Habitat for Humanity Home Dedication

Habitat for Humanity to Dedicate the House that Faith Renewed

NEW LONDON, CT. On Sunday May 1, the Lozada Family will receive keys to their new home—the home that they, with the support a group of local “Apostles”—helped rehabilitate.

Over 30 members of the local faith community joined together to sponsor the rehabilitation of 8 Connecticut Avenue through an Apostles Build. Through their partnership, the congregations demonstrated what Habitat for Humanity calls the Theology of the Hammer: the belief that theological differences can be bridged by putting love into action. “This is a way we can reach out and be the hands of Christ to other people,” said Reverend Jim Hensley of Gales Ferry United Methodist Church’s participation in the build. “We are actually living out what it means to be Apostles.”  15 of the 45 homes Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut has completed in New London County have been homes sponsored by members of the faith community

Habitat’s mission asks all who participate to be “Apostles:” to go out into the world with a message that poverty housing, substandard living conditions cannot be tolerated, must weigh on each individual, and empower all to act to address the growing need.  It is estimated that 1 billion people live in urban slums worldwide and that if nothing is done, in twenty years that number will double.  In the United States, one third of people struggle with housing issues.  “The Connecticut Avenue build is a message, that change is possible, solutions are possible, and that hope and faith are powerful partners.  Habitat for Humanity welcomes all to be “apostles” share the message, tell people there is a way to create change, pick up a hammer, share a story, tell a friend, to believe,” says Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut’s Executive Director, Terri O’Rourke.

The Connecticut Avenue home is the 21st  home constructed or rehabilitated in the city of New London. Three more homes—one new construction and two more rehabs— are planned to be completed in the city by the end of 2011.  “Habitat’s ongoing rebuilding of homes, families and neighborhoods in New London is greatly appreciated,” said Mayor Olsen of HFHSECT’s work in the city.

Throughout the construction of their home, the Lozada family contributed over 200 hours of sweaty equity through working on construction, attending courses on homeownership and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Friends and family of the Lozada family also contributed an additional 200 hours in sweat equity throughout the construction of the home. The Lozada family will purchase their home through an interest free mortgage, and their own mortgage payments will support the construction of future Habitat homes.

Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut invites the public to attend the dedication of 8 Connecticut Avenue on Sunday May 1st at 3:00 pm.