Nyquaci Young, center, poses with School of Nursing volunteers who helped build a home for her family.The sixth Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham home built by UAB volunteers was dedicated with a ceremony Nov. 20, just in time for the new owner Nyquaci Young and her children to celebrate their first Thanksgiving in it.
Work began Sept. 26 on the home located at 7031 2nd Ave. South in the Eastwood neighborhood. The project is funded by the UAB Benevolent Fund, and the home was built by more than 500 UAB community members who volunteered around 5,000 hours to complete it. All UAB employees were invited to the dedication ceremony and to tour the home.
Young is most excited about being a first-time homeowner and is eager to move in with her three children, Mykerya, Robert and Nardia. When asked what she would like to say to those who have helped to make her home possible, she said, “Thank you so much. I never believed this process would go by so fast. I wasn’t expecting to be in the house before the holidays, but the UAB volunteers have made it possible.”
Reid Jones, chief operating officer for the UAB Health System, says this home is special because Young, a certified medical assistant in the UAB Kirklin Clinic, has been with UAB for a long time and she is considered family.
“Seeing more than 500 people come together for several months and work to turn a dream into a reality for this family is an amazing thing to witness.” Jones said. “This is an important year for UAB as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. Through the UAB Benevolent Fund we developed the 50 Acts of Service program, and this Habitat House is one of the ways we are celebrating and helping our community.”
