Executives, employees, and volunteers from Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County were recently on hand to help soon-to-be homeowner Lavonia Owens raise the first wall on her family’s new home. Located in the Sterling neighborhood of Greenville, the Owens home is the fifth house out of a planned 10 that Bon Secours has helped Habitat to build.

“As a faith-based organization, Bon Secours lives by the notion of loving our neighbors as ourselves and bringing our communities to health and wholeness, and as a healthcare institution, we know that access to quality affordable housing is key to so many health and community issues,” said Craig McCoy, CEO of Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. “Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County gives us the opportunity to live out our mission of doing good - not just for individual families but through the positive ripple effect this effort creates.”

The wall raising marks a major milestone for the Owens family, which includes Lavonia, a nursing assistant, and her three children. Owens, like all Habitat Greenville program participants, will complete 25 hours of homeownership and financial education classes as well as 200 hours of “sweat equity” building other Habitat homes. Upon completion of construction of her home, Owens will pay an affordable mortgage for the home and help contribute to the Greenville County tax base.

“The raising of the wall reflects how my life has changes over the past two years in this program,” said Owens. “As the walls are raised, it shows the growth I had to achieve to make it to this point. I’d like to thank God, Habitat, volunteers, friends, and Bon Secours for sponsoring my family.”

“The concept of home is so central to all of our lives and, therefore, affordable housing is critical to creating thriving families and communities,” said Monroe Free, executive director of Habitat Greenville. “As one of our key partners, Bon Secours knows that we are building so much more than houses through their efforts. We will all benefit from their leadership and generosity.”