Faith Community Luncheon held by Habitat for Humanity
Benjamin Frederick, mayor of Owosso, and former “Habitat kid”, was the featured speaker at the annual Faith Community Luncheon held by Habitat for Humanity on Feb. 22.
Benjamin shared his story growing up in a family that fell on hard economic times. After several years of financial and housing instability, Ben’s mom and dad were able to participate in the Habitat program and purchase a Habitat family home. Ben talked about the profound impact that acquiring stable housing through Habitat had on his entire family. He also shared his experience putting in the required “sweat equity” hours on the home his family would eventually live in, and what that meant to him.
Benjamin Frederick (center), mayor of Owosso and former “Habitat kid” was featured speaker at Habitat for Humanity’s Faith Community Luncheon. Also pictured are Sue Carroll (left), executive director of the local Habitat affiliate and State Rep. Tom Leonard (left).
Inspired by Habitat experience, Ben has initiated a community program in Owosso entitled Helping Hands. This volunteer group helps people in need by doing basic clean-up, maintenance and painting projects of their homes.
The annual Faith Community Luncheon highlights the important partnership between Habitat and the local faith communities of the area, and recognizes their important contributions to Habitat. The luncheon was well attended by local ministers and priests, as well as church members, Habitat volunteers, and board members.
During the luncheon meeting, Habitat’s Executive Director Sue Carroll presented the mission and accomplishments of the local Habitat affiliate for 2013. Construction begins on a new home on Lansing Street in St. Johns in June. The affiliate will finish its first project rehabbing an existing home in May. That home is located in Maple Rapids. Families have been selected to become homeowners for these two projects. Once they purchase the homes, these two families will become the eighth and ninth families to become homeowners through the Habitat program in Clinton County since its founding in 2000.
To learn more about Habitat’s programs in Clinton County, please contact Sue Carroll at 989-227-1771 or director@habitatclinton.org.