Having held a Prayer Walk and a Build for Unity Celebration for the first time ever this past year, the Build for Unity Coalition was instrumental in building and dedicating homes to three hardworking families on Saturday, December 7, 2019.
The first Habitat home was built in the Fullerton Richman neighborhood back in 2007. Since then, 14 more homes (not counting our 12-home development project) have been added to the neighborhood, making Richman a large Habitat community. True to our word, Habitat not only builds homes but community as well.
After working hard to complete their sweat equity this past year, our families were buzzing with excitement at finally being able to move into their new homes. Unfortunately, one of our four homes remains vacant.
An applicant was laid off in the weeks prior to Dedication Day. The family was unable to purchase the home at this time. Habitat OC CEO Sharon Ellis reassured everyone that the family is not forgotten; Habitat OC is working with the family to get them back on track.
"We cannot do all the good this world needs, but the world needs all the good that we can do." - Pastor Bob Mooney
With more than 150 people present to celebrate Dedication Day with our families, it truly was a testament to what we can do when we all work together. Holding hands with new friends, everyone formed rings around the homes for the community blessing.
"We're building side-by-side with a Jewish sister, a Muslim sister, a Catholic brother, a Presbyterian Brother...and people who didn't even share any of our faiths at all," Pastor Bob Mooney of Messiah Lutheran said. "We cannot do all the good this world needs, but the world needs all the good that we can do."
The knowledge that they were building their dream home lightened whatever load they may have physically carried at the construction site. After a year anxiously awaiting the completion of their homes, our families were finally ready to move in. But the surprises were far from over.
"It's incredible to me, how many people, what a village it takes to make this kind of thing happen," Neighborhood Builder and President of the Auto Club of Southern California John Boyle said. "We also thought helping you with mobility might be a very good thing to do today."
AAA generously donated a car to each of our families.
"I'm grateful for the entire community," the Nurhusen family said. "Especially for a car. It feels like we're in a TV show."
Phase II of our Fullerton Richman development is set to begin on Saturday, January 11, 2020 for Framing Day.