Meet the Claytons! Martin, Novella, and their three boys are our next partner family!
The Claytons have conquered one hurdle after another over the past few years as they have done all they can to keep their spirits high. In August 2020, Novella underwent open heart surgery, preventing her from working full-time. A few months after her surgery, Novella and Martin were both blessed and surprised with the pregnancy of their third child. Due to her high-risk pregnancy, Novella could not return to work. Like many Americans, the Claytons did their best to persevere with skyrocketing inflation and cost of living. They were eventually forced to move into a family member’s two-bedroom dilapidated home located in an unsafe neighborhood. Despite the many challenges, the Claytons have been thankful to have a roof over their heads.
Novella has since been able to return to work. She and Martin work opposite schedules, so they can take care of and meet the needs of their boys. Their hard work and determination made it possible for them to qualify for our homeownership program. Novella stated, “The day we got the news we are going to be homeowners, I cried; all I could say was thank you God, we did it! We will finally have a place that is ours and our boys can be in a safe environment. You guys are a blessing, not only to my family, but to other families out there.”
Everyone at Berkeley Habitat for Humanity is excited to work with Martin and Novella as we continue to pursue our mission to provide affordable housing in Berkeley County. Your support makes it possible for us to make a difference for families like the Claytons. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Martin, Novella, and their boys!
For updates on Martin and Novella’s homeownership journey, as well as the progress on the Hutchinson Lane Project , follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. If you are interested in volunteering with us or making a donation , please visit our website or contact our office.