CHARLENE WILKINS
For Potomac Local News
MANASSAS, Va. — There’s no place like home for the Young-Tejada family
On Thursday, May 16, Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park held its 14th Home Dedication in honor of the Young-Tejada family who partnered with Habitat to purchase a foreclosed home on Copeland Drive in Manassas.
Larry Young and his wife, Eva Tejada, applied for Habitat’s homeownership program in hopes of giving their 6-year-old daughter Ashly a decent, safe place to grow up. They both work full time but earn less than 50% of the area median income.
With the help of many volunteers, individual donations and generous corporate sponsorships, Habitat was able to rehab the Copeland Drive home, which the Young-Tejada family is purchasing through a low-interest mortgage that they can afford.
Habitat’s family partners are required to meet income criteria and provide “sweat equity” hours. Sweat equity may be accomplished with construction, providing food for volunteers, working in the Habitat office or Habitat ReStore and attending homeownership classes.
From February 16 to May 16, 98 unique volunteers logged 975 hours of labor during 29 total work days to rehab the single family home on Copeland Drive in Manassas. Homeowner Larry not only fulfilled his sweat equity hours, he logged the most volunteer hours at the Copeland Drive rehab project. He also volunteered at other homes as well.
Special guests at the Home Dedication included the Deputy State Director for Senator Tim Kaine’s office, Keren Dongo; Virginia Delegate Robert Marshall; Brentsville District Supervisor and Vice Chairman of the Prince William County Board of County Supervisors, Wally Covington; and Diana Meiser, aide to Gainesville District Supervisor, Peter Candland.
Major sponsors for the Copeland Drive rehab were Bank of America, SWIFT, and Centreville Presbyterian Church. Forest Park High School, Ashland Elementary and Rosa Parks Elementary schools brought wonderful gifts including a hand-painted bookshelf and a treasure box full of books for Ashly and many household items for the Young-Tejada family.
Habitat for Humanity is thankful to everyone who helped fulfill our mission vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park, visit habitatpwc.org.
Charlene Wilkins is the commuincations manager for Habitat for Humanity of Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
