On Saturday Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga, the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Mid South Region, and local Lutherans will celebrate the completion of the second Habitat home to be built in Chattanooga as part of the nationwide multi-million dollar Thrivent Builds effort to create additional homeownership opportunities with low-income families.

Since May volunteers from Lutheran Churches in and around Chattanooga have been at work raising funds and building two Habitat homes in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga’s Shepherd Park Development.

Thanks to their efforts, two families now have places of their own. Rhonda Ferguson and her children are already living in their new home. “Getting my Habitat house is a miracle I could never have imagined,” Ms. Ferguson says. “I am so thankful for the opportunity we have been given.”

“Just having a safe home to come home to will be a dream come true,” says Winona Jarrett, soon-to-be owner of the second house. The home will bring needed stability to the lives of three young family members she is caring for, says Ms. Jarrett. “They are really excited about their new home and getting their own rooms.”

“Local Lutherans have proved to be tremendous partners in this effort,” says Jan Varnell, Habitat’s Executive Director. “The first house was completed on schedule despite some construction challenges. The second house is completed and ready for dedication more than one month ahead of schedule.”

"Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is all about people thriving and helping them thrive,” says John Hall, Lutheran Lutheran Community Services Specialist for the Mid South Region. “Projects like this one are a great example of that spirit in action. We salute our volunteers who teamed with our corporate office, the local Lutheran congregations and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga to provide decent, affordable housing for two more families."

Besides volunteer and financial support ($13,200) from Chattanooga area Lutherans and Thrivent members, this project received $92,000 in funding from Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity. This four year alliance makes Thrivent Financial Habitat for Humanity's largest single ally in its mission to eliminate substandard housing and rebuild communities here and abroad.

The Chattanooga project was one of 10 home building efforts in Thrivent’s Mid South Region. This year more than 300 homes are being built through this alliance in 43 states.

“We are working on our application to be considered for funding for next year,” says Varnell. “Working with local Lutherans has been a blessing. We hope to be able to build another house with them in 2007.”