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The threat of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who gathered together on Saturday, April 22, on Maryland Street to celebrate Habitat for Humanity’s Home is the Key Campaign. Habitat Detroit was chosen for this national campaign which raises funds and drives awareness around the growing need for affordable housing all across the United States. Thanks to generous sponsors including At Home, Kum and Go, Resideo, and iHeart Media, the campaign spurs homebuilding and repair efforts and helps residents in communities like Morningside access the undeniable advantages of homeownership. It also reminds us that when homeownership is accessible to everyone, we all benefit. Several of our very own Morningside neighbors were featured in this campaign and a spotlight was shone on the work being done by the Detroit affiliate.

National partners, Habitat for Humanity International staff, local volunteers, and the Habitat Detroit team came together to celebrate months of work. Special guest, Egypt Sherrod, of HGTV, was on hand for a ceremonial wall raising at Habitat’s newest build site.  Volunteers spread out along the block to put their talents to use on a house being rehabbed by Habitat, along with helping our neighbors with other light landscaping and exterior work to freshen up the entire street. After hours of hard work guests and neighbors gathered together to enjoy food, fun, and festivities at a block party to celebrate all of the amazing work being done in the Morningside neighborhood.

Just days later Habitat Detroit hosted a Home Dedication for the newest Habitat home, a beautifully restored house on Haverhill.  Joining the more than 130 homes built or rehabbed by Habitat Detroit in Morningside, this house was a labor of love.  The Habitat team and countless volunteers worked tirelessly to breathe new life into the house as it was prepared to welcome the Flores family to their very own home sweet home.

The Flores family was surrounded by family, friends, neighbors, and community leaders as they were officially welcomed to the community.  Excitement was in the air and the sun was shining as Gabby, Miguel, Jada, and Gracie (along with pup Phoebe) laughed, cried, and showed off their beautiful new space.

Since partnering with Habitat Detroit in May 2022, the entire Flores family has taken an active partnering role, from building sweat equity hours as volunteers at builds, attending events and classes, and working diligently to increase their buying power.

Upon viewing the house on Haverhill, we could see the joyful tears in their eyes as Gabby pointed out where she would put her plants, which room her girls would have, and how she would hang Christmas stockings along the fireplace mantel.

Both of these events are shining examples of the continued work Habitat Detroit has been doing in Morningside for the past 15 years.  Habitat Detroit is so thankful for the outstanding partnership with the neighborhood and is excited to continue our dedicated efforts to help build homes and hope for our community.