The Volunteering Page of Karim Abdel Basset

Brittany and her partner, Brent, have rented an old farmhouse in Baltic, Ohio for six years. While spacious, the home has major issues—leaky doors, sloping floors, broken outlets, a leaking sink, rotting porch boards, and water damage from missing gutters. When Brittany discovered mold in the bathroom, she was advised to simply paint over it. That marked the beginning of serious health concerns. During window replacements, lead was exposed, and testing revealed that their youngest son, William, had dangerously high levels of lead in his system. Brittany applied for a lead abatement grant, but the landlord refused to authorize the necessary work. With William’s lead levels documented, the State of Ohio stepped in, urging Brittany to move or risk having William removed from the home. Upon learning that the family was part of the Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio program, the state granted them grace, recognizing they were on a path toward safe, stable housing. The family was previously denied a mortgage due to affordability, but since joining Habitat, Brittany and Brent have shown strong commitment. Brittany has completed her homebuyer education and is actively working on sweat equity, gaining valuable skills for successful homeownership.

Brittany works as a Personal Care Nurse Assistant at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, and Brent delivers medication to nursing homes. The couple loves spending time with their children, especially playing board games and going fishing. Dominic dreams of becoming a rally racer and loves building. Winter, who has autism, contributes by earning good grades and can’t wait to have her own room. Addalynne, who has a clubbed foot, is energetic and loves helping in the kitchen. William enjoys video games with his dad and wants to be a police officer. Together, the Hoover Family looks forward to a future where their home is a place of peace, safety, and pride. Brittany dreams of a life where her children no longer feel embarrassed by their home, and the affordability of their Habitat home gives them hope to plan for their children’s education and future.