Welcome Home, Clayton Family!

We are thrilled to welcome the Clayton familyto their new home! After facing numerous challenges over the past few years, Martin and Novella Clayton, along with their three boys, finally have a safe and comfortable place to call their own. This momentous occasion is a testament to their resilience, hard work, and unwavering determination.

In August 2020, Novella underwent open heart surgery, which prevented her from working full-time. Shortly after her surgery, the family received the surprise news of Novella's high-risk pregnancy with their third child. This further complicated their financial situation, leading them to move into a relative’s two-bedroom, dilapidated home in an unsafe neighborhood. Despite these hardships, the Claytons remained grateful for the shelter they had.

Thanks to Novella’s recovery and her return to work, and Martin's dedication, the couple managed to balance their schedules to care for their children. Their relentless effort enabled them to qualify for our homeownership program. Novella shared her joy, saying, “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.”

This joyous occasion would not have been possible without the incredible support of our donors and partners. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Post and Courier Foundation, Dupont, the Joanna Foundation, The Exchange Club of Charleston, and Pinnacle Bank for their generous contributions.

Additionally, we are thankful for the invaluable help from Live Oak Consultants, GJS Architecture, Lawrence Construction, Coastal Community Foundation, Weyerhaeuser, DuPont, Cypress Engineering, ADC Engineering, Steinberg, University of Mary Washington, Towson University, Montgomery College, Boston College, Dominican University, Denison University, Lycoming College, ABC4, and Hunter Quinn. In addition to these supporters, we would also like to thank our anonymous donors for supplying a matching dryer to their washing machine along with their microwave hood upgrade. Your dedication and hard work have made the Claytons' dream of homeownership a reality.

And a special thank you to the Berkeley Electric employees and staff for stocking their pantry this morning! The Clayton family is so very grateful for your donation. Additionally, we want to acknowledge all of the hard work and time given by everyone who participated in our 2024 Women Build - THANK YOU!

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!

Join us in transforming lives and communities. Your donations and volunteer efforts are crucial in helping more families achieve their dreams of homeownership. Visit our volunteer pageto learn more about how YOU donate or volunteer. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

Welcome home, Clayton family!

For more of today's photos, please email marketing@berkeleyhabitat.org.