“It is the biggest Christmas gift I could have ever asked for!”
You could hear the joy in Simeon Seaton’s voice as she talked about the new home she would be moving into with her five-year-old daughter, Savannah.
“She is going to be so excited to decorate her room,” she said. “And we will finally get our own bathrooms!”
Simeon and Savannah were all smiles at their family home dedication made possible by the 2023 Banker’s Build. Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area joined forces with volunteers, including more than 20 Regions Bank associates, to complete a renovation that transformed a two-bedroom, one-bathroom house into a comfortable three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
“Habitat for Humanity’s mission includes bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope,” said Robert Leard, Jackson Market Executive at Regions Bank. “These are things we should all find easy to get behind, and being involved specifically in a Habitat build as a volunteer is a special and rewarding experience. Regions Bank’s mission of making lives better is a natural fit with the great work being done by Habitat for Humanity.”
Simeon has only ever rented and said she thought her dreams of being a homeowner may never come true. Now she says this chance to come into this new, affordable home has given her a new lease on life.
“The Seatons are no different than you or me; we all want to have a permanent home; a place to call our own,” said Steve Shirley, who is not only senior vice president and area investment executive for Regions but is also a board member of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area. “An affordable home provides a foundational piece of the puzzle to reach financial stability and independence. It is gratifying to see families assisted by Habitat for Humanity and great companies like Regions come together in a way that provides significant long-term benefits to all.”
The Banker’s Build was in August. Through the heat, volunteers worked hard to make the December dedication possible. Shirley said the Seaton family worked hard, too.
“Habitat homeowners are typically hard-working folks who come to us as renters, living in substandard housing. Many are not able to put together a down payment, but through their sweat-equity and perseverance, they become homeowners!”
Shirley also spoke about how this community partnership not only helps to create valuable real estate to preserve neighborhoods but also enhances family security and outcomes that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.
“The Seaton family home stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, a testament to the transformative power of community partnerships among businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers,” said Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area Merrill McKewen. “Together we are building not just homes, but brighter futures for families in our communities.”
The sentiment is not lost on Simeon, who said she could not believe strangers worked so hard for her family. She wants to pay it forward, pledging to come back out and help build for the next family hoping for their forever home.
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