Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville 2950 Kraft Drive, Suite 100  Nashville, TN 37204 615-254-4663

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sherry Stinson, (615) 500-4645

Maplewood High School Students Get Surprise Today When They Showed Up For Work at Habitat for Humanity in Hallmark

NASHVILLE, Tenn. [November 15, 2013] Students from Maplewood High School got a surprise today when they showed up for work at the Habitat for Humanity build site in the Hallmark subdivision in Antioch. The students were here today to learn about homeownership as part of a school project for the Academy of Business and Consumer Services at the high school.

The homeowner, Mikesha Sledge, was a 2007 Maplewood High School graduate!

“I was getting out of the car and noticed my high school teacher and went over to see her and she told she was here to work on lot 112, and I said, ‘that’s my home!’” said Mikesha.

Twelve senior students spent the day landscaping Mikesha’s home in preparation for her home dedication ceremony tomorrow at 3 p.m. Now that they know Mikesha is “one of their own” the students have offered to come back and help Mikesha move in to her new home.

Danette McMillian, academy leader for Maplewood’s Academy of Business and Consumer Services classes, says the project was designed to teach the kids about the value of homeownership, and that they can become homeowners with the right skills.

“A lot of the kids and the community around Maplewood High School rent. They are in a generational cycle of renters and don’t think owning their own home is even possible. We feel if we start teaching them homeownership skills now, they will make better choices financially. We looked at Habitat’s model of homeownership and thought this is what we need,” Danette said. “My goal is to help another Maplewood family get a home.”

Makesha has offered to go back to Maplewood High School and become a budget coach for the students and teach them what she has learned in the Habitat HomeWORKS courses about budgeting, emergency funds, home maintenance and being a good neighbor.

The day has been special for the students as well. One student said, “It feels really good to help someone else and to get the chance to actually meet that person.” Makesha feels equally blessed to have skills she can now go back and share with those who came out to help her.

“This is a blessing that it all worked out like this. It feels good to know I have something I can pass on to others, that I have something to give back,” Makesha said. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville will dedicate the last five houses of the 2013 build season in Hallmark tomorrow at 3 p.m. Habitat will have built 28 houses in Davidson County, three homes in Wilson County, one home in Dickson County and one home in Cheatham County this year. Habitat homeowners include a disabled nurse, two formerly homeless individuals, a widower with six children, 13 refugee families, and 21 local Middle Tennesseans. What all Habitat homeowners have in common is a desire to work hard to create a better life for themselves and their families. Habitat partner families attend homeownership classes twice a week and work on the build site building their home as well as their neighbors’ homes to earn the opportunity to purchase their homes with a zero percent interest mortgage rate.

Mikesha Sledge, 1098 Lakewalk. Mikesha is the mother of one daughter, Tarhiya, 6. When she first applied to Habitat, Mikesha was renting a two-bedroom apartment that had multiple issues with plumbing, mold, and leaks, as well as neighbors selling drugs in the apartment complex. She said, “I am ready to have some stability in my life. I’ve had to move so much in the past because of unsafe environments.” Attending the HomeWORKS classes, a requirement for all Habitat partner families, has prepared Mikesha for homeownership and she says the process has made her a better saver.

Home sponsors: Schneider Electric and Sony Music Nashville.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville is an ecumenical Christian ministry that provides the life-changing opportunity for people to purchase and own quality, affordable homes. Prior to becoming homeowners, Habitat partner families attend home education classes, work at the build site, and volunteer at Habitat’s retail outlet, the ReStore. Since 1985, Habitat of Greater Nashville has built or recycled more than 850 homes, over 600 locally, and served more than 2,000 family members including 1,400 children. To request an application or to receive more information about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville, call 615-254-HOME (4663) or visit www.habitatnashville.org.

#######