MEDIA RELEASE: From Midwest City to Move-In Day: Army Veteran and Wife Celebrate a Habitat Home of Their Own

OKLAHOMA CITY — Dressed in matching patriotic T-shirts, Amondr’e Street, a U.S. Army veteran and OU Health hospital social worker, and his wife, Chelsea, arrived Thursday afternoon ready to celebrate the dedication of their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) home—and begin moving in immediately afterward.

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland emceed the event as the young couple received gifts from community members and Habitat staff. The housewarming gifts included an engraved wooden cutting board, a $50 ReStore gift certificate, a welcome mat and an engraved Bible. Luis Avila, lead pastor of Pasión Iglesia Compassion Church, a multicampus congregation in Oklahoma City, then blessed their new home.

After Felton Gilliland presented the house keys to the couple, Amondr’e thanked Habitat for helping his family become homeowners and praised Habitat staff for going above and beyond to help them build their home.

“It’s been a long journey, but definitely a blessing,” he said. “You guys have great workers—I don’t want to say workers—but it’s not just a job to them. So, thank you, guys.”

Chelsea added that she’s filled with gratitude for the couple’s new Habitat home.

“I’m really grateful,” Chelsea said. “I’m filled with gratitude and God knows how patient we have been and faithful throughout this process. This just proves how great and loving God is—thank you for everything!”

The couple, who had been living with family in Midwest City, began moving into their new home immediately after the ceremony and an interview with Telemundo Oklahoma.

Amondr’e, 28, and Chelsea, 24, welcomed their first child, Amondr’e II, in March. They said they wanted a permanent home where their son—and any future siblings—could grow up safely and thrive.

Felton Gilliland said the Habitat house is the 1,177th affordable home COHFH has built since 1990. She said hardworking parents like Amondr’e and Chelsea, who partner with Habitat, can buy a home at cost with no down payment after qualifying for an affordable mortgage, completing financial education classes, and contributing 100 hours of sweat equity through COHFH’s New Home Construction program.

“Amondr’e and Chelsea have displayed hard work and determination throughout the homeownership process,” Felton Gilliland said. “We’re proud to welcome them and their son, little Amondr’e II, home.”

For more information about Habitat, call 405-232-4828 or visit cohfh.org.