Citi Foundation Helps 75-Year-Old Twins Become Homeowners and Neighbors

Harriet Skinner and Berdella Seward Receive Keys to Celebratory First Homes on Jefferson Street


Baltimore, Md. – Berdella Seward and Harriet Skinner, 75-year-old twin sisters and first-time homeowners, have much to celebrate in the New Year. 2009 brings the blessing of two new homes for these women. Berdella and her daughters, Elaine and Diane, and Harriet and her sons, Melvin and Ray, will receive keys to their neighboring homes on Jefferson Street on Sunday, January 18 while family, friends, volunteers, and supporters join them to celebrate.

At 2205 Jefferson Street, Harriet Skinner can look at this once-vacant address and truly call it her home, a place in which she and her family can take pride. Berdella Seward, at 2207 Jefferson Street, can look at her newly renovated home next door and know she and her family finally have a safe place to live. And soon, the sisters will be able to look down their street at the new McElderry Park community of Chesapeake Habitat homes, as their dedications will mark the first of 13 new dwellings to come. Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity’s 138th and 139th homes are an exciting start to an entire community of newly renovated homes that will provide simple, decent, affordable housing to families in need.

The renovation of Ms. Seward’s home was made possible by a generous grant from Citi Foundation. Over the course of the build, more than 80 Citi employees participated as construction volunteers on site. Ms. Skinner’s home was funded primarily by the Baltimore Window Factory, a long-time Chesapeake Habitat partner. In addition, the renovations could not have happened without the hours and hours of work put forth by dedicated volunteers.

“Citi is thrilled to support the revitalization of the McElderry Park community,” said Sheldon Caplis, Community Relations State Director for Maryland, Citi. “We have worked closely with Habitat for many years and look forward to our continued shared commitment to help make communities better because we are there.”