of the most important things in my life. I have met wonderful people. It built my self worth back when I had lost it. I have found the good in mankind as well as myself.
What Raising the Walls of a Habitat Home Means to Me
By Sharon - May, 2010
Raising the walls to me means so very much. It proves dreams do come true. With faith, strength, determination, positivity, dedication, and teamwork anything is possible. It also proves good does exist in a world we sometimes say is “Oh, so bad.” I felt this way for years, but I have learned so much from Habitat and the volunteers that have made the impossible possible.
Raising the walls is the strength of the home. The strength built by volunteers who are friends, for a family they don’t even know and sometimes have never met. The roof that provides the shelter keeps all the love they leave behind. The exterior of the home leaves the message that people not only care; they teach us that we should give back.
The finished product is a home that was built with love, dedication, faith, and hard work. It is a fresh start for a family in need. It gives hope and everlasting positive impact to our life.
A blessed homeowner,
Sharon
