‘Love into action’

AYER — The mood was joyful and celebratory at the Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts home dedication ceremony on Tuesday morning.

The large crowd that gathered for the special occasion included Habitat staff and volunteers, community members and partners, local and state leaders, the numerous people involved with the build of the brand-new duplex, and Nikki and Nina, the two women who are now proud homeowners and town residents.

“Today we bless these two homes,” said Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts Executive Director Carolyn Read. “They’ve been very patient and we appreciate it.”

She thanked all the people who were a vital part of making the project a reality, including all the sponsors and volunteers, her nonprofit organization’s board of directors and the Nashoba Valley Technical High School students and instructors who provided carpentry, electrical and plumbing services.

One of the attendees was overheard saying “What a great turnout,” and Lynn Devin, who is on the Habitat for Humanity NCM Board of Directors and helps with family selection, said that “there is so much work and dedication that goes into becoming a homeowner.”

She shared that both Nikki and Nina went above and beyond when it came to putting in well over the 250 hours each that Habitat homeowners are required to invest in their home project, what the nonprofit calls “sweat equity.” According to a press release Habitat home recipients work alongside volunteers investing in their future and through affordable mortgage payments and financial education, families gain the opportunity to build equity and achieve long-term housing stability.

“They are champions,” Devin said of the two women who were glowing with happiness throughout the event.

Fellow board member Curt Logee said he is proud of his hometown of Ayer for its continued support of the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and said they “couldn’t do it without the financial support of our sponsors” before reading off a long list of those as well as donors.

He said building Habitat homes in communities such as Ayer is putting “love into action.”

State Sen. Jamie Eldridge echoed his sentiments.

“Every region of Massachusetts has a Habit chapter … this is one of the strongest,” Eldridge said, noting that Habitat for Humanity NCM has built the most homes out of any of the state chapters.

A longtime advocate for affordable housing, Eldridge praised the nonprofit, calling it “a leader,” and gave his congratulations “to everyone involved” in the duplex project.

Ayer Town Manager Robert Pontbriand welcomed Nikki and Nina as town residents and said Habitat for Humanity NCM does indeed get “a gold star” for the most builds.

“We celebrate our new residents. We celebrate Habitat,” he said.

One group that was praised over and over again by many of the people who spoke are the hardworking Nashoba Valley Technical High School crew, many of whom attended the dedication ceremony. Peter Martin, one of the Westford school’s electrical instructors, disclosed that upwards of 90 students were directly involved with the duplex build — and were glad to gain real world experience through it.

“They really rose to the occasion,” Martin said of the young adults who posed for a photo, some wearing hard hats.

Nashoba Valley Technical High School Vocational and Co-op Coordinator Kate Hawkins told the young adults they were “amazing on the job.”

“It really does take a community to build homes like this,” she said.

Main Street Bank Senior Vice President of Marketing & Digital Jamie Conaghan said this Habitat project they helped sponsor is extra special to them because they donated the land the duplex sits on.

“We are a community bank, and this is how we define community,” she said.

She has also served on the Habitat for Humanity NCM Board of Directors for a little over a year, an experience that she said has given her even more of “a deep appreciation for all the work that goes into” projects like this.

Read introduced Jeff Gordon, the broker and owner of EXIT Assurance Realty, whom she said, “has helped build every single house I have been involved with for the past 12 years.” Gordon called the Ayer duplex “a massive project” and said “it’s phenomenal” to see it completed before directly addressing the students.

“You guys helped create not just a home, not just a structure, but a home,” he said to them. “…Carry that sense of pride and ownership forward, wherever you end up.”

Read noted that another instrumental community partner, Rollstone Bank, helps fund their critical home repair program, which keeps all the affordable housing units in the Habitat for Humanity NCM portfolio in tip top shape.

To close out the occasion, local clergy said blessings and dedicated the home. Rev. Susan Gaeta asked people to raise their hands toward the house while she read a blessing, with many of the students putting their hands directly on the house during it.

Rev. Yarida Perez, Nikki’s mom, said God chose her daughter and Nina “for a reason.”

“This will be their home forever,” Perez said during a moving prayer.

Members of the Ayer Local Project Committee gave Nikki and Nina bouquets of flowers along with homemade bread, salt — “may your life have flavor” — and bottles of sparkling cider to bring “joy and prosperity.”

In addition, Guy and Anne, a couple from Groton, gave them beautiful homemade quilts, two each for their four children combined, and Martin presented them with the keys to their new homes.

“Thank you for your dedication to your own endeavor,” construction manager Randy Holmquist said to the women as he gave each of them a hammer that symbolizes all the hard work they put into their new homes.

“It took every single one of you to do this,” Read said to them and the group.

Rev. Mia Kano is the leader of the church with the red door “across the tracks” that can be seen from the duplex.

“During the season of Lent, we reflect on loving your neighbors,” Kano said before encouraging Nikki and Nina to “reach out when you need love and assistance.”

“We are so excited to welcome you here.”