On Saturday, volunteers and sponsors from Berkadia, City of Marietta, and Marietta School System gathered with our affiliate to dedicate the first house for the Marietta Public Service Housing Program for Methany, a Marietta Middle School teacher.
Habitat is partnering with City of Marietta to build six homes for Marietta public servants which allows them to live locally in the community where they work. Berkadia sponsored the first home located on Griggs Street.
Methany is a Social Emotional Learning Teacher at Marietta Middle School where she has taught for more than for six years. She also serves as a Cheer and Lacrosse coach. Many of her students gathered with Methany to show their support on her dedication day. She says she loves “paying it forward” as a teacher. “I love being able to build relationships with the students and creating a safe space for them and the teachers.”
Methany’s husband Kelcey has undergone health challenges that have left him disabled. He does all he can at home to help Methany. The couple has one adult daughter and two grandchildren. Their daughter helps with caregiving duties and the family currently rents a too-small townhouse in Cartersville without a yard for the grandchildren.
Methany has tried unsuccessfully in the past to qualify for a mortgage. She says when she found out she was selected; she was overwhelmed to tears. “I feel like I’ve won the lottery. It is amazingly surreal and truly a blessing.”
She is most excited to be minutes from her work. “Thank you for all that you do in the community for people like me,” says Methany. “You truly are God sent, and I pray that as you continue to bless others, God will bless you even more.”
“Living where you work is a key component in building community,” says Jessica Gill, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta. “Many of our teachers, city employees and first responders cannot afford the escalating prices of our local housing. Partnerships like this one are fundamental to make local homeownership achievable.”
“At Berkadia, we believe people and the communities they live in matter,” said Berton Spring, Senior Operations Director at Berkadia. “Being a part of our third Habitat for Humanity home build was a no brainer. It was so rewarding being onsite in Marietta helping to build a home for Methany and her family.”