Tough Times call for Creativity - A Brush with Kindness for Walker County

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham’s “A Brush with Kindness” Home Repair Program Benefits Walker County

Jasper, AL (March 19, 2009) – Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham (Habitat Birmingham) has extended A Brush with Kindness into Walker County. A Brush with Kindness is a Habitat for Humanity home repair program that helps homeowners by performing critical repairs for homeowners in need. These repairs are performed to restore and maintain homes for existing homeowners who may not be able to perform or afford the necessary repairs.

Habitat Birmingham’s home repair program began in March 2006. Since then, the organization has repaired roofs, replaced or repaired siding, painted, or assisted with handicapped accessibility for over 100 homeowners in Jefferson and Shelby County. In February, Habitat Birmingham repaired two homes in Walker County.

“Habitat Birmingham is excited to be working in Walker County to help improve and sustain safe housing for those in the community. A Brush with Kindness will also bring opportunities for volunteers to work to improve living conditions for families in the Walker County community. Habitat for Humanity builds partnerships with volunteers, sponsors, and homeowner families. We look forward to building new relationships within the Walker County Community” said Charles Moore, President and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham.

“I’m very grateful that there are good people out there to help us seniors. I was so blessed to have the work done on my roof and front porch by the nice people of Habitat for Humanity,” said Mrs. Julia Morring, a homeowner of a newly repaired home.

Habitat Birmingham has also partnered with Independent Living Resources to build and provide handicap accessibility ramps for those in need.

“Independent Living Resources’ mission is to empower people with disabilities to fully participate in the community. Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity will be instrumental in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities and their ability to participate in the community, access services and reduce institutionalization,” said Trecia Benefield, an Independent Living Specialist in Jasper, Alabama.

Mrs. Linda Trotter, a homeowner who received a ramp through the partnership stated, “We just feel really blessed to have been given the accessibility ramp. Before Habitat for Humanity came to help us, my husband couldn’t use the front door to enter the house. Now with the ramp, he is able to use it for wheel chair access and it also helps him to walk. They did a really great job and we are very proud of it. We are so thankful to have it.”

Habitat Birmingham will work with organizations in the Walker County community to provide services to those in need. For information on assistance with accessibility issues or possible home repairs, please call 205-387-0159. To find out more information on Habitat’s programs in Walker County please visit http://www.habitatbirmingham.org/.

About Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham
Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry serving Jefferson, Shelby and Walker Counties since 1987. The organization is dedicated to making quality, affordable houses available to low-income families. To date, more than 300 houses have been completed in the Greater Birmingham area, sold to partner families at cost with no interest charges. Home ownership promotes family stability, self-sufficiency, educational achievement and responsible citizenship. Habitat Birmingham is recognized as one of the top 10 Habitat affiliates (out of 1500) in the United States. http://www.habitatbirmingham.org/

Contact Information:
Beth Jerome, Habitat Birmingham 205-780-1234, ext. 321 (office) 205-410-4705 (cell)