Soldotna, Alaska – Rhonda D. Johnson, who volunteers extensively with the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc., (RurAL CAP), received the National Community Action Volunteer Recognition Award for her support of the Mutual Self-Help Housing (MSHH) Program. The award was presented by the National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) at their convention in Boston, Massachusetts on Thursday, September 2.
Every year, the Community Action Partnership hosts a national convention attended by non-profit agencies across the nation. Prior to convening, NCAP solicits nominations for awards that recognize people who have made considerable impacts on their communities. This year, Rhonda D. Johnson won the National Community Action Volunteer Recognition Award for her dedication to the families in the MSHH Program.
RurAL CAP offers the MSHH Program to provide individuals and families with low-incomes an opportunity for affordable home ownership. Groups of eight to 12 participants build one another’s homes, working together under the direction and coaching of a RurAL CAP construction supervisor. The participants’ sweat equity eliminates the need for a down payment and reduces the size of their mortgage.
Mi’shell French, Homeownership Program Director, stated, “Even from the first time I met her, I was struck by her tenacity to overcome adversity and the challenges life had brought her way, but more so, I was struck by her kind, giving, and caring nature…She has single handedly made it possible for at least 3 other single female households to successfully complete construction of their homes.” RurAL CAP is honored to be a part of Johnson’s story and to see her impact acknowledged on a national scale by NCAP.
In 2009, Johnson began the process of becoming credit eligible to build her home in Soldotna. By 2016, she had completed construction and moved into her beautiful, new home. Throughout the entire process, she has volunteered thousands of hours to help families build their homes during five building projects, constructing 45 homes.