Two families received an early Christmas blessing on Friday, walking into newly furnished homes on Friday thanks to the Alma Randolph Charitable Foundation’s Hands Up to Succeed (HUTS) program, with help from several community partners, including Habitat for Humanity.
The foundation’s HUTS project is designed to enhance the living conditions of disadvantaged families. The first HUTS upgrade came in December 2016, with Friday’s reveal marking the 83rd and 84th home reveals for the program.
The first reveal was for the Baker Family, nominated by Habitat for Humanity. Denasia Baker, 26, is a single mother of two boys, 7-year-old Kyrie Clark and 6-year-old Kyzer Nichols.
Baker had been living in an apartment with her sons when she became involved with Habitat for Humanity’s homeownership program. Despite working long hours, Baker was committed to attending Habitat workshops and helping with construction, often bringing her children along to support her.
“Right now, I am speechless. I’m overwhelmed with excitement. I just can’t imagine me being blessed with this,” Baker said after walking into her newly furnished home.
While many of the HUTS projects involve upgrading a house or apartment the family is already living in, the foundation also partners with Habitat for Humanity to provide furnishings for new homeowners once the house is ready to occupy.
Baker’s home is an example of that partnership, and it marked Habitat’s 165th build in the community.
“This incredible community we live in never ceases to amaze. If you want to feel good about the world we live in, just look around Owensboro-Daviess County and you will see remarkable acts of love and kindness,” said Jeremy Stephens, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County. “We are so blessed to have a friend in Alma and even more blessed in her foundation’s initiatives.”
The foundation’s second reveal was for 34-year-old Josah Brummett and her two children, 7-year-old Sophia Brummett and 10-month-old Levi Hollander. The family, nominated by the Daniel Pitino Shelter, just moved into a new apartment after being homeless for a couple of months.
In addition to furnishings, families blessed by the HUTS program are provided a hotel room for the night before their reveal. Families are picked up in style by Limos By Knight for the return trip home for the big reveal.
Sponsors and partners for Friday’s reveals included Truist Bank, Jagoe Homes, and Longhorn Steakhouse.
“The ARCF will give these families a hand up to succeed by providing furniture and decor to transform their new residences into beautiful homes,” said Alma Randolph, Founder and President of the Foundation. “We are always delighted to partner with Habitat for Humanity (and other organizations and businesses) to bless families in need of a hand up.”
