habitat happenings
May 2026
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Tanyya was ready for her big day in March: she had finished her sweat equity hours, met every requirement, and spent months building alongside volunteers toward a home of her own at Grace Point III in Middletown. Little did she know, the big day she was planning for was sweetly interrupted by another big day, the birth of her firstborn son. Her baby boy arrived two days before her dedication, so the celebration waited for him to join it.
On May 29 Tanyya, her baby boy, and fiánce were surrounded by family, friends, staff, and the volunteers who had worked beside her as she received the key to her home and stepped into the final stretch of her journey toward settlement.
Her home joins 325 and counting built in New Castle County in four decades.
Now her son will grow up in the home his mother built, with the strength, stability, and self-reliance that a place of your own makes possible.
Congratulations, Tanyya.
We could not be prouder to stand with you for this moment.
| | Remembering Former Mayor Mike Purzycki | | |
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County is saddened by the passing of former Mayor Mike Purzycki.
Mayor Mike Purzycki was a visionary who saw the possibility where others saw only neglect. He believed in the strength of community, taking choosing to invest in areas that had been long neglected. We honor his partnership with Habitat for Humanity, as demonstrated through the City's commitments to Wilmington's Eastside (Amala Way and Bennett Point projects) and our Critical Home Repair Program. Under his leadership, we grew the program fivefold, increasing service from 25 to 125 homes annually. Guided by his legacy, we continue to open new doors.
Our prayers are with his family.
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Honoring Those Who Serve
On May 4, we gathered for the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast our volunteers had more than earned. "May the 4th Be With You" got the full treatment, right down to themed treats any fan would appreciate: "Chew-bacon" and "Jar-Jar Links" made the menu.
We also honored two standout volunteers. John Grey received the Tom Bissot Construction Regular Award, named for a volunteer who gave more than a decade to our build sites. John spends most Mondays reorganizing the warehouse so the construction team can find what they need, and he has been central to the Bennett Street rehabs this year. Fred Lentz received the Governor's Volunteer Service Award for his steady, long-running commitment.
From the bottom of our heart, thank you to every volunteer who keeps showing up.
| | Fred Lentz (left/top) and John Grey (right/bottom), this year's award honorees. | | |
Eastside Thrive:
From the Town Hall to the Block
The Eastside Thrive Revitalization Plan moved into its implementation phase this month with our first Implementation Town Hall. About 35 residents, community leaders, and partner organizations filled the room, and the energy in it said a lot about where this work is headed.
Our Backbone Cohort members Rev. Shanika Perry, Erin Hutt, and Sicily Bordrick led a strong, engaging session, with updates from Working Group Champions Gladys Spikes (Belonging and Civic Muscle), Rich Przywara (Humane Housing), Angela Ringgold (Lifelong Learning), and Sicily Bordrick (Thriving Natural World). We are grateful to Somandra Parker and Vivian Gaines of the Eastside Residents Association and Charley Bass of the Eastside Civic Association for their leadership. By the end of the night, five attendees had signed up to get more involved. That is exactly how neighborhood transformation begins.
Special thanks to Travis Smith Sr., our Neighborhood Revitalization Convenor, for seeing this work through.
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Sankofa Place Dedication
Thursday, June 11, 10:00 AM, 501 New Castle Avenue (corner of New Castle Ave and B Street)
Join us to celebrate five families whose new homes open doors to equity today and possibility for generations to come: Atiah A., Sheena P., Patricia S., Lashonda P., and Jamal A. Let's open the door and welcome them home.
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Eastside Thrive Rock the Block
Saturday, June 13, powered by Habitat NCC with the Delaware Juneteenth Association Celebrate Juneteenth weekend with us. The community cleanup runs 8:00 to 10:30 AM, meeting at Bethel AME Church (604 North Walnut St.), followed by the Juneteenth Parade at 11:00 AM at Rodney Square (11th and N. Market St.) and a Health and Safety Fair.
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Volunteers of the Month
These are the people who show up week after week. Our work is built on them.
| | | | Construction: Jim Benge For several years now, Jim has been a fixture on our build sites, always ready to step in wherever the need is greatest. He takes on the hard jobs without hesitation, holds the quality of our work to a high standard, and genuinely cares about the families we partner with. Reliable, steady, and all in. Thank you, Jim. | |
| ReStore: Carlene McDonald Carlene has given her time to the Prices Corner ReStore for many years, and her kindness is as dependable as her work ethic. She is a warm, welcoming presence for customers and fellow volunteers alike, and her years of service speak to a real commitment to our mission and community. Thank you, Carlene. | |
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Committee: Debora Wooley Debbie has taken her role as a Family Support Committee member to heart, showing up through engagement, advocacy, and education. She makes sure she understands the procedures and requirements that help her partnered family succeed, and she has been a wonderful addition to the Habitat family.
A message from her partnered family: "It has been a joy working with and getting to know Debbie. She has advocated for me on numerous occasions and checked in on me and my little one. She has been an absolute inspiration. She's easy to talk to, with a warm and welcoming spirit. I'm grateful for it all: the laughs, the chats, and the shared pictures. We hit it off immediately and haven't looked back since. Thank you for pairing us."
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At the ReStore, Every Purchase Builds Something
Here is the part a lot of people miss: when you shop or donate at a Habitat ReStore, you are helping build and repair homes right here in New Castle County. Proceeds from both stores go directly back into our mission, and every gently used couch, cabinet, or light fixture that finds a second home is one less item in a landfill. Good for your space, good for the neighborhood, good for the planet.
Stop in, drop off a donation, or pick up your next project:
Have larger items to give? We offer donation pickup. And if you love a good before-and-after, follow along at @habitatrestorencc for fresh finds and DIY inspiration.
Thank you for being part of this work, in every form it takes.
Let’s Open the Door!
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Lend your time, your voice, and your talents.
Join our Women Build Committee!
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