Albany mother cuts ribbon on Flint River Habitat for Humanity home

ALBANY — A single mother was given new hope, and a new outlook on life when Flint River Habitat for Humanity helped connect her to a new home in south Albany. On Wednesday, she shared her experience as the ribbon was cut on the home.

Janet Lewis, who manages the cafeteria at Northside Elementary School, was there to cut the ribbon — with officials from Habitat and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce — present at the last ribbon-cutting of a new house that Habitat is expected to do in the neighborhood.

In 2011, Lewis had lost her apartment, forcing she and her daughter, JaKayla Lewis, to move in with her mother while going through a custody battle. Having a home with a yard seemed like a far-range dream.

The following year, she stumbled onto the Habitat for Humanity website. She filled out an application and dropped it off. There were no homes available at first, but Lewis kept in touch until she was able to get into an orientation. When she was finally able to get in, she and JaKayla, now 10, put in 400 “sweat equity” hours — helping with neighboring homes and working in Habitat’s ReStore during their time off.

During the time it took to build and eventually move into her home, Lewis said she transformed and even “grew up a little” while doing the work to earn the privilege of becoming a homeowner.

“It has been awesome,” said Lewis outside her Willow Oak Court home. “I have more responsibility, and I’m happy with that.

“When I pull into the yard and see what I work for … I’m teaching my daughter responsibility.”

At the moment she cut the ribbon, she later said: “I’m finally free. We are grateful, and she (JaKayla) was happy (when it came time to move in). Building your own home makes you take care of it even more.”

As a single parent who was once struggling, she indicated the hands-on effort of working for the house helped her to see something greater than what she had experienced before.

“It’s a challenge, but if you keep working for it, it’s coming,” she said.

Now, Lewis has a home, a new outlet of friends through Habitat and a child on the honor roll at Lincoln Elementary Magnet School.

“It’s not a giveaway process, it’s a home … It wasn’t me alone,” Lewis said. “When walking into Habitat, (it is like interacting) with a distant family member who you have never met. It’s family, and they are family oriented.”

Jennifer Vanston, executive director for Habitat, focuses on the homeowners, making sure they understand the economic and financial process involved in obtaining a home.

“There is a relatively strong educational component (providing) for homeowners to be successful,” she said.

Vanston said the effort to help with stable housing is “part of building a great community.” She indicated this can be particularly true when a child is involved.

“Improved safety and affordable housing for a child is huge,” she said. “(Lewis’) daughter being on the honor roll and being in a safe and healthy home means she will be a successful and valued member of the community as a young adult.”