Winifred Sanders has always wanted to experience something her family never did: be a homeowner. Now her dream has become a reality. Construction on her new, energy-efficient home concluded June 9 as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga Area dedicated Sander’s home.
Born and raised in Chattanooga, Sanders retired after working for many years at Olan Mills. Although she felt her current living situation was acceptable, she also believed it could be better. She found out about Habitat from her cousin, Vanessa Span, who had purchased a Habitat home. Sanders had tried to buy a home twice before, but things didn’t work out.
“Winifred has been a model homeowner as far as compliance with our program. She has been on top of the homeowner education classes and getting to the work site when she can,” said Linda Sneary, construction staff manager at Habitat.
Sanders says Habitat has helped her to begin a new chapter in her life. Through the homeowner education classes, she’s now ready to manage her own home. “They teach you how to do things the right way, and I’m going to stay on top of this,” were some of her words in appreciation of the class.
Sanders is thankful for the Chattanooga community and what it has given her. She said she walked up to a volunteer at her home site one afternoon and expressed her gratitude by saying, “If I had money like Oprah Winfrey, I’d buy all of you a cruise!”
Sanders is thankful for the experiences and memories Habitat has brought to her life, and she especially cherishes the people she has met during her association with the organization.
Sanders advises anyone in the community living in substandard housing to “Go out there and get help.”
Grant funds from the City of Chattanooga Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development and the work of many community volunteers combined to set this new family legacy in motion.
Source: Habitat for Humanity