GIVING BACK | Habitat Homeowners Build Home Just in Time for the Holidays

RING DONATES HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS TO LOCAL HABITAT

Abboud, 40 and Nagwa, 36, are looking forward to resting. The kind of rest that only comes when you have peace of mind. The kind of rest that comes from knowing that you’re in a safe place to call home.

Their new three-story Habitat for Humanity townhome in Hanover Park, IL is the second of 27 townhomes being developed on the cul de sac. This morning they celebrated their Habitat Home Dedication. While they weren’t able to have a “traditional” Home Dedication surrounded by friends, family and cake, as most things marked by the pandemic, the couple along with their two-year-old daughter, Mia, marked this occasion with a virtual stream of the event.

"I am very excited. Today is a great day for me and my family. I've seen many people come and volunteer with Habitat, supporting their work and helping many families. I thank God for the beautiful house and I'm grateful to Habitat and all the people who have worked with them," said Abboud.

Soon, they’ll settle into their three-bedroom home where they’ll finally feel the safety they’ve sought for over 15 years. “I joined this program because I knew that having a permanent and affordable place to live would allow us to finally relax after years of moving and feeling afraid of what the next day or year would bring,” he said. "I am so thankful to Habitat; they have brought us closer to our dream. To me, this house represents safety and stability for my family. Thank you to every volunteer who has helped us build this house," Nagwa said.

Nagwa, who is expecting their second child, is also looking forward to the comfort that will come from knowing that they’re setting down roots for her family. “Mia loves to run around and play outside. Our new home has a beautiful back yard with a community jungle gym in the middle of the Court. Mia’s is going to love playing there and meeting the other children once they can all play together again,” she says.

By the time the development is complete, there will be 38 families living on Greenbrook Court. Families like Rhoda’s, Habitat future homeowner, who worked alongside Abboud this summer and fall to help advance the construction of the homes on Greenbrook Court. It’s this sense of community that is amplifying Abboud’s sense of security.

Abboud and Nagwa will be joining 11 families on Greenbrook Court and will be the 12th household on the court. They are both excited about this new chapter in their lives, as this will bring more stability for them and their two-year old, where she can grow and the couple can grow their family as well. Being a part of a community where they can plant their roots and thrive is important to them. They hope to build a support system with their neighbors and community members to create a safe environment for their family.

That safety and security will be supported by their use of Ring’s home security products. Earlier this year, Ring donated Ring Video Doorbell Pros and Ring Floodlight Cams to DuPage Habitat, making the devices available at no cost to the 27 future home buyers at DuPage Habitat’s Hanover Park development. In November, Habitat for Humanity International also announced that Ring is donating $1 million worth of Ring Video Doorbells, which will be available at the request of new Habitat homeowners to be installed at no cost on their new Habitat homes built in the U.S. in 2021.

“At Ring, we believe when communities come together, safer neighborhoods become a reality,” said Leila Rouhi, president of Ring. “We are thrilled to be working with Habitat for Humanity, which has made incredible strides in helping build safer and stronger communities. Ring is always looking at ways we can make a meaningful impact on local communities and through this donation, we hope to support Habitat’s mission by also providing families with added peace of mind in their new neighborhoods.”

This blue townhome with bamboo floors and brown kitchen cabinets offers more than an affordable roof over their heads. It is a place where everyone has a place to sleep, a yard for playing and most importantly, a place to be their authentic selves without fear of persecution.

Abboud and Nagwa came to the United States as refugees, fleeing religious persecution in Egypt. After converting to Christianity, they were forced to leave their home, their family and their country in 2005 for fear of their safety.

Abboud’s mother and daughter both had their lives taken, so together, Abboud and Nagwa made the difficult decision to abandon everything they’d ever known in hopes of someday living in a place where they could worship freely and safely.

After spending four difficult years in Lebanon as refugees they relocated to the United States where they’ve worked hard to find their bearings and adjust to life in America. The shift was stark as they struggled to find an affordable place to live. With housing costs increasing yearly, they had moved three times within two years. Furthermore, their lack of credit history, they soon found out, would make their dream of having their own place to call home just out of reach.

That is until Nagwa heard about Habitat’s home buyer program in her English as a Second Language (ESL) course at the College of DuPage. Serendipitously, Abboud’s teacher told him about Habitat as well. They knew this was God’s sign to take action and attend an information session. After hearing of the stability and self-reliance that a Habitat home could provide, Abboud and Nagwa were filled with hope and recommitted themselves to that dream.

Almost two years since they first heard about DuPage Habitat and over 500 hours of sweat equity later, Abboud and Nagwa will officially close on their Habitat home in less than two short weeks. They’re looking ahead to the future and hope to be able to leave this home to their children, and in turn instill the importance of paying it forward by volunteering at Habitat for Humanity. “When I read that there were many donors of DuPage Habitat who made our home possible, I thought how important their gifts have been to us. We’re thinking about the future, and how we can be donors of Habitat too,” Nagwa says.

About DuPage Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone deserves a decent place to live, DuPage Habitat for Humanity began in 1995. DuPage Habitat for Humanity has partnered with people in our community, and all over the world, to help them achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build a better life for themselves and for their families. Through local support, DuPage Habitat has helped over 640 people across the DuPage County. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. DuPage Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more about DuPage Habitat for Humanity visit dupagehabitat.org.

About Ring

Since its founding in 2013, Ring has been on a mission to help make neighborhoods safer. From the first-evervideo doorbell, to the award-winning DIY Ring Alarm system, Ring’s smart home security product line, as well as the Neighbors app, offer users affordable whole-home and neighborhood security. At Ring, we are committed to making home and neighborhood security accessible and effective for everyone -- while working hard to bring communities together. Ring is an Amazon company. For more information, visit www.ring.com. With Ring, you’re always home.