Six years ago Joann Shirer-Mitchell and Marvin Mitchell closed on their home in Mebane. They left behind the public housing unit they rented for 14 years, for more money per month than their current Habitat mortgage. Homeownership had been Joann's goal since her participation in 1999 in the ACHIEVE program through the Chapel Hill Housing Department. She learned what she must do to increase her self-sufficiency, which included owning her own home. She researched more about homeownership and then successfully applied to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County.
Joann's Habitat experience was a leap forward in achieving her goal of self-sufficiency. Says Joann, "Tyler [Momsen-Hudson, HHOC's Construction Director] gave me a sense of professionalism. He let me take the lead as we built our home. It gave me a sense of pride." Marvin adds, "I liked building something for me, knowing it would be mine. But I worked with Habitat for years before even building our home. It was fun."
Joann became inspired to instill that pride and joy in others and has remained active with Habitat ever since. She became involved with her community's homeowners association soon after moving in and is now the president of the Habitat Homeowners Community Celebration Committee. Her group brings together homeowners from all HHOC communities in the county for an annual community cookout.
However, her community activism does not end with Habitat for Humanity. Recently she participated in the Orange County Organizing Committee (now called Orange County Justice United in Community Effort) leadership training, where she was formally introduced to community organizing. Today, Joann is working with Orange County citizens to gather thoughts and tackle issues facing them. One looming issue is the increase in sewer rates in her area. The rate hike will create a burden on modest-income people and Joann is exploring what she and others can do about it.
Joann also initiated efforts to bring a Boys & Girls Club to Orange County because she feels youth could benefit from its safe and positive programs. If all goes well, a club will open in 2010. It's clear Joann is passionate about her community and that she has an energy and focus most would envy.
Joann and Marvin are enjoying their home as empty nesters for the most part. Daughter Lateasha is in her third year at Winston-Salem State University studying Business Management. She plans to attend graduate school after she graduates next December. As Joann and Marvin look out onto their peaceful property surrounded by rustling leaves and the bounty of Marvin's green thumb, they wish many more families in Orange County could experience the life-transforming possibilities homeownership can bring.
Please consider making a generous contribution to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County today. As Joann and Marvin prove, together we are building a better community, one home at a time.
