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Before You Volunteer: Please scroll down to learn more about what to expect when you volunteer with Habitat. Please also know that Habitat will monitor local and federal health and safety guidelines and implement any applicable restrictions that may be in place on the day you volunteer.Family and Current Housing
When Marcus thinks about his family’s new Habitat home, he thinks about the yard first. Currently, the Ball family lives in a rental property that’s located on a busy street with fast-moving traffic. It’s dangerous enough that when Audrey and Adrienne want to ride their bikes, their parents have to drive them somewhere else.Marcus can’t wait to give his daughters a safe place to play outside. For Adrienne (4), who is autistic, having a backyard area where she can have freedom to run around safely will be an life-changing benefit. At the family’s current rental—which has a rotting backyard fence—they worry about her wandering away and getting hurt. Not only is the rental property unsafe for the girls when they want to be outside, but it costs more than the family can afford. Marcus has spent a decade working as a warehouse associate for a local company, and as his income has increased, the family has had to pay more in rent. In addition to being too expensive, the family’s rental also poses several structural problems. The windows don’t lock or close all the way. Plumbing issues in the bathroom cause water to run down the ceiling and walls. The family deals with mice on a regular basis, even though they’ve paid for an exterminator. “Having the opportunity to have something new and have that foundation to start fresh is a wonderful opportunity,” Marcus said.
A Bright Future
Since joining the Habitat partnership, Marcus has taken classes to prepare him to be a first-time homeowner, including a financial success course and a home maintenance course. He has also spent time helping other future Habitat homeowners build their homes—an experience he said has made him feel empowered to take on improvement projects at his new home. Beyond giving his daughters a safe place to live, Marcus hopes his family’s Habitat home will also provide some peace of mind for the family. They’ve moved around a lot since the girls were born, and he’s looking forward to giving his daughters the stability that comes with owning an affordable home. Long term, Marcus knows his Habitat home will help his family build wealth. When he and Angie are gone, his daughters will own something of value, something they can call their own. “I’ll be forever grateful for Habitat for Humanity and what they did for my family,” Marcus said.
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Location / Venue
- Add to Calendar
- Address:
- 1631 3rd Street Southeast
- Massillon, OH 44646
- USA
- Time:
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Jul 30, 2022 8:00am
to
Nov 05, 2022 2:30pm
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.