A home to call their own: Newly constructed home brings joy for the Abrahante family

In Shepherdstown on Tuesday, a large crowd of community members and volunteers gathered to dedicate and celebrate the newly constructed home of the Abrahante family, built through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle. Emily Keefer
SHEPHERDSTOWN — It was a joyful day in Shepherdstown on Tuesday, as members of the Abrahante family stepped foot into their newly constructed home, a project build through a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle.
In HFHEP fashion, the community gathered to dedicate and bless the home, to thank those involved with the process and welcome the family into the new space.
The home, located in Sage Place Commons, couldn’t have been completed without the help of several volunteers, community partners and donors.
Robin Kees, executive director at Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle, said that all together, they had over 1,000 hours that have gone into completing the house.
“We have been in business almost 25 years, and this is our 38th house we have dedicated, and we are very excited about it,” Jerry Olsen, HFHEP board vice president, said at the dedication of the home.
Laura Chandler, of City National Bank and chairperson for the family selection support committee, has also known the family since the process began, and she said it was exciting to see it all come to fruition.
“It is great to see you here now, standing on your front porch. And I can’t wait for you to move in,” Chandler said to the family.
The opening prayer for the event was given by Rev. Jeffrey Childs, from Bolivar and Engle united methodist churches.
Additionally, there was a presentation of a closet full of cleaning supplies for the family from Proctor & Gamble.
“On behalf of Proctor & Gamble, we are proud that we can help in the community in any way possible. So, what better way than to go into your new house to have a closet full of cleaning supplies,” Patti Schiotios, of P&G, said of the products made locally at the P&G plant off Tabler Station Road.
Blessings and dedication of the home were given by Rev. Gusti Newquist, of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church.
“I am so excited for this day,” Newquist said. “This is what love looks like. This is love in action.”
In September, the Abrahante family broke ground on the home that was dedicated on Tuesday and have been working hard since then to see the project through to completion.
The family signed its letter of notification and acceptance in August 2021 to partner with Habitat for Humanity to put an affordable and safe roof over its head. The home is the second from Habitat for Humanity to be built in Jefferson County.
Luis and Cora Abrahante expressed gratitude at the dedication with their children — Thalia, Aidonilys, Elias and Adiya.
The family members thanked all who played a role in the major step forward for their future.
“On behalf of the Abrahante family, I just want to thank our family and friends for coming out and volunteering hours and those who dedicated hours to child care to be able to help us commit and complete our hours. I would like to thank our contractor, who dealt with us with immense patience, and I just thank everyone involved — the community, those who didn’t know us, all of the funds provided, all of the simple things, such as bringing cases of water. Every effort was not unnoticed, and we do appreciate you all, and we will never forget you all. I can’t thank the community enough for helping us in this way,” Cora Abrahante said.
Kees said that she is thrilled for the family and expressed gratitude for all who played a part.
“They always say that it takes a village to raise a child; well, it takes that same village to build a house and have a home for somebody,” Kees said.
“God bless everyone. God is good. I want to first and foremost thank God, for opening the doors that he opened, for shutting the doors that He had us shut. I thank Habitat for choosing us, for doing everything they did in their power. I thank our contractor, Scott,” Luis Abrahante said. “I appreciate everything that you guys have all done. From the bottom of my heart, me, Cora and the children, we thank you all for all you have done. God bless you guys.”
The partner sponsor for the home was the Catherine F. and James H. Stentzel Foundation, while funding was provided by the Eastern Panhandle HOME Consortium of WV and WVHDF Affordable Housing funds, Eastern WV Community Foundation, community donors and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Support donors included Phil and Charlotte Baker-Shenk, Dr. Frank McCluskey and Melanie Winters, Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church and Jersey Mike’s Subs. Community involvement was given by several entities, including individual donors, banks, church and agency donors, residents of Sage Place Commons, residents of Shepherd Village, volunteers and the corporation of Shepherdstown. There were also several project-supporting contractors and vendors that helped to complete the home throughout the community.
“There were many, many companies that played a part in the construction of this home, as well,” Kees said.
The closing prayer was given by Pastor Justin Brown, of Hope City Church, and after the prayer, there were refreshments and a tour of the home for the community and those who attended.
For more information about Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Panhandle, visit habitat.org/us-wv/martinsburg/hfh-eastern-panhandle.