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Church of the Lakes | Moyer Family Build logo
Worksite Health and Safety: We're requiring everyone on our worksites to wear a mask so that we protect the health of our volunteers, staff and community. If you have a condition that prevents you from wearing a mask, we ask you volunteer with us once masks are no longer required on Habitat worksites. Thanks for your understanding.  Please check your temperature before arriving at the Habitat worksite. If it is 100.4 degrees or higher or you are experiencing any other symptoms of illness including cough, shortness of breath, or muscle aches, please stay home and call 330-312-3419 to cancel. Scroll down to learn about additional health and safety precautions you can expect while volunteering with us.

Upcoming Event
Church of the Lakes will have a Stud Signing event at the church on Sunday, August 9th. To virtually "sign-a-stud" that will be used to build the Moyer's home, visit this website: https://forms.gle/7bQB1Svhz2Dvopcy7

family and current housing
Future homeowners Deanna and Dustin dream of more than just a place to live – a home that blesses their family for generations to come. While talking about the impact their new home will have, Deanna fondly recalled that her grandparent’s home is still in the family after 60 years. “I want that stability and structure for our kids. I want our grandkids to grow up in that home,” explained Deanna. “A home where you have roots and can walk through the house with your eyes closed and know it on a personal level because it’s a part of your family, not just where you live.” Currently, the family rents an old home with numerous issues. These include windows with rotting panes and missing screens, faucets held in place with duct tape, missing ceiling tiles, and chipped plaster. The electricity is faulty with wires improperly installed or using the old knob and tube wiring system. Most rooms have only a single outlet and extension cords are used throughout to transfer power. New flooring is needed but contractors will not take the job because the foundation is damaged, causing a 6” sloped difference from one end of the house to the other. The house itself sits a mere foot from the building behind it – a huge problem when maintenance is needed. Water and moisture become trapped between the buildings and is rotting away the entire back of the house. There is mold in the basement and one of the bedrooms from this damage. Overall, the couple knows this is not the best environment to be raising their children or hosting their large, blended family. Between the two of them, Deanna and Dustin have six children, one grandchild and another one on the way. Still living in their home are Raelyn, Riddik, and Dylan who are so excited for their new home and appreciative of their parents’ hard work. The three young people look forward to having new bedrooms and outdoor space to play football, soccer, draw and read.

a bright future
Since joining the Habitat partnership, the couple has invested numerous hours of sweat equity at ReStore, on worksites, and in education classes preparing to be homeowners. When asked about her favorite part of the program so far, Deanna decisively answered “The sense of community and bonding! Every day I think about the people I have gone through the program with and I love seeing the same faces when I go to jobsites. You bond and share your stories, so it becomes very personal. This Habitat program is a very holistic approach that focuses on the entire person and the family.” In addition to raising children and completing Habitat sweat equity hours each week, Deanna and Dustin work hard to provide financially for their family. Despite the busy schedule, they maintain a positive and grateful attitude for all those helping make their dream possible. “It’s a blessing that I’ve never personally experienced and I’m just so grateful and from the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you,” expressed Dustin. Deanna agreed, “You’re giving us a home. You’re giving our kids a home. And there are no words to say how absolutely grateful we are. I’m going to spend the rest of my life paying it forward.”

Location / Venue

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio logo
In Support of Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio
As a grassroots Christian housing ministry serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio is driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live. People partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, visit habitateco.org.