Habitat for Humanity of Washington County bounces back from pandemic with new staff, homes
It was a long process, but standing in the back entryway to her new home Monday evening, Raychelle Beckwith said she was thankful for all of it.
Beckwith, 36, said she doesn't think she could have become a first-time homeowner without the help from Habitat for Humanity of Washington County.
Beckwith, the single mother of three boys, said she had "very low income" when the process started. She qualified for Habitat's help and put in 200 hours of sweat equity, helping with various Habitat projects so she could move from a rented duplex into a little bigger space at the new house at McCleary Hill in Hagerstown's West End.
She has a better job now too, working at a Food Lion distribution center in Greencastle, Pa.
Beckwith's home is the second house the local Habitat for Humanity operation dedicated this month and the fourth it has finished at McCleary Hill, said Habitat Executive Director Carleah Summers.
About 30 people attended the dedication ceremony Monday evening. Pastor Doug Hoffman of John Wesley United Methodist Church helped bless the new house.
Habitat deal with Housing Authority 'something huge for us'
The Housing Authority of Washington County transferred 18 lots at the McCleary Hill project along West Washington Street to the local Habitat organization over the last several years for $1 a lot, according to Summers. The moves were part of the housing authority's goal to have McCleary Hill include single-family homeownership, according to an earlier Habitat news release.
Summers, who became executive director for the local Habitat group in the spring, said the nonprofit's leaders are aiming to open three to five houses at McCleary Hill next year.
The deal with the housing authority "was definitely something huge for us because now it gives us, definitely gives us time to build out. It lets us know we have 18 guaranteed lots" for families, Summers said.
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Habitat holding info session for potential homeowners
No one is lined up yet for the next houses, Summers said.
Habitat is having an informational session on Dec. 5 for people interested in learning whether and how they can become homeowners through the organization. The session begins at 5 p.m. at the local Habitat office at 100 Charles St. in Hagerstown, by the Habitat ReStore.
Income requirements are on a sliding scale depending on the size of the family. Applicants must complete a financial application class with Habitat's homeowner program manager. Those wanting a Habitat house also have to put in "sweat equity hours" on Habitat houses and/or the ReStore, Summers said.
Beckwith recommends that people thinking of owning their own home go to the information session.
"The biggest reward at the end is owning their own home," something many people don't think they can do on their own, she said.
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Local Habitat for Humanity chapter undergoes changes
The local Habitat for Humanity's staff almost completely turned over this year, Summers said.
"We started basically from scratch. Just been building and working toward positive things," she said.
The local chapter hadn't been producing the results expected by Habitat for Humanity International, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing a "huge lack" of volunteers, Summers said.
The organization is still rebounding from the pandemic, with the number of volunteers back to where it was before the global health crisis struck, she said.
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How to volunteer to help Habitat in Washington County
Still, Habitat can always use more volunteers. Interested individuals or companies may apply online or through the local administrative office, which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Summers said.
Wells Fargo in Hagerstown is the local Habitat's biggest partner, sending 20 to 30 employees to help, she said.
Summers said the Washington County chapter will offer trainings for volunteers in 2024, so people interested in helping don't have to have previous experience.
The nonprofit has "something for volunteers to do on all levels," she said.
Summers joined the local Habitat chapter in February as its director of development and marketing. She said she became executive director in May.
Summers said she has worked with nonprofits for almost two decades, largely in Frederick County and in the substance abuse field and housing. That work involved some type of residential services for people in need or underserved populations, she said.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Habitat for Humanity dedicates new house in Hagerstown
