On Saturday, April 13, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury (HFHWM) dedicated its 19th Habitat High home to Jamesia Dowell and her five children, Skylar (10), Kezavier (8), Sanaia (7), Kaiden (5), and Kai (1). This is first residence completed in the new, 26-home Willow Crest subdivision in Fairview.
Over the last eight weekends, Jamesia has worked alongside over 300 students from Brentwood, Centennial, Fairview, Franklin, Independence, Page, Ravenwood, and Summit High Schools; Currey Ingram Academy; home school students from Penny and a Prayer program; Concordia College; and Widener University.
The $70,000 needed for the “bricks and sticks” of the home was funded through several projects undertaken by the Habitat High clubs at each school and through the generous donations of community sponsors Bank of America and Lasko Products. State Farm also provided a matching grant for the high school students. Next month, Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury will sell the home to Dowell with an affordable mortgage.
The Brentwood and Ravenwood Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapters were one of 20 groups selected across the United States to receive a grant from State Farm® for the home build. Ravenwood was awarded $5,000, and Brentwood High School was awarded $2,000. Both schools met these matching goals.
“We are proud that our funding is helping to engage young leaders in advancing Habitat’s mission in communities across the country,” said Ed Woods, Human Resources Director, Philanthropy/Diversity & Inclusion at State Farm. “State Farm is here to help life go right® and is committed to building safer, stronger and better-educated communities.”
“Ravenwood students are so proud to contribute over $10,000 to Habitat this year,” said Ravenwood High School Habitat High Club Sponsor, teacher Amy Surdacki. “Planning and executing fundraisers, managing the club, and seeing how nonprofits operate has been such great training for club officers. Thanks for letting us ‘give back’ to our community in this very tangible way.”
Despite the cold weather and rain over the last few weeks, the Dowell home remained on schedule thanks to the hard-working students.
“These students are amazing,” noted HFHWM Development and Volunteer Manager Rain Fisher. “Mud, rain, freezing temperatures – nothing dampened their work or spirits. They gave 110% on the build site and their love and hard work shines through on Jamesia’s home.”
Jamesia Dowell is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and attended Hillsboro High School where she was a member of the cheerleading squad for both the basketball and football teams at Hillsboro. Following high school, she attended Kaplan College, and for the past two years, Jamesia has enjoyed working at Aetna as a new business case manager.
Her family would like to thank their sponsors and Habitat for the opportunity. Jamesia says, “Without my sponsors, we wouldn’t be able to own a home. The students have been amazing, and I can’t wait to have a place that is ours. ”
Habitat for Humanity knows that safe, decent and affordable shelter plays an absolutely critical role in helping families to create a new cycle, one filled with possibilities and progress. Affordable homeownership frees families and fosters the skills and confidence they need to invest in themselves and their communities. The outcomes are long-lasting and life-changing. For additional information, to get involved as a donor, volunteer, or to learn more about purchasing a home in the Willow Crest subdivision, please contact HFHWM at 615-690-8090 or visit www.hfhwm.org.
