The Chapman Family celebrates their new home

TOP PHOTO: The latest Habitat for Humanity home is ribbon cutting ready. The big green ribbon was snipped signaling the opening of the Chapman family’s new home. Kayla Chapman and her three children Carter, Carlie and Carmen just cut the ribbon on their new home.

Habitat for Humanity cut the ribbon on its 39th house on Thursday evening off Cowan Lane. This is the second home built through partnership between Habitat for Humanity and The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Building Construction, Electric and HVAC students.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Habitat for Humanity cut the ribbon on its 39th house Thursday afternoon on Cowan Lane.

Kayla Chapman and her three children Carter, Carlie and Carmen celebrated the joy of home ownership as the newest recipients of a Habitat House.

For the mother of three, the moment of the ribbon cutting was “breathtaking.”

The house dedication and ribbon cutting took place exactly one year to the day since she put in her application for a Habitat House.

“It’s breathtaking for my family to have our own home now. We are so grateful to have been chosen,” Chapman said.

Habitat for Humanity board of directors president Zach Sheets, right, and treasurer Dave Watson speak at the dedication of Habitat’s 39th house on Thursday afternoon.

A multitude of family, friends, and local volunteers gathered for the dedication ceremony, along with Habitat board members. 

Chapman put in the hard work, volunteer hours and sweat equity required by the Habitat program to get the house built.

The way the Habitat program works, is that Chapman will pay for the cost of the house being built through a 20 year, no interest mortgage.

Local Habitat for Humanity board president Zach Sheets said there was often a misconception that Habitat homes were given away, but that’s not the case.

“They work hard for it with sweat equity and volunteer hours and the homeowner also pays for the cost of the home; we’ve had some great homeowners come through this program,” Sheets said.

For Kayla and her family, the past year’s efforts have been “more than worth it.”

“It’s been an amazing process, and I want to thank the Habitat program for choosing my family and thank everyone involved,” Chapman said.

TCAT Jacksboro President Debbie Petree was at the house dedication for Habitat for Humanity’s 39th home. It is the second home built by TCAT students. Petree said the partnership with Habitat was a “perfect match” and teaches students not only hands on experience in their trade, but also about “volunteering and giving back to their community.”

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Jacksboro President Debbie Petree was at the house dedication as well, celebrating the partnership between the school and Habitat for Humanity, which has resulted in the last two Habitat house builds.

TCAT Building Construction students, as well as electrical and HVAC students participated in the build process of the 38th and 39th Habitat houses.

 TCAT students are about to start work on the 40th and 41st houses in the upcoming weeks 

According to both organizations, it’s a “true win-win situation” for the community and students alike. Students gain first hand experience in their trade, as well as learning how it feels to “give something back” to the community. 

Lee Heatherly with Habitat for Humanity presents Kayla Chapman and her family with an engraved family Bible at the dedication ceremony of Habitat’s 39th house.

“This partnership is absolutely one of the most wonderful things we could have come up with; it saves us expenses, cuts cost for the homeowner and provides experience for the students,” Sheets said.

Sheets said the partnership helped cut costs immensely on the home build, which helps the homeowner out with a lower mortgage. 

“The families that get theses houses are hard working, deserving individuals who otherwise might not have an opportunity to be homeowners. There’s nothing better than being able to give the keys to someone who works hard, but with the way the system is, otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a home,” Sheets said, 

According to Petree, the partnership works perfectly thanks to the “wonderful team” the school and Habitat has working together. 

“I can’t say enough about our instructors, especially Building Construction Technology Instructor Chris Goodman; they make it all possible,” Petree said.

Both organizations said they were “happy to play a role in making a difference” in Campbell County. 

“It’s a hand up, not a hand out. Habitat for Humanity Houses are life changing for these families. This is generation changing; they have a family home now, and they work hard for it,” Sheets said.

“What I love best about this partnership is it gives our students a sense of community and how important volunteering is,” Petree said. 

TCAT Building Construction Technology instructor Chris Goodman said the partnership was an “invaluable experience” for his students. 

“My students get to not just build a project; they get to build somebody a home,” Goodman said.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/03/2023-6AM)

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