Newburgh - Deirdre Glenn can’t say enough about Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh.
"I’m just so incredibly proud of them; they are a group of committed volunteers who do their work so competently," said Glenn, the First Executive Director of Habitat Newburgh. "They insist on doing what they say and get it done, an absolutely great integrity model."
Habitat Newburgh shares a similar awe when it comes to the attributes Glenn possesses. And so it was with great reverence that it honored its founding director by naming its milestone 50th home, "The Deirdre Glenn House." Located on 65 Courtney Avenue, House 50 officially became the home of the five member Knight family in a special dedication held Sunday afternoon.
"From 58 Carson to 65 Courtney, it has been a long 11 year journey over a short distance," said longtime Habitat Newburgh volunteer Dave McTamaney about the 50 houses erected in the City of Newburgh area.
That Habitat Newburgh excursion commenced on August 19, 2000 with the completion of the Carson home. From there, Habitat homes on Henry, Overlook, Clinton, Nicoll, Washington and East Parmenter Streets, to name a few, have dotted the City of Newburgh Landscape. Not only do the homes help beautify the area and get the tax rolls energized, they have created other intangibles.
"We do what we do to help families and to help a community heal," said Kathy Collins, present Executive Director, Habitat Newburgh.
Sunday it was the Knight family that became the official recipient of Habitat Newburgh’s "hand-up." A four bedroom, seven room home, with a full basement, 65 Courtney Avenue brought eager smiles to each of the Knight children. Thirteen year old Reon was ecstatic that he no longer had to share a room with his younger brother Ralontae, who expressed the same benefit as well as his love for the beauty of the kitchen. Eighteen year old LaRon was already preparing for the moving in day.
"I’m so excited to have my own room and space," sad LaRon. "The first thing I’m going to do is lay on my bed and shut the door."
Mom Renee, who successfully tallied her required 250 "sweat equity" hours, also could not contain her gratitude to an organization that made her dream home ownership possible.
"I feel very blessed to have this home," said single mother, Renee. "I would never been able to have had the chance to own a home otherwise, and I want to continue to be involved with Habitat helping to build Newburgh up."
Those revamped Habitat Newburgh results includes a return of nearly $9 million to the City of Newburgh’s assessed property values in its eleven year tenure. Not only has there been a monetary change in the resurgence of the largest contiguous historic district in New York State, Habitat Newburgh has helped provide another variable: community.
"This is my neighborhood," said a smiling Glenn, who herself resides in "The Heights" area, just as the Knights now do. "What does it mean to have a community?" Glenn posed. She soon answered. "It’s a commitment of the people who live there to one another; I truly believe that is what Habitat has done."
And the work continues. Another 50 houses in the next five year goal has already been set by the successful City of Newburgh organization. With eight current sites under construction and five more being looked into, the goal appears to be an inevitable reality.
"I promise you, we will be standing here five years from now, celebrating our 100th house," affirmed Collins.
McTamaney plans on being there, assisting in achieving that century mark. Already surrounded by a large mainstay core of energetic, eager volunteers, McTamaney sent out the challenge for still others to join the cause that has forever changed the lives of fifty families.
"I look forward to building future houses," said McTamaney. "Let’s get dirty!"
