Annual Report - Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake

We’re still in awe.”
That’s what Troy
Graham says
about his family’s new home,
825 Jack Street in Brooklyn.
Troy and Kimberlee Graham
and their three sons, Marcus,
Malcolm and Zion, moved
from a small 2-bedroom
apartment in Glen Burnie to
their 4-bedroom Habitat for
Humanity home in
mid-September 2008.
“There is plenty of space
for the kids to run around,
and each of the boys has his own room. It’s a blessing and a dream.”
Troy goes on to talk about how this dream is affecting his family.
The family has joined the Brooklyn Church of God right around
the corner and they have become active members. Troy says that for
many years they relied on churches for Thanksgiving baskets and
help with the holidays. “We were always so grateful. And now we
can give back.” He has taken food and clothes down to the church
to support their outreach ministries. Troy says that’s just God; that
is how it’s supposed to be.
It’s been a long, hard road – with Troy’s heart surgery and the car
accident Kim was in, an accident that totaled their car. Financially,
they are still recovering. But they have a plan to be completely out
of debt. “We have a place where we can catch our breath.”
“Think of it,” Troy told me, “at a time when people are losing
their homes, we have a 4-bedroom house and a mortgage under
$500 a month.”
The Grahams are at home—in their house, in their church and in
their community. Troy walks the boys to school each day and has
already joined the PTA. He is working with one of the staff
members to bring speakers and mentors into the classrooms. He
talks with another Habitat neighbor about things they can do to
make their community stronger. “There is a lot of life in this area;
it’s just been paved over.”
Troy, Kimberlee, and the boys are embarked on a new life—
“we are finally looking forward to some things.” They are bringing
new life to their community in Brooklyn as well.
825 Jack Street was dedicated to Troy and Kimberlee Graham
and their family on September 13, 2008. a
“
a
Valeria Foster, her
16-year-old son Andre,
9-year-old daughter Niya,
and 15-year-old nephew Royal,
are proud to call 2230 Jefferson
Street their new home. Andre
has multiple disabilities and is
wheelchair-bound, but their
new Habitat home caters to his
special needs, and its construction
couldn’t have come sooner for the
Foster family.
For 9 years, the family had
lived in a 2nd floor, 2-bedroom
apartment. Valeria lifted her son,
Andre up 2 flights of stairs for their entire residency. They moved
into a row home that contained fewer steps, but the house was not
wheelchair accessible and the street lacked a curb ramp.
“If Andre wanted to get up the steps of the row home himself, it
could take him a whole hour, because he had to sit on his bottom
and move step by step,” says Valeria. And having to transport a
grown 16-year-old boy had obviously gotten much more difficult
for Valeria over the years. She explains, “The new Habitat house’s
wheelchair accessibility alleviates that worry by giving my son
more independence.”
For the first time ever, her daughter Niya has her own room. The
new house’s accessibility also lifted some weight off of nephew
Royal’s shoulders—he had been helping Valeria to carry Andre
through the years.
When asked which aspect of the new house is most exciting for
her personally, Valeria has a ready, emotional answer: “My ultimate
goal is that I have a sense of security for Andre. If I’m not around
anymore, I want him to have a home he can get around in on his
own and the support that he needs to live more independently.” She
continues, “With this new home, he’ll be more comfortable and
empowered. It’s something I can leave for him.”
Regarding Habitat for Humanity, Valeria has much praise: “I felt
very comfortable with Habitat because they’re genuine and have my
best interests at heart. They try to educate you to become successful
with your home. I trust the program and the people.”
2230 Jefferson Street was dedicated to Valeria and her family
on February 21, 2009. a
7
a