Homeowner Celebrates Paying Off Home, Joins Habitat Cabarrus Board

Audrea Chapman was recently appointed to the  Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County board of directors. On the surface, that seems to be no big deal. Dig a little deeper, though, and an amazing story emerges.

Twenty years ago, Chapman was in the process of obtaining

Audrea Chapman on the front porch of her Habitat Cabarrus home.

her own Habitat home, going through the vetting process, putting in the sweat equity hours, taking financial

classes, anything needed to get her and her young son into their own home.

“We were living with my mom and her husband, and it was a two-bedroom house. My son was 10 at the time and we were sharing a bedroom,” recalled Chapman. “The house wasn’t in bad shape, but it was crowded.

“I remember praying every day for the 30 days before I was approved; I prayed every night for the Lord’s blessing. At the end of the 30 days, I got that house.”

Last month Chapman made the final payment on that house. It is now hers, free and clear, except for the amazing journey, the wonderful memories supplied by the house in Kannapolis.

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Restrictions Lifted, Volunteers Will Soon Be Back On Home Builds

On June 1, next Tuesday, Habitat for Humanity International is lifting our volunteer restrictions! We are

 excited to begin engaging volunteers on our upcoming new home builds. State and local protocols will still be in place for everyone’s safety.

Veteran Nonprofit Leader Bill Shelton Named Habitat Cabarrus CEO

Bill Shelton, an executive with a broad background in leading nonprofits, has been named the CEO of Habitat For Humanity Cabarrus County.

Shelton most recently was the CEO of the Future Citizens Foundation: The First Tee Monterey County-Taylor Farms Center 4 Learning in Salinas, California.

“It is an honor to join the Habitat For Humanity Cabarrus County team,” said Shelton, who graduated from Western Michigan University with a double major in business administration and sports and recreational management.  “A person without shelter or shelter in need of maintenance is left exposed to the harsh elements of life and its negative influences. Habitat provides a shelter of hope for the present and future residents of Cabarrus County and the world. I am excited to be part of a team and organization that aids in God’s work.”

As the CEO of Habitat Cabarrus, Shelton will be responsible to the board of directors for promoting the overall vision and direction of the organization and help ensure that long-range plans are developed and carried out to sustain healthy growth and financial stability. He will work closely with staff and board to raise support for Habitat Cabarrus’ mission, will oversee all areas of operations and serve as a housing advocate and governmental liaison in the community.

“We are pleased to have Bill join Habitat Cabarrus as our CEO. Bill is a servant leader who understands the impact housing makes on generations of families,” said Dave Hunkele, chairman of Habitat Cabarrus’ board of directors. “Bill has served youth and families in several nonprofit leadership roles over the years, and he has a passion for building relationships across the community.”

When Shelton took leadership of the Future Citizens Foundation in 2018, the organization had a $1 million deficit. In two years, he led the organization to a $1 million surplus. In the process the organization managed to reach 1,200 additional youngsters in 2019, topping 10,000 youth served in a single year. Also, in 2019 the organization awarded 15 $20,000 scholarships.

As executive director and general manager of the Broward County, Florida, YMCA from 2011 to 2014, Shelton drove large membership increases and retention rates. Retention rates jumped up to 75 percent in every member category and member usage rose from 6,200 visits annually to over 20,000. During that same period senior adult membership increased 900 percent.

Shelton, who is married and lives in Mint Hill, begins his new position on Monday, May 3.