Mayor Chuck Fewell steps inside the Bryant Family’s new home, which was provided by Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. Friday, May 5, 2023.
GREENFIELD — A crowd gathered outside a Habitat for Humanity house in Greenfield last week to pray over the family who has made the house their home.
The sun was shining over the pretty gray and white house on Friday, May 5, when Valerie Bryant welcomed a string of well wishers into her new home on the 1200 block of E. 2nd St., just north of U.S. 40 on the east side of town.
It was just over four months ago that Habitat for Humanity reached out to Bryant, a single mom of two teenage boys, asking if the empty plot of land would be an acceptable building site.
“I drove by and I knew this was the place,” said Bryant, who attends Brandywine Community Church in Greenfield.
“God kept bringing (scripture from the book of) Joshua to mind,” said Bryant, referring to Joshua 1:3, which states, “I will give you every place where you set your foot,” in regards to claiming a new home as promised by God.
Bryant said it seems not that long ago that she and her sons Draven, 16, and Deegan, 13 were praying over the empty plot of land at the southwest corner of Second and Date streets.
While Deegan was too young to help with the construction, according to policy, Bryant and Draven put in the “sweat equity” required of all Habitat for Humanity recipients.
“I helped with painting the walls and putting down sod and mulch,” said Draven, who couldn’t wait to get moved into the new home.
“It’s a whole lot better than living in a trailer,” said the teen, who has been living in Indianapolis with his mother and brother.
As is true of all Habitat for Humanity homes, much of the home build is done by volunteers, with contractors doing the more technical work like electrical and plumbing.
Members of New Palestine United Methodist Church helped with the framing last December when temperatures hovered around 20 degrees.
Jim Morris, president and CEO for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, said such selfless service is a perfect example of Habitat’s mission to put God’s love into action, “bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.”
Morris said Greater Indy’s Habitat program recently celebrated its 600th build in the region.
“Community means neighbor loving neighbors, and this is exactly what this looks like,” said Morris, addressing the crowd gathered around the Bryants’ new home last week.
After a few speeches and well wishes, Bryant and her two sons collectively gripped a pair of ceremonial scissors and snipped the red ribbon that was hanging across their front porch.
One by one, the guests trickled through the front door to tour the new home, which features three bedrooms and an open-concept kitchen and living area.
Among them was Doug Moore of Fortville, who has been helping with Habitat builds since he retired in 2018.
“I could have worked longer and not retired, but I prefer doing this,” said Moore, who teared up a bit as he handed the house keys over to Bryant just before the ribbon cutting.
“Habitat’s mission is really power to me,” said Moore, who helped with the framing, trim and cabinets in the Bryants’ home.
“Volunteering through Habitat is a fantastic opportunity to give back,” he said.
Bryant beamed as she thanked Moore and other volunteers for their help in making her home a reality.
“I can’t thank everyone enough for all the time and resources they’ve provided,” she said. “It’s been a long journey, but we are so super excited to make this house our home.”
Like all Habitat for Humanity homeowners, Bryant had to complete a semester of home ownership classes and help build her own home and other Habitat families’ homes to qualify for the program, which is based on financial need. She was then able to purchase her home through an interest-free mortgage.
Abri Hochstetler, Vice President of Development & Communications for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity, said Bryant has been a dream to work with.
Hochstetler presented her with a number of gifts at the house dedication, including a wreath made by Habitat employees, a quilt and prayer shawl made by the program’s faith partners, a welcome sign made by a young professionals group, an air purifier Carrier, plus Kroger gift cards to get the pantry well stocked.
Brenda VandeWater, senior consultant with E-gineering software consulting firm, was among the Habitat volunteers to wish the Bryant family well at the house dedication.
“We are very pleased you have found your home,” said VandeWater, whose company supports Habitat for Humanity builds.
“A home is where you smell chicken frying on Sunday and bread baking in the kitchen, which is where all the good conversations happen,” she said.
“A home is where you plant your roots, dream your dreams and plan your adventures. It’s where you hear the front door slam and hear, ‘I’m home!’ So I ask you all to send your blessings to this family and let them wash over them, that this house will bring health, happiness and safety for years to come.”
