Sponsor takes hands on approach to changing lives

For years Clark Howard has generously contributed to Atlanta Habitat and future homeowners by offering his consumer expertise while building over eight winter-time Saturdays. For first-time homebuyer Isis, she couldn’t have asked for a better house sponsor. As Team Clark embarked on his 26th year of partnering with Atlanta Habitat, they have worked alongside Isis and two other new homebuyers through January’s chilly temperatures and rain to build three homes in the Spring River Gardens community.

Isis, a H.R. administrative assistant, and mother of three, began her journey with Atlanta Habitat a year ago and is happy to see her progress thus far. She is grateful for the financial help and unique perspective Clark provides each step of the way. “The hardest part about getting where I am now was saving and learning to budget, but it was also a big reward,” Isis said. Isis’ oldest daughter Jameria enjoys dancing, cheerleading, and reading. Her middle son, Sincere, enjoys football and video games. While Kaleb, the youngest, is fixated on the playground and following his older siblings around. Having Clark build three houses alongside families every Saturday and keep up with his demanding schedule as a national consumer broadcaster is an inspiration to Isis. She plans to continue to volunteer with Atlanta Habitat as a way to normalize volunteer work for her young children.

“Our block-by-block strategy helps to improve blocks in increments to further improve the neighborhood,” President and CEO Lisa Gordon says. “Once all the hard work is done there will be 12 new families on this block, thanks to sponsors like Clark Howard.”

“I am the cheapest guy around, but I believe in the mission so much that I have used my own money to sponsor more than 60 houses since 1996.  Atlanta Habitat offers a hand up, not a handout. Neighborhoods across Atlanta have been transformed.  But that is nothing compared to the transformation in the lives of the children.” Clark Howard said when asked about his role with Atlanta Habitat.

Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, helped with this build to show support for these families, many of whom have children who attend APS. Dr. Carstarphen worked alongside her Senior cabinet members and Grady High School students. They were proud to get their boots dirty while remaining dedicated to rebuilding the block. “Creating stable foundations, which often times starts with housing, goes hand-in-hand with higher academic outcomes and better school experiences for children,” Superintendent Carstarphen added.

Isis and the other two homeowner families will celebrate their new homebuyer success at their house dedications in early March 2019.