LYNCHBURG — “Safety, privacy, happiness.” That's how Tianne Tyler describes the dream of home ownership. Currently, she and her 2-year-old daughter live in a small apartment that has no front window and a leaky ceiling, in a neighborhood where safety is a big concern. Tyler is eager for the day when her daughter will have her own room and a safe yard to play in.
Tianne Tyler and her daughter.
During the week of July 23-28, Virginia Baptists will help make Tianne Tyler's dream a reality. Working with Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, Virginia Baptists will come together to “blitz build” a house in less than a week during the MC2 Missions Connection Celebration.
GLHFH is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness. Since its establishment in 1988, GLHFH has built more than 260 homes.
According to Deborah Silverman, GLHFH executive director, owning a Habitat house will provide Tyler and her daughter the opportunity to move out of poverty.
The 1,250 square-foot, three-bedroom/one-bath house will cost approximately $60,000. The Virginia Baptist Mission Board, Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia, the Virginia Baptist Foundation and the Lynchburg Baptist Association have partnered to raise about $35,000 to date. Financial donations for this project can be sent to Diane Smith at the VBMB, designated for “Virginia Baptist Blitz Build.”
The Blitz Build is still recruiting volunteers age 18 or older. While skilled labor crews are required for framing, roofing, siding, HVAC, plumbing and electrical work, adults of all skill levels are also needed for painting, general labor and other worksite assistance. Registration for the Virginia Baptist Blitz Build is available through the MC2 Web site, www.mc2-va.com.