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The Flyer Spirit was alive and well in Edgemont on October 11 as Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton held the first-ever Flyer Nation Build dedication ceremony! Under a bright blue sky, over 100 supporters gathered on Campbell Street to celebrate the completion of a very special home for new homeowner, Aliciah.

Earlier that morning, Aliciah signed the final mortgage and closing documents, officially purchasing her home with a 0% interest mortgage through Dayton Habitat. This remarkable milestone was hard-earned. To make her dream of homeownership a reality, Becky dedicated at least 275 “sweat equity” hours volunteering, attended essential homeownership courses, and saved diligently for her first year’s taxes. Her dedication and resilience have led her to this long-awaited moment: a home of her own.

The Flyer Nation Build was made possible by a unique partnership between the University of Dayton School of Business Administration and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton. Construction on this home began during the University’s Welcome Weekend in fall 2023, when more than 400 incoming freshmen from the business school built its walls. From the day construction began on site, University of Dayton students, alumni, and other local volunteers continued to work on the house, dedicating a total of 4,015 hours to complete it. In the end, 796 volunteers contributed their time, energy, and care to make Aliciah’s new home a reality, a mere few miles from UD Arena.

As a true celebration of community, the dedication ceremony welcomed several local leaders, including the mayor and city commissioners, who shared their support and pride for this collaborative achievement. Each of the project’s six sponsors also spoke about the importance of building partnerships to create change. PNC, one of the project’s dedicated supporters, rallied nearly 70 volunteers who contributed over 300 hours to bring this home to life.

The Flyer Nation Build stands as a testament to the power of community and partnership. This build was made possible through the support of the University of Dayton School of Business Administration, Fischer Homes, Five Rivers Health Centers, the City of Dayton, Fifth Third Bank, and the Greater Edgemont Community Coalition. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton is deeply grateful for this steadfast support and is excited to begin planning the next Flyer Nation Build.

For more updates on Flyer Nation Build and ways to get involved, visit DaytonHabitat.org/FlyerNation.