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‘It’s a dream come true’ Berkeley Habitat building home for family

Published Thursday, January 05, 2012 10:42 AM

By Stefan Rogenmoser
The Gazette

Photo Provided

Volunteers work at the Gadson’s future home off Buckeye Lane in Berkeley County.

Thanks to Berkeley County’s Habitat For Humanity and community volunteers, the lives of Willia Mae Gadson and her six grandchildren are about to change.

Gadson, 51, looks after three girls and three boys in a three-bedroom house. Two of the boys are special needs students who will need continuing care after they finish at Stratford High School.

Due to unfortunate circumstances Gadson’s grandchildren wound up in three separate foster homes. About seven years ago the children were about to be adopted by different families and it looked as if some of children were going out of state.

Despite a number of bumps in the road, Gadson eventually won custody and moved into a bigger home to make room for the kids, one of which was an infant.

Gadson works in the cafeteria at Cane Bay High School. By the time she moves into the Habitat house, hopefully in the spring, all of the children should be attending the three Cane Bay Schools.

Gadson is a single-grandmother. Her husband passed away eight years ago and she has not remarried.

The Habitat house for Gadson is being built off Buckeye Lane, a few miles from the Cane Bay schools. The house has a Summerville address in Berkeley County.

The Habitat selection process is unique: there needs to be a need such as substandard, overcrowded or unsafe living conditions, the owner needs to be able to repay the loan and put in 300 sweat equity hours on projects other than their own, according to Knepp.

“It’s a big blessing,” Gadson said. “I just thank God that He sends the people to help people like us.”

Gadson applied for the Habitat Women Build program for the second time in December and was accepted, Berkeley Habitat Executive Director Bryant Knepp said.

Gadson has worked on two other housing projects and volunteered far more than the required 300 hours to be in the program, Knepp said. Her grandchildren also help.

“They could’ve been sleeping in on those Saturday mornings,” he said. “It’s a testament to how she’s raising her grandkids.”

“I enjoy helping people that need help, even if I didn’t have grandkids,” Gadson said. “It’s like a dream come true. It’s not only for me. I have to look out for my grandkids.”

Through Habitat Gadson received a 20-year interest-free mortgage with non-interest repayments of about $350 a month – and that includes property tax and homeowner’s insurance. “Volunteers keep the houses affordable,” Knepp said.

Gadson’s house is the 25th for the Berkeley chapter, which has existed 21 years, said Knepp, who moved to the area about six months ago.

The family currently lives in a cold, aging house off Sheep Island Road.

The 1,400 square-foot home will have five bedrooms and two bathrooms. It’s more than halfway complete.

Knepp said construction started on the Day Of Caring – Sept. 11, 2011.

“We’re still looking for some sponsorship dollars to complete the project,” he said. “There are some funding shortages . . . we’ve had a lot of great participation.”

Students from Charleston Southern University, faith-based groups, businesses and even Navy volunteers have spent time building the house.

“When I saw the Navy guys get out of the taxi it did something to my heart,” Gadson said. “I couldn’t stop. I had to do what I had to do to get this house for my grandchildren.

“If I wasn’t going to get this home I would’ve had to make other arrangements . . . I struggled all those years I’ve had them. I’m struggling now.

“I had to make a choice. If I didn’t pay attention to my grandkids they may not look at me or respect me when I get older.”

For more information about donations and volunteering call 761-8989 or send an email to womenbuild@berkeleyhabitat.org.

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