BERKELEY – The Clanton family is dedicated.
Dedicated to each other and dedicated to restart their new life together, and recently they were welcomed into their new home during a dedication ceremony.
The Northern Ocean Habitat for Humanity built their 23rd home this year, and the beneficiaries were Laniece Clanton and her boys, Ahmad and Mahki. It was a “hand up not a hand out,” as Habitat says, because the future homeowner puts in a ton of sweat equity. They hammer nails, paint, and do whatever they can to make it their own, right alongside volunteers.
In calling the assembled to worship, Chaplain Barbara Miles thanked God for all the blessings that made this day possible. “It’s the simple things in life that we take for granted but you have given unto us.”
“The dedication was not just about handing over the keys, but celebrating the hard work” that brought Laniece to this point, Habitat Executive Director Kristine Novakowski said.
A home is more than just four walls, she said. It’s safety, and it’s a place to grow and flourish.
“Thank you to everyone who donated the time and energy,” Laniece said. “We have something stable in a neighborhood we recognize and it means a lot to come home to.”
Laniece toured the home, showing her boys what they have to look forward to – their rooms, the new and modern appliances, a nice back yard. At one point, the youngest boy had enough of speeches and went to hang out in his new room, which caused a lot of laughter among the guests.
“It’s been a very long road for me and my family. This community means a lot to me. My grandfather used to live down the street and my mother around the corner. It feels good to have a community that I know and feel safe in for me and my kids. We can go down the road and see people we know and feel welcome,” she said.
Gift baskets were filled with whatever a new homeowner could need. They also received a $300 gift certificate for the ReStore on Route 37 in Toms River.
Chaplain Miles presented a Bible for the house, and there was much praying and good wishes for the family. Similar to church oratory, the speaker gave several statements and the crowd replied “We dedicate this house” to each. She also reminded them of the Sadie Vickers community garden which provides free produce for families in the area.
Many hands made light work of building a home, and those many hands included utility companies, contractors, construction companies and more. Berkeley Township provided the land in Manitou Park.
