MEDIA INVITE TODAY: U.S. Army Veteran, OU Health Social Worker and Family to Celebrate New Habitat Home

Amondr’e and Chelsea S. will receive the keys at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 10, in Cornerstone Creek.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Amondr’e S., a U.S. Army veteran who attained the rank of sergeant and is now an OU Health hospital social worker, and his wife, Chelsea S., will celebrate becoming first-time homeowners at 2 p.m. today, Sept. 10, during a Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) new home dedication at their house in Cornerstone Creek, Oklahoma City.

Amondr’e, 28, and Chelsea, 24, became first-time parents when their son, Amondr’e II, was born in March. His arrival deepened the couple’s desire for a permanent home where their child—and any future siblings—can grow up safely and thrive.

Service and perseverance have long shaped Amondr’e’s life. While earning his bachelor’s degree in social work from Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, Amondr’e played football on a conference championship team, earned All-America honors as a member of a 4×100-meter relay team and served as a student chaplain and campus leader. He also mentored middle-school students and helped them work through challenges at school and at home.

After Bethel, Amondr’e pursued graduate social work studies at Washburn University while participating in Army ROTC through the University of Kansas. He later continued his clinical and medical social work education and ROTC participation at the University of Texas at Arlington, where he earned his Master of Social Work in 2023.

Amondr’e has devoted his professional career to helping people navigate difficult circumstances. Before joining OU Health as a social worker in July 2023, he worked in behavioral health, child and family services, emotional-support counseling and hospital discharge planning.

Amondr’e met Chelsea in 2023 while she was working as a security guard at OU Medical Center. Chelsea is an Oklahoma City Southeast High School graduate and former Oklahoma Turnpike Authority employee. She and Amondr’e fell in love and married in June 2025. They lived first in an apartment and later with family in Midwest City until their new Habitat home was completed.

“Chelsea’s the reason why I can go out and help so many people,” Amondr’e said. “As a veteran who served in the military and as a family rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ, the concept of service is incredibly important to us. This home represents stability for our growing family, and it gives us a foundation from which we can continue to serve others.”

Amondr’e and Chelsea partnered with COHFH through its New Home Construction program. Habitat homeowners purchase their homes with affordable mortgages after completing financial education and contributing 100 hours of sweat equity.

The couple said they plan to continue volunteering on Habitat build sites and working alongside other volunteers to help build homes for their future neighbors.

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said research shows that expanding affordable homeownership opportunities represents one of the most effective long-term strategies for strengthening families, supporting educational success and building healthier communities.

“Homeownership provides far more than a place to live—it creates stability, security and opportunities for a family’s future,” Felton Gilliland said. “Amondr’e and Chelsea have displayed hard work and determination throughout the homeownership process, and we’re proud to welcome them and their young son home.”

Their home is the 1,177th affordable home COHFH has built since 1990. The home is located in Cornerstone Creek, COHFH’s newest development, where 450 homes are planned. For more information about Habitat, call 405-232-4828 or visit cohfh.org.