Kristen Riley had tears of joy in her eyes when she was told on Sunday that she would be the newest partner family of Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County. Kristen and her three children, Joelie, 8, Zia, 7, and Kale 4, had just attended church service at Rock Creek Church and were eating lunch when they were approached by the group.
“Kristen had the greatest need and a strong financial situation,” Lisa Rivers, a member of the Habitat Board, said.
Riley applied for a Habitat project in September and was chosen by the Family Selection and Support Committee out of eight applicants. Riley and her children have lived in Ottawa for the past six months. Moving from El Dorado, Riley and three children moved in with a friend and currently all share a room.
Riley is employed with New Century Air Service in Garner as an office manager. She previously hadn’t considered home ownership due to financial burdens but the Habitat for Humanity agreement has made that possible. Riley reports that her children are excited to pick the color of their room and that their family dog, which had been living with an aunt since the move, will be reunited with the family.
Next volunteers will begin refurbishing a home at 613 N. Hickory St and as a part of the agreement; Riley will put in 200 hours of “sweat equity”, where she, too, will work on the house. New flooring, landscaping, deck work and adding an additional room to the basement, are all listed among the remodeling “to-do” list.
Amy McFadden, present of the Habitat board, said she was excited about this partnership and, “She just felt like the right person for this house.”
Habitat will be hosting their first official workday of 2012 on January 28 to begin the remodeling process. If you are interested in volunteering or providing lunch for volunteers, please e-mail us at hfhofc@sbcglobal.net or call us at 785-242-2600.
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Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County has been in operation since 1993 and has been responsible for building and rehabilitating over twenty homes in the Ottawa area. Habitat homes are not free. Recipients repay a zero-interest loan for the cost of living in the home. Partner families are also required to contribute to Habitat through “sweat-equity”. To learn more about Habitat of Franklin County, please visit habitatfranklincounty.org.
