Habitat Homeowner Celebrates Twice  at Home Dedication

Just in time for Thanksgiving 2024, University of Oklahoma Medical Center Trauma Registrar Akayla K. celebrated her new home dedication on Nov. 21, 2024, at Cornerstone Creek, Habitat’s newest and largest affordable housing development in Oklahoma City.

The week was also extra special for Akayla because it was her son Kailen K.’s eighth birthday. In addition to the large turnout by her family and friends, Akayla received numerous housewarming gifts and blessings for a safe and happy future in her new home in far northwest Oklahoma City.

In her application to Habitat’s New Home Construction program, the young mother stated that she has always desired to have her own home.

After years of paying high rent for less-than-ideal conditions, she wanted a “settled environment” where she could raise little Kailen. During the home dedication, when Akayla received the house keys from Central Oklahoma Habitat Chair/CEO Ann Felton Gilliland, she excitedly said, “Whoop, yeah, yeah!” After a big hug, the young mother thanked the attendees.

“Thank you all for being here and helping us celebrate today,” Akayla said. “It means a lot to me. Thank you to everyone who helped, volunteered, and coached us!” Felton Gilliland said the recent home dedication was Habitat’s fifth ceremony at Cornerstone Creek, commemorating Habitat’s 1,110th house, which had been built in the greater Oklahoma City area since 1990.

“Thanks to our generous donors, volunteers and sponsors, we’ve been busy fulfilling the promise of Cornerstone Creek so that our families can be home for the holidays,” Felton Gilliland said. “Cornerstone Creek is a testament to the power of community as we work to fulfill our ministry’s mission of building homes, community and hope in Central Oklahoma. I’m also pleased Akayla and Kailen now have their own new Habitat home where they can celebrate the holidays, his birthday and other special occasions.”