Jacksonville, FL –
Local homebuilder Providence Homes broke ground today on their third House for HOPE located in the Aberdeen Community -Wellington Park subdivision in St. John’s County. Profits for the sale of this home will benefit HOPE International, a global, nonprofit organization that provides micro-loans to people in poverty-stricken countries.

“We’ve been involved with HOPE International for many years now. It’s a powerful, faith-based group that is making huge strides in alleviating poverty by helping people build businesses to support themselves,” said Bill Cellar, CEO of Providence Homes. “With just a few hundred dollars, people can create a business for a sustainable living and get out of poverty for good. It truly is a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

The Providence Homes House for HOPE is the Edgewater a 2818 square foot, 5 bedroom/ 3.5 bathroom home that will be constructed with the generous time and materials donated by trade partners to keep the costs low and to maximize the proceeds generated by its sale. The home will take five to six months to complete and once sold, the builder anticipates a $75,000 contribution to be donated in full to HOPE International. Ultimately that money will help nearly 20,000 individuals and families with $100 to $500 micro-loans to start businesses and rebuild their lives through Hope International program.

Many of the loan recipients are women with children who have been abandoned or widowed by war or devastation. “A few hundred dollars is enough money to sell shoes or vegetables in an open market or purchase sheep or pigs for livestock,” added Cellar. “And with the high repayment rate, the $500 loaned to one person is available for another, and so on. That’s what makes this program so successful.”

To date, HOPE International has issued approximately $3 million in micro-loans. Since getting involved in 2002, Providence Homes has raised over $200,000 for HOPE International with their first two House for HOPE projects.

In addition to helping individuals and families with micro-loans, HOPE International starts Bible clubs and summer camps for thousands of children in impoverished nations. For more information about HOPE International, call 1-877-982-HOPE or visit www.hopeinternational.org.

Along with HOPE International, Providence Homes is actively involved in initiatives focusing on health, youth development, nation-building and leadership projects centered around faith. Bill Cellar, CEO of Providence Homes has traveled extensively throughout Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, working on a wide range of non-profit organizations all centered around his faith.  Some local initiatives include I.M. Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, The Salvation Army, Builders Care, the United Way of North Florida, the Monique Burr Foundation for Children, International Community Foundation and the Lemuel Organization.

Providence Homes was founded in 1992 by CEO, Bill Cellar. As Providence Homes celebrates their fifteenth Anniversary, Bill Cellar continues to build upon the philosophy that homeowners deserve the best he can give. The team of professionals at Providence Homes is committed to building every home as if they were building it for their own family. That degree of care has earned Providence Homes an excellent reputation among Realtors® and homeowners.