In an uncertain economy due to rising inflation, 2024 was still a successful year for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton. Thanks to many dedicated supporters and volunteers, Dayton Habitat continues to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live in Montgomery, Clark, and Greene Counties.
“You can’t do this without partners,” said Development Director Dave Mauch. “Our communities have been very supportive of our work.”
With that in mind, as we look back on a blessed 2024, we are doing it with a heart full of gratitude for the support we continue to receive.
January
The year started with a visit to the Springfield Clark County CTC, where Dayton Habitat met with administrators to learn more about their program. Through a partnership with the school and Habitat, students will receive hands-on learning while building a home for a future Habitat homebuyer in the coming years!
Our Board of Trustees’ Annual Meeting was held near the end of the month. It provided an in-depth look at our impact in 2023 with all of our programs and our two ReStores, located in Dayton and Springfield. The late Tim O’Donoghue was recognized with the Frank Gorman Volunteer of the Year Award.
February
The first Flyer Nation Build was kicked off at the office of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton with a ceremonial first-nailing ceremony. Speakers at the event included Mayor Jeffrey Mims, Representative Willis Blackshear, Allie Ellison of the University of Dayton, and others. The Flyer Nation Build was a new partnership with the University of Dayton and its School of Business. Dayton’s Edgemont neighborhood was chosen for the home, the first new residential construction project in at least 60 years.
March
March quickly became 2024’s “Home Dedication Month” at Greater Dayton Habitat, with two dedications in eight days.
Aleasha, a single mother of six, purchased her new Trotwood home on a chilly Friday morning, marking the end of a five-year journey (slowed by COVID). The house was our Bank Build, rallying local financial institutions to provide funding and volunteers for the project.
The following Friday, Dionka and her four children celebrated becoming new homeowners of a home in New Carlisle, built with the Carter Honor Build theme. This theme honored the legacy of the Carter Family and remembered former First Lady Rosalyn Carter, who passed away five months earlier. The home was the first built by our affiliate in Clark County outside the Springfield city limits.
April
We kicked off a busy month with our semi-annual Rock The Block in the Dayton Edgemont neighborhood. Our commitment to transforming the Edgemont neighborhood continued with this event, a one-day community clean-up effort. About 100 volunteers showed up to make a visible difference.
Mid-month brought the kickoff of our annual Women Build project. Headed again by Fischer Homes Market President Elizabeth Breitenstein as the Women Build Chair, this year’s project was built in Trotwood.
We closed out the month with the home dedication of Christina’s new home in New Carlisle. This was the second of a two-home project, the first built by Habitat in Clark County but outside the Springfield city limits.
May
An official Opening Day celebration for 2024 Women Build was held in Trotwood. This program aims to empower women to build stronger communities in the Miami Valley. Local women came out to volunteer and help raise funds for the home that a local woman purchased later in the year.
June
One of the most popular events among our supporters is a panel build, when organizations and churches support and volunteer to build the wall panels that will used in a future Habitat home build. This month, Reynolds & Reynolds celebrated its 10th annual panel build. We also hosted a Collins Aerospace panel build this month.
July
Habitat for Humanity was featured on WYSO for our work in the critical repair space. Mama Nozipo Glenn’s story was featured in this story.
August
Work on our CenterPoint Energy Foundation Build started with a groundbreaking ceremony in Trotwood. You can help us build Dynasty’s new home by visiting this link: https://daytonhabitat.org/what-we-do/centerpointbuild.html.
The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of approximately 450 incoming University of Dayton first-year students who gathered to kick off our second annual Flyer Nation Panel Build. The volunteers, many of whom had never held a hammer, were organized into blue and red teams. Over a few hours, the students built all the wall panels for the upcoming Flyer Nation Build.
September
Long-time partner CareSource announced a $170,000 grant for our work in critical repair and new home construction. Some of Miami Valley’s leading organizations and businesses provide significant financial support for our mission.
October
Habitat for Humanity affiliates worldwide celebrated former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday. Jimmy and his late wife Rosalyn started working with Habitat shortly after his presidency. Their work, driven by their faith and love for humanity, is among the most impactful post-presidential work of any American president.
Over 100 supporters and dignitaries gathered mid-month to celebrate the first-ever Flyer Nation Build home dedication. Aliciah and her family became proud owners of the first new home built in Dayton’s Edgemont neighborhood in over 60 years.
October ended with a visit by delegates from Habitat Guatemala. In keeping with our traditions, our affiliate tithes annually to Habitat Guatemala, helping build homes overseas and locally. Dayton Habitat contributed to constructing four new homes, 36 healthy home kits, and 63 concrete floors in the past year alone through tithing.
November
Our last home dedication ceremony of the year was memorable as we dedicated the 2024 Women Build home in Trotwood. April, a single mother of two, purchased her new home after a challenging year. You can learn more about her story here: https://youtu.be/0FZTpD8IQNg?si=w7CeOLe9d_7igsgx.
We also launched our new Faith Build initiative, which puts a faith focus on building a new home by rallying financial and volunteer support from Miami Valley church partners. Contact our Faith and Community Relations Associate Pastor Kermit Rowe at (937) 605-5086 if you or your organization want to participate in this initial campaign.
December
Habitat was part of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize ceremony, which honored President Jimmy Carter’s legacy. His grandson, Jason Carter, was on hand to accept the award, which is designed to honor a lifetime of humanitarian work.
To end the year, Habitat made our TV debut thanks to a partnership with Miami Valley Premier Walk-In Tub and Shower. The TV commercial featured our critical repair work and can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/F9_7C5g7ZJQ?si=eokqqVnRT69fb08r.
