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Habitat for Humanity of Northwest Metro Atlanta is celebrating its 35thAnniversary this month. From humble beginnings born out of Marietta resident Chrys Street’s idea to bring the Habitat model to Cobb County in 1986; to today, the mission to provide a hand up to those in need of decent shelter has remained the same.
Since its humble founding in the basement of a local church, the affiliate has built, renovated, or repaired more than 600 homes in Cobb, Douglas, and Paulding counties.
In 2020, the affiliate embarked on a $2.5 million Sweetwater Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative in Austell, Georgia. The project includes the construction of eight new homes, the rehabilitation of eight existing homes and critical repairs of 12 homes. In 2021, the non-profit built and dedicated its first two-story house in the neighborhood.
“We celebrate this milestone because 600 families in our community overcame generational poverty and raised children in secure homes because of the work of our donors, sponsors and volunteers over the last 35 years. Below are just a few of our milestones through the years,” said Jessica Gill, CEO.
1986 – Affiliate incorporates, and becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
1987 – First two houses are built, by the building and construction classes of Marietta and South Cobb High Schools
1988 – Two houses are dedicated
1990 – Original Habitat Thrift Store opens
1993 – First subdivision is built, in Powder Springs and named “Chrys Street,” and the “Riverside Revival” happens, the first remodeling of six homes
1996 – First Neighborhood Revitalization Project happens, on Roosevelt Circle in Marietta
2008 – Service area expands to Douglas and Paulding counties
2014 – Affiliate reaches 40 sponsors, 3,000 volunteers, and 15 houses in one year
2016 – Habitat ReStore has grand opening in Smyrn
2018 – All-military neighborhood, Veterans Place, breaks ground in Douglasville, and first Women’s Build takes place
2020– The next Neighborhood Revitalization Project begins in the Sweetwater neighborhood in Austell, GA
2021 – First two-story house is dedicated, sponsored by the Cobb Catholic Coalition
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