This year, Keshia Jones isn’t going home for the holidays — home has come to her.
Jones, a childcare worker and mother of an 11-year-old, is the proud owner of the 18th annual R House, a partnership that brings together hundreds of Roanoke College students and countless Habitat for Humanity volunteers to build a new home for a local family.
For Jones, the dedication ceremony held Dec. 9 marked the culmination of a more than two-year process of planning, saving and assisting in the construction of the two-story house. It was a wonderful way to start the holiday season, said Jones, who donned a festive sweater for the occasion.
“I love the holidays,” she said. “This is my month. To get my house in this month, I just couldn’t ask for anything better.”
She added it was wonderful to see the students and community volunteers she had gotten to know during the house’s construction this year. R House is a major service-learning project that all incoming freshmen take part in through Roanoke College’s Center for Civic Engagement.
The initiative, undertaken in partnership with Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, challenges students to conquer new tasks and roots them in the principles of service and citizenship. Many continue to volunteer with Habitat and grow to become team leads for R House.
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Photo: Roanoke College students and staff smile for a photo with Keshia Jones on the porch of her family's new home.
“On campus, students get really excited for Habitat,” said Madison Smith ’24, one of the upper classmen who worked on this year’s house and mentored freshmen crews. “Being part of a community and knowing you’re working together toward something greater is really common at Roanoke College, and students usually run right toward it.”
Smith added that part of what makes R House so meaningful is the chance to work with people like Jones, whom she described as an inspiration.
A crowd of volunteers, family and friends gathered together to cheer as Jones and her daughter cut the ribbon on their new home during the dedication. Afterward, Jones said she was looking forward to filling the house with new memories — including making plans to host her family's Christmas dinner this year.
This will mark Jones’ first holiday season as a homeowner. Asked which yuletide traditions she was most excited for, she smiled and said, “Just being with family, eating good, playing games and loving all the little moments.”
Media Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity, Roanoke College officials dedicate 18th R House via WSLS
Media Spotlight: For homeowner Keshia Jones, Saturday was ‘a day I'll never forget’ via The Roanoke Times
Media Spotlight: Family attains homeownership through Habitat for Humanity via The Roanoke Tribune
The Little Moments
Keshia Jones' 11-year-old daughter cuts the ribbon on their new home during its Dec. 9 dedication celebration.
Grace Sweat '24, a student team leader with R House and the Center for Civic Engagement, presents Keshia Jones with a housewarming gift.
Chaplain Chris Bowen offers a blessing at the Dec. 9 dedication ceremony for the 18th annual R House.
Jesse Griffin, director for the Center for Civic Engagement, smiles while addressing the crowd at the dedication for the 18th annual R House.
Keshia Jones thanks the crowd who came together to celebrate the dedication of her family's new home.