Welcome home!: New house will be second Habitat for Humanity build in Shepherdstown

The Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle partner family -- Luis and Cora Abrahante, along with their children, five-year-old Aidonilys and two-year-old twins Elias and Adiya -- participate in the Groundbreaking Service, surrounded by those who have and will help with the building of their new home. Tabitha Johnston
SHEPHERDSTOWN — The sidewalk bordering the final plot in Sage Place Commons was bursting with community members on Monday afternoon, who spilled out onto the lawn of Lot 20 for the Groundbreaking Service for a Habitat for Humanity house. The house will be the second Habitat for Humanity house built in Shepherdstown and Jefferson County.
The lot was purchased by Shepherd Village residents Charlotte and Philip Baker-Shenk, and will be built into a duplex — half of which will become the new home for Habitat for Humanity partner family, Luis and Cora Abrahante, along with their three children. The other half will be sold, according to Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle Executive Director Robin Kees.
For Charlotte Baker-Shenk, purchasing the land to fill housing issues in the area seemed like the perfect answer to her and her husband’s quest to pursue a more just future. While at first the Baker-Shenks considered building a community garden as a way to help equalize life for local Black residents, they soon realized, with the insight of Shepherdstown resident Dorothy Grantham and Berkeley County NAACP President William Zakee McGill, the need for housing for hard-working, lower-income families. As they pursued purchasing the land, they also entered into discussions regarding the use of it with Habitat for Humanity and the Corporation of Shepherdstown.
“It takes a lot of good will and a lot of bureaucratic [work] to even hope to begin to get to this point,” Charlotte said, before noting how the Black Lives Matter movement, which gained national attention last summer, led to this decision. “It’s been painful to see ourselves and our country with new eyes. We’ve seen more clearly how white citizens have benefited from the subjugation of others. We must do some small things to right the wrong — to show mercy, by taking some of our retirement savings to give an opportunity for a better life for another family and their children. We don’t see this as doing something great — this is just doing what is right.”
Philip wholeheartedly agreed with his wife.

Rev. Gusti Newquist, of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, speaks at the Groundbreaking Service on Monday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
“There’s so much need!” Philip said. “We hope [this project] inspires and sparks other forms of housing opportunities and assistance in Jefferson County. We have a lot of need that’s not addressed, that’s rooted in systemic racism.”
While HFHEP could not select the partner family with their race in mind, the Baker-Shenks were pleased to find out that a Black family had, regardless of the fact, ended up being chosen. The Abrahantes have rented a home in Martinsburg for six years, and are looking forward to moving back to the area where Cora grew up.
“We just want to thank everybody for their support,” Cora said, mentioning she attended Shepherdstown Middle School and looks forward to her children being able to attend Shepherdstown’s schools as well. “Everyone who wants to serve in this community, we want to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We’ve been living where we’ve been living for the past six years, but we’re glad to be getting out. Thank you, Habitat for Humanity, for selecting us for this opportunity.”
To help with the project, visit http://www.habitatep.org/ or call 304-263-3154.
- The Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle partner family — Luis and Cora Abrahante, along with their children, five-year-old Aidonilys and two-year-old twins Elias and Adiya — participate in the Groundbreaking Service, surrounded by those who have and will help with the building of their new home. Tabitha Johnston
- Rev. Gusti Newquist, of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, speaks at the Groundbreaking Service on Monday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
- HFHEP Executive Director Robin Kees opens the Groundbreaking Service on Monday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston
- The final lot in Sage Place will be used for a Habitat for Humanity build. Tabitha Johnston

HFHEP Executive Director Robin Kees opens the Groundbreaking Service on Monday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

The final lot in Sage Place will be used for a Habitat for Humanity build. Tabitha Johnston