Brianna Atkinson received the keys to her new home for her and her two young sons.

Atkinson entered the Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity program last year and began the process of applying for the program and meeting all criteria -- saving the money for a $900 down-payment, completing a rigorous 300-hour sweat equity program and passing her education classes with the local Habitat organization. She completed all stipulations of the program in less than a year.

Atkinson moved around a lot as a child. She settled in nearby Peachtree City in Fayette County -- and then Newnan as an adult. She is a single mom who has worked really hard through the years to meet her educational goals. She earned her certification as an office accounting specialist, then her associate's degree in applied science in accounting at West Central Technical College in Carrollton.

While she was in school, Atkinson was also working at Cargill in Newnan as a shipping and receiving clerk.

She went back to school to earn her bachelor's degree in technical management with a concentration in accounting at Devry Institute of Technology in Atlanta while continuing to move up the ladder at Cargill. She now holds the position of accounting assistant/production clerk at Cargill. She works on average of 40 hours a week, depending on the needs of the company.

Atkinson is a loving single mom to two busy little boys who will be starting kindergarten this year. She and the boys have been living in apartments for the last few years. Atkinson tried renting a home for the boys to have a place to play, but the neighborhood was unsafe for growing children.

While attending a United Way fair at Cargill, Atkinson learned of Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity and the program requirements. She went to the orientation session and learned all she would have to accomplish to qualify.

She quickly filled out her application and set her sights on completing the program. "The application process is not really difficult," Atkinson said. "It was just the waiting that was the hardest part. I think the process shows if you are really ready because it takes a lot to get all the information you need, and to make sure you do everything that is required of you. To me, just like the first part of a test."

Atkinson said she feels the 300 sweat equity hours required helps one to learn new skills that can be used in the future. She had not done any gardening in her young life and now she thinks it will be great for her and the boys to work in the yard.

"One of the best aspects of the program is the people you meet in the process and the fact that you're able to give something back even when you finish meeting your own goal. I know I have met some people that I was able to speak something into their lives and show love," she said. "People have really made a difference in my life as well."

Asked what her new home means to her, Atkinson replied, "I know God answers prayers."

Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity is a self-help home ownership organization that works in partnership with low income families to provide safe, decent, affordable houses and create stable communities in Coweta County. The vision of NCHFH is to mobilize and collaborate to improve the quality of life for others through affordable home ownership by following the Christian principle of giving and serving others.

Times-Herald, The (Newnan, GA)
From Staff Reports, NEWS@NEWNAN.COM

Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity held a House Blessing for the family of Tameika Fleming and her children on May 28. Pastor Barbara Gibson of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Newnan officiated for the morning ceremony at the home. The house was one of two collaborative efforts of Habitat and Thrivent Builds in Coweta County.

Fleming received the keys to her new home in Coweta County on June 23 - upon the closing of her loan with NCHFH. Applicants are approved through a rigorous qualification process, paying a down payment and performing 300 sweat equity hours. They receive a zero interest home loan with a 20-year mortgage.

NCHFH has been blessed to receive two grants from the Coweta Chapter of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

The alliance between Habitat for Humanity International and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans continues to build hope for low-income families amidst economic difficulties as the mortgage crisis unfolds nationwide, according to a release from the organization. According to John Setzer, Thrivent Build Committee Chapter President for Coweta/Fayette Counties, "We're excited about the opportunity to put our faith in action in Coweta County. We look forward to the Christian fellowship among the many Lutheran synods in the area. Our plans are to continue this partnership for years to come."

Setzer encouraged anyone who would like to participate - by volunteering or donating - to contact Newnan-Coweta Habitat at 770-252-9049 or visit www.nchfh.org.

The local chapter of Thrivent is made up of members of several Lutheran churches who are active in their communities.

Times-Herald, The (Newnan, GA)
From Staff Reports religion@newnan.com

The collaborative rehabilitation of five foreclosed homes by Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity and the Newnan Housing Authority was celebrated Saturday in the small Millstream subdivision near downtown Newnan.

The five homes were purchased with federal revolving loan funds through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Three were bought by Newnan-Coweta Habitat, for homeowners, and two were purchased by the Housing Authority for their Family Self Sufficiency Program. The federal funds are administered through the city of Newnan.

The work on Mill Stream Court is a reminder of “what collaboration can do to revitalize a neighborhood,” said Leslie Merriman, executive director of Newnan-Coweta Habitat. “It’s what we hope will be the first of many to come in the city and the county.”

If it weren’t for Habitat, the housing authority and the city of Newnan working together, “this community would not be what it is today,” Merriman said. She also recognized the help of the Newnan Police Department.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” said Sandra Strozier, executive director of the Newnan Housing Authority. “We want you to really feel welcome.”

The families who will live in the Millstream homes will be “part of their community, they will pay taxes, they will be productive citizens of Newnan and Coweta County,” Strozier said.

“We hope this is just the beginning of things we are going to do in Newnan and Coweta County.”

“This is not a gimme. It is hard work,” said Newnan City Councilman George Alexander. The goal is to have neighborhoods that are safe, “where families can feel good about themselves, communities where their children and their children’s children want to come back to live,” Alexander said.

“This is just the beginning,” said City Councilwoman Cynthia Jenkins. The idea is to make sure that there are affordable housing opportunities and that people who are “working hard to realize the American Dream have the tools” to attain that dream, she said. “We want to give you all the tools you need.”

With the downturn in the housing market, Habitat has switched from building houses to buying and rehabilitating foreclosures, which are cheaper than any house could be built from scratch, even with volunteer labor.

The homes are sold to qualified families, and they’re not cheap — in fact, some recent Habitat home sales have been for higher prices than most other homes sold in Coweta. However, Habitat homeowners have an interest-free loan, with a 20-year term. There is also a second mortgage, which is set at the difference between the price of the first mortgage and the market value of the home, Merriman said. The homeowners only have to pay that second mortgage if they move from the home before the original mortgage is paid. The second mortgage decreases by one-twentieth each year.

Photos by Toni Rios, Program Manager, Development