Durham Youth and Habitat Dedicate New Home May 16

May 18, 2009

DURHAM YOUTH AND HABITAT DEDICATE THIRD-ANNUAL YOUTH UNITED HOME SATURDAY

Durham, NC – At 11:30 a.m. on Sat., May 16, Habitat for Humanity of Durham and Durham youth will celebrate the completion of the third-annual Youth United home. The home was built in partnership with the McRae family and is located in Habitat’s Hope Crossing community in East Durham.

Youth United is a nationwide Habitat for Humanity initiative that mobilizes young people, ages 5 to 25, to fund and build a Habitat house. Durham youth from different schools, organizations, and faith groups have been working since Fall 2008 planning this project and raising the $50,000 required to sponsor a Habitat home.

The youth involved in this project have worked side-by-side with the McRae family to build this house from the ground up in just 3 months. Construction on the home began Sat., Feb. 7. Schools and youth organizations across Durham came together to make this deserving family’s dream of owning their own home come true.

Youth also secured monetary and in-kind support from local businesses, including: California Pizza Kitchen, Durham Careers in Construction, Durham County General Services & Cans for Habitat, Durham Jaycees, Inc., Durham Public Schools, General Growth Properties at The Streets at Southpoint, Lumen Art Studio, and State Farm Insurance.

Youth United includes a diverse representation of Durham’s youth from schools, youth groups, and organizations including: Bauer Academy, Boy Scouts of America Troop 439, Brogden Middle School, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Duke University, Durham Academy, Durham County Youth Missionary Department, Durham School of the Arts, E.K. Powe Elementary School, First Calvary Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Jordan High School, Henderson Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hillside High School, Little River Elementary School, North Carolina School of Science and Math, Neal Middle School, Orange Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Parkwood Elementary School, Riverside High School, Southern High School, Student U, Unity Spiritual Life Center, Voyager Academy, YO:Durham, Youth Ministry of Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church, West Durham Baptist Church.

Ann McRae and her family, including Carlessia, 11, and Quartez, 17, are excited and thankful for their new home. Carlessia shares, My mother always wanted a home of her own and her dream finally came true. Thank God my mother found out about Habitat for Humanity. Thank you Habitat and Youth United (everyone 5 to 25) that helped build our dream home.

“The power that youth have to transform our community never ceases to amaze and inspire me, says Jeffrey Birnbaum of Duke University. Simon Carsey, 15, of the Youth United youth leadership team shares, Youth United Rocks! Despite tough economic times, Youth United continues to rise to the occasion and exceed expectations to fund and build affordable housing here in Durham.

Saturday’s event is a time to celebrate the Youth United accomplishments and wish the McRae family well in their new home. Burnout, a local youth band, will begin playing at 11:30 a.m. Hillside High School’s Drum Line will start the youth-led program at 12 p.m. with special guest Dr. Carl Harris, Durham Public Schools Superintendent. After the program, lunch will be provided by the Youth United food sponsor, California Pizza Kitchen. Building activities for youth of all ages will be available from 12:45-4 p.m.

The McRae family home is located in Hope Crossing. This 31-home neighborhood in East Durham is the first affordable green community in N.C. Homes feature energy-efficient and eco-friendly construction. The green community plan features a 1-mile perimeter walking path, native plantings and street trees, rain gardens, and a community gathering area.

Habitat for Humanity of Durham transforms lives and communities by making homeownership possible in partnership with people who care. Habitat has broken ground on more than 200 homes in Durham since 1985. Families are selected based on housing need, ability to repay the loan in full and willingness to partner with Habitat. The 1500 U.S. Habitat affiliates believe decent housing is a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity International works in 90 countries and since 1976 has provided nearly 2 million people with safe, decent, affordable homes.

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