MEDIA RELEASE: Three Local Habitat Families Celebrate New Homeownership at Cornerstone Creek

OKLAHOMA CITY – In just six calendar days (June 24-29), three local families celebrated the dedication of their new Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (COHFH) homes in Cornerstone Creek, marking another high point in the nonprofit’s efforts to expand affordable homeownership opportunities in Central Oklahoma.

Channing N. and her husband, Shahil F., became best friends while working together at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club. They then started dating four years ago and recently got married. Channing said COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland and her co-workers at the Oklahoma City Golf & Country Club encouraged her to apply for Habitat homeownership.

“We finally get to put our roots down and we won’t have to move again for a very, very long time,” Channing said. “Thank you to everyone at Habitat. The best part is being able to learn the whole process and all the different avenues Habitat offers.

“From the Critical Home Repair program and the ReStores to getting to hammer nails into your own house. I mean, that was a blessing in itself, so thank you all so much for everything. We are very blessed.”

The Evonna P. Family from Moore

CUTLINE: From left, Zaiden P. gives his little brother, Jacobi M., a piggyback ride while his mother, Evonna P., holds little Dakari M. As one of Habitat’s newest homeowners in Cornerstone Creek, Evonna was later featured on a TV broadcast on KWTV-Channel 9.

OU Health pharmacy benefits navigator Evonna P. is a hardworking mother of three who shared her Habitat story with Channel 9 after her COHFH home dedication on Thursday, June 25, at her new house in Cornerstone Creek.

Evonna expertly placed her youngest son, Dakari M., on her hip while her oldest son, Zaiden P., balanced his younger brother, Jacobi M., on his shoulders before sharing her story. She said she encourages people to consider applying with Habitat to buy a home.

“Buying an affordable home through Habitat is an easy process, and everyone kind of walks you through it and tells you what you need to do,” Evonna said. “It’s a complete blessing to have Habitat help you through the whole thing. Without Habitat, I don’t think I’d be in this position today.”

The Samuel W. Family of Oklahoma City

CUTLINE: Samuel W. and his oldest daughter, Meron, hold up the family’s house keys on the porch of their new Central Oklahoma Habitat house in Cornerstone Creek. Samuel works as a streetcar operator with EMBARK in Oklahoma City, and Meron attends Oklahoma City Community College. The family is preparing for Meron’s mother and Samuel’s wife, Gezu, and two additional minor children, to complete the immigration process from Ethiopia to the United States.

Before purchasing their new Habitat home, Samuel W. and his adult daughter, Meron, lived in a one-bedroom apartment.

Originally from Ethiopia, Samuel works as a streetcar operator with EMBARK while his daughter attends Oklahoma City Community College. He said he spent the past 10 years building a life in the United States and working to reunite his family here. With COHFH’s help, he told the small crowd that attended his new home dedication on Wednesday, June 24, in Cornerstone Creek, that he’s happy to now have a home large enough to accommodate his family.

“This is a great opportunity for me,” Samuel said. “Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you guys, and God bless you.”

Samuel said his family in Ethiopia is in the final stages of immigrating to the U.S. and is expected to arrive soon. He expressed his happiness at having a home large enough to accommodate his family.

COHFH Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland said each of the three families has worked hard for the opportunity to buy safe, stable and affordable homes at cost, with no down payment.

“Homeownership changes lives because it gives families a foundation for the future, and we are grateful to celebrate these milestones with them,” Felton Gilliland said.