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Home recipients Jasmine Agee, left, with her daughter and Shannon Kennedy and her daughter before helping break ground on their future homes. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties board members, Stone Martin Builders representatives and Chilton County and Clanton delegates and elected officials were a part of the groundbreaking for the homes. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The crowd that gathered for the groundbreaking event on First Avenue North in Clanton on Oct. 4. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties Executive Director Doan Johnson speaks to the crowd. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Home recipient Shannon Kennedy speaks to the crowd with fellow recipient Jasmine Agee behind her. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Representatives, delegates and elected officials in Chilton County were amongst the crowd for the groundbreaking event. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Two families’ lives were forever changed on Oct. 4 as the Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties broke ground on their future family homes in Clanton. Jasmine Agee and Shannon Kennedy, along with their children, were front row to see the first shovels turned to begin construction on their new homes on First Avenue North.

Along with the Agee and Kennedy families, Habitat board members, delegates and elected officials from the City of Clanton and Chilton County, first responders and the builder of the homes were all in attendance for the momentous occasion. Stone Martin Builders, the company building the two homes, had their staff and administration at the event with it being the first time the company has partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties.

“This is very exciting to see these homes coming up, seeing the excitement on the families’ faces and being able to partner with Stone Martin Builders on these two homes is very exciting,” Doan Johnson, Executive Director of the Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties, said.

Habitat receives hundreds of applicants for the homes they build, and the board awards the homes based on three criteria during the application process — their need, their ability to pay and their willingness to partner with Habitat.

The need is shown when Habitat visits the homes of the applicants after the first phase of the selection process is completed so the board can see firsthand what the applicants needs are. The ability to pay is making sure the applicant has some kind of income coming in whether that be a job, social security or disability. The willingness to partner is that the applicants chosen have to work 250 hours with Habitat for Humanity — 125 hours on another home and 125 hours on their own home. Also, included in those 250 hours is 25 hours of educational courses that are required that Habitat provides. These courses cover finances, house maintenance, gardening and nutrition classes that are all geared towards helping prepare the families for home ownership.

Johnson said the Agee and Kennedy families’ excitement and need in their family situation is what stood out to her in the selection process. Both Agee and Kennedy have full-time, stable jobs which stood out as well to the board.

“One of the ladies (on the board) said ‘Your spirit touched me, and I knew I was going to pick you from the start,’” Kennedy said. “It really means a lot; my daughter will have her own room and it is a great start for me.”

Kennedy being awarded the house by Habitat comes with a full circle moment for her. She grew up right across the street on First Avenue North, right where her new home is being built. When Kennedy first heard where the home was going to be built at, she was taken back by the location, and will now get the raise her daughter just steps from where she grew up.

“It has been wonderful, my daughter is so excited and I am more excited for her than I am for me,” Kennedy said. “I give thanks to the good Lord, and it is all by his mercy and grace that we got selected.”

Agee also grew up in Chilton County spending much of her childhood in Jemison, and many recognize her friendly face from working for Clanton’s transit system for the last three years. Agee will be moving into the home with her three kids, and like Kennedy, it will be the first home she has owned outright. Agee recommended anyone to apply for a home through Habitat for Humanity.

“It means a lot, especially to my babies,” Agee said. “I am so excited that they get to have their own room and our own home.”

Habitat is hosting volunteers on Wednesdays and Saturdays to assist with the building of the homes. Johnson added that if anyone wants to volunteer, or provide lunch to the volunteers on the work days, they can contact the Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties’ office at 334-365-4132.

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