A house built on promise, hope and legacy of women: Habitat for Humanity
Thanks to Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, Aflac, and other community organizations, West Columbia, South Carolina will see the first new house built on Monticello Street in nearly 60 years. It's more than a house for Jazenia, the new homeowner. It's a house built on hope, promise, and the legacy of women.
On March 8, International Women's Day, Aflac employees in Columbia celebrated the groundbreaking for Jazenia's new home, a Habitat for Humanity Women Build project, with Jazenia, her family, and community leaders. Women Build empowers women by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and emphasizing equity. Women pay more to buy a home and earn less when they sell it, according to a Yale University School of Management study1, and "overall, gender differences in housing explain up to 30% of the gender gap in wealth accumulation."
Equity
Melody Hodge, Aflac's director of Account Management, has lived in West Columbia for many years. Melody welcomed Jazenia and her family to the neighborhood and offered words of support and encouragement during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“As women, we are stronger than we realize, and with the help of friends, neighbors and organizations like these, we manage to find a way forward, even when every obstacle is thrown into our paths. It gives me hope to be part of events like these and part of organizations like Aflac and Habitat for Humanity that empower people to open gateways toward progress. It gives me hope because this is our chance to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of families, one home at a time. Thank you, Jazenia, for allowing Aflac to be part of your family story,” said Melody.
Before becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, Jazenia immersed herself in the organization's service projects to learn new skills, serve her community, and revitalize neighborhoods. Jazenia has volunteered over 400 hours to help others build homes. She will now assist in the construction of her own home and look forward to teaching her children about the responsibilities of home ownership.
Aflac employees will join Jazenia and others to build her new home in late March. With each new wall they build, they will break down barriers to new home ownership while shining a light on equity for women.
“Aflac is proud to support Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable and equitable homeownership for women like Jazenia and her family,” said Bob Ruff, senior vice president, Aflac Group Voluntary Benefits.
“On International Women’s Day, Aflac celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of women, and it reminds us of the importance of diversity and equality. Our Aflac team is honored to help build Jazenia’s home through sponsorship support and our many volunteers working alongside the great team at Habitat for Humanity.”
On March 8, International Women's Day, Aflac employees in Columbia celebrated the groundbreaking for Jazenia's new home, a Habitat for Humanity Women Build project, with Jazenia, her family, and community leaders. Women Build empowers women by providing affordable homeownership opportunities and emphasizing equity. Women pay more to buy a home and earn less when they sell it, according to a Yale University School of Management study1, and "overall, gender differences in housing explain up to 30% of the gender gap in wealth accumulation."
Equity
Melody Hodge, Aflac's director of Account Management, has lived in West Columbia for many years. Melody welcomed Jazenia and her family to the neighborhood and offered words of support and encouragement during the groundbreaking ceremony.
“As women, we are stronger than we realize, and with the help of friends, neighbors and organizations like these, we manage to find a way forward, even when every obstacle is thrown into our paths. It gives me hope to be part of events like these and part of organizations like Aflac and Habitat for Humanity that empower people to open gateways toward progress. It gives me hope because this is our chance to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of families, one home at a time. Thank you, Jazenia, for allowing Aflac to be part of your family story,” said Melody.
Before becoming a Habitat for Humanity homeowner, Jazenia immersed herself in the organization's service projects to learn new skills, serve her community, and revitalize neighborhoods. Jazenia has volunteered over 400 hours to help others build homes. She will now assist in the construction of her own home and look forward to teaching her children about the responsibilities of home ownership.
Aflac employees will join Jazenia and others to build her new home in late March. With each new wall they build, they will break down barriers to new home ownership while shining a light on equity for women.
“Aflac is proud to support Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to provide affordable and equitable homeownership for women like Jazenia and her family,” said Bob Ruff, senior vice president, Aflac Group Voluntary Benefits.
“On International Women’s Day, Aflac celebrates the contributions and accomplishments of women, and it reminds us of the importance of diversity and equality. Our Aflac team is honored to help build Jazenia’s home through sponsorship support and our many volunteers working alongside the great team at Habitat for Humanity.”
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