Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition dedicates 21st home

Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition

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On Sunday September 19, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta and the Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition (CIHC) dedicated the coalition’s 21st Habitat home in Austell. The house was the first build started in 2021.  

Future Homeowner Rachel Coates has built alongside coalition volunteers for nine weeks and is looking forward to moving into her own home with her children. Rachel is a 47-year-old single mom to Jeremy (13), and Polleen (12), and she works as a caregiver at Arbor Terrace at Burnt Hickory.

The Kenya native has lived in Cobb County for 13 years. Their family currently lives in a two-bedroom apartment in Marietta, which has become too small for them. She is very grateful for the opportunity to partner with Habitat and is excited about her future prospects of finally owning her own home. 

The 2021 Coalition includes 12 religious organizations and four corporate members.  

Faith partners include: 

  • First Presbyterian Church of Marietta  
  • St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church  
  • Unity North Atlanta Church  
  • Covenant United Methodist  
  • McEachern United Methodist  
  • Due West United Methodist  
  • Smyrna First United Methodist   
  • Bethany United Methodist  
  • Temple Kol Emeth  
  • Log Cabin Community Church  
  • St. Catherine’s Episcopal  
  • East Cobb Islamic Center
  • West Cobb Islamic Center 

Corporate sponsors include:  

  • Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors  
  • Pinkerton & Laws  
  • Truist (BB&T)  
  • Atlanta West Carpets  

The annual coalition uses the motto, “We Build to Coexist, We Coexist to Build.”

“For 21 years, this faithful, cross-denominational coalition has represented the best of our county, and always finds a way to build, no matter the challenges,” said Coalition co-chair and Habitat board member, Henry Hene. “It was very rewarding to again be building side by side with this special homeowner who worked so hard to make a better life for the next generation.”  

“For more than two decades, this coalition has been a light in this community and a shining example of what people can do when they come together to improve lives,” said Jessica Gill, CEO, Habitat for Humanity of NW Metro Atlanta. “We are grateful for their unwavering dedication to our mission and bettering our community though stable and sustainable housing.” 

Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition

Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition

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East Cobb faith communities pitch in to build new Habitat for Humanity house

The Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity passes along word that the Cobb Interfaith Habitat Coalition will start a new house project in Austell Saturday, and several East Cobb faith communities will be involved.East Cobb faith communities Habitat for Humanity

The home is being built for the Arkoh family on Old Bankhead Highway, and the project is expected to be dedicated in mid-August.

Among the organizations taking part include Unity North Church, St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, the East Cobb Islamic Center and Temple Kol Emeth.

The others are Bethany United Methodist Church, Covenant United Methodist Church, Log Cabin Community Church of Vinings, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Smyrna First United Methodist Church, McEachern United Methodist Church, and the Islamic Center of Marietta.

Also involved will be BB&T, Moore Colson and Pinkerton & Laws Construction of Atlanta. Here’s more from NW Metro Habitat about the family being helped with this new home:

The home is being built for future Habitat homeowner and recent widow, Belinda Enimil Arkoh. Belinda has been a United States resident since 2007, and proudly became a naturalized citizen in 2013. She lost her husband and father of her two children in 2018. Belinda is a single mother of two children: a 4-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl. After living in a single bedroom apartment with her two children, she will become a homeowner. Belinda is professional seamstress and a devoted Christian who loves working in her community work and her church.

“It is remarkable to see how the Cobb County faith community comes together to make our county a better place for all our residents,” said Jessica Gill, CEO, N.W. Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity. “These organizations are changing the lives and future of the next generation of this well-deserving family.”

 

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