Habitat News: Eleven Homes Dedicated With Baptist Crossroads

• Eleven Homes Dedicated With Baptist Crossroads
• Hornets Begin 13th, 14th and 15th Hoops for Homes in New Orleans East
• St. Paul's Class of 1977 Dedicates Habitat Home
• 3,500 Students Volunteer with NOAHH
• NOAHH Appoints New Board Members
• NOAHH Completes 84 Homes in 2008
• Texas Roadhouse and TriMark SS Kemp Dedicate MV Homes  [PDF: 52 KB - Nov 13, 2008]
• New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity Receives
• NOAHH's Third Anniversary Update
• Catholicos Visit Musicians' Village
• NOAHH Continues Through Second Anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
• Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Celebrate 1000th House in New Orleans
• Hornets and NOAHH back at work
• President Bush visits Musicians Village
• 30 Families receive keys to their new homes!!!
• Barack Obama visits Musicians Village
• Musicians Village House dedications
• President Bush letter to NOAHH
• Music is foundation to Rebuild New Orleans
• President Bush Visits the Musicians Village

Eleven Homes Dedicated With Baptist Crossroads

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity Dedicates Eleven New Homes in Musicians’ Village Over 211 Homes Built Post-Katrina

March 2, 2009 (NEW ORLEANS, LA) On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity dedicated eleven homes to our families in partnership with Baptist Crossroads Foundation with additional support from Wade’s World and A Shared Initiative Inc.
As the new homeowners received the keys to their homes, they were ready to move in with many closing on their properties later that week. “The completion of these homes is another sign that progress is being made in the Upper Ninth Ward,” stated Jim Pate, NOAHH Executive Director. “Volunteers, homeowners and staff have worked incredibly hard to build this new neighborhood and they should be very proud of their accomplishments.”
Post-Katrina, New Orleans Area Habitat has continued to make the eradication of poverty housing an issue and mission by building homes for low-income families. “We have completed over 211 homes which equates to stability for over 200 families who now have a place to call their own.”
The most notable of our building areas, the Musicians’ Village, is over 90% complete with the installation of the new roads. The dedication of these eleven homes brings the total of families living in the village to 70.
“We were extremely thankful for the generosity of A Shared Initiative Inc and Wade’s World in helping us fill a financial gap in the sponsorship of these homes,” stated David Crosby, Baptist Crossroads Foundation. ASII in partnership with NeighborWorks has co-sponsored six (6) homes and Wade’s World has co-sponsored three (3) homes.
“Hurricane Katrina brought us the overwhelming support of 70,000 plus volunteers ready to help us build,” stated Pate. “Our staff has risen to the task and utilized the volunteers to complete these homes.”
“It’s truly inspiring to see the generosity the world has offered. The lessons of Hurricane Katrina stay with us as we move forward with our mission,” concluded Pate. “It’s not likely that the area will ever be caught off guard or respond in the manner it did if another storm were to make landfall here.”
New Habitat homeowners include:

• Joe Jenkins • Shamarr Allen
• Janet Evans • Rik Fletcher
• Stephen Walker • Al Johnson
• Jesse Moore • Rickie Sebastian
• James Westfall • Leroy Andry

Wade’s World Foundation, organized by NBA superstar Dwayne Wade, provides support to community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations. Dwyane was inspired to start the foundation because he wanted to give back to underserved communities and support issues of purpose. “I can’t just let basketball define who I am and what I am supposed to become,” said Dwayne Wade. “Like my mother always tells me, ‘[My life] is bigger than basketball.’”
About A Shared Initiative, Inc. The mission of A Shared Initiative Inc. is to assist the rebuilding efforts of families and communities by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and expanding access to vital community services. The organization was formed in early 2005 to expand anti-poverty programs designed by ASI Federal Credit Union. ASI FCU is a certified Community Development Financial Institution servicing predominately low-income individuals and families across southeast Louisiana.
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. NeighborWorks America provides financial support, technical assistance and training for communities across the nation, including the NeighborWorks network-a nationwide network of 230 community development organizations serving nearly 4500 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $12 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 845,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes, or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.
Baptist Crossroads, was formed as a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation in 2005. The foundation’s mission is to demonstrate the compassion of Christ to working families-in-need by providing opportunities for home ownership and connection to Christ in Greater New Orleans through the love and labor of volunteers and collaboration with like-minded groups.
New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. NOAHH builds new houses in partnership with sponsors, volunteers, communities, and homeowner families to eliminate poverty housing in the New Orleans area while serving as a catalyst to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Since its inception in 1983 NOAHH has built over 240 new homes for low-income families in need of adequate shelter. NOAHH plans to continue to build homes in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles and Plaquemines Parishes. www.habitat-nola.org

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