For Concord native Phyllis Meaders April 24, 2024, will be a day she will never forget. Afters years of dreaming, she finally achieved her long-awaited goal of becoming a homeowner, thanks to Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County.
Meaders was officially handed the keys during a Wednesday afternoon ceremony at the home, located at 291 Academy Avenue, surrounded by her family, friends, Habitat Cabarrus officials and several volunteers who helped build the home, otherwise known as the Weekday Warriors.
“This means so much to be because this has been one of my dreams,” Meaders told the Independent Tribune in a brief interview before the ceremony. “It’s just a wonderful feeling being able to say, ‘This is going to be my forever home.'”
The many hardships Meaders has had to overcome, including losing her mother at a young age and losing her youngest son a few years ago, makes this moment all the more meaningful.
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“This is really emotional,” she said, noting her mother and son have been with her throughout the entire process.
Phyllis Meaders received the keys to her new Habitat Cabarrus home Wednesday afternoon.
Meaders will be living in the home, which is 1,030 square feet and includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms, with her great-niece Amiyah, though she has several children and grandchildren who will make frequent visits.
She first applied to become a Habitat homeowner in the summer of 2022; she was notified her application was approved in March 2023. Meaders completed the required 250 volunteer hours of sweat equity on her home and those of other homebuyers.
Nick Lovelace, president of the Habitat Cabarrus Board of Directors, attested to the Meaders’ determination, noting it is not easy to become a Habitat homeowner.
“When I think of endurance, I think of perseverance, and I know the perseverance that Phyllis has gone through in order to get to this point,” Lovelace said.
Meaders’ hard work to finally realize her new home gives hope to everyone that “this is the American Dream and you’re about to realize that today,” he added.
One of Meaders’ co-workers and good friends, Vicki Gaston, told the crowd that Meaders has always been a blessing to anyone she comes into contact with.
“She goes above and beyond sometimes–a lot of times,” said Gaston, who handed the keys to the home over to Meaders. “If anybody deserves this today, it is Phyllis. She has worked hard, she’s been through a lot and God has brought her a long way.”
Phyllis Meaders enters her new home with her great-niece Amiyah.
During brief remarks, Meaders acknowledged the struggles she has experienced throughout her life. “But I made it through,” she said. “It’s nobody but God, he gave me the strength to keep going.”
Habitat Cabarrus has built 173 homes for those in the community, who are cost-burdened, since its inception in 1986, according to a Habitat Cabarrus press release. The organization will celebrate three additional new home dedications within the coming weeks.
