From Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna, Inc.:
On Saturday, September 9, more than 60 volunteers came and raised the walls of two side-by-side houses in Havre de Grace. The simultaneous house raising event jump-started the building process which will continue over the next several months for both homes.
One of the houses will be for the Gutema family – husband Lemma, wife Mulatwa and their disabled seventeen-year-old daughter. The home plans have been modified to allow for a wheelchair lift near the front door as well as other accessibility features to accommodate their daughter. The house was the location of the recent 10th annual National Women Build Week activities involving Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna’s volunteers. It has also been designated as the Faith Build home which means that local churches and their congregants will be offered “faith in action” opportunities during the build.
The next-door neighbor home will be for the Mekuria family, husband Mulugeta, wife Sara and their three-year-old son. Both families came to the wall raising and participated in the build as part of the “sweat equity” hours they are required to perform – the actual hands-on physical involvement done by all homebuyers.
Another homebuyer, Liz Barrett, also came to do her “sweat equity” hours. Barrett’s Havre de Grace home began in July during a two-day “Crazy Build” where nearly 250 volunteers built as much of the home as possible in two days. She has been earning her “sweat equity” hours at her home as well as at a Habitat house in Elkton.
In addition to the families, volunteers for that day included new groups Evonik North America, Birthright of Bel Air, and West Nottingham Academy, as well as the returning group Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. They were joined by many experienced, “core” volunteers.
Donations of food and drinks for the volunteers came from many local businesses, such as Havre de Grace’s Java By the Bay and Coakley’s Pub, as well as Bagel Works Bel Air, Frito-Lay, Lowe’s Abingdon store, and Giant Food.
The building process will take several months and require volunteers to come weekly, Wednesday through Saturday, until the build is complete. Construction volunteers will help with framing, commercial/industrial roofing, insulating, siding, drywall and painting. Interested volunteers can sign up on the Habitat Susquehanna website at: www.habitatsusq.org.
Once the framing and siding are up, the painting phase is where the transformation truly begins. There’s something incredibly satisfying about adding that final layer of color, bringing the walls to life after all the hard work. But before any paintbrushes hit the wall, it’s crucial to ensure the surface is prepped properly. This is where drywall finishing comes in. A smooth, well-finished surface is key to achieving a professional look. Any bumps, seams, or imperfections in the drywall will stand out once the paint is applied, so volunteers will play an essential role in this phase.
Painting is not just about slapping on a coat of color—it’s an opportunity to create a welcoming, polished space for the future homeowners. Whether opting for soft neutrals or something with a bit more personality, the right paint can make all the difference. Volunteers will be guided through the process, ensuring even coverage and crisp lines. The pride in seeing those freshly painted walls, knowing you helped create a home, is unmatched. It’s a task that combines both creativity and precision, making it one of the most rewarding parts of the build.
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