By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Lakreshia Graybyrd and her children stand at the groundbreaking of her new home.
Friday, April 29, was a big day for a big family as local resident Lakreshia Graybyrd and her six children got to attend a Habitat for Humanity groundbreaking for what will be their new home off Lower Kingston Road in Prattville.
Habitat for Humanity of Autauga and Chilton Counties, partnering with multiple local businesses and individuals, has helped Graybyrd achieve the dream of a new home, although there will be a lot of work ahead to get it off the ground.
Graybyrd said she applied for the Habitat home about a year ago.
“I was looking on Facebook and I saw the posting about Habitat having their orientation,” she said. “Orientation is where you would get your application to complete and what documents you will need to submit. I had been praying for a home for me and my kids because we have always lived in apartments and because my family is so big, it’s kind of cramped.”
Graybyrd was one of many who applied for the Habitat home but said she was surprised to get the news that she’d been selected.
“I was shocked to be selected because it got to the end of July and I hadn’t heard anything, but in the midst of everything I did change my phone number,” Graybyrd said. “They all came to my house and said, well we tried to contact you but your number has changed. They said we have some good news for you. You were selected for a Habitat home and I remember my heart was racing and I remember leaping off of the ground. I couldn’t stop thanking God for it.”
The Prattville woman, whose husband passed away in March of 2020, said that the home will mean a lot.
“It is something me and my kids can call our own,” she said.
The home, which will have five bedrooms and three bathrooms, will accommodate Graybyrd’s kids, who are 15-years-old all the way down to two.
Felicia Riley, Community Outreach Director for the local Habitat office, said the home is projected to be completed by December.
Riley, in explaining how the process works, said, “We do have sponsors but she will have a mortgage. It’s a zero-percent mortgage. She (Graybyrd) had to do 125 sweat equity hours on the house prior to hers, which is the house across the street, and 125 sweat equity hours on her own house.”
Graybyrd explained sweat equity as any kind of work on the house.
“Nails. Put up windows. Cook, Paint,” she said. “I still have my paint clothes so I’m ready for this house.”
Graybyrd added some advice for anyone who has found themselves in a similar situation as hers and needs some help.
“Pray, complete the application and believe that everything is going to work out and have faith,” she said.
Riley said although Habitat has many sponsors for Graybyrd’s home, there is still a great need.
“We still need about $60,000,” she said.
Currently there are about 25 donors including McKinnon Toyota, Publix, Regions Bank, Joey Sedinger Electrical, Ben Murphy Roofing and Dairyman’s Supply.
Companies and businesses as well as individuals can donate to Graybyrd’s home or any other Habitat need to the organization, which is currently located at Calvary Baptist Church in Prattville. If you are interested in more information or to donate, call the office at 334-365-4123 or Riley’s cell phone 334-733-2343.
