Partner Families Huntley Family Johnetta Huntley was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in November 2010. Johnetta is the mother of two boys: Darrin Stallworth (age 18) and Jomil Stallworth (age 9). The family currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Darrin is a senior at Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jomil is a third grader at Mercer Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Johnetta and her family attend the Mount Washington Baptist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Johnetta enjoys spending time with her boys, her extended family, and watching movies. Darrin enjoys watching television and Jomil likes to be on the computer. Johnetta first learned about TriState Habitat for Humanity’s home ownership program through one of THFH’s current home owners. Johnetta’s goals are to become a home owner so that she can have something she can call her own. She says that this will give her “peace of mind” and help her family to feel more secure and safe. When asked what she has learned about herself so far through the Habitat Partnership process, Johnetta says that she has rediscovered her enjoyment of “working with people.” The Huntleys currently live in a house that has problems with mold, broken plumbing fixtures, cracks in the foundation, walls that are shifting and detached, air infiltration around the doors and windows, inadequate insulation, a water drainage problem in the back yard, and a rodent infestation. In contrast, the Huntley family’s Habitat home will be safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient built in partnership with the help of TriState Habitat for Humanity volunteers, donors, and staff. Oliver/Anderson Family Don Oliver and Tina Anderson were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in August 2010. Don and Tina are the parents of two boys: Donovan Oliver (age 5) and Tristan Oliver (age 2). The family currently lives in Lebanon, Ohio. Don is employed by Advics Manufacturing in Lebanon, Ohio as a machine operator. Tina is employed by Arby’s restaurant. Donovan attends Louisa Wright Early Childhood School in Lebanon, Ohio. Don enjoys fishing, playing video games, and flying kites with his boys. Tina likes to cook and clean. Donovan likes playing with his Thomas the Train toy and his toy cars. Tristan likes Elmo. Don and Tina first heard about TriState Habitat for Humanity’s home ownership program through Don’s brother and sister-in-law who are Habitat home owners. Don and Tina’s goals for the future include getting married and becoming home owners. In their new home, they hope to have more space in which their family can live as well as have a yard in which the boys can play. The Oliver/Anderson family’s current home is a two bedroom apartment that has plumbing problems, a malfunctioning refrigerator, old wiring, no window screens, security problems, only one means of egress from apartment, an inefficient heating system, an unreliable power source, mold, and a pest infestation. In contrast, the Oliver/Anderson family’s new three bedroom home located in Lebanon, Ohio will be safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient. The Clark Family David and Teresa Clark were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in March 2011. David and Teresa are the parents of Hope Clark (age 17), Elijah Clark (age 2), and Anna Clark (age 3 months). David is employed by Redwood Rehabilitation in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. The family currently lives in Erlanger, Kentucky. The Clarks attend The Bridge Community Church in Wilder, Kentucky. The Clark family enjoy hiking, biking, exercising, and reading together as a family. They first heard about TriState Habitat for Humanity through an ad in the phone book. The Clarks’ goals are for David to finish school and to be able to financially support the family. They also hope “to have a home to raise our kids in that is stable and economically affordable.” Through their partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity, the Clarks will become first-time home owners. They feel that this will “be a great change and [give them] more independence.” When asked what they have learned so far through the Habitat partnership process, the Clarks responded by saying that they have learned how to be “better steward[s] of their income.” They have also learned “that it takes hard work in order to build a house from scratch.” They also realize that it “takes a variety of people with different skills and talents to get the job done.” The Clark family’s current home is a two bedroom apartment that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Along with this, the house’s current substandard conditions include: mold, unstable steps, air infiltration around windows and doors, plumbing problems, and the family’s housing cost exceed 30% of their income. In contrast, the Clark’s new home, located in Northern Kentucky will be a safe, decent, affordable, energy efficient home built in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Conley Family LaTroy and Stacy Conley were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in April 2011. Troy and Stacy are the parents of Caprice Lamb (age 9), Hezekiah Conley (age 5), Israel Conley (age 2), and Mordecai Conley (age 8 months). Troy is employed as a company driver by Millis Transfer which is headquartered in Black River Falls, Wisconsin. The family currently lives in Batavia, Ohio. The Conleys attend Solid Rock Church which is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Troy enjoys all things related to semi-trucks. Stacy and Caprice both enjoy crafts and giving gifts to others. Hezekiah and Israel like sports and trains. They first heard about TriState Habitat for Humanity a few years ago when someone told them about Habitat’s home ownership program. The Conleys say that their biggest goal is to keep living as a “Godly family together.” Troy and Stacy also hope that one day they can own their own semi-truck and start a business. One of their dreams has been to become home owners which with the help of “Habitat we can do!” Additionally, Troy and Stacy express that “one day we would love to be able to give out a helping hand to other families.” Troy and Stacy state that “owning our own home is going to make a huge difference in our family. The kids will have [a] huge back yard to be able to play in with their toys. We can have some family gatherings. We can even have a camp out in our yard. The kids can grow flowers and a garden! We will be able to have a stable place where our kids can call home. Our family can enjoy the house that is ours! Our children can have their friends over more!” When asked what they have learned so far through the Habitat partnership process, the Conleys responded by saying that they have learned “about being a home owner.” They have also learned about their credit, having a family budget, and saving money for the future. Troy and Stacy also say that they have learned “to come together as a family better.” The Conley family’s current home is a three bedroom townhouse that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Along with this, the house’s substandard conditions include: air infiltration around doors and windows, inadequate insulation, and plumbing leaks. The family also receives HUD rental assistance. In contrast, the Conley’s Habitat home, located in Bethel, Ohio will be a safe, decent, affordable, energy efficient home rehabbed in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Fields Family Randy Fields was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in July 2010. Randy is the father of two boys: Robert Fields (age 12) and Brandon Fields (age 6). The family currently lives in Lebanon, Ohio. Randy is employed by Mitsubishi Electric in Mason, Ohio in the production department. Robert attends Berry Intermediate School in Lebanon, Ohio. Brandon attends Louisa Wright Early Childhood School in Lebanon, Ohio. Randy attends the Anchor of Hope Church in Lebanon, Ohio. Randy enjoys camping and playing miniature golf with his boys. Robert and Brandon enjoy playing basketball, baseball, and video games. One of Randy’s life goals is to see Robert and Brandon graduate from college. Randy says that becoming a home owner will make his family’s life “more stable.” Also, Randy knows that his home will be something that he can one day pass down to his boys. Randy says that by partnering with TriState Habitat for Humanity he is showing his sons “the importance of owning your own home.” When asked about his experience in the THFH Partnership process, Randy says that he has learned “that there’s a lot of stuff I can do” and that there are “a lot of nice people” who want to help him succeed as a home owner. The Fields family’s current home is a one bedroom apartment that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Through the hard work of volunteers, the generosity of donors, and the support of THFH staff, the Fields family’s new safe, decent, affordable home three bedroom home will be located in Lebanon, Ohio. The Graham Family Venus Michelle Graham was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in July 2010. Michelle is the mother of Adam Graham (age 16), Noah Graham (age 13), Seth Graham (age 10), Jaymz Volz (age 6), Vincent Volz (age 4) and Samantha Graham (age 2). The family currently lives in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Michelle is employed by Comfort Keepers in Miamitown, Ohio as an office administrator and home health aide and by Amara Medical as a home health aide. Adam attends Harrison High School in Harrison, Ohio. Noah attends Harrison Middle School in Harrison, Ohio. Seth attends Central Elementary School in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Jaymz attends Lawrenceburg Primary School in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Vincent and Samantha attend daycare. The Graham family attends St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana which is where Michelle first heard about Habitat for Humanity. Michelle’s goals are to finish college and become a home hospice nurse. Additionally, Michelle hopes for her family to be happy and supportive of one another. Her dream for her family is for her “kids to grow up healthy, happy, educated, and to [be] productive members of society. Also, Michelle hopes that she will one day own her own home “with enough space for everyone to have [his or her] own space.” She has “learned that we all need our own space and for our space to be a safe place to go when we need a break from the chaos that comes with having many siblings.” When asked how becoming a home owner will make a difference to her family, Michelle replied that she hopes that “owning our own home will make a difference financially. Having many children and living pay check to pay check is tough when the cost of living is so high and wages are low.” About being a Habitat Partner Family, Michelle says that she has “learned a great deal of patience. I have also learned to let the Lord handle all the things that I cannot and do not have control over. I have also learned to be thankful for the things I do have and to not worry about what I do not have. Being a single mom is the toughest job in the world and there is no price on how emotionally, physically, and mentally challenging it is. To have the opportunity to provide my children with a house they can call home will be very rewarding.” The Graham family’s current home is a three bedroom house that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Along with this, the house’s current substandard conditions include: inadequate insulation, inadequate wiring, and the family is currently paying more than 30% of their income on housing expenses. In contrast, the Graham’s new home, located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana will be a safe, decent, affordable, energy efficient home built in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Henderson Family Ron and Tasha Henderson were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in March 2011. Ron and Tasha are the parents of Destini Henderson (age 4), Elizabeth Henderson (age 2), and Bentley Henderson (age 6 months). The family currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Ron is employed by CitiBank in Florence, Kentucky as a personal banker. Tasha is employed by the by Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County) as a nursery worker. Tasha also is a stay-at-home mom. The Hendersons attend Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Ron enjoys playing games and watching movies. Tasha likes to read and watch movies. Destini loves reading books, coloring, and playing outside. Elizabeth likes coloring, baby dolls, Barbies, and anything her big sister likes. Bentley loves playing with his pig rattle, taking naps, and eating pears with raspberries. The entire family loves spending time together doing anything. The Hendersons first thought about applying for a Habitat home when Tasha’s mother mentioned it to her. Shortly after this, they learned there was going to be a public information meeting about TriState Habitat for Humanity’s home ownership program in Bethel, Ohio. They felt as if this was sign that they should look into it more and they decided to attend this meeting. The Hendersons’ dreams and goals include “always wanting our kids to be close. We hope to create a stable foundation for the rest of our children’s lives. We hope we can teach them that no matter what, you can do whatever you want with hard work and God.” When asked about how owning their own home will make a difference to their family, the Hendersons say that “owning this house will provide us with a safe, healthy place to raise our kids.” They want their home to be “a place our children will always know will be there. It means not worrying if our family will be safe for another cold or rainy season.” The Henderson family’s current home is a two bedroom house that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Along with this, the house’s current substandard conditions include: inadequate kitchen and bathroom fixtures, a sagging ceiling, a leaking roof, rotting floors, a sinking foundation, shifting walls, unstable railings, inoperable windows, an inadequate HVAC system, mold, air infiltration around doors and windows, inadequate insulation, inadequate wiring, a pest infestation, and drainage problems. In contrast, the Henderson’s new home, located in Amelia, Ohio will be a safe, decent, affordable home built in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Isbell Family Dan and Dianne Isbell were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in May 2011. Dan and Dianne are the parents of Will Isbell (age 13), Matt Isbell (age 8), Nick Isbell (age 7), Ben Isbell (age 6), Kate Isbell (age 4) and a baby due in December 2011. The family currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Dan is employed by Darling International in Cincinnati, Ohio as a truck driver. Dianne is employed by the YMCA in Anderson, Ohio as a childcare worker and by Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County) as a nursery worker. Will attends Amelia Middle School in Batavia, Ohio. Matt, Nick, Ben, and Kate attend Merwin Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Kate attends preschool. The Isbells attend Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Dan enjoys rifle and pistol shooting and spending time with his family. Dianne enjoys reading, spending time with family, and gardening. Will likes to spend his free time reading, listening to music, and collecting coins. Matt likes to ride his bike and play outside. Nick enjoys playing basketball and bike riding. Ben likes to play in the sandbox and dig for worms. Kate likes playing with baby dolls and acting like mommy. The Isbells first learned about Habitat for Humanity by attending a public information meeting in Bethel, Ohio. The Isbells dream of owning their own home and “showing our children that through hard work anything is possible.” When asked how becoming home owners will make a difference to their family, Dan and Dianne say that it will give them “a sense of security and pride. It will be awesome to raise our children in a safe, energy efficient home.” About their experience as a Habitat Partner Family, the Isbells say that “it is amazing to see what can be done when a group of strangers come together to help other strangers and then become a family.” The Isbell family’s current home is a three bedroom house that does not have enough bedrooms to accommodate their family. Along with this, the house’s current substandard conditions include: mold, peeling plaster, leaking soffits, sagging floors, floors separating from the walls, a settling foundation, rotten doors, an inadequate HVAC system, air infiltration around the doors and windows, inadequate insulation, plumbing leaks, sewer back-ups, inadequate wiring, pest infestation, and flooding in the back yard. In contrast, the Isbell’s new home, located in Amelia, Ohio will be a safe, decent, affordable home with a zero interest mortgage built in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Johnson Family Tiffany Johnson was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in October 2011. Tiffany is the mother of Zya Johnson (age 11), Paris Johnson (age 8), and Sean Johnson (age 5). Tiffany is employed as a Customer Service Representative by Netrada which is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Zya and Paris attend Crawford Woods School in Hamilton, Ohio and Sean attends daycare. The family currently lives in Hamilton, Ohio. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, watching television, and traveling. Zya likes reading, dancing, listening to music, and drawing. Paris likes playing with dolls and singing. Sean enjoys playing Wii and talking with people. Tiffany first heard about TriState Habitat for Humanity’s home ownership program from a family member. Tiffany says that she wants “to build a stronger foundation for my family by providing and teaching them the importance of schooling and family values.” Tiffany’s dream is for all of her children “to complete high school, graduate from college and have a great career.” Along with this, Tiffany would like to further her education in the future. Tiffany states that owning her own home will give her family “more security knowing that we have a place to call home, and also be able to express ourselves. This is something we have never been able to do living in an apartment.” When asked what she has learned so far through the Habitat partnership process, Tiffany responded by saying that she has “learned that it does take hard work, dedication, motivation, and stewardship.” The Johnson family’s current home is a three bedroom apartment that has problems with mold. Tiffany also receives HUD rental assistance and pays more than 30% of her income on housing expenses. In contrast, the Johnsons’ Habitat home will be a safe, decent, affordable, energy efficient home built in partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity donors, volunteers, and staff. The Oehler Family Chelsea Oehler was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in March 2011. Chelsea is the mother of Braiden Whitaker (age 11 months). The family currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio (Clermont County). Chelsea is employed by Citigroup in Florence, Kentucky as a personal banker. Chelsea and Braiden attend St. Veronica Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys photography, pottery, and wildlife. She also hopes to be the best mother possible. She loves to learn. Chelsea’s first goal is to become “a successful home owner.” She also wants to raise Braiden “with good values [and] morals.” Chelsea would also “like to go back to school to get a degree so financially Braiden and I will be stable.” She also would like to be able to visit other countries with Braiden as Chelsea’s parents did with her. When asked how owning a home will make a difference to her family, Chelsea responded by saying that her Habitat home will not only give Braiden “a back yard to play in, but it will give the two of us a sense of pride, safety, and security.” Along with this, as a Habitat Partner Family Chelsea says she has learned that “patience is gift that you have to give yourself.” She goes on to say that she has also learned that “there are wonderful people in this world . . . who give up their free time to help others. They are gifts from God.” The Oehler family is currently living with family in an overcrowded situation. Through the hard work of volunteers, the generosity of donors, and the support of THFH staff, the Oehler family’s new home will be safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient. The Rowland/Policano Family Franklin “Frank” Rowland and Salvatore “Sal” Policano were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in September 2009. Sal is Frank’s stepfather. Frank and Sal attend the Full Gospel House of Praise in Taylor Mill, Kentucky. Frank enjoys music and playing his guitar. Sal enjoys watching television. Frank and Sal currently live in Newport, Kentucky in a two bedroom apartment. The apartment’s floors are rotting. There is air infiltration around the windows and through cracks in the walls and ceilings. Along with this, Sal has some mobility issues and the apartment is not accessible. In contrast, the Rowland/Policano family’s new home, located in the Latonia Lakes area of Covington, Kentucky will be a safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient home for this Partner Family. Frank says that he first learned about Habitat for Humanity through a television interview of Habitat’s founder Millard Fuller. Frank, whose wife passed away a few years ago, is looking forward to being a homeowner for the first time in his life. Frank and Sal both feel that a home of their own would feel more secure and more private. They also look forward to having better accessibility for Sal. Through their partnership with TriState Habitat for Humanity and the dedication of volunteers, staff, and donors, Frank and Sal’s dream of home ownership will soon be coming true. The Sullivan Family Colleen Sullivan was approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in November 2010. Colleen is the mother of two children: Gabrielle Monroe (age 16) and Isaiah Sullivan (age 9). The family currently lives in Florence, Kentucky. Colleen is employed by North Key Community Care in Fort Thomas, Kentucky as a crisis case manager. Gabrielle attends Ryle High School in Union, Kentucky. Isaiah attends Florence Elementary School in Florence, Kentucky. The family attends the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Covington, Kentucky. In her free time, Colleen enjoys spending time with family and friends in nature, ministering to others in need, singing, praying for others, watching movies, eating out, quiet time, and walks in nature. Gabrielle likes being with her friends, “being amazing, being different” and “setting the world on fire.” She is also interested in exploring different countries, meeting interesting people, listening to music, and writing. Isaiah likes playing baseball, spending time with friends and family, riding his bike, watching television and movies, swimming, playing in the garden, and playing with his dog. Colleen first learned about Habitat for Humanity from a news story. She says that her goals and dreams for her family include having “an affordable home we can call our own and make it our own.” She also hopes to “build roots for my children” and “provide both stability and security for them.” Colleen wants to use her family’s new “home to minister to the needs of others through fellowshipping and prayer” and “to fulfill our Christian duty in any way God appoints us.” When asked how owning her own home will make a difference to her family, Colleen says that “Habitat for Humanity is an answer prayer” and “a financial miracle.” She says that she “would not be able to afford a home of our own without Habitat.” By becoming a home owner, Colleen feels her family will have “a sense of pride within us. We will be able to affect others in a positive way through fellowship and prayer.” Colleen says that she has learned through the Habitat Partnership process that “God answers prayers in His timing.” She has also learned that “Habitat allows a person to give of themselves” and to “be able to make a difference in someone else’s life.” Colleen says that the Habitat “process takes patience, perseverance, and commitment which needed to be strengthened in all of us.” Working with THFH has “taught us to appreciate even the littlest of things” and “given us a sense of pride.” The Sullivan family’s current substandard living conditions include an unsafe deck and air infiltration around doors and windows. Through the hard work of volunteers, the generosity of donors, and the support of THFH staff, the Sullivans’ new home will be safe, decent, affordable, and energy efficient. The Thompson Family Melissa “Missy” and Jonathan Thompson and their family were approved as a TriState Habitat for Humanity Partner Family in December 2009. Missy and Jonathan are the parents of three boys: Devante White (age 17), Aivry Thompson (age 13), and Korren Thompson (age 12). Jonathan and Missy were recently married in September 2009 but the family is currently living apart until their new home is constructed. Missy is employed at the Family Resource Center in Oxford, Ohio as the Client Services Supervisor where she has worked for over five years. Jonathan works as a cook and cashier at Wendy’s in Oxford, Ohio. Devante is a senior at Talawanda High School in Oxford, Ohio and hopes to enroll in college after graduating. Aivry attends Wilson Middle School and Korren attends Filmore Elementary School in Hamilton, Ohio. Missy and Devante live with Missy’s parents in a two bedroom home in Oxford, Ohio. This home does meet the needs of the family and Missy does not have her own room in the house. Jonathan, Aivry and Korren live in Hamilton, Ohio with Jonathan’s mother in a three bedroom home. The Thompson’s big dream is that the family would be united under one roof in their new home in THFH’s Reckford Woods subdivision in Oxford, Ohio. Missy hopes to go back to school to further her education and one day become a teacher. Living in Oxford will also allow Jonathan to be closer to his employer. The Thompsons also have strong ties of friends and family in the Oxford area. Missy looks forward to the time when they will have a stable home for the entire family. Missy first learned about TriState Habitat for Humanity’s home ownership program through a presentation made at the Family Resource Center where she is employed in Oxford. She says that she didn’t want to apply at first because she had some misconceptions about THFH’s home ownership program. However, since being accepted as a THFH Partner Family, Missy has been a wonderful advocate for TriState HFH through her position at the Family Resource Center. She has encouraged several families to apply for Habitat home ownership.