WOW! What a year. These past 12 months have been an incredible journey of growth and development for your Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity affiliate. Cleveland County Habitat for Humanity officially became Rose Rock Habitat for Humanity June 29 and we made it public August 12 with the help of three amazing Chambers of Commerce (Norman, Moore and South Oklahoma City). We held a joint ribbon cutting ceremony that brought all three together simultaneously and produced an amazing turn-out from an amazing community. The name change removes the geographic limitations our previous name implied as we look toward the future expansion of our services beyond the Cleveland County borders.

Speaking of service offerings, we recently closed out a grant that allowed us to establish a new emergency home repair program. This funding allowed us to provide critical home repairs involving health, safety and security issues that put residents at risk in the one place they should feel most safe… their home. From leaky roofs and dangerous heating systems, to structural problems and everything in-between, we were able to make much needed repairs and put over 100 families back into safe secure housing.

One of the most exciting things we get to do each year is put a deserving family into a place they get to truly call their own. This past year we were privileged to sit across the table from two deserving families, with our partner NEAT Title, and close on two Rose Rock Habitat homes. A third closing is already planned for early February and we have three new builds currently underway. This means welcoming three additional families to our Habitat family with a fourth build already planned for the first quarter of 2023. What a great way to kick off the next year. Wouldn’t you agree?

On March 5th we launched our Inaugural Common Grounds Coffee Festival. Created to be a one-of-a-kind annual flagship event; it did not disappoint. We were astonished by the turnout our first year with 40 participating vendors, over 1,000 people in attendance and more than $35,000 raised by your community. And with great appreciation, this amount was matched by a grant provided by ONG, raising our total to over $70,000 for our home building fund! And this year will be even bigger and better. You don’t want to miss it.

So much good stuff. I could go on and on. Suffice to say, it was an absolutely astounding year for our organization made possible through strong community partners, donors and volunteers; a dedicated board of directors; selfless committee members; and an inspirational passionate staff that loves our mission. It is simply not possibly to put all the incredible stuff Rose Rock Habitat team members have accomplished this past year into such a short space. I can hardly wait to see this next year unfold.