about
us
What We Do
Greene County Habitat recently purchased twenty acres in Union Point, Georgia and will break ground on a development of single-family homes for qualified partner families.
These homes are constructed and sold to families who qualify for the Habitat homeownership program. As much as possible, we use volunteers and donated construction materials to build our homes, using contractors to perform work that requires special skills or licenses.
Greene County Habitat continues to be a tremendous asset in terms of economic development and increased education. We help build a more productive, tax-paying community. For our families, the Habitat experience empowers them and transforms their lives, breaking the cycle of poverty for themselves and future generations.
Families purchase homes with no-interest mortgages based on affordability. These funds are used to construct more homes. Families, who must live and/or work in Greene County for at least a year before applying must have the ability to pay a mortgage and provide “sweat equity” hours toward construction and homeownership. This is the foundation of Habitat’s successful homeownership program.
Meet Our Board
The Habitat Board of Directors develops long-range plans and implementation strategies, sets goals, allocates resources, and ensures financial solvency – as it works to fulfill Habitat’s vision and mission.
The Board of Directors also establishes policies and priorities to help accomplish objectives. The Board is comprised of more than a dozen volunteers who are members of the Greene County community. It includes individuals employed by local businesses as well as retired community members with a wide variety of experience and expertise.
Under the Board’s direction, there are eight volunteer committees working to meet annual goals. These include raising funds needed to build our homes, constructing our homes, and selecting the families who will purchase our homes.
Executive Committee
Charity Hatfield
Linda Martin
Dr. Joan Antone
Rod Wilson
Bob Glaze
Board of Directors
Jan Broughton
Brandon Burgess
Freddie Evans
Rich Grossman
Susan Mason
Joseph Nunnally
Frank Revson
Dr. Olivet James-Robinson
George Rountree
Edward Sowell
Shauna Winters
Board of Advisors
Lindsey Cheney
Theresa Kemp
Tracnesa Randolph
Russell Wall
Happy Perkins
Meet Our Team
Elaine Mathews
Our Executive Director, Elaine Mathews, is responsible for overall operations of our Habitat affiliate and for promoting the overall vision and direction of the organization. She works closely with our Board of Directors to help ensure long-range plans are developed and implemented and that we sustain healthy progress and growth. When not working, Elaine enjoys the lake and and spending time with her three children and two grandchildren.
Patrick Kozma
Our Construction Manager, Patrick Kozma, is responsible for leading our volunteer crews that construct houses five days per week. Pat is also a board member of the Lake Oconee Area Builders Association and a member of Lake Oconee Church. Pat enjoys competing in triathlons, golfing, and deer hunting. Pat and his wife Portia have one daughter.
Karen Dorton
Our Assistant Director, Karen Dorton, is responsible for managing the daily operations of Habit for Humanity. She is responsible for the administration of our Affiliate. She works closely with the Assistant ReStore Manager. Karen reports directly to the Executive Director.
When not working at the ReStore, Karen runs her own Ebay clothing store, traveling and relaxing. She loves spending time with her friends and family. Her biggest joy are her two sons; Connor, a college student and upcoming golf pro and Jared, a 1st Sargent Combat Medic in the Army.
Lauren Phillips
When not working at the ReStore, Lauren and her son enjoy planning their travel adventures and spending time with friends and family.
Greene County Habitat for Humanity Non-proselytizing policy: Greene County Habitat for Humanity will not offer assistance on the expressed or implied condition that people must adhere to or convert to a particular faith or listen and respond to messaging designed to induce conversion to a particular faith.
Myths vs. Truths
Truth: Houses are not given to anyone. Habitat builds houses in partnership with qualifying families, using as much donated materials and labor as possible. Habitat then sells the houses at no interest and no profit, making them affordable for many low-income families. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments go toward the cost of building other Habitat houses.
Truth: Habitat builds houses for people in need, regardless of race, creed or ethnic background. Three criteria are used in the family selection process: need, ability to repay the no-interest mortgage, and willingness to partner with Habitat.
Truth: Habitat houses are built for people in need, regardless of whether or not they are married or have children.
Truth: Habitat’s approach to affordable housing improves neighborhoods and communities by strengthening community spirit and increasing the tax base while building better citizens through the cooperative efforts involved in Habitat construction.
Truth: Habitat is open to all families who do not have adequate housing, sincerely desire to become Habitat homeowners, and are willing to fulfill sweat-equity requirements and faithfully make their house payments.
Truth: Habitat was founded as and unashamedly remains a Christian ministry. Homeowners are chosen without regard to race, creed or nationality- following the requirements of the law as well as Habitat’s belief that God’s love extends to all. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths – or no faith – who actively embrace the goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.
Truth: Selections are made in faith. The perfect family does not exist, but families with great needs are in great abundance. Our calling from God is to help truly needy families, and so very often these families have many problems, not all of which are related to shelter.
Truth: Special second mortgages, as well as first buyback option clauses that we put into our mortgage agreements with homeowners, prevent them from “cashing in” on the low cost when they sell their homes.
Stay in the Loop
We'll send you news, upcoming events, and other fun information.