MADRID, Iowa—A Habitat for Humanity house dedication ceremony has never taken place in Boone County in the month of January, but then the latest home built in Madrid has been very different from the start.
The project began with a public groundbreaking on Sunday, April 9, with handicap-accessibility integrated into the house blueprints as early as January last year. The father of the partner family was mostly confined to a wheelchair, far more accommodations were included this time than for any previous home constructed by local Habitat volunteers.
But an unfortunate thing happened on the way to final touches. The partner family exited the Habitat program and moved from the Madrid community just as the house was nearing completion. Another first for the group.
Holding keys to a completed house but without a partner family, Habitat for Humanity leaders leaned on their Christian faith in hopes that God would provide.
About this time, in yet another twist of fate across town, Kathy Albright, a long-time Madrid resident, experienced a life-changing medical condition that took away her ability to walk literally overnight. With her trailer home unable to be modified, Kathy’s close extended family immediately began to investigate the still empty Habitat home known to have just the accommodations she would now need.
For both Kathy and Habitat for Humanity, God did indeed provide. When released from the hospital on December 1, Kathy moved into her Habitat home at 406 S. Water Street in Madrid and has set herself to creating her new life with support from loving family members and supportive neighbors.
Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity and the Kathy Albright family now invites the public to help celebrate dedication of Kathy’s new home at a dedication ceremony on Sunday, January 7, at 1:30 p.m.
Normally held at the completed Habitat house, one final “first” will see this dedication hosted instead at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 115 S. Cedar Street in Madrid. This is Kathy’s home church. Time of year and with Kathy already occupying her Habitat home, it was deemed impractical to host a large audience at the completed house.
Habitat for Humanity especially invites those who have never attended a Habitat house dedication to consider this their opportunity for a “first” as well. After an inspiring short program, treats will be served for all, which is exactly what happens every time a new Habitat home is dedicated. Hopefully, some things will never change.
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard and poverty housing. All persons are welcome as partner families and volunteers regardless of religious beliefs or affiliations.
The Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity Home built in Madrid in 2017
Kathy Albright is the partner family for the Heart of Iowa Habitat Home in Madrid
(contributed article and photos, Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity)
