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Helping hands

Staff report

Posted 11/03/10

(Enlarge) Teresa Herbert and son Jesse get ready to cut the ribbon on their new Habitat for Humanity home in Aberdeen. Assisting them is Max Ryan, development manager for Corporate Office Properties Trust, which partnered with Harford Habitat for Humanity in building the home. (Photo courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

Two Harford County families proudly accepted the keys to their new homes in Aberdeen last month, the result of a two-week blitz build by Corporate Office Properties Trust. The developer and several contractors donated material and labor for the homes, which were completed Oct. 19.

“Helping two deserving families in Harford County is something we’re proud to do,” Randall M. Griffen, CEO of COPT, said. “It made sense for us to lend our resources and the talents of our employees to Habitat for Humanity, so we could make these two homes a reality.”

“We were thrilled for the opportunity to be a partner family,” said Teresa Herbert, a single mother of a child with Down syndrome and a partner family of one of the 1,056-square-foot homes. “I am just now accepting the significant change and peace of mind this will bring, not only to my life but, more importantly, to the life of my son, Jesse. With the help of Harford Habitat and COPT, I am providing him a safe haven.”

The partner family of the second home, Tacora Cockran, is a mother of two and suffers from Lupus and a debilitating genetic disorder. Challenged by the obstacles of a two-story townhome in a gang-afflicted neighborhood, her Habitat home means a safer environment for her and her children.

“I have been disabled since May of 2009. It is difficult to move up and down the stairs,” Cockran said. “Our new home will help me to be a better mother, providing a safer place for my children to grow up. We are so grateful to Harford Habitat and COPT for this life-changing opportunity.”

“Each of Habitat’s partner families have a poignant story to tell. There are hurdles to overcome and often tragic circumstances, but they are always punctuated by a tenacious spirit, awe-inspiring courage, and unwavering faith,” Joann Blewett, Executive Director for Harford Habitat for Humanity, said. “The Cockran and Herbert families, who have been positive and upbeat in spite of their difficulties, exemplify this.”

Harford Habitat for Humanity, a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is a non-profit Christian housing organization driven by the mission to eliminate substandard housing in Harford County. Partner families must apply and meet financial and credit requirements. Once selected, they are obligated to attend home-ownership classes and volunteer 250 to 500 hours towards the construction of a Habitat home. In exchange, they earn a no interest loan on a newly-constructed Habitat home of their own. The organization, which recently completed its 50th home has had a busy year, Blewett said.

“We have been very fortunate to receive strong support this year. We’ve delivered four homes and, through Heats On and Heat the Country initiatives and other generous contributions, we will service or replace approximately 50 heating systems,” Blewett said.

COPT donated the time of nearly 100 employees to help construct the homes, which broke ground Oct. 4 and were completed Oct. 22 in time for a 1 p.m. dedication ceremony. Sen. Nancy Jacobs, representing Southern Harford District 34; Griffin, CEO of COPT, Wayne Lingafelter, president, COPT Development and Construction Services; Max Ryan, development manager at COPT; Catherine Raggio, secretary of disabilities for Maryland; Jenny Hope, project manager for the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization for Maryland; Shawn Kingston, director of the Harford County Housing Agency; and numerous COPT employees attended.

U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski visited the home sites Oct. 19 as part of a tour.

For more information on Harford Habitat for Humanity, visit www.harfordhabitat.org. For more information on Corporate Office Properties Trust, visit www.copt.com.